*REVIEW* 34 Pieces of You

Synopsis:

A dark and moving novel--reminiscent of "Thirteen Reasons Why--"about the mystery surrounding a teenage girl's fatal overdose.There was something about Ellie...Something dangerous. Charismatic. Broken. Jake looked out for her. Sarah followed her lead. And Jess kept her distance--and kept watch.

Now Ellie's dead, and Jake, Sarah, and Jess are left to pick up the pieces. All they have are thirty-four clues she left behind. Thirty-four strips of paper hidden in a box beneath her bed. Thirty-four secrets of a brief and painful life.

Jake, Sarah, and Jess all feel responsible for what happened to Ellie, and all three have secrets of their own. As they confront the past, they will discover not only the darkest truths about themselves, but also what Ellie herself had been hiding all along...

34 Pieces of You was a surprise for me... I expected to like it a little bit more than I did, but after reading it, I'm not at all surprised by the unsettled feelings I experienced throughout the book. For me personally, it was difficult to read about teenage characters so full of pain. I wanted to go through the book and hug them and it's a true testament to Carmen Rodrigues that her characters felt THAT real.

34 Pieces of You introduces us to several characters, the main ones being Sarah, Jake, Jess, and Ellie. It's the story of Ellie's death by overdose, the secrets she kept, and the other characters attempting to deal with what happened and moving on without Ellie in their lives. The POV switches rapidly throughout the book and through flashbacks, we see Ellie interact with all of the other characters. We also see the devastating fallout her death has caused.

Jess finds a box full of 34 strips of paper, small clues to how Ellie felt about everyone in her life, and shocking secrets about childhood horrors. Readers also learn secrets the other characters have been hiding and we see them struggle to find meaning in all that has happened. Will they be able to accept Ellie's death and move on? Will they find hope, hope that things will get better? Or will it become too much to bear?

I think that this book is powerful in that it really will make readers think about emotional distress and the way it can manifest in ourselves, and in ones we love. Being that I am a counselor who works with teenagers, this book was a little hard for me. Scenes of cutting, alcohol and drug abuse, and childhood trauma gave me a sick feeling in my stomach throughout the book. I think it really says something about this book that it could create such powerful reactions.

I think people will enjoy the story, getting to see the characters and their relationships with Ellie was special, and some of the revelations that come about are surprising. And I really liked the direction the ending was heading. I would rank this one 3 of 5 stars but that is more due to my personal hangups with the book than with the book itself, if that makes sense. You be the judge: 34 Pieces of You releases the beginning of September. Enjoy! *XOXO*

Expected publication date: September 4, 2012 by Simon Pulse
*Thanks to ATWT for the ARC*

*REVIEW* The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell

Synopsis:

Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairytales.

The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about.

But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought.

This book was adorable! It's fast-paced, a super easy read, and it's full of entertainment on each and every page. Yes, it's written for a much younger audience, but even adults can find stuff to love in this one.

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell introduces us to Alex and Conner, twins who are dealing with the loss of their beloved dad. A comfort to them both is the stories he left behind, fantastic fairytales that he shared with them throughout their childhood. When their grandmother gives them The Land of Stories book, the twins feel like they finally have a piece of their father back. If only they knew how much more they would soon discover...

Alex and Conner fall through the book and discover a hidden world, a world that contains all of the characters and beings from modern fairytales. As the twins rush around, trying to piece together the mysterious Wishing Spell that will take them home, they encounter goblins, trolls, wolves, and a multitude of fairytale princesses and heroes. Life and death encounters become the norm as an evil entity is hot on their trail...

Will the twins discover the way home before it's too late? Or will one of their dangerous encounters be their very last? A fast-paced adventure with surprising revelations will keep readers engaged until the very last page.

Like I said above, this book is super cute. I really enjoyed it. It's fun, fast-paced, full of adventure, and who doesn't love some of the fairytale characters? It was great to get to see those characters in a new way. Goldilocks? She rocks! Seriously though, this is a super cute read that I highly recommend when you're looking for something light-hearted and simply fun. Kudos to Chris Colfer on one super adorable debut book! Enjoy! *XOXO*

*REVIEW* Through to You

Synopsis:

Camden Pike has been grief-stricken since his girlfriend, Viv, died. Viv was the last good thing in his life: helping him rebuild his identity after a career-ending football injury, picking up the pieces when his home life shattered, and healing his pain long after the meds wore off. And now, he’d give anything for one more glimpse of her. But when Cam makes a visit to the site of Viv’s deadly car accident, he sees some kind of apparition. And it isn’t Viv.

