Book Trailer! - Entwined by Heather Dixon

After I watched the book trailer for Entwined by Heather Dixon, which HarperTeen had posted on their Facebook page, I just had to share it! It has some of the best animation I've ever seen for a book trailer and well, even though I've read mixed reviews, it has me tempted to check out the novel... In any case, there's no harm admiring the hard work that must have gone into putting the trailer together!

Release Date: March 21, 2011
Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Summary:

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it. 

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

Book Trailer! - The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Kiki Hamilton shared the book trailer of her upcoming debut novel, The Faerie Ring, today on her blog!

Release Date: September 27, 2011
Publisher: Tor Teen / Macmillan

Summary:

Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger.

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

I'm really liking this book trailer! The images they've used and the background music set this tense mood that have me excited to learn what's going to happen in the novel!

Spotted! Cover of If I Die by Rachel Vincent

Rachel Vincent unexpectedly revealed the cover for If I Die, the fifth novel in the Soul Screamers series, this evening on her blog!

Release Date: September 20, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen  

Summary (from Goodreads): 

No one wants to be this teacher’s pet . . .

Everyone else is talking about Eastlake High’s gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck, but Kaylee Cavanaugh has bigger things on her mind. Kaylee’s a banshee—her scream is a portent of death.

But the next scream might hit too close to home. Kaylee’s borrowed lifeline has almost run out.

Yeah—it’s a shock to her, too. So to distract herself from her own problems, Kaylee is determined to defend her school against the latest supernatural threat. That hot new teacher is really an incubus, who feeds from the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend’s delinquent ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren’t quite human either.

But Kaylee’s running out of time, and those who love her will do anything to save her life.

Anything.

The cover for If I Die is so pretty, right? I've admired all of the covers for the Soul Screamers and this one is no exception! It looks like they've changed up the font slightly but I just love the green swirls of Kaylee's dress and they way it dances across!

As for the plot summary... it's making me really nervous for Kaylee. September is going to be a long wait to see what's going to happen to her!

And I can't mention anything regarding the series without saying, "GO TEAM TOD!". As you can tell, I just LOVE Tod. ^_^

What do you think of the cover? 

Spotted! Cover of The Death Cure by James Dashner

After much teasing on Twitter with his constant countdown updates, James Dashner finally revealed the cover of The Death Cure, the final novel in the Maze Runner trilogy, this morning on his blog!

Release Date: October 11, 2011

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Summary (from Random House Canada): 

*Warning: Contains spoilers if you haven't read the previous novels.*

Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.

What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.

The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.

Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

I'm really excited to see how the trilogy will end with The Death Cure! I never know what to expect with these novels and I spend half the time reading them with my heart pounding and fearing for the lives of the characters. One thing's for sure though... it's going to be a crazy roller-coaster ride to the end! Let's just hope that Thomas and his friends will make it to the other side alright! 

And this cover? It's totally awesome! I love it!

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Title: We'll Always Have Summer (Summer #3)
Author: Jenny Han
Release Date: April 26, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: Simon & Schuster's Children Publishing
Pages: 304
Source: Bought

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

Belly has only ever been in love with two boys, both with the last name Fisher. And after being with Jeremiah for the last two years, she's almost positive he is her soul mate. Almost. Conrad has not gotten over the mistake he made when he let Belly go even as Jeremiah has always known that Belly is the girl for him. So when Belly and Jeremiah decide to make things forever, Conrad realizes that it's now or never--tell Belly he loves her, or lose her for good. 

Belly will have to confront her feelings for Jeremiah and Conrad and face a truth she has possibly always known: she will have to break one of their hearts.

My Thoughts:

I think I'm still in shock that one of my favourite trilogies is over. There's an ache in my chest as I replay the events of the novel over and over again, and think of how Jenny Han has led us so far following the lives of Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah over the course of the three novels. It has been such a journey following these three as they've slowly grown up and matured... but it's ultimately time to face the facts and say goodbye.

I just absolutely love Jenny Han's beautiful writing! There's a distinct style to these novels that I can never quite put my finger on but I guess the closest way to describe it is that they have a sort of elegant, reminiscent touch to them. Even since the very first novel, The Summer I Turned Pretty, it has always felt like all the events had already occurred but Belly was slowly narrating her life story as a teenager and young girl. Maybe that's just me, but in any case, it was just another aspect that made me fall harder for these novels.

