Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! I hope you all have a great day, and freak someone out. Haha. I freaked out my dad this morning. He jumped! A contest may be coming soon, so check back soon! Happy Reading! x.

Friday, October 30, 2009

In The Mail

So, this is the only time I am going to do this, but yesterday I was sooo excited, because I recieved three very cool ARCs in the mail; from a contest held by Kristi @ THESTORYSIREN. You should check it out. Here are the books ;

DARKLIGHT by LESLEY LIVINGSTON
In this sequel to Wondrous Strange, Kelley Winslow finds her NYC acting career blossoming as she takes the lead in Romeo and Juliet. But she also finds herself desperately missing Sonny Flannery--who was forced back to the Faerie Otherworld, charged with a dangerous mission by Kelley's father, King Auberon.
When Kelley finds herself thrown into the Otherworld following a deadly chase in Central Park, her passionate reunion with Sonny is cut short. Ancient magick is stirring, and a dangerous enemy has Sonny and Kelley caught in a web of Faerie deception that could tear their love apart.


(I have started reading this book; and am almost done-I brought it to school and couldn't put it down-and will have a review up soon. I love it so far!)


THE DARK DIVINE by BREE DESPAIN
A prodigal sonA dangerous loveA deadly secret . . .I stood back and watched his movements. Daniel had that way about him that could shut me down in an instant. . . . I kicked the gravel a couple of times and worked up my courage again. “Tell me . . . I mean . . . why did you come back? Why now, after all this time?” Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel's dark secret . . . and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it—her soul.
(So excited to read this book!!)

SCONES AND SENSIBILITY by LINDSAY ELAND
Polly Madassa is convinced she was born for a more romantic time. A time when Elizabeth Bennet and Anne of Green Gables walked along the moors and beaches of the beautiful land, a time where a distinguished gentleman called upon a lady of quality and true love was born in the locked eyes of two young lovers.
But alas, she was not.
This, however, does not stop our young heroine from finding romance wherever she can conjure it up. So while Polly is burdened with a summer job of delivering baked goods from her parents bakery (how quaint!) to the people in her small beach town, she finds a way to force…um…encourage romance to blossom. She is determined to bring lovers, young and old, together…whether they want to be or not.”

(Just heard of the book, it sounds really interesting, can't wait to read it!)

One Lonely Degree by C. K. Kelly Martin


Anything is possible. . . .

Finn has always felt out of place, but suddenly her world is unraveling. It started with The Party. And Adam Porter. And the night in September that changed everything. The only person who knows about that night is Audrey—Finn’s best friend, her witness to everything, and the one person Finn trusts implicitly. So when Finn’s childhood friend Jersy moves back to town—reckless, beautiful Jersy, all lips and eyes and hair so soft you’d want to dip your fingers into it if you weren’t careful—Finn gives her blessing for Audrey to date him. How could she possibly say no to Audrey? With Audrey gone for the summer, though, Finn finds herself spending more and more time with Jersy, and for the first time in her life, something feels right. But Finn can’t be the girl who does this to her best friend . . . can she?


Review:
I didn't really like this book as much as I thought I would. Plus the ending was probably the only part I liked. On a good note, I thought this book was very realistic and you could relate to, and that the characters seemed real and not so superficial. There is not much I can say about this book. My thoughts on her friend and him going out was pretty ridiculous. They are only in grade 10 and it seems like they are having sex every day. Plus, I dont think someone's parents would be so ainal about the whole "you can never see him again!" thing. This was a quick read, but I dont think i would read it again; maybe another time in the future. The cover also turned me off a bit. I dont like the girl on the cover. Sorry; just personal preference. x.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

RE-DESIGN ON BLOG!

Okay, so like I said before in my last comment, I just couldn't resist. I am turning this whole blog into something darker, edgier. I like it better this way. The background will change aswell. The whole Miley Cyrus, lighter layout was really bothering me and didn't seem to work out. What do you think of what I have now? Do you like this one better? or should I totally change it over again?! x.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The Veronicas Obession!!