The apparition’s name is Nina, and she’s not a ghost. She’s a girl from a parallel world, and in this world, Viv is still alive. Cam can’t believe his wildest dreams have come true. All he can focus on is getting his girlfriend back, no matter the cost. But things are different in this other world: Viv and Cam have both made very different choices, things between them have changed in unexpected ways, and Viv isn’t the same girl he remembers. Nina is keeping some dangerous secrets, too, and the window between the worlds is shrinking every day. As Cam comes to terms with who this Viv has become and the part Nina played in his parallel story, he’s forced to choose—stay with Viv or let her go—before the window closes between them once and for all.

I thought that this book was decent, a solid three of five stars. I wasn't blown away by it, but that was mainly due to an EXTREMELY slow start. I can honestly say that I did NOT enjoy a little more than half of this book and was seriously considering calling it quits when things FINALLY picked up. Once that happened, the book became enjoyable and the revelations, and the ending, saved it from a low rating.

Through to You introduces us to Cam, a teenager who is suffering from the overwhelming grief of his girlfriend's death. Finding it impossible to move on, he spends many hours near the corner where her car crashed. One night, he sees a strange apparition... it's a girl named Nina who knows his name and seems to know a lot about him. Turns out, Nina is from a parallel universe, a universe where Viv, his girlfriend, is still alive and where Nina is his best friend.

Cam begins frequenting the parallel universe more and more, it's far too tempting to be with Viv again. Unfortunately, this Viv seems quite different from the one he lost and could be harboring a dangerous secret. As shocking revelations come to light, and as Cam realizes the window between the worlds is shrinking at a rapid rate, he must make a choice: Does he stay or does he go?

Like I said above, if you're planning on reading this book, please prepare yourself for a super slow beginning. I disliked Cam in the beginning but am super pleased with the development of his character towards the end of the book. And the ending really did make up for the beginning, making this a solid read. Is it fabulous and earth-shattering? No. But it's a short, quick read that I think many people will enjoy. You can decide for yourself when it releases in October... enjoy! *XOXO*

Expected publication date: October 2, 2012 by Balzer + Bray

In My Mailbox (25)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. Here are books I've either won, been given, borrowed, or bought this past week:

For Review:
Thanks to Around the World Tours for the ARCs!

Synopsis: In a city of daimons, rigid class lines separate the powerful from the power-hungry. And at the heart of The City is the Carnival of Souls, where both murder and pleasure are offered up for sale. Once in a generation, the carnival hosts a deadly competition that allows every daimon a chance to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures--if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live.

All Mallory knows of The City is that her father--and every other witch there--fled it for a life in exile in the human world. Instead of a typical teenage life full of friends and maybe even a little romance, Mallory scans quiet streets for threats, hides herself away, and trains to be lethal. She knows it's only a matter of time until a daimon finds her and her father, so she readies herself for the inevitable. While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence and danger that is the Carnival of Souls.

From Melissa Marr, bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series and "Graveminder," comes a brand-new tale of lush secrets, dark love, and the struggle to forge one's own destiny.

Synopsis: Camden Pike has been grief-stricken since his girlfriend, Viv, died. Viv was the last good thing in his life: helping him rebuild his identity after a career-ending football injury, picking up the pieces when his home life shattered, and healing his pain long after the meds wore off. And now, he’d give anything for one more glimpse of her. But when Cam makes a visit to the site of Viv’s deadly car accident, he sees some kind of apparition. And it isn’t Viv.

The apparition’s name is Nina, and she’s not a ghost. She’s a girl from a parallel world, and in this world, Viv is still alive. Cam can’t believe his wildest dreams have come true. All he can focus on is getting his girlfriend back, no matter the cost. But things are different in this other world: Viv and Cam have both made very different choices, things between them have changed in unexpected ways, and Viv isn’t the same girl he remembers. Nina is keeping some dangerous secrets, too, and the window between the worlds is shrinking every day. As Cam comes to terms with who this Viv has become and the part Nina played in his parallel story, he’s forced to choose—stay with Viv or let her go—before the window closes between them once and for all.

