Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Book Release: Talon by Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Series:  Talon #1
Publication: October 28th, 2014
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon


Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.



About the author:
Julie Kagawa, the New York Times bestselling author of the Iron Fey and Blood of Eden series was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel.
When not swimming for her life, Julie immersed herself in books, often to the chagrin of her schoolteachers, who would find she hid novels behind her Math textbooks during class. Her love of reading led her to pen some very dark and gruesome stories, complete with colored illustrations, to shock her hapless teachers. The gory tales faded with time (okay, at least the illustrations did), but the passion for writing remained, long after she graduated and was supposed to get a
real job.

To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dog trainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full time.

Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks are at an all time low. She lives with her husband, an obnoxious cat, an Australian Shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and a hyper-active Papillion.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Book Release: Atlantia by Ally Condie

COMES OUT IN 3 DAYS.

Publisher: Dutton's Children's
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Mythology
Publication: October 28th, 2014
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
Can you hear Atlantia breathing?

For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamt of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all her plans for the future are thwarted when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected decision, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long hidden—she has nothing left to lose.

Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother’s death, her own destiny, and the complex system constructed to govern the divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long-hidden truths.



About the author:
Ally Condie is a former high school English teacher who lives with her husband, three sons and one daughter outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves reading, running, eating, and listening to her husband play guitar.

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Thursday, October 23, 2014

Book Release: Compulsion by Martina Boone

COMES OUT IN FIVE DAYS.

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Gothic, Romance
Series: The Heirs of the Watson Land #1
Publication: October 28th, 2014
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Three plantations. Two wishes. One ancient curse.

All her life, Barrie Watson has been a virtual prisoner in the house where she lives with her shut-in mother. When her mother dies, Barrie promises to put some mileage on her stiletto heels. But she finds a new kind of prison at her aunt’s South Carolina plantation instead--a prison guarded by an ancient spirit who long ago cursed one of the three founding families of Watson Island and gave the others magical gifts that became compulsions.

Stuck with the ghosts of a generations-old feud and hunted by forces she cannot see, Barrie must find a way to break free of the family legacy. With the help of sun-kissed Eight Beaufort, who knows what Barrie wants before she knows herself, the last Watson heir starts to unravel her family's twisted secrets. What she finds is dangerous: a love she never expected, a river that turns to fire at midnight, a gorgeous cousin who isn’t what she seems, and very real enemies who want both Eight and Barrie dead.



About the author:
Martina Boone was born in Prague and spoke several languages before learning English. Her first teacher in the U.S. made fun of her for not pronouncing the "wh" sound right, so she set out to master "all the words”—she's still working on that! In the meantime she’s writing contemporary fantasy set in the kinds of magical places she'd love to visit. 


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Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Movie Discussion: The Maze Runner by James Dashner, Directed by Wes Ball



The Gossip:
Non Readers:

"Omg! I have to read this book."
"Dylan O'Brien is soo hawwttt!"
"Dude, how many books are out now?"

Readers:

"Omg. Amazing!"
"I didn't imagine the maze to be this way. LOOL."
"Dylan O'Brien! <3"


I don't think I'm the only one, but like, I didn't imagine the hole to be like that in the movie. Hahhaha. I thought it was like something they threw rocks at, and they couldn't see it? Then they found out it was like 1x1 and then they jumped? There were so many intense scenes...I loved it! But it could be confusing for non-readers in the beginning, but they'll get the gist of it soon.

I loved the casting! It was amazing! But you know, Dylan O'Brien is hot in many other movies, including this one too, but the hottest in this movie, I have to say, hands down, is Thomas B. Sangster. He was so adorable in the movie! Anyways, back to the casting and their acting. Ha. Get it? It rhymes. Okay. Jessica. Stop. The effects(are they effects?) were amazingly done, when I was watching it, I didn't notice any flaws, but if I go back to re-watch it, then I'll probably notice a lot of flaws, but let's just leave as perfect..for now. Wait. Jessica. There's no such thing as perfect! Only one person is perfect, but I will not say. (;

Watched on: September 27, 2014

Add this book to your goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6186357-the-maze-runner?ac=1

Ahhh! It's  at 300k reads from the goodreads community!


Book Release: In The Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken

COMES OUT IN A WEEK.

Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Paranormal
Series: The Darkest Minds (#3)
Publication: October 28th from Disney-Hyperion
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble


Ruby can't look back. Fractured by an unbearable loss, she and the kids who survived the government's attack on Los Angeles travel north to regroup. With them is a prisoner: Clancy Gray, son of the president, and one of the few people Ruby has encountered with abilities like hers. Only Ruby has any power over him, and just one slip could lead to Clancy wreaking havoc on their minds.

