"The Lost Girl" by Sangu Mandanna

Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Pages: 432

From Goodreads: "Eva’s life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination—an echo. Made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her “other”, if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she eats, what it’s like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.
But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.

Now she must abandon everything she’s ever known—the guardians who raised her, the boy she’s forbidden to love—to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive.

What Eva finds is a grief-stricken family; parents unsure how to handle this echo they thought they wanted; and Ray, who knew every detail, every contour of Amarra. And when Eva is unexpectedly dealt a fatal blow that will change her existence forever, she is forced to choose: Stay and live out her years as a copy or leave and risk it all for the freedom to be an original. To be Eva.

From debut novelist Sangu Mandanna comes the dazzling story of a girl who was always told what she had to be—until she found the strength to decide for herself."

When I first received this book to read and review I honestly didn't know much about it (primarily because I don't feel like it has had quite as much hype as some books have this summer) and after reading it? All I can do is shake my head. This is one of the best books I have read this summer, if not this year, and it is unfortunate that it hasn't seemed to gotten the recognition it deserves (While I may be composed on the outside, my inner fangirl is squealing, "IT TOTALLY DESERVES TO BE HYPED ABOUT! And not just hyped about this summer, but FOREVER!!!).

Without a doubt this book's biggest strength is the emotional aspect of it- I personally haven't encountered such emotions since reading "Where She Went"  by Gayle Forman and "Pushing the Limits" by Katie McGarry- this book  is so real, raw, and vulnerable, that I believe it impossible to not find yourself teary eyed at least once while reading this book.

Furthermore, not only is the book itself real and raw, but so are the characters- from the primary, such as Eva, a girl trying to find a place for herself in a world that hates her, Sean, a boy conflicted between upholding his late father's position and protecting the girl that he loves, to the secondary, such as Matthew, Eva's weaver who I found to be not unlike Snape from "Harry Potter"- a man with obvious secrets who despite his actions and outward appearance will do anything and everything to protect those that he cares for, to Nikhil, Amarra's younger brother, a old soul residing within an unassuming child's body.

All in all, I believe it impossible to do this book justice in a review. I believe that this is the sort of book that each person needs to experience on their own. I know that, for myself, this is a book that I will come back to time and time again (and one that I hope and pray will get a sequel because if any book deserves a sequel it is this!).

Rating: 10/10

I received this book from the publisher to read and review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating...
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Title: "The Rules"
Author: Stacey Kade
Release Date: April 2013
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

From Goodreads: "1. Never trust anyone.

2. Remember they are always searching.

3. Don’t get involved.

4. Keep your head down.

5. Don’t fall in love.

Five simple rules. Ariane Tucker has followed them since the night she escaped from the genetics lab where she was created, the result of combining human and extraterrestrial DNA. Ariane’s survival—and that of her adoptive father—depends on her ability to blend in among the full-blooded humans, to hide in plain sight from those who seek to recover their lost (and expensive) “project.”

But when a cruel prank at school goes awry, it puts her in the path of Zane Bradshaw, the police chief’s son and someone who sees too much. Someone who really sees her. After years of trying to be invisible, Ariane finds the attention frightening—and utterly intoxicating. Suddenly, nothing is simple anymore, especially not the rules…"

"Spark" by Brigid Kemmerer

Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: K-Teen
Pages: 432

From Goodreads: "Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally.
Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can’t. Like the fire that killed his parents.

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.

More than Gabriel’s pride is at stake -- this could cost him his family, maybe his life. And no one seems to hear him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Layne understands family problems, and she understands secrets. She has a few of her own.

Gabriel can’t let her guess about his brothers, about his abilities, about the danger that’s right at his heels. But there are some risks he can’t help taking." 

The fuse is lit…"

While I feel head over heels for Gabriel in "Storm" (I mean, swoon-worthy or what with all of his bad-boy attitude or what?!?) I must admit that it did take me a while to get into Gabriel's head in this book (I was just so acclimatized to Chris's from "Storm" due to reading these books back-to-back), however once I did I LOVED it- I found Gabriel to be a much, more more complex character than his younger brother.

That being said, I found Layne to be somewhat of a weaker character than Becca. In some cases I had differences differentiating them as they share many personality traits- constantly licking their lips (since I read "Twilight" with Bella constantly doing this, I can't help but notice it in other books)- and having deep, dark secrets which aren't revealed until the latter half of the novel. I would love for one of the love interests to just lay everything out on the table from the get-go. However, I did like her much more than I liked Quinn (hopefully future books in this series can convince me to like Quinn)- I loved the relationship that Layne had with her brother (she was selfless beyond belief when it came to him) and I really liked the fact that she actually grew as the story progressed, becoming more than the somewhat mousy/ shy girl we were introduced to- no longer afraid to stand up for what she believed in and doing everything in her power to protect those around her.

Another complaint that I had had was that unfortunately at times I found myself rolling my eyes at the high school situation- it felt quite over dramatic. I understand that bullying goes on in school, hell, I was on the receiving end of it for the large majority of my middle school career, but I just didn't find it realistic- I mean, what are the chances that out of an entire school there are only a handful of 'nice'/ non-bullying people (since it is made out to seem that almost everyone is a bitchy cheerleader, a serial killer, a thug, or a rapist)? I know that my high school (and many others according to my friends) was nothing like the high school portrayed in this book- there weren't really any cliques, everyone knew everyone else whether to see them in the hallway or by name, and generally everyone got along really well.