Synopsis: Three months before Rebecca Muir is set to begin college, her father reveals a secret that tears the family apart: he is leaving them.

In an instant, Rebecca’s life crumbles—she has to rely on her mother now, when her whole life she’s been her father’s girl; she’s not sure she can trust her high school boyfriend; and her carefully planned-out life suddenly feels all wrong.

Reb’s journey takes her across the country and back, and is for anyone who has experienced uncertainty or betrayal. This book will inspire readers to overcome life’s challenges and come out triumphant on the other side.

Synopsis: A dark and moving novel--reminiscent of "Thirteen Reasons Why--"about the mystery surrounding a teenage girl's fatal overdose.There was something about Ellie...Something dangerous. Charismatic. Broken. Jake looked out for her. Sarah followed her lead. And Jess kept her distance--and kept watch.

Now Ellie's dead, and Jake, Sarah, and Jess are left to pick up the pieces. All they have are thirty-four clues she left behind. Thirty-four strips of paper hidden in a box beneath her bed. Thirty-four secrets of a brief and painful life.

Jake, Sarah, and Jess all feel responsible for what happened to Ellie, and all three have secrets of their own. As they confront the past, they will discover not only the darkest truths about themselves, but also what Ellie herself had been hiding all along...

Synopsis: Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairytales.

The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about.

But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought.

Woot, it's been a great week!! I've finished Carnival of Souls and wrote a glowing review for it here. I just wrapped up Through to You and will be writing that review today or tomorrow. I love great book weeks!!! Leave me a link to yours and I'll be sure to check it out! And as always, HAPPY HAPPY READING! *XOXO*

FUN FRIDAY (14)

Happy Friday!! :) Welcome to FUN FRIDAY where I reveal something about me, some personal tidbit that will allow my followers to get to know me better. I follow several blogs and I sometimes wonder who the bloggers REALLY are behind the words, so I thought it would be a cool thing to open up a bit and to reveal more about who Karen really is.

Today is more about what's going down this weekend... and that is the Color Me Rad 5K in Richmond, VA:

A friend of mine decided she really wanted to do this so a group of us are traveling up to Richmond tonight and will be completing the 5K at 9AM, woot woot! I'm planning on only walking it, I haven't been feeling too great and the fiance has a bum knee, but this is an untimed race anyway, more designed for charity and just plain fun.

For those of you who have never heard of these races, click here. Sounds like a fun time! I've got my plain white tank top ready to be demolished! Haha. I hope all of you have something just as fun planned. Enjoy the weekend! *XOXO*

*REVIEW* Carnival of Souls

Synopsis:

In a city of daimons, rigid class lines separate the powerful from the power-hungry. And at the heart of The City is the Carnival of Souls, where both murder and pleasure are offered up for sale. Once in a generation, the carnival hosts a deadly competition that allows every daimon a chance to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures--if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live.

All Mallory knows of The City is that her father--and every other witch there--fled it for a life in exile in the human world. Instead of a typical teenage life full of friends and maybe even a little romance, Mallory scans quiet streets for threats, hides herself away, and trains to be lethal. She knows it's only a matter of time until a daimon finds her and her father, so she readies herself for the inevitable. While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence and danger that is the Carnival of Souls.

From Melissa Marr, bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series and "Graveminder," comes a brand-new tale of lush secrets, dark love, and the struggle to forge one's own destiny.

Omigosh, this book was AWESOMESAUCE!!! Seriously, another complete and total masterpiece by the fabulous Melissa Marr. I was lucky to get the opportunity to read an ARC of this through Around the World Tours but let me tell you... I will be first in line when it releases in September to get my very own copy. This is one of those books I KNOW I will re-read. Pure WIN.

Carnival of Souls introduces us to Mallory, a teenage girl used to life on the run. Her father took something valuable from a daimon, and Mallory has spent her life learning to fight and defend herself in case the time comes where she must face one herself. While her father is a powerful witch, Mallory has no supernatural powers... that she's aware of.