My high expectations for We'll Always Have Summer left me extremely anxious and nervous to read it. I've been waiting for so long to discover which Fisher boy Belly would finally choose but there was always a conflicted feeling as well because you just know that one of the boys- either Conrad or Jeremiah- would have their hearts broken. Don't get me wrong, both boys have their faults but the strength of the love they both feel for Belly has always left me a bit jealous of her. I was definitely supporting one boy in particular but I'm not going to say who here for fear it would lead you to drawing conclusions... and really, this is a novel to be enjoyed by not knowing what's going to happen next! So while I could easily elaborate more, I'm going to show a bit of restraint...

When I reached the last final pages, tears of joy and relief glistened on my eyes as I realized I would be getting the ending I'd been wishing for in my heart. Did I think the ending was perhaps too sudden instead of drawn out more? Yes... but it's okay. I can live with it. These novels go so much more beyond being summer novels on the beach. And much like its predecessors, We'll Always Have Summer will prove to be a coming of age tale filled with love, loss, heartbreak, friendship... and maybe most all, following your heart and never giving up hope that's it's not too late to change the future.

And now that one of my most favourite summer series ever is over, I feel like there's this empty void that needs to be filled... but I'm not sure how. Jenny Han's Summer trilogy has always stood apart from the rest and having this feeling like I'll never get to read something so special again leaves me feeling so incredibly sad...

Waiting on Wednesday (43) - Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: July 26, 2011
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Summary (from Goodreads):

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren - a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she’s ever had to make: the life she's always longed for - or the love she can't live without?

I really enjoyed reading both of Mandy Hubbard's previous novels Prada and Prejudice and You Wish so it would probably make sense that I'm excited to read Ripple too! I like how it sounds darker and that it's centered around a siren, which I would consider more uncommon for the paranormal genre... And add in some romance and I think we'll have the perfect combination for a novel we'll all love!

My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Title: My Unfair Godmother (My Fair Godmother #2)
Author: Janette Rallison
Release Date: March 29, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Pages: 320
Source: ARC won from author

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

Tansy Miller has always felt that her divorced father has never had enough time for her. But mistakenly getting caught on the wrong side of the law wasn't exactly how she wanted to get his attention. Enter Chrysanthemum "Chrissy" Everstar, Tansy's fairy in shining, er, high heels. Chrissy is only a fair godmother, of course, so Tansy's three wishes don't exactly go according to plan. And if bringing Robin Hood to the twenty-first century isn't bad enough for Tansy, being transported back to the Middle Ages to deal with Rumpelstiltskin certainly is. She'll need the help of her blended family, her wits, and especially the cute police chief 's son to stop the gold-spinning story from spinning wildly out of control. Janette Rallison pulls out all the stops in this fresh, fun-filled follow-up to the popular My Fair Godmother.

My Thoughts:
Once upon a time, there was girl who lived in a far Northern land called Canada. Upon learning there would be a sequel to one of her favourite novels My Fair Godmother, she immediately squealed and couldn't anticipate its release. And when this girl finally got her hands on a copy, she refused to put the novel down and read and read until before she knew it, she had already finished the novel. And you know what? It was everything and more that she had expectantly hoped it would be!

It never ceases to amaze me just how much creativity and imagination Janette Rallison pours inter her novels! Just as she did in My Fair Godmother, the sequel is full of modern twists on your favourite fairy tales in ways that you could never think to conceive until you're actually reading the words on the page. I also absolutely love how Janette easily balances writing funny, laugh-out-loud moments that leave a ridiculous smile on your face to heartwarming ones that just tug on your heartstrings. And the cast of characters are just as fun too! (Quick side note: Hudson, the handsome police chief's son? Swoon!)

The moral of the story is that you should be careful what you wish for... you never know when a pink-haired fairy godmother named Chrysanthemum "Chrissy" Everstar will grant you a wish that sends you to the Middle Ages because you're only an extra credit project to get her into Fairy Godmother University. Okay, so I'm sure that's just only one of the many important life lessons you'll learn...

While I'll leave it up to you to discover if the characters will find their happily ever after, I will say this: the ending of My Unfair Godmother suggests the possibility of another novel to come... so I'm really hoping that Janette Rallison isn't just teasing us by leaving the doors open for a third novel!   