They are armed only with a volatile secret: proof of a government conspiracy to cover up the real cause of IAAN, the disease that has killed most of America's children and left Ruby and others like her with powers the government will kill to keep contained. But internal strife may destroy their only chance to free the "rehabilitation camps" housing thousands of other Psi kids.

Meanwhile, reunited with Liam, the boy she would-and did-sacrifice everything for to keep alive, Ruby must face the painful repercussions of having tampered with his memories of her. She turns to Cole, his older brother, to provide the intense training she knows she will need to take down Gray and the government. But Cole has demons of his own, and one fatal mistake may be the spark that sets the world on fire.




About the author:
Alexandra Bracken wrote Brightly Woven as a birthday present for a friend, and the story grew and flourished during a year of unpredictable, wild weather. A native of Arizona, she is a recent graduate of the College of William and Mary, where she majored in History and English. She now lives in New York City.


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Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Tell Me My Name by Mary Fan and Slam by Tash McAdam

StoryTime is a tri-annual event created by Glass House Press.  All proceeds from the StoryTime events will be donated to SDDAS Spirit Fund, a
nonprofit society dedicated to giving homeless animals the medical care they need. For more information, visit their website at sddac.com/donations.asp.

In Mary Fan’s second novella from Glass House Press, a teen girl wakes up in an icy cell, alone and frightened. She has no memory of who she is or how she came to be there.

She does know that she must get out, at all costs. And that escape must start with remembering the simple things – her own name. Her place of origin. Her possible powers.

When a group of dark magicians reveal themselves to be her captors, she finds herself in the clutches of those who will stop at nothing to uncover the secrets locked within her lost memories. With her life fading under their merciless spells, the need to escape becomes dire.

But can she get out when she doesn’t even know who she is? Can she count on one unlikely ally for help? Or is it already too late for her, a girl without a name?

Tell Me My Name introduces the main characters in Mary’s new fantasy series, Fated Stars, with the first book, Windborn, due in late 2015.

Purchase on Amazon: http://amzn.to/Zjgx5F

About Mary Fan

Mary Fan is a hopeless dreamer, whose mind insists on spinning tales of “what if.” As a music major in college, she told those stories through compositions. Now she tells them through books—a habit she began as soon as she could pick up a pencil. Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evil follows a well-received debut novel, a space opera titled Artificial Absolutes (2013), and is the first in the Flynn Nightsider series. Mary would like to think that there are many other novels in her bag, and hopes to prove that to the world as well.

Mary lives in New Jersey and has a B.A. from Princeton University. When she’s not scheming to create new worlds, she enjoys kickboxing, opera singing, and blogging about everything having to do with books.

Website    Facebook    Twitter  


Sunday, October 12, 2014

Book Review: Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Lux (#5)
Genres: Young Adult, SciFi, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance,
Published: August 1st, 2014 by Entangled Teen
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.

They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.
Hold up...Can I just like, rant about the cover real quick? Because seriously, It's not cute. I mean, at least they remembered that Daemon's eyes were green, but like...a close up of half of his face isn't cute. Like, why would you do that? And the fact that you make the series name stand out more than the actual title, for me...is just weird. I mean, do it like Origin, where it says a font size smaller "A Lux novel". And in the background is like a shadow figure...of I'm guessing is Katy? This cover doesn't match with the previous, old, BEAUTIFUL, 4 covers. I mean, I know they made new ones so they match, but the new ones aren't too pretty either.


"You've got a big heart, Kitten."


Also, Hold up, let me rant about my copy of the book. The one I received included a Bonus Prequel and I didn't expect the bonus prequel to be so long. So like, when I reached the "epilogue" part of Opposition, I was mad. I was like.."I'm only 3/4 of the way through the book." and I flipped through a few pages and found the prequel "Shadows" and I was like..."why is Shadows like...1/4 of the book." Oh but don't worry, There will be a review on the prequel soon after I finish it.

Anyways, back to the legit review. The previous four books, I've given 5 stars, but Opposition? It's 4 stars. Maybe, if I reread it later on in the future, my rating will change, and I'll make an updated review, but as of now, I'm not as fond of it as I am for Obsidian, Onyx, Opal and Origin. I want to start talking about the feels first. I expected to get hit by a roller coaster and start breaking down or beaming every few paragraphs. But no, all I got was a few laughs here and there. When the sad parts came, I didn't really cry. I was just like ":(" but I wasn't feeling much. I felt like Jennifer L. Armentrout could've built up more relationships with the characters in the previous four. If she did, I would've probably been able to be a bit more sad about losing that character. Don't get me wrong, I have a heart...I just didn't feel it this time around.

Who in the hell is this chick to think she can even say anything?