Life in The City is very different from the human world where the majority of the witches live. The City is the domain of the daimons and is a place where danger, debauchery, and power struggles are around every corner, or stall at the Carnival of Souls. Adding to the danger is the fight-to-the-death competition that is now going on, a competition that allows the victor to rise in caste and to make a better life for him or her self. Kaleb has joined the competition to try to earn a better life for himself and for his pack. Aya has joined because she is desperate to avoid the marital bliss and parenting that await her if she fails.

The lives of Mallory, Kaleb, and Aya become entangled as vows are made, contracts are drafted, and shocking revelations are revealed. Will Kaleb be able to convince Mallory to trust him so that he can protect her as he desires? Will Aya be able to avoid the fate she dreads, a fate that could cost her everything--including her life? And will Mallory discover the truth and be able to do what must be done? All answers await if you're brave enough to navigate the Carnival of Souls...

This book is really incredible. I refuse to spoiler anyone because it is THAT GOOD. Melissa Marr does a fantastic job creating this new and dangerous world and I really felt that I was there at times. The pacing is superb, the story is entertaining and engaging and I just couldn't seem to stop reading! I LOVE it when a book affects me like that. I'd tell myself, "one more chapter" and then devour another 50 pages. This book is addicting, you've been warned!

I really can't wait to see where the story is going next. I felt like it ended when things were getting EVEN better. ARGHHH! Haha. I highly recommend this book though, if my gushing didn't make that abundantly clear. It will keep you entertained from the first page until the very last. Make sure you grab a copy when it releases. Enjoy! *XOXO*

Expected publication date: September 4, 2012 by HarperCollins

*REVIEW* The Raven Boys

Synopsis:

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love... or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

This book was really, really good. Maggie Stiefvater does it again, creating a world that readers will feel like they're a part of. The Raven Boys is one of those books that completely leaves you wanting more, but that also leaves you strangely satisfied. Even though I'm dying to see what happens next, I'm completely content with what's happened so far and can patiently await the next installment.

The Raven Boys introduces us to Blue, a teenage girl surrounded by family and friends who all have psychic powers. While Blue has the ability to magnify things for the psychically inclined, she herself has no supernatural gifts. Until the night of St. Mark's Eve that is... for the first time in Blue's life, she sees a spirit that night. The spirit of a boy named Gansey. The only thing that Blue is certain of is that Gansey will die sometime in the coming year...

It's not long before Blue meets Gansey in the flesh and though she knows she should stay away from him, she can't help getting sucked into his world. As she joins the gang on their adventure, strange things begin to happen and it seems as if they're all on the right path towards discovery. But not everything they uncover is good and a dangerous adversary is revealed. Will Blue, Gansey and the others discover what they need to before anyone else? Or will someone silence them--forever?

The Raven Boys is one of those books that will completely ensnare readers and the twists and turns are plentiful. And the characters are all so interesting! That's rare in a book but I seriously want to know more about each and every one of them. I have to say that this book contains one of the best supporting casts EVER. Any fan of Stiefvater's writing should definitely plan to check this out. Shoot, any fan of BOOKS should check this out.

Once the book got into the swing of things, the pacing was perfection, the storyline is original and fresh, and adventure and discovery is the main attraction. How rare for a YA book! While I'm sure romance and love will play a larger role in subsequent books, based on the prediction that Blue will be the reason her true love dies, it was completely refreshing to have this book focus more on other things. Kudos to Stiefvater, another FANTASTIC series. Be sure to jump on board when it releases in September. Enjoy! *XOXO*

Expected publication date: September 18, 2012 by Scholastic Press
*Thanks to Around the World Tours for the ARC

*REVIEW* What's Left of Me

Synopsis:

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t...

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable–hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet... for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

Wow. This book was AWESOME! It's fast-paced, thought-provoking, fresh and unique, and it's full of mystery, danger, drama, and action. What's not to love? This book has something for everyone and Kat Zhang has created a series that will have readers dying for more.