Complaints aside, as mentioned I found Gabriel to be much more complex than his brother- as I did Michael, the older brother. I loved learning more about him and I wish that we will continue to do so in upcoming books (especially with the revelation at the end of the novel). I also really enjoyed the relationship between Hunter and Gabriel- one of the best bromances I have seen since that time that Jace and Simon went grocery shopping in "City of Fallen Angels". And I LOVED the little bromance that formed between Simon, Layne's younger brother, and Gabriel- it was just so innocent, genuine, and cute. As I did with the brothers in general, Nick, Gabriel, Michael and Chris- they aren't the perfect/ stereotypical family which sits around the dining room table, enjoying a home-cooked meal every night in their house surrounded by a white picket- they are a real and raw family which makes them all the more relateable.

All in all, despite my complaints I did really enjoy this book- it was just as good, if not better, than "Storm" and one of the best disappointing sequels I have read this year (in a year where I have been disappointed by all sequels save for 2). I am very much looking forward to what the third book in this series, "Spirit", has in store for us!

Rating: 9.5/10

I received this book from the publisher to read and review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

Authors Are Rockstars Tour: Kimberly Derting w/ GIVEAWAY!

 

As I am sure that many of your have come to realize from my SQUEE-filled (and happy tear filled) reviews, such as my review of "The Body Finder" and "The Pledge", Kimberly Derting is one of my most favourite YA authors of all time. While there is many things that I believe that Kimberly excels at (as rockstars do) I think that she does most at creating characters that we truly care about and romances that we can't help but root for. Therefore when I was asked, as part of this tour, what I would like Kimberly to stop by the blog to discuss who her most favourite literary couples are jumped to the front of my mind- after all, I thought it was only fitting as her Jay/Violet and Charlie/ Max are, without a doubt, two of my most favourite! 

MY FAVORITE LITERARY COUPLES!

I’m a sucker for love. In fact, you might even say I LOVE love.

I love everything about it: the yearning, the romance, the drama, and the kissing...oh yeah, the kissing! And YA novels certainly have no shortage of great kissing in them. Some of my favorite YA couples are steaming up the pages with some of the best kissing scenes ever written.

But sometimes even better than the kissing, is the non-kissing. The tension leading up to that first kiss can be even better than the kissing itself. That moment when your favorite couple’s eyes meet across the room, or when they accidentally brush hands...and there’s that sudden spark between them! You know what I mean!

So who are my favorite couples in YA, you might ask? Well, that’s tough, because there are so many to choose from. I mean, there’s Cassel and Lila from WHITE CAT (love them!), Patch and Nora from HUSH, HUSH (who doesn’t love them?), Katniss and...well Peeta or Gale (I’m not really sure who to love...). See what I mean about all the choices?

But I do have a few all-time faves that give me butterflies and glue me to the pages.

First, and maybe foremost, I love Ethan and Lena from BEAUTIFUL CREATURES. They have this kind of undeniable attraction that keeps drawing them together even when everything tells them they should be apart. I mean, c’mon, they can read each others’ thoughts! The kissing factor: Sweet, with a side of Southern Charm.

Second on my Who Do I Love List: Jace and Clary from CITY OF BONES. Okay, maybe not the Jace and Clary from CITY OF BONES (because if you’ve read the book...ewwww), but definitely the Jace and Clary from later in the series. They have chemistry, chemistry, chemistry...with a capital C-H-E-M-I-S-T-R-Y! The kissing factor: Hot, with a side of I’m-So-Glad-We-Can-Finally-Hook-Up.

And rounding out my top three favorite YA couples (and, man, this is SO DANG HARD to choose!), I have to say Aislinn and Seth. He’s the bad-boy who’s not-so-bad and she’s the fairy queen who needs him to stay grounded. I’m not sure if I love them as a couple so much as I love him, but I’m standing by my decision because he’s so super sweet and so super hot. Kissing factor: Sensual, with a side of Oh My!

Seriously, I could go on and on, and name about a zillion other YA couples, but I have to stop somewhere! So what about you...who do you love???

From Goodreads: "Kimberly is the author of the BODY FINDER series (HarperCollins) and THE PLEDGE trilogy (Simon & Schuster). She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the ideal place to write anything dark or creepy...a gloomy day can set the perfect mood. She lives with her husband and their three beautiful (and often mouthy) children who provide an endless source of inspiration."

Special thanks goes out to Kimberly for stopping by the blog and donating an amazing prise and Rachel (over at Fiktshun) and Jamie (over at Two Chicks on Books) for organizing this wonderful tour- now those girls? They're some rockstars! ;)

And now onto the AMAZING giveaway! I wish that I could enter this, but alas... ;) 

Prize: A signed copy of THE LAST ECHO with THE LAST ECHO nail polish and signed bookmarks, stickers, and a bracelet.

• Giveaway begins today and ends one week from today (Saturday August 31st 11:59  PM)
• There will be ONE winner
• One entry per person, cheaters will not be tolerated 
• US/ Canadian entries only

To enter fill out the Rafflecopter below! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: "Defiance" by C.J. Redwine

Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Balzer and Bray
Pages: 416

From Goodreads: "Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making."

When I first read the synopsis of "Defiance" and saw the cover I KNEW that I had to get my hands on a copy and read it (in fact, it quickly shot to the top of my "Most Highly Anticipated Summer '12 Books") as, as of late, epic fantasies have become my "thing". However, I must admit that I was quite disappointed by the ending of the book and that as such it altered my entire viewpoint of the novel.