Okay, so right now all I listen is to the Veronicas. Their music is very catchy. I know this is very random, but I just had the urge to blog about them. I am going to be taking off the miley cyrus layout header; plus it really messed up; and make a Veronicas one. Maybe using these pictures; maybe others. Who knows. They are twins from Australia, and their names are Jessica and Lisa. Yeah, definately not Veronica. Don't you just love these photos?! Be sure to check out some of their songs if you haven't heard of them. x.

Two-way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

there are two sides toevery breakup.

This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.

Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.

It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.

But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.

Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.

Review:
I loved this book, and couldn't put it down. Not only were the characters believable and well-written out, but it was like you were right there, with them the whole time, wanting to find out what happened next. Some part were very unpredictable, and I noticed how she threw up a lot in the beginning, but as the story continued, my love for it grew aswell. Unfortunately, it was a very quick read, but very enjoyable. The cover is interesting, and eye catching. You want to find out why the girl is standing looking at the car very frustraded. I would recommend it for people who like love, fiction novels. x.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Ex-mas by Kate Brian

Two Exes. One holiday adventure.
Merry Ex-Mas?
Seventeen-year-old Lila Beckwith's parents just left for vacation, and Lila's all set to throw the holiday party of the season. But when her Christmas-obsessed little brother, Cooper, discovers that global warming is melting the North Pole, he and his best friend, Tyler, take off on a runaway mission to save Santa.
Lila has to get Cooper safely home before her parents get back on Christmas Eve. But the only person who can help her is Tyler's older brother, Beau -- a.k.a. Lila's musician, anti-everything ex-boyfriend.
It'll take more than a Christmas miracle for Lila and Beau to overcome their differences and find their fugitive brothers. But could a journey destined for disaster help these polar opposites fall in love...all over again?

Review:
I absolutely loved this book! It was cute. Even though it was very pretictable, and a quick reading, the whole story was well executed. All I want to do is read it over and over again. I thought it was hilarious though, how the two boys wanted to save Santa, so they tried to get up to the North Pole. Crazy. When Lila's boyfriend Eric comes back into the picture near the end, it was obvious everything that happened, was going to happen, and I wanted to shoot him in the head, and then her, because it seemed like all she cared about was getting a car. But the ending made it all better for me. This is a story about love, loss, expecting the unexpected, and learning to trust your heart, not someone else's. x.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Fire by Kristin Cashore

Fire, Graceling's prequel-ish companion book, takes place across the mountains to the east of the seven kingdoms, in a rocky, war-torn land called the Dells.

Beautiful creatures called monsters live in the Dells. Monsters have the shape of normal animals: mountain lions, dragonflies, horses, fish. But the hair or scales or feathers of monsters are gorgeously colored-- fuchsia, turquoise, sparkly bronze, iridescent green-- and their minds have the power to control the minds of humans.

Seventeen-year-old Fire is the last remaining human-shaped monster in the Dells. Gorgeously monstrous in body and mind but with a human appreciation of right and wrong, she is hated and mistrusted by just about everyone, and this book is her story.

Wondering what makes it a companion book/prequel? Fire takes place 30-some years before Graceling and has one cross-over character with Graceling, a small boy with strange two-colored eyes who comes from no-one-knows-where, and who has a peculiar ability that Graceling readers will find familiar and disturbing...

Review:
Really. . .I'm speechless. This book is as good, or even better than Graceling. I loved it. There was so much emotion in this story, but it wasn't overbearing. I couldn't put the book down, and was sucked in instantly. If you haven't read this book or Graceling, I say do it, cause you'll regret it if you dont. It doesn't matter which one you read first because they explain everything so well you can't get confused. Fire is an amazing character and from the beginning I wanted her to fall in love with Brigan. There was a lot of conflict because of who her father was, and she was trying so hard not to become her father, Fire risked her happiness. Everything all comes together in the end, but I would really like to know what happened to Leck. The little creepy graceling boy. He just seems to go poof. I guess that gives room for interpreting your own ideas to what happens to him, or what you want to happen to him. Amazing book. Can't wait for the Third Installment; Bitterblue. x.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

NEW LAYOUT

Sorry that I haven't been reviewing, I have been trying to create the next layout, and now I am almost finished, reviewing will be crazy. My reviews; i hope are going to be longer, and more descriptive. Still, I am not rating books. Everyone has their own favorite books and likes and dislikes. No one can like everything the same. That would be just creepy. I have decided that at every month or two months; depending on how many books i review; I will create a list of my favorites; so the ones I would most likely tell you to read. There will be about 10 books. So My Number 10 Countdown. . . or something along the lines of that. Sooner or later (probably tomorrow) I will create a layout header picture. Maybe. What should I put on it? A celebrity? A Book? Lots of Books? A mystic forest? Take your pick. I would love to hear what you think and prefer. x.