Everyone should read these novels if you're looking for a fun read that easily passes the time! They're absolutely perfect for both young and older readers alike and I couldn't recommend both My Fair Godmother and My Unfair Godmother enough. I have yet to hear anything remotely negative about these novels and I certainly hope I never do because they're just pure entertainment!

The End...

Abandon by Meg Cabot

Title: Abandon (The Abandon Trilogy #1)
Author: Meg Cabot
Release Date: April 26, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Pages: 320
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld.

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld. 

My Thoughts:
I've been really looking forward to reading Abandon ever since I heard that Meg Cabot would be writing a new trilogy centered around a re-imagining of the myth of Persephone... and I was not disappointed one bit! After reading several novels by the author now, I've come to expect light and cute stories but Abandon is the complete opposite! It's darker, edgier... and well, I loved this aspect! And isn't the cover just so gorgeous? Seriously, when I could manage to tear my eyes away from the pages, I was gazing at the cover! 

Abandon is very much an introduction to the trilogy as there is a lot of character development and world-building in this novel. Meg Cabot jumps to flashback scenes quickly in the beginning, eluding to past events before they've been fully revealed in the story. But while it may have taken a certain amount of time to fully understand what was occurring, it never ceased to stop my interest or curiousity. Pierce's past is a very complicated one but with some patience, the little pieces fell into place as I came to understand how these events have influenced everything in the present from her personality, her interactions with friends and family... and to the way she feels about John Hayden.

I've always liked how Meg captures the essence of youth in her characters. Pierce was very much like Meg Cabot's other heroines in that they just have this certain teen spirit with the way they talk and narrate that only Meg defines in her own way. Pierce is by no means perfect but she's willing to learn from her mistakes and she always has the best interests of everyone she cares about at heart. I really do wish there had been more of John in the novel though! He doesn't physically appear in the novel as much as I would have hoped but I still really took a shining to him... even if he was a death deity and all. His moments with Pierce were always filled with tension and angst...

Although Abandon did seem to have some inconsistencies... overall, I really did come to enjoy the novel and I absolutely think that fans will feel the same way. Meg Cabot's fun storytelling has always left me struggling to put her novels down even for a moment and it was certainly no exception this time! After learning much of Pierce's past in this one, I have a feeling we'll be seeing more action in the next novel (especially after the way the events lead off...) and I'm sure we'll somehow fall a little harder for John as well. 

Now there's just a long wait for Underworld next year when, of course, all I want to do is read it right now! Dark and alluring, Abandon is everything that you've come to expect from Meg Cabot.

Thanks so much to Scholastic Canada for sending me this review copy!

In My Mailbox (29)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where we share any new books or goodies we bought, received, borrowed, etc. during the week. 

This week I got...

Won:

• ARC of My Unfair Godmother (My Fair Godmother #2) by Janette Rallison 

I won this ARC from Janette Rallison during her month of giveaways on her blog in celebration of the release of the novel! I kept forgetting to enter but I actually remembered to one day and it happened I was one of the winners... which is so cool and surprising! She also gave me a couple bookmarks but I forgot to include them so I'll try to remember for my next IMM to do so. Thanks so much for the copy and personalizing it Janette! 

Received for Review:

• ARC of Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies #1) by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies prequel) by Steve Hockensmith
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies #2) by Steve Hockensmith

Thanks so much to HarperCollins Canada for sending me Divergent! I've been dying to read it and I might have hugged the copy as soon as it was in my hands... And a huge thank you to Random House Canada and Quirk Books for sending all three of the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies novels! Jane Austen with a zombie twist? Sounds like fun! 

Bought:

• Blindsight by Peter Watts
• Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
• We'll Always Have Summer (Summer #3) by Jenny Han

I bought Blindight and Never Let Me Go because they're part of my required reading for a science fiction summer university half-course I'm taking soon. I just need to buy one more and then I'll have all four that I need for the class. I think it's pretty cool that Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games is also one of the required readings!

And then, of course, when I learned that We'll Always Have Summer was out in stores early, I just had to buy it! I'll be sad to see the trilogy end but I also can't wait to see what's going to happen...

What about YOU? Any new reads/finds this week?

And as always... Happy Reading!

Cryer's Cross, Awaken and Swag Giveaway WINNERS!