That being said, I did quite enjoy the first three quarters of the book- I loved learning about the characters, Rachel and Logan especially, and I liked learning about their world (though admittedly I was confused by it at points- is it truly considered an epic fantasy? I almost got the sense that it was a futuristic novel of sorts, not unlike Julie Kagawa's "The Immortal Rules", that an apocalyptic event of sort had taken place, the rise of The Cursed Ones, destroying life as we know it, which lead to people having to resort back to a more simplistic/ medieval lifestyle, save for a few handy electronics and whatnot).

I loved that Rachel wasn't satisfied with sitting on the sidelines, waiting for the men in her life to do everything, she jumped right into the fold without missing a beat. While I was at times frustrated by Logan being over-protective of Rachel, trying to boss her around and whatnot, I can see where he is coming from- not wanting to loose her like he had another important woman in his life. Both characters were both so strong-willed and strong-headed and ones that I know I will continue to root for over and over again.

As for the aforementioned disappointing ending? I don't know if I can exactly pinpoint what about it felt off to me, but I will make all attempts to do so. As mentioned, this is an epic fantasy of sorts- therefore I was a bit confuzzled as to why technology played SUCH a large role in the end of the novel. Playing such a large role I almost felt like the ending felt like a video game (it felt a bit reminiscent of the first book in Sherrilyn Kenyon's "Chronicles of Nick" series) which didn't fit with the previous 3/4. Furthermore, I found the ending to be quite rushed- there is all of his build-up of THINGS TO COME, things that you wait almost an entire novel for, and when the end comes, it just kinda falls flat.

All in all, despite my complaints I do think that this is a wonderful novel from debut author C.J. Redwine and despite my complaints I don't have any reservations about continuing on with this series- I look forward to seeing what C.J. has in store for the gang next!

Rating: 7.5/10

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review- I was not compensated in any way for said review.

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating...
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Title: "Confessions of A Murder Suspect"
Author: James Patterson
Release Date: September 24, 2012
Publisher: Little Brown and Company

From Goodreads: "James Patterson returns to the genre that made him famous with a thrilling teen detective series about the mysterious and magnificently wealthy Angel family . . . and the dark secrets they're keeping from one another. 

On the night Malcolm and Maud Angel are murdered, Tandy Angel knows just three things: 1) She was the last person to see her parents alive. 2) The police have no suspects besides Tandy and her three siblings. 3) She can't trust anyone--maybe not even herself. Having grown up under Malcolm and Maud's intense perfectionist demands, no child comes away undamaged. Tandy decides that she will have to clear the family name, but digging deeper into her powerful parents' affairs is a dangerous-and revealing-game. Who knows what the Angels are truly capable of?"

Stacking the Shelves

To support my fellow Canadian bloggers I have decided to participate in Stacking the Shelves created by Tygna over at Tygna's Reviews. As Tygna writes, "Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!" 

For Review (Special thanks to Razorbill Canada!)

• "Lucid"by Adrienne Stoltz
• "Rift"by Andrea Cremer

Bought

• "Onyx" by Jennifer L. Armentrout 
• "The Golden Lily" by Richelle Mead 
• "Before I Wake" by Rachel Vincent 
• "Biting Cold" by Chloe Neill 

I managed to snag all of the books in the above pic for a mere $25! Special thanks to Giselle over at Xpresso Reads for sharing the awesome sale Chapters was having!

• "The Replacement" by Brenna Yovanoff 
• "Eternal" by Cynthia Leitich Smith 
• "I Am Number Four" by Pittacus Lore 
• "Vesper" by Jeff Sampson
• "Cinder" by Marissa Meyer

What did you get in your mailbox?

On My Wishlist

On My Wishlist is a great event that Book Chick City runs every Saturday. It's where you list all of the books that you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. I thought that this was a fantabulous idea so I thought I would join in!
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Title: "Black City"
Author: Elizabeth Richards
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Publisher: Putnam

From Goodreads: "A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable--they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash's long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they're caught, they'll be executed--but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths."

"Before I Wake" by Rachel Vincent

Release Date: June 26, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 339

From Goodreads: "I died on a Thursday—killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul. The good news? He didn't get it.The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school…

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.

But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life…."

In all honesty I was quite hesitant to read this book- "If I Die", the fifth book in this series, was one of my most favourite books of 2011 and I personally felt that the series was wonderfully wrapped up with that book and as such, no further books would be necessary. Admittedly this book didn't blow me away quite as much as "If I Die" and while I am a bit on the fence about whether or not this book was needed I did enjoy it as a whole.

Admittedly I had a bit of trouble getting into this book initially- I had two major complaints, one being that I found the writing to be quite flat, I couldn't connect to much of what was going on in the book because I wasn't feeling anything (ie. characters deaths, etc.)- the only times I didn't have a trouble connecting to the book were the cute moments between Kaylee and Tod (not unlike how those are the only moments that Kaylee truly FEELS anything). The other complaint I had of the beginning of the book was the kissing- I felt that there was far too much of it going on (which was the first time I have ever experienced that while reading a YA book- usually I am vying for more kissing in YA books, rather than less)- for the first couple of chapters all Kaylee and Tod did when they were together was make-out (on almost every page there was at least one reference to kissing). Why this bothered me was that I felt like they felt the need to make-out every five seconds to reiterate the fact that they were dating (ie. if we make-out lots we will convince everyone around us that we are in LURV). However, that complaint soon diminished as I realized that there was a reason behind it.