Immortal: Love Stories With Bite by P.C Cast

In Immortal: Love Stories With Bite, edited by New York Times bestselling author of the House of Night series P.C. Cast, seven of today's most popular YA vampire and contemporary fantasy authors offer new short stories that prove that when you're immortal, true love really is forever.
Rachel Caine (the Morganville Vampires series) revisits the setting of her popular series, where the vampires are in charge and love is risky.
Cynthia Leitich Smith (Tantalize) gives us a love triangle between a vampire, a ghost and a human girl, in which none of them are who or what they seem.
Claudia Gray (Evernight) takes us into the world of her Evernight series, in which a pre-Civil War courtesan-to-be is courted by a pale, fair-haired man whose attentions are too dangerous to spurn.
Richelle Mead (the Vampire Academy series) brings us the tale of a young vampire on the run from the rest of her kind, and the human boy who provides the getaway car.
Nancy Holder (the Wicked series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) immerses us in a post-apocalyptic New York where two best friends are forced to make a choice that may kill them both.
Kristin Cast (the House of Night series) introduces us to a new kind of vampire: one with roots in Greek mythology, and the power to alter space and time.
And Tanith Lee (Black Unicorn) shows us what happens when a bright young woman with some supernatural savvy encounters a misguided (but gorgeous) young vampire.

Review:
The problem with books like these are that there are so many different authors with different writing styles trying to cram a good story into 100 pages. In reality, it should never happen, but surprisingly, I liked a couple of the stories; even if they were a bit short. These stories are all different, with different people and situations. Although, some stories I really did not like and got bored of. Being honest, I would say that if you wanted a quick read on a dull day, borrow this book from someone or a library. Unless you are possessive with books and have to own all the books you have read like me; I know, crazy; then you should buy it. Its not the authors that are the problem, its the lack of description and having a the stories go by so fast; and shoved together in a small book. x.

Friday, October 16, 2009

CONTEST WINNER!

Thanks to Kristi at THESTORYSIREN.COM, I wont an amazing contest. These books above (picture from thestorysiren) are the ones I have won. I am soo very excited about them and can't wait for them to arrive in my mail. I'll have some reviews for them soon after. If you want to win contests like this, head over to THESTORYSIREN.COM. x.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa De La Cruz

With thestunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the airfor the young vampires ofthe Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged.Young, fanged, and fabulous, Melissa de la Cruz's vampires unite in this highly anticipated fourth installment of the Blue Bloods series.

Review:
When this book came I was so excited to read it, and waiting for it was hell. This has to be one of my favorites in the series so far. It was a quick read, but in that short amount of time, it makes you want to read the next one...unfortunately we have to wait...again. It was well worth my time. At first, Mimi's life was a bit boring, and I only wanted to read about Schuyler, and sometimes Bliss, but as the story continued, Mimi and Bliss ended up having very interesting stories. So much was happening and I couldn't put the book down. Loved it, would recommend the series to anyone. x.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

The Poison Throne by Celine Kiernan

This is this year's most exciting crossover title. A Friend. A Father. A Kingdom. Which one would you sacrifice? This compelling trilogy of court intrigue, adventure and romance is a winning combination of imagination, powerful storytelling and magnificent characters. Fifteen-year-old Wynter Moorehawke returns home after a five-year sojourn in the bleak Northlands. All has changed in her absence. Wynter is forced to make a terrible choice: stay and bow to the King's will, or abandon her ailing father and join her friend Razi and the mysterious Christopher Garron in their efforts to restore the fragile kingdom to its former stability. But this changed kingdom is a dangerous place, where all resistance is brutally suppressed and the trio constantly risk assassination, torture or imprisonment. Atmospheric and intriguing, it evokes an enchanting and convincing other world - love, treachery, jealousy, tenderness, war, wisdom and court life are all vividly depicted. Set in a fantastical medieval Europe, "The Poison Throne" is a gothic tale of intrigue, adventure and romance which draws the reader in from the very first sentence and doesn't loosen its grip until the last.