What's Left of Me introduces us to Addie and Eva, two souls who should not be occupying the same body. See, most people "settle" early in childhood, with the dominant soul taking full control and the recessive soul fading away. The problem is? Eva didn't actually go anywhere, she's remained trapped inside her and Addie's body and the only person that knows is Addie because the dangers of being found out, of people knowing that they are "hybrid" are too great...

Who knows how long life could have gone on this way if Addie and Eva hadn't befriended Hally, a strange girl from school who is hiding some major secrets, along with her brother. As Addie and Eva spend more and more time with Hally and Devon, Eva begins to slowly experience things she thought were lost to her forever. But everything changes when the authorities get suspicious. Addie and Eva, along with Devon and Hally, are taken to a clinic designed to help and "cure" young people afflicted.

Will Addie and Eva be able to hide, to convince the doctors that they are normal? Will shocking revelations about the clinic's practices change everything they thought they ever knew about the world? As the clock races against them, Addie and Eva will have to re-learn how to work together so that they can save not only themselves, but all the other patients as well.

What a RIDE!! This book will have readers on the edge of their seats, frantically flipping pages to see what's next. Zhang has created a truly unique and fascinating world and I CANNOT wait to see where this series goes next. I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE because it's just that good! It's got a little bit of everything: friendship, attraction, mystery, horror, action, revelations, and danger around every corner! This one will stick with you long after you've put it down... you owe it to yourself to GET. THIS. BOOK. It releases in September so mark those calendars! You won't be sorry.... Enjoy! *XOXO*

Expected publication date: September 18, 2012 by HarperCollins
*Thanks to Around the World Tours for the ARC*

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon: Most Anticipated Mini-Challenge!

One of the mini-challenges of the Once Upon a Read-a-Thon is being hosted by Christy at The Reader Bee. The challenge:

What is your most anticipated book for 2012?

(It can be an upcoming release, or one that's already been released)

This one was HARD! But one book instantly popped up in my mind:

Synopsis:

In a city of daimons, rigid class lines separate the powerful from the power-hungry. And at the heart of The City is the Carnival of Souls, where both murder and pleasure are offered up for sale. Once in a generation, the carnival hosts a deadly competition that allows every daimon a chance to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures--if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live.

All Mallory knows of The City is that her father--and every other witch there--fled it for a life in exile in the human world. Instead of a typical teenage life full of friends and maybe even a little romance, Mallory scans quiet streets for threats, hides herself away, and trains to be lethal. She knows it's only a matter of time until a daimon finds her and her father, so she readies herself for the inevitable. While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence and danger that is the Carnival of Souls.

From Melissa Marr, bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series and "Graveminder" comes a brand-new tale of lush secrets, dark love, and the struggle to forge one's own destiny.

Why I'm so stoked about this book:

I freakin' adore Melissa Marr. The Wicked Lovely Series remains to this day one of my favorites and I just gobble up all of her stories. This one sounds really interesting and DIFFERENT... and I can't wait to see what it's all about!

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon: Mini Cover Challenge!

This challenge comes courtesy of Bailey from iBBookBlogging:

Question 1:
What is your favorite cover that has been revealed this summer and why? Post a link or picture of the cover if you want.

This was hard! There have been a lot of pretty cover reveals in the past month or so but here's one that I just adore:

I love this cover because it is STUNNING! I love the contrast of the colors and how VIVID they are. And the tree, and the tree's reflection, is gorgeous.

Question 2:
Do you rely on the cover to help you choose whether you want to read a book or not?

Abso-freakin-lutely!! I am extremely visual and I think that having visually attractive covers is super important, ESPECIALLY at the start of a new book series. I have often found myself combing the shelves at Barnes and Noble and I always pick up books when the cover catches my eye. Then I read the synopsis and decide if it's for me. But I am sure there are plenty of books that I have overlooked because their cover did nothing to grab my attention. I find myself drawn to covers with vivid colors or interesting designs.

*REVIEW* Innocent Darkness

Synopsis:

Wish. Love. Desire. Live.

Sixteen-year-old Noli Braddock's hoyden ways land her in an abusive reform school far from home. On mid-summer's eve she wishes to be anyplace but that dreadful school. A mysterious man from the Realm of Faerie rescues her and brings her to the Otherworld, only to reveal that she must be sacrificed, otherwise, the entire Otherworld civilization will perish.