Complaints aside, one of my most favourite parts of this book was without a doubt the characters, their complexity, and development. As I am sure many have come to know through my (near constant) complaints of him (and referring to him as a douchenozzle on a number of occasion) I am not a Nash fan. In the slightest. Not even in the first book of the series before all of the shizz went down. That being said, I did start to like him a *bit* in this book (more so the end of the book when he started to get over his looking at  Kaylee with puppy dog eyes). I think that where I disliked him as a boyfriend for Kaylee I can like him as a really close friend. Also, I really liked Sabine in this book, more so than I have in any other book- in showing her vulnerabilities in this book I found her to be much more real, genuine, and relateable. As for Tod? Well, my thinking of him being utterly swoon-worthy was only solidified in this book.

Another of my favourite parts of this book was the snark- I am ashamed to say that I had forgotten just how snarky and funny of an author Rachel Vincent is. Countless times while reading this book I found myself bursting out loud from what came out of the characters mouths- whether it be Tod, Sabine, Nash, or even Kaylee (yes, I am happy to say that Kaylee amped up on the snark in this book, as one of the characters said, death looks good on her).

All in all, while I don't know if this was a necessary addition to the series I did still find it quite entertaining. And despite my reservations I am looking forward to seeing what the seventh and final book in the series, "With All My Soul", has in store for us!

Rating: 8/10

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating...
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Title: "House Rules"
Author: Chloe Neill
Publisher: NAL Penguin
Release Date: February 5, 2013

From Goodreads: "In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps. 

At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before. 

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined."

"Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls" by Mary Downing Hahn

Release Date: April 17, 2012
Publisher: Clarion Books          
Pages: 330

From Goodreads: "Based on an actual crime in 1955, this YA novel is at once a mystery and a coming-of-age story. The brutal murder of two teenage girls on the last day of Nora Cunningham's junior year in high school throws Nora into turmoil. Her certainties, friendships, religion, her prudence, her resolve to find a boyfriend taller than she is - are shaken or cast off altogether.

Most people in Elmgrove, Maryland, share the comforting conviction that Buddy Novak, who had every reason to want his ex-girlfriend dead, is responsible for the killings. Nora agrees at first, then begins to doubt Buddy's guilt, and finally comes to believe him innocent - the lone dissenting voice in Elmgrove.

Told from several different perspectives, including that of the murderer, Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls is a suspenseful page-turner with a powerful human drama at its core."

When I first received this book to read and review I was extremely excited- this being a different sort of book that I read (a historical fiction rather than a contemporary paranormal). I had hoped that that this book would be the one- the one that could convince me to pick up more books of this nature. However, unfortunately that was not the case.

My largest complaint about this book was that I found the characters to be far too boy-obsessed, especially in the first quarter of the book. In the first quarter of the book there was very few, if any, pages where the girls didn't discuss boys in some manner- from their looks, to their personalities, to declaring their undying love for them. Furthermore, it was a fair bit difficult to keep trap of the characters during this part because couples were continuously changing- a girl growing bored with a boy, dropping him, and having a new one in no time at all. As a result I found the characters to be a bit more juvenile than I would have liked them to have been.

Additionally, I didn't find the emotions of this book to be quite as developed as I would have liked- I didn't have any real impact when Cheryl and Bobbi Jo were murdered. As such I found the plot to be quite monotone and overall fairly unmemorable.

That being said, while at first I was admittedly turned off with the ending, being displeased with the fact that it didn't provide all of the answers I wanted and that I didn't feel that justice was served, I do like it more and more as time passes as I believe it to be wholly unexpected, and, without a doubt, unlike any other ending I have encountered in a YA book before.

Furthermore, I did quite like Buddy, the supposed 'villain' of the book (according to the residents of Elmgrove)- I found him to be the most developed of all of the characters and I couldn't help but feel for him- he was truly an underdog and a character that I am sure that countless others will fall for.

All in all, while this book was not quite my cup of tea I do believe that fans of historical fiction thrillers/ mysteries will thoroughly enjoy this book.

Rating: 6.5/10

I received this book from the publisher to read and review. I was not compensated for said review in any way.

"Soulbound" by Heather Brewer

Release Date: June 19, 2012
Publisher: DIAL
Pages: 394

From Goodreads: "Tril is a world where Barrons and Healers are Bound to each other: Barrons fight and Healers cure their Barrons' wounds in the ongoing war with the evil Graplar King. Seventeen-year-old Kaya was born a Healer, but she wants to fight. In Tril, and at Shadow Academy, where she is sent to learn to heal, it is against Protocol for Healers to fight. So Kaya must learn in secret. Enter two young men: One charming, rule-following Barron who becomes Bound to Kaya and whose life she must protect at all costs. And one with a mysterious past who seems bent on making Kaya's life as difficult as possible. Kaya asks both to train her, but only one will, and the consequences will change their lives forever."

Admittedly when I first got this book to read and review I was a bit hesitant to do so namely because of the cover- what can I say? I am a bono fide cover whore and this cover? Well, it didn't do anything for me, therefore resulting in me projecting those "meh" feelings onto the book. However, as I began to delve deeper and deeper into the book I began to realize that my initial reaction of the book was a silly assumption at best- and we all know what happens when you assume. ;) This book was SUCH a pleasure to read and in all honestly I am trying REALLY hard to write a coherent review/ keep my excitement, mainly in the form of jumping up and down, whilst SQUEEing about how you have to run out and buy this book RIGHT NOW, contained. Oh, and that cover? The only weak point about this book IMO, I can literally not think of a single complaint about the characters, plot, setting, essentially all of the important parts of this book.