Next up, Let's talk about the plot. The four books in the Lux series was fun and entertaining to read. They were all about intense action that could get your heart beating, with a few romance scenes here and there. But now, I didn't feel snapsickles. The very intense, burning action scenes that I've been waiting for was pretty good, but practically everywhere were romantic scenes. I mean...I guess you could say I get it, but I don't? Maybe, because this is the last book, she wanted them to be more...together? But there were too many random sex scenes that didn't even feel appropriate. Oh yeah, and then the way Ms. Armentrout wrote Dawson's words in the book just makes me mad at Beth. I feel like, when reading that Dawson doesn't really care about his family and his only priority is Beth. I mean, I know he loves his family, but the writing doesn't show. Like in the beginning, he kind of left Dee for Beth and I was like "For real? -.- "

Also, I felt like I drifted apart from Daemon. He's not the same, arrogant boy I knew since the very beginning. Now, he's all mushy mushy and cheesy. Sure, they know not to take their time for granted, but I just miss the old Daemon! I just need more of him. Also, all the love going on between different characters, I felt were the same. The boys were all overprotective and they didn't really show much of a difference in personality. Like, they were the same Daemon. Annddd, I didn't expect the boy(Sorry, can't say the name because of no spoilers in this review)to come back to Katy so soon. They encountered each other in the first 100 pages and I was like "Already?!"

I'm sorry. Those two words blazed through my consciousness. I can't allow this.

Now, let's talk about the good parts, because I don't want this review to be all negative. I liked the characters and the world. The characters, I loved. They were the same ones I love since the first book.(Although the characters didn't really grow in their personalities...to much.) They weren't there for show, they were there to be legit and have and play out a part. I also love Luc and Hunter. Like, they were the bomb. All the guys in this series are freaking hot and smoking. I expected Luc to be like 11, for some reason, but turned out he's probably around 14 and 15. Hahaha. Not too young, but he's pretty strong. Strong enough to have contact with practically everyone in the world (exaggerating). Oh, I'm sorry, I can't rant about Hunter, because that would be a spoiler.

And the world was simply amazing. They practically traveled around the world in cars. CARS. Sooo legit, it's too funny.

Oh, and the dual POV aspect was nice. I liked being able to feel what the other character is feeling. And the writing isn't dip-snapsickles either. Her writing is very detailed, and she's able to capture their minds and their feelings. It's not a dull, monotonous feeling when you read it, it's actually there. The feelings..I mean. And Katy...Omg. She's soo kick-butt and she was able to use the source so well, I'm actually proud of her. Okay, to be clear, I never criticized Daemon and Katy's romance, I just talked about their out-of-nowhere sex scenes, got it? So let me rant about my OTP. They are so cute! I swear. Daemon can just sputter "I love you" anytime and be cute and adorable. Oh yeah, Don't miss out on this, BUT READ THIS AFTER YOU READ OPPOSITION: Click HERE.

Or copy this AFTER YOU READ OPPOSITION: http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/a-special-thank-you/

"Holy shit, you really were going to let me go all yum-yum on you."

Ooohh, and I loved the whole plot in general. HEARTS ARE FLYING EVERYWHERE. The Aliens in High School aspect kind of got cut off in the previous books, but it was still funny. I loved the poking and practically everything Katy and Daemon! So I want to thank Kat (from Katytastic on Youtube) for making a video that includes the "Obsidian" book and introducing me, indirectly, to the beautiful Lux series. I want to thank Armentrout for actually, receiving the idea from a friend of hers (Yes, I read the acknowledgments) and writing it out. Thanks for making a Katy and a Daemon, and a Dawson and a Beth, and an Archer, a Luc, a Hunter, a Dee and practically everything. I'm am sooo going to miss this series, but I know I have to get over it soon, but it'll always have a special place in a special part in my heart.

Oh, and before I forget, I also want to apologize for my lack of blog posts and reviews. I am so sorry! I haven't been busy, I won't lie to you guys, but I HAVE been in a reading slump and I just can't get into any book. All I've been doing is rereading books I've already reviewed, so I didn't have any new reviews to write for you, but I promise, I'll be doing my reviews more frequently now, because I've received books that have piqued my interest. :D