Ohmygoodness... I LOVED this book!!! *squee* That's not to say that it's perfect because it is FAR from it, but I loved the story so much and cannot wait to see what happens next. And at the end of the day, for me at least, my feelings after putting the book down are way more important than anything else. I will caution readers who are looking for more of a steampunk book because to me, this was a tale about the fey with just a few small steampunk elements thrown in. But since I happen to ADORE faerie stories, it totally worked for me.

Innocent Darkness introduces us to Noli, a teenage girl growing up in an oppressive environment. See, Noli doesn't desire to be a "lady", she wants to study, learn, WORK, all manners of inappropriate behavior for a woman of her social class. Noli's adventures land her in a reform school for girls, a school that believes harsh discipline and punishment will mold girls into proper young women. When Noli can take no more abuse, she finds herself making a wish that changes everything...

Noli ends up in the Otherworld with Kevighn, a mysterious and handsome faery who seems to be stalling in his promises to help Noli get home to Los Angeles. Noli soon learns of his deception and is taken to the palace of the High Queen. Meanwhile, Steven, her best friend from the mortal plane, is desperately seeking a way to find Noli and rescue her from the High Queen's clutches. Will he make it in time? And will Noli be able to forgive him when she realizes how much he's kept from her all these years?

I really don't want to spoiler this story for anyone because there were some definite twists and turns! I really, really enjoyed the story. For those who have read the Wicked Lovely Series by Melissa Marr, you will definitely see some similarities. While I didn't like this book as much as that series, it really has a TON of potential. Yes, some of the writing seemed a little unpolished at times and a few transitions were a little jarring, but the story itself was good. And who knows, I read an ARC, some of my minor complaints may have been worked out before the book went to print.

Would I recommend this book? Definitely. ESPECIALLY for fans of faerie books. I really can't speak to the steampunk thing because I haven't read any before this but it didn't seem to focus on that part of it much at all. This is a GOOD story though... there's romance, love, friendship, duty, pain, betrayal, shocking revelations, and sacrifice. It really has something for everyone. Make sure to grab a copy when it releases in August. Enjoy! *XOXO*

Expected publication date: August 8, 2012 by Flux

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon

Yayyyy! I love read-a-thons! I saw something about this one on twitter and decided, why the heck not? I got a couple new tour books today from Around the World Tours so I think a read-a-thon could be just what I need. Plus, there are prizes and who doesn't love prizes?!

For information on the read-a-thon, click here. You can sign up through midnight tonight so it's not too late! Here are the books I'm going to try to read:

Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear

What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

I may add more depending on how I do but it's a solid start! Time to start reading... good luck to other participants and HAPPY, HAPPY READING! *XOXO*

*REVIEW* Over You

Synopsis:

After the grand explosion of her relationship, seventeen-year-old Max Scott developed what every girl in the history of the world has been waiting for: a way to get over being dumped. Now Max is the go-to guru for heartbroken high-school girls all over NYC. But when her ex unexpectedly shows up in her neighborhood, Max’s carefully controlled world starts to unravel. With her clients’ hearts hanging in the balance, Max will have to do the seemingly impossible: get over him once and for all.

Brilliant at bringing humor to the trials and tribulations of the lovestruck, #1 New York Times bestselling authors Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus have crafted a tale that will resonate with any girl who has ever been in love or had her heart broken. It brims with smart observations, features a pitch-perfect teen voice, and will attract fans of Jenny Han, Sarah Mlynowski, and Lauren Barnholdt. Readers are sure to fall head-over-heels for this sharp spin on breaking up, making up, and getting even.

This book was super cute! I really enjoyed it and it's a MEGA fast read, I read it in two sittings! Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus do a wonderful job bringing teenage heartbreak to life in this fantastic YA novel. But not to fret, it's not a dark and angry book but rather a book full of hope and possibility--a book that shows the curing power of moving on.

Over You introduces us to Max, a teenage girl who has turned the worst experience of her life, her first heartbreak, into a successful business. Max helps girls all over the city deal with their broken hearts and get the ultimate revenge against their exes--moving on. Things seem to be going perfectly for Max... until her dreaded ex shows up in her beloved city.