What made this book so successful was three things: the strongest female character I think that I have EVER encountered before, TWO utterly swoon-worthy male characters, and a love triangle like no other.

As many have come to know (since I almost ALWAYS complain about it) heroines don't often do anything for me, I feel that they are too underdeveloped (especially when compared to their male counterparts), that they are too reliant upon the males in their lives, etc., however I did not find that whatsoever when it came to Kaya. As mentioned, she is without a doubt the strongest female character I have ever read before- mentally, physically, and emotionally. I think that compared to a lot of female characters I have read of over the years that she gave the most thought to everything that she did, she made informed decisions that benefited all of those around her in some way, shape or form, as opposed to jumping into something with seemingly little thought. She always strove to be better and not once complained when things didn't go her way. Furthermore, she didn't allow herself to be guided only by her heart, she also used her brain- she didn't turn into a gigantic puddle of mush as soon as one of the boys so much as showed her an ounce of attention.

As for Darius and Trayton, the two main males of the book? SWOONFEST! But what is perhaps the best about them is the love triangle they present- perchance one of the best I have ever read of. Why I enjoyed this love triangle is that there is ACTUAL competition (as opposed to what I consider to be an unsuccessful love triangle, where it is evident from the get-go who the lead is going to be with, as in the case of Simon, Jace, and Clary)- whenever I thought I was being swayed in one boys direction the other would do something to sweep me off of my feet. At this point in time I don't know who I would prefer to see Kaya end up with. Each of them truly brings out a bigger and better side of Kaya.

All in all, a strong heroine, amazing male characters, strong love triangle, coupled with a fast paced plot and interesting storyline makes this a MUST read and without a doubt the best epic fantasy I have read this year. I literally cannot say enough about this book (I'm not ashamed to admit that even 100 pages into this book I *may* have been shedding happy tears because it was just *that* good)- basically go out and buy it. Or you will regret it. Heather has easily soared to the top of my "authors to keep an eye out for" list- I CANNOT wait to see what she has up her sleeve next!

Rating: 5/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way.

Blog Tour: "Rift" by Andrea Cremer

Release Date: August 7th, 2012
Publisher: Philomel
Pages:448

From Goodreads: "Chronicling the rise of the Keepers, this is the stunning prequel to Andrea Cremer's internationally bestselling Nightshade trilogy!

Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow is promised to a group called Conatus after one of their healers saves her mother's life. Once she arrives, Ember finds joy in wielding swords, learning magic, and fighting the encroaching darkness loose in the world. She also finds herself falling in love with her mentor, the dashing, brooding, and powerful Barrow Hess. When the knights realize Eira, one of their leaders, is dabbling in dark magic, Ember and Barrow must choose whether to follow Eira into the nether realm or to pledge their lives to destroying her and her kind.

With action, adventure, magic, and tantalizing sensuality, this book is as fast-paced and breathtaking as the Nightshade novels."

Literally hours before I picked up this book to began reading it I had been complaining on Twitter that it had been FOREVER since I had last been passionate about a book (or more accurately 29 books read, the last book being "The Golden Lily" by Richelle Mead) and then I read this and all complaints were soon forgotten. Because this book is truly one to get passionate about (which I must admit I was quite surprised by, as I wasn't the world's biggest fan of Andrea's "Nightshade" series). Without a doubt I will be adding have added a finished copy of it to my bookshelves.

Despite being an epic fantasy of sorts I didn't find the book, specifically the language, to be heavy in the slightest- once I started reading it I was quite literally unable to put it down due to said fact, coupled alongside a well paced, interesting story line. Furthermore, despite there being a quite large cast of characters I didn't find myself growing tired of being introduced to one after another, nor did I find myself confusing them, as I find oft happens in books of this nature- each character was so well developed and complex, truly their own person.

Included amongst said well developed and complex characters was main character Ember- a noblemen's daughter who wanted more from life than being a mere housewife expected to do no more arduous task than raise children and lift a needle to an embroidery hoop- who wanted a life of action and adventure, which she not only got, but excelled at. She is perchance one of the strongest heroines I have ever had the pleasure of reading of before.

That being said, I wish that Barrow, both Ember's mentor and  love interest, had been a tad more developed- he was a bit too standoffish and stoic for my liking- I think that had that been done he would have been even more so swoon-worthy!

All in all, as becomes evident from this review I highly recommend this book to everyone- especially fans of Tamora Pierce, Robin La Fevers, and the likes of. A cast of amazingly developed characters, an epic plot quite unlike anything like I have ever read before, and a fast paced story line makes it a must read. I truly cannot wait to see what Andrea has in store for this amazing cast of characters in the next book! 

Rating: 5/5

Memorable lines from this book:

"I've never considered whether you'd get to the ceremony faster rolling instead of walking, but I'm game to find out. Would you like to start over from the very top of the staircase?" (pg. 49). 

"Alistair is as fine as option as Ember. He may not play the part of a helpless young woman, but he'll easily appear an overconfident fool" (pg. 231).

"What are you asking of me?" 
"Too much." He drew a shuddering breath. "I thought myself strong, but discover I am weak as the next man. Perhaps weaker" (pg. 411). 

"They set off at a dead run... Two riders flying to over the earth as if trying to escape the very night" (pg. 431). 