Review: 
I have to admit, this book was a bit slow for me at the beginning, but once I got into it, I really loved it. Surprisingly, it sort of turned into a romance novel; well, trilogy. I can't wait to read the next installment of this series. It was very exciting to read. I really feel sympathy towards Wynter. She has to try to hide her emotions, and be strong for her father, and everyone else. And when she starts to learn to love, and feel friendship, it seems to be slipping away, and it is her challenge to try to hold on to that. It is a truely beautifully written story. The characters seem real, and Kiernan has created a totally unique and completely different world you will be sucked into. x.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Devoured by Amanda Marrone

Megan’s twin sister Remy died in an accident nine years ago, and she’s been haunting her ever since. Knowing how crazy that sounds, Megan keeps this secret to herself and tries to lead a normal life. But when she takes a summer job at Land of Enchantment to keep an eye on her new boyfriend and his lovesick best friend, Samantha, she meets fellow employee Luke who can see Remy, too. Things get even twistier because Megan’s new friend Ari is sporting a massive crush on Luke, who seems to be developing a massive crush on Megan…making for a love triangle that’s positively possessed. Megan wants to keep her distance from Luke, but when Remy’s visions get crazy violent; she knows she needs his help. Because someone’s definitely in danger...the only question is who?

Review:
This is a Snow White typed story, with romance, friendships, and decievance. I have to admit, I didn't know anything about this book, but when I saw the cover, I knew I had to buy it. It is kind of eirie, but pretty at the same time. Megan is torn between two guys, and two friends. And she must choose which. I was totally completely taken by surprise by some things in this book. It was a quick read, but well worth it. It was a book a enjoyed. The Mirror kind of creeped me out a little bit, but wouldn't you love a mirror like it? Well, you have to find out and see. Would you give up a guy for a girl you hardly know? How do you know you should trust her? Even your best friend? x.

Monday, October 5, 2009

The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Can love last beyond the grave?Sylvie Davis is a ballerina who can’t dance. A broken leg ended her career, but Sylvie’s pain runs deeper. What broke her heart was her father’s death, and what’s breaking her spirit is her mother’s remarriage—a union that’s only driven an even deeper wedge into their already tenuous relationship. Uprooting her from her Manhattan apartment and shipping her to Alabama is her mother’s solution for Sylvie’s unhappiness. Her father’s cousin is restoring a family home in a town rich with her family’s history. And that’s where things start to get shady. As it turns out, her family has a lot more history than Sylvie ever knew. More unnerving, though, are the two guys that she can’t stop thinking about. Shawn Maddox, the resident golden boy, seems to be perfect in every way. But Rhys—a handsome, mysterious foreign guest of her cousin’s—has a hold on her that she doesn’t quite understand. Then she starts seeing things. Sylvie’s lost nearly everything—is she starting to lose her mind as well?

Review:
I really loved this book, and it took me a while to read, which is good. I can't stop thinking of it. It has to be one of my favorite books. The story was totally different than what I thought it was going to be, and most of it was unpredictable. I really ended up liking Sylvie and am in love with Rhys (pronounced Reese) All i was to do is read this book over and over, it was that good. Also, I really like the cover, its simple and elegant. Clement-Moore has written this story beautifully, and researched a lot. It was very detailed. Great story, and very unique. x.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Review:
Oh My God. I am speechless. I am absolutely in love with this book, and Patch. Everyone will be once they read this book. I love the cover, more than every other cover any book has. Sorry, but its the truth. All I want to do is read this book over and over again. It is a romance novel, but there is so much danger Nora is in, you sympethize with her, but want to be in her position. This fallen angel will steal your heart, and consume your mind. Amazing, go get it right now! One of my favourite books hands down. x.