Just as Max plans to finally deal with her unresolved feelings for her ex and move on once and for all, he throws her a curveball that could change everything. As Max unravels, she endangers not only her own happiness, but those of her friends and her clients. Will Max straighten things out in time? Or will her past come back to forever haunt her future?

Again, this book is adorable and I'd recommend it to anyone! Any woman who suffered teenage heartbreak will be able to relate to this book. It seriously took me right back to those times--those times when you thought you would NEVER EVER be okay again. I think the authors did a wonderful job because the characters were believable and I felt like I was hearing a teenage voice which can sometimes be lacking.

In addition to the above, I really enjoyed the character of Ben and found myself rooting for his happily-ever-after throughout the entire book. Yay for Ben! I love good YA boys. He was honest, caring, and REAL. All in all, this was a really cute and quick read. I recommend everyone check it out when it releases in August. Happy Reading! *XOXO*

Expected publication: August 21, 2012 by HarperTeen
*Thanks to Around the World Tours for the ARC*

*REVIEW* Rift

Synopsis:

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.

Well... I had really high hopes going into this one because Nightshade is a favorite of mine. (Though don't get me started on the third and final book in that trilogy cause it still ticks me off sometimes!!) Anywho... Rift had a lot to live up to and while I didn't LOVE it, it was another solid book from Andrea Cremer and I will for sure be checking into the rest of these books.

Rift introduces us to Ember, a young girl who desperately wishes to escape the life her father has planned for her. Marriage, homemaking, and raising children may be the life most girls dream of, but for Ember it marks being chained and shackled into an existence she does not want. Ember dreams of far greater things, and sneaks away to practice swordsmanship and fighting skills when she can. While her family dreads the day she must report to Conatus, Ember impatiently waits, hoping Conatus is the beginning of a brand new life...

Turns out, Ember got all she wanted... and MORE. In Conatus, she is able to finally begin to achieve her dreams of becoming a female warrior. And what could be better than being tutored by a sexy knight who makes Ember desire things she never would have imagined herself wanting? The only negative on the horizon is a new evil--an evil that could be more dangerous than anything the Guard has faced before. Will the Guard recognize the danger before it's too late? Or will Ember lose everything?

This book was good. I have to admit that it was a bit slow for me at times and it took me longer to read than I would have predicted, mostly because I found it easy to put it down and walk away from. That being said, I'm finding that I like it more the more I think about it. So while I wasn't in love while reading it, I'm still thinking about it long after I put it down for good.

And Ember? Ember is a FANTASTIC female character. She's independent, stubborn, motivated, and strong of character and mind. I love the way Andrea Cremer writes her female protagonists. Ember is the kind of chick I could see myself hanging out with. And Barrow? YUM! I love strong and supportive males. I'm really curious to see where the story goes now. Bring it, Cremer! :)

TBR PILE Reading Challenge: June Update!

June was a FABULOUS reading month for me. I read 10 books, woot woot! Unfortunately, only two of these counted for the TBR PILE Reading Challenge but I'm making great progress in the challenge so I'm still pleased! Check out the two books that counted for the challenge below:

Torment by Lauren Kate

Passion by Lauren Kate

I have now read 20 books this year towards this challenge. YAYYYY! Knocking books off my TBR pile makes me feel extremely happy. If you'd like to feel this good, think about joining the challenge yourself! Click the link on the right sidebar on my page for more information and happy, happy reading! *XOXO*

Teaser Tuesday: Rift

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading!

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

-Grab your current read
-Open to a random page
-Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

This week's teaser comes from an ARC of Rift by Andrea Cremer:

It gaped at her, swaggering forward. She didn't know if it was trying to speak. Its mouth opened and closed, and sloppy, gibbering sounds emerged. It leaned over her and she couldn't move. A maggot dropped from the rotting flesh of its jaw and squirmed over Ember's cheek. pg. 68

Yayyyy! I LOVED Nightshade and Andrea Cremer is at it again with a prequel set way in the past. While I'm not liking it as much as Nightshade, cause let's face it, that's a tall order to fill, I'm definitely intrigued and am powering through it. Be on the lookout for a review this week! And as always, HAPPY READING! *XOXO*