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

"The Dead I Know" by Scot Gardner

Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date:  August 7, 2012
Pages: 216

From Goodreads: "When Aaron gets a job at a funeral home, he surprisingly takes to it. But there are dark secrets hidden in Aaron’s subconscious. He experiences dangerous bouts of sleepwalking and recurring dreams he can’t explain: a lifeless hand, a lipsticked mouth, a man, a gun... Can he piece the clues together and figure out the truth of his past?"

I think that my largest complaint about this book is that I found the writing to be overly simplistic- bordering on flat, from the story line itself and the emotions surrounding it (not once while reading it did I really feel anything, no concern for Aaron for his sleepwalking, nor no sympathy for him, no pounding heart at the end when all was revealed- nothing), to the characters themselves (Aaron more so out of anyone). Furthermore, I wish that it would have been more evident that this in an Australian YA book (I must admit that I very rarely ever do research into an author prior to reading their books, therefore I was unaware of the fact that this book was set in Australia and that Scot is Australian himself- I do oftentimes take books at face value)- because I was initially unaware of the fact that this book was set in Australia I was thrown by the differences in language use (for instance, "caravan" instead of "trailer" or "camper") and it did take me a fair while to adjust to it.

That being said, I thought that the secondary characters, John and his daughter, Skye, especially, were fantastic characters- I thought that they brought a lot of lightheartedness to this otherwise quite heavy/ bordering on depressing novel. John was such a strong male character, a true role model- not once did he judge Aaron or his lifestyle when everyone else was- and because of his belief in and support of Aaron he allowed him to become a better person/ he person that he was destined to be. I thought that Skye also brought out a different side of Aaron, a lighter, more brotherly side, as opposed to his stoic/ robotic side. Furthermore, I thought that the ending was also quite good, much better than the earlier 3/4- it turned out to be a true 'feel-good' sort of ending with a mild moral.

All in all, this book just wasn't my cup of tea- that's not to say that it was a bad book, it wasn't-  I think that external factors (ie. the time that I was reading this book) really impacted my views of it and the fact that it is somewhat outside of my comfort zone (YA paranormals). Despite my criticisms I am quite intrigued by Scot as an author and I do intend on checking out his other books!

Rating: 6.5/10

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

"The Dead I Know" Blog Tour: Author Interview

Today I am excited to be a part of Razorbill Canada's blog tour of Scot Gardner's "The Dead I Know" which was released this past Tuesday- August 7th, 2012! 

Scot was kind enough to allow me to pick his brain on wide array of topics from "The Dead I Know" itself to his writing process! 

From Goodreads: "When Aaron gets a job at a funeral home, he surprisingly takes to it. But there are dark secrets hidden in Aaron’s subconscious. He experiences dangerous bouts of sleepwalking and recurring dreams he can’t explain: a lifeless hand, a lipsticked mouth, a man, a gun... Can he piece the clues together and fi gure out the truth of his past?"

Describe THE DEAD I KNOW in five words or less. 

Troubled Goth dude becomes mortician.

Who was your most favourite character to write in THE DEAD I KNOW? 

My favourite character to write was John Barton’s teenage daughter, Skye. She’s feisty, not easily pleased and highly opinionated. She’s small enough and persistent enough to slip under Aaron’s defences.

Why unhappy families? If the situation called for it would you write a happy one? 

I like living in a happy family, but there’s not much tension between the characters to write about. I’ve written about happy families before, but the story has revolved around them falling into dysfunction. I’ve set myself the writing challenge of crafting an interesting happy family but as yet don’t have the tools to pull it off.

Have you found that the saying of 'practice makes perfect' hold true? Do you find that you have an easier time writing a book now, when you already have a number under your belt, than you did when you first started out? 

Half a million published words into my career, I can comfortably say that there are aspects of writing that have become easier with practice—like an eye for the right level of detail and an awareness of when something’s overwritten (and then choosing to ignore that sense, only to find an editor has picked it up and put a line through it anyway). Some things get harder. My ‘inner editor’ has a much bigger vocabulary than when I started and I argue with myself about plot and characterisation like I never did in the beginning. Every book ups the ante just a little more and I have to stop and shake off the self-consciousness from time to time and get back to writing bare bones. Writing is best when it’s honest, frugal and clean.

Any advice for aspiring authors? 

Australian author Andy Griffiths (master of classics like The Day My Bum Went Psycho and The Cat on the Mat is Flat) gave me some advice when I was starting out that I practice every day—read your work aloud. It’s a simple thing but it can turn your writing from words to prose or poetry.

What are you reading right now?

John Medina’s Brain Rules. It’s a cracking, accessible metastudy about the way the brain works.

If you weren't an author what do you think that you'd be doing now? 

If I wasn’t a writer, I think I’d build houses. Unique, energy efficient, sustainably constructed dwellings. I’d like a job where you can stand back at the end of the day and see what you’ve achieved. Writing seems to be years of gestation between offspring. That can be dispiriting at times, but I love what I do.

About The Author: Scot Gardner wasn't born reading and writing; in fact, he left school in year eleven to undertake an apprenticeship in gardening with the local council. He has worked as a waiter, masseur, delivery truck driver, home dad, counselor, and musician.
These days he spends half the year writing and half the year on the road talking to people about his books and the craft of writing.

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating...
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Title: "PODs"
Author: Michelle K. Pickett
Publisher: Spencer Hill
Release Date: June 4, 2013

From Goodreads: "Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it’s in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it’s a balm for the broken soul. 