Friday, October 10, 2014

The Stark Affair by Skylar Cross

Have you heard about this great new author, Skylar Cross?
She writes gritty erotic romance with raw feelings and unmanageable sexual encounters.
Skylar's next panty dropping adventure is all about sexy as hell Colton Stark.
The Stark Affair Book One: Heat
Colton Stark is filthy rich. A billionaire playboy who drives fast and plays hard, he enjoys an endless stream of party girls... at his mansion, on his yacht, and in his private jet. He's also top of Miami-Dade Police Department's list of suspected narcotics traffickers. Tough girl cop Sofia grew up on the mean streets of Miami, unafraid to kick anyone's ass. When asked to investigate Colton, she doesn't even consider it a challenge. Until she comes face-to-face with Colton Stark's penetrating blue eyes. After a steamy meeting at his South Beach club, Sofia finds herself playing a dangerous but sexy game with her own principles. As evidence mounts of Colton Stark's dirty dealings, together they spark a bonfire of passionate heat. Mature content. 18+ only.
And now for the cover....
Add it to Goodreads now!
About Skylar Cross:
I love dark, mysterious, and deviant. Powerful dominant alpha males with troubled pasts who find strong but unfulfilled submissive women. Both need to escape the "rules" of society (just like me... haha.) Together they make hot steamy delight and fill in each other's damaged parts. This is me. This is what I write. Hope you like it.
Check out Skylar on the web
Did you also know she has a freebie available?
Annika is a reporter for MiamiImproper.com, a struggling web magazine. Damien Cage is rock star frontman for the Platinum-selling band Eon Sphinx. When her boss sends Annika to interview Damien at his Biscayne Bay estate, she can't believe it. Now 22 and trying to find her path in life, Annika is trying to let go of her strict religious upbringing. She yearns to be sexually free, enjoying all that life has to offer. Just turned 30, Damien is surrounded by beautiful girls. He trains them in the "Deviant Arts of Pleasure." But none of them are on his level. Disillusioned and jaded with the music industry, he has quit his band in search of something more meaningful out of life. When Annika and Damien meet, sparks fly. The steam between them is hotter than the Florida sunshine. Damien makes an offer to Annika. Neither realizes it yet, but it's an offer that will fill their lives with both deep meaning AND sizzling passion... starting at one of Damien's infamous Friday night parties full of decadence and debauchery.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Book Release: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Publisher: Penguin / G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Paranormal
Series: The Young Elites (#1)
Publication: October 7th 2014 
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

OH MY GOSH I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS.

About the author:
Marie writes young adult novels, and has a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, she was born in 1984. Before becoming a full-time writer, she was an Art Director at a video game company. Now she shuffles around at home and talks to herself a lot. :)

She graduated from the University of Southern California in '06 and currently live in LA, where she spends her time stuck on the freeways.

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Thursday, October 2, 2014

Book Review: Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Kengsington
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural, Magic, Urban Fantasy
Series: Elemental (#2)
Publication: August 28th, 2012
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally. Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can't. Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he's not doing it. And no one seems to believe him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Because Layne has a few secrets of her own...
I felt like it was better to review the second book. I find it hard for me to review the first. I'm sorry. :(


Gabriel Merrick. I. Love. You.



Dude. I loved this. Maybe it's because this second book was based off on the brother that controls fire. And I LOVE the fire element.
We got to hear about Gabriel's thoughts in his 3rd person point of view. He was the less successful family member in his family and so he was frustrated with how he was doing in his math class. And here, is where he meets Layne, who fixes his math test (all the answers were wrong) when they traded their papers for grading. Things between them grow after that.
There was just so much more action because well, fire is more destructive and more tempered. When Gabriel was being rude and whatnot, I kind of understood because fire is destructive and he reminded me of me.

But then Chris appeared. He threw a glance at the wall that separated the lockers from the shower room. "Who's his sister?"
Gabriel looked back in his bag and kept his voice nonchalant. "Just a girl in my math class."
"Just a girl, huh?"
Gabriel glared at him. "Just a girl."
Chris smiled. "So was Becca."
^^ I was totally squealing from this.

There were just so many feels with this book. I loved the brotherly love between Michael and Gabriel. Michael was the only brother Gabriel was talking about his problems to. I loved the moments between Chris and him. It hurt me seeing that Gabriel wasn't talking to his twin, Nick because Gabriel lashed out on his girlfriend. He lashed out because he felt like they didn't need him there when everyone was laughing and eating without him in the kitchen. It just made him angrier because he was dealing something before that. Nick and Gabriel didn't solve their relationship until towards the end of the book.


I loved how the author tied in real-life events into this, explaining that the Elementals are the ones responsible for them. Like tsunamis by the water elementals and the Great Chicago Fire by the fire elementals.




There were so many "Awww" moments for me. I loved how Gabriel helped out Layne's brother, Simon, when he was getting bullied by upperclassmen. He's deaf and loves to play basketball. His basketball coach (varsity. He's a freshman) doesn't let him play in games because he cannot hear anyone. Gabriel practices with Simon and I found it so sweet and loving. The people bullying him are pure a$$holes.



There were so many hard times for Gabriel. I really wanted to hug him so bad. He really needed one. But he got some from Layne. :D






I LOVE FIRE.
Here. Enjoy a nice, warm fire.


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