After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That’s the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters. 

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure."

ARC Review: "Onyx" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: August 14th, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Pages: 416

From Goodreads: "Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarre connection. I’ve sworn him off even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But against all common sense, I’m falling for him. Hard.

Our relationship issues aren’t out biggest problem…

The Department of Defense is here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we’re linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And when a new boy shows up a school with a secret of his own, things get complicated fast. I need to choose between my own instincts and Daemon’s.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. Daemon’s never going to stop searching until gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies."

Expect the unexpected. Truer words have never been spoken that are applicable to this book- not once did I expect the outcome of Daemon healing Katy in "Obsidian" to be what it in in this book, not once did I expect to see Daemon being more than his douchy yet utterly swoon-worthy self, and not once did I expect to be introduced to the specific character that we are at the end of this book. What all of these surprises result in is this book being, without a doubt, the best sequel, if not the best book, that I have read this year (and what is truly exceptional is that this is only one of two sequels that I haven't been disappointed in some way, shape, or form by this year- this and "The Golden Lily" by Richelle Mead- Veronica Roth and Cassie Clare truly have nothing on JLA). 

Typically I am one who loathes things coming out of the left field in a book- for instance, something that is casually mentioned, with seemingly little thought, in the first book in a series which later plays a significant role in the second book (if not solely defines it). However, I didn't have a problem whatsoever with this book (in the case of the impact of Daemon healing Katy)- I thought that it was one of the best executed instances of this occurring I have ever seen before. As such the results of the healing almost seemed believable (I cannot wait to learn more about this revelation in "Opal") and it fit almost seamlessly with the overall feel of the series (seriously, just when you thought that a YA series about aliens, of all things, couldn't get more unique JLA does *that*).

Prior to reading this book I was already head over heels for Daemon and therefore I didn't believe it possible to fall even more so for him- was I ever wrong (seriously, Jace, Four, Adrian, and the likes of, y'all really need to step your game up because Daemon Black is here to stay). While there was admittedly many douchy Daemon moments in this book there were even better moments- many of which took my breath away- romantic Daemon moments (Did y'all think that Daemon could dish out the romance as easily as he can dish out the snark? Because I sure as heck didn't). It becomes clear in this book that there is so much more to Daemon than a pretty face.

That being said, while I LOVED Daemon more so in this book than I did in "Obsidian" I was admittedly a bit on the fence about Katy. On the one hand I think that it was great that we saw actual character growth, on the other I thought that she was far too pigheaded for much of the book (I mean, how many times does a boy have to apologize for you to get it through your thick skull that HE IS SORRY?!?). That being said, I am happy to say that, like Daemon being able to hold his own with the likes of Jace and Four, Katy would also be able to hold her own against Clary, Tris, and Rose by the end of this.

All in all, it becomes evident that JLA grows as an author with each passing book as this one is hands down her best book to date. This book is the epitome of a pageturner/ jam-packed action and adventure/ will keep you on the edge of your seat/ all of those other cliche-ish book-related sayings. I truly cannot stress to you how good it is, all I can do is recommend that you rush out and purchase a copy. I very highly doubt that you will regret doing so!

Rating: 5/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and review. I was not compensated in any way for said review. 

Memorable lines from the book: 

"I don't want you." 
"Uh, now is not the time to get into *that* conversation."
[...] "But I do want you." 
Daemon's arms tightened around me. "I know, Kitten. You aren't fooling anyone" (pg. 17). 

"New Year's Day? Wasn't going to happen" (pg. 43). 

"If you keep lying, I think I will have to leave," he threatened halfheartedly. "I don't feel that my virtue is safe." 
"Your virtue?" I huffed. "Whatever." 
"I know how you get" (pg. 114).  

"I've thought about the repercussions- it's all I've thought about" (pg. 139). 

"And you're mine" (pg. 336).

"Oh, I still want to strangle you. But I'm insane. You're crazy. Maybe that's why. We just make crazy together" (pg. 380).

"The Vindico" by Wesley King

Release Date: June 14, 2012
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: 272

From Goodreads: "The Vindico are a group of supervillains who have been fighting the League of Heroes for as long as anyone can remember. Realizing they’re not as young as they used to be, they devise a plan to kidnap a group of teenagers to take over for them when they retire—after all, how hard can it be to teach a bunch of angsty teens to be evil?

Held captive in a remote mansion, five teens train with their mentors and receive superpowers beyond their wildest dreams. Struggling to uncover the motives of the Vindico, the teens have to trust each other to plot their escape. But they quickly learn that the differences between good and evil are not as black and white as they seem, and they are left wondering whose side they should be fighting on after all . . .

With fast-paced action, punchy dialogue, and sarcastic humor, this high-stakes adventure from a talented new YA voice pulls you in from the first page."

Before I fell head over heels for paranormal I was in love with superheroes- you name it and I was probably all over it, whether it be the X-Men, Justice League, and the likes of. Therefore when I read the synopsis of this book I KNEW that I had to get my hands on a copy of it to A) be relive my childhood and B) IT IS ABOUT SUPERHEROES. While many book characters that I have read over the years could be considered superheroes in their own right I personally have never read a book about legitimate superheroes, nor does a single one that deals with them come to mind (if you know of any feel free to let me know, I'd love to check them out!).

When I first started this book I found it to be a fair bit juvenile (on the verge of being MG), I had expected the characters to be young adults, so between sixteen and eighteen years of age and they weren't. I believe that the youngest, Sam, was thirteen, and that the oldest was no older than fifteen or sixteen. That being said, as I got more and more into the story the characters and their situations really started to grow on me and I found myself having less and less of a problem with its juvenile-ness.

Overall, I did really enjoy the book, while it was most definitely cute and funny, it did have its more serious moments such as bullying, loss, and dysfunctional families- at one point in time I actually found myself tearing up by the plot (specifically the plot surrounding Emily), something that I don't often do while reading books. I believe this to be a testament to author Wesley's ability as an author, that his words have an impact upon the reader.

I think that what personally made the book for me were the characters, specifically Hayden, Rono, and the Torturer. Had Hayden been a few years older I would have found him to be utterly swoon-worthy with his bad boy/ playboy-ish attitude and swagger. He brought so much humor to this book that I literally lit up whenever I read about it. I also really enjoyed Rono and the Torturer because I found them to be more than mere villains, I loved seeing them interact with their students James and Emily- it became obvious that despite everything they really came to care for the kids.

All in all I think that this is a fantabulous read- while more so targeted at those occupying the younger ends of the YA spectrum I do think that older readers will also enjoy it, also this book, without a doubt, would appeal to both male and female readers alike (can't get the young male in your life to read, give him a copy of this and I guarantee that you will make a reader out of him!).

Rating: 9/10

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

Stacking the Shelves

To support my fellow Canadian bloggers I have decided to participate in Stacking the Shelves created by Tygna over at Tygna's Reviews. As Tygna writes, "Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!" 

For Review

• "Pushing The Limits" by Katie McGarry (special thanks to Harlequin Teen!): I recently read this- be sure to check out my review that will go live in a few weeks. This is one book that YOU MUST check out y'all!. 
• "Venom" by Fiona Paul (special thanks to Razorbill!)

Bought

• "Sirensong" by Jenna Black

Traded (Special thanks to Ashley over at Book Labyrinth!)

• "Thief's Covenant" by Ari Marmell 
• "False Covenant" by Ari Marmell 
• "Cursed" ARC by Jennifer L. Armentrout 
• "Auracle" by Gina Rosati 

What did you get in your mailbox?

On My Wishlist

On My Wishlist is a great event that Book Chick City runs every Saturday. It's where you list all of the books that you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. I thought that this was a fantabulous idea so I thought I would join in!
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Title: "Furious"
Author: Jill Wolfson
Release Date: April 16, 2013

From Goodreads: "Three high school girls become the avenging Furies of Greek legend.

We were only three angry girls, to begin with. Alix, the hot-tempered surfer chick; Stephanie, the tree-hugging activist; and me, Meg, the quiet foster kid, the one who never quite fit in. We hardly knew each other, but each of us nurtured a burning anger: at the jerks in our class, at our disappointing parents, at the whole flawed, unjust world. 


We were only three angry girls, simmering uselessly in our ocean-side California town, until one day a mysterious, beautiful classmate named Ambrosia taught us what else we could be: Powerful. Deadly. Furious."

ARC Review: "The Unnaturalists" by Tiffany Trent

Release Date: August 14, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 320

From Goodreads: "In an alternate London where magical creatures are preserved in a museum, two teens find themselves caught in a web of intrigue, deception, and danger.

Vespa Nyx wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life cataloging Unnatural creatures in her father’s museum, but as she gets older, the requirement to become a lady and find a husband is looming large. Syrus Reed’s Tinker family has always served and revered the Unnaturals from afar, but when his family is captured to be refinery slaves, he finds that his fate may be bound up with Vespa’s—and with the Unnaturals.

As the danger grows, Vespa and Syrus find themselves in a tightening web of deception and intrigue. At stake may be the fate of New London—and the world."

When I first got my hands on an early copy of this book I was ecstatic- it sounded like something right up my alley, an  however, as I delved deeper and deeper into this book my excitement started to wane until it almost completely fizzled out.

There were a number of reasons why I had difficulties getting through this book, one being that I just found that there was too much stuff going on- from a Victorian revival-ish era, to a dystopian/ post- apocalyptic ruling body, to witchcraft, to fantastical beings, to a gypsy-like community and throw in a lot of steampunk (I personally believe that Lia Habel's "Dearly, Departed" is a good example of how to do this right- how to write a complex story without overwhelming the reader).

Furthermore, I felt that there was a bit of lack of context when it came to the fantastical beings that they referred on numerous occasions- I believe myself to be fairly knowledgeable about said beings, but I had no idea what half of them were in this book, especially those who played an instrumental role in the storyline.

That being said, I think that author Tiffany Trent should be applauded for her creativity- because, this book, being a dystopian/ post-apocalyptic book that is set in a steampunkish revival of the Victorian-era where fantastical creatures run rampant and one girl holds the key to saving life as she knows it, is quite literally unlike any other book I have ever happened across before.

All in all, while I was personally not totally satisfied with this book I would still recommend it to fans of the aforementioned "Dearly, Departed" by Lia Habel. Furthermore, I believe that fans of Lauren DeStefano's "Chemical Garden" series would enjoy this book as would fans of Bethany Griffin's "Masque of Red Death".

Rating: 6/10

I received this book from the publisher to read and review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating...
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Title: "Lullaby"
Author: Amanda Hocking
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: November 27, 2012

From Goodreads: "Sequel to WAKE, the first book in the phenomenal new series by bestselling author Amanda Hocking."


I recently just read "Wake" by Amanda Hocking and therefore I cannot wait to see what happens in this book!