There were a few giveaways on the blog that ended not long ago so I'm going to announce the winners! Random.org has spoken and the winners are... *drumroll*


Winner of Signed Copy of Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann:

Sara @ Just Another Story

Winner of ARC of Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky:

Seesen9 @ Imaginary Whispers

Two winners of Swag Giveaway (signed bookmarks by Kelley Armstrong and Kiki Hamilton):

Alex @ Geek on the Brink

Rabiah @ Confessions of a Readaholic

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the giveaways and congratulations to the lucky winners! I was blown away by the number of entries!

Waiting on Wednesday (42) - From Bad to Cursed by Katie Alender

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: June 14, 2011
Publisher: Hyperion

Summary (from Goodreads):

Alexis is the last girl you'd expect to sell her soul for beauty and popularity. After all, she already has everything she needs--an adorable boyfriend, the perfect best friend, and a family that finally seems to be healing after her sister Kasey's unfortunate possession by an evil spirit.

But then Kasey tells Alexis about the mysterious new club she has joined, and the oath she has taken to someone named Aralt. Worried that Kasey's gotten in over her head again, Alexis and her best friend Megan decide to investigate by joining the Sunshine Club, too. At first, their connection with Aralt seems harmless. Alexis tries a new -- normal-- look, and finds herself reveling in her elegance and success.

Still, despite the Sunshine Club's outward perfection, the group is crumbling from within, and soon Alexis finds herself battling her own personal demons. She can hardly even remember why she joined in the first place. Surely it wasn't to destroy Aralt...why would she hurt someone who has given her so much, and asked for so little in return?  

I'm really looking forward to reading From Bad to Cursed, the long awaited second novel for the trilogy! The first novel, Bad Girls Don't Die, was such an awesome creepy read so I definitely can't wait to see what Katie Alender brings to the table with this one... especially after two years of waiting for this novel.

But oh my goodness, I don't think I can stare at this cover for too long before I shiver. Did you look closely at the girl's expression in the cover? So scary! 

Spotted! Cover of Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

Alexandra Adornetto revealed the cover of Hades, the second novel in her Halo series, through her Twitter account earlier tonight!

 Release Date: August 30, 2011

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Summary (from Goodreads):

Even the love of her boyfriend, Xavier Woods, and her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep the angel Bethany Church from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly her loved ones as well. Can he be trusted in this wager? And w...moreEven the love of her boyfriend, Xavier Woods, and her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep the angel Bethany Church from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly her loved ones as well. Can he be trusted in this wager? And what does Jake have Xavier believing about Beth’s fate that may result in an act of betrayal that will leave Bethany – and readers – wondering if Xav is so good after all?

If you've read my review of Halo, the first novel in the series, in the past then you'll know that I wasn't exactly impressed with the novel... but oh my gosh, that never did stop me from falling in love with its cover! I've been looking forward to seeing the cover of Hades for awhile now to see how they could possibly top the beauty of the first one... and I think they've done a great job with this one! The darker colours give it such an edgier feel! 

I'm also relieved as well because there had been an unofficial version floating around in the past and that one honestly horrified me... so I'm glad to see that this is the real one!

How do you like the cover?  

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Title: Playing Hurt
Author: Holly Schindler
Release Date: March 8, 2011 (paperback)
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 312
Source: Bought 

Overall: 5 Stars 

Summary:

Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college—and everyone's admiration back home. Then she took a horrible fall during senior year. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.

That summer, Chelsea's dad hires Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player and "boot camp" trainer, to work with her at a northern Minnesota lake resort. As they grow close, Chelsea finds that Clint's haunted by his own tragedy. Will their romance end up hurting them all over again—or finally heal their heartbreak? 

My Thoughts:
I've had the most difficult of times writing my review of Playing Hurt... but only because it was so amazing and I could never dream to even partially serve it any justice. So I shall try my best to convey what could only be my gushing thoughts on the novel because it's one of those hidden gems you just have to share with everyone! 

A year ago, Chelsea Keyes was the shining star of her hometown with a scholarship to play college basketball and a perfect boyfriend, Gabe, by her side. And then in a horrible accident on the court, her dreams of playing basketball were gone... and Chelsea was left feeling like a stranger in her own family. As a graduation gift, her father takes the family to a northern lake resort where he pays for a three-week summer "boot camp" program to help Chelsea get back on her feet and focused once more. But when Chelsea meets her new nineteen-year old trainer Clint, a young man with his own haunted past, she can't ignore the immediate attraction she feels for him... 

I'm not going to lie, I had some doubts in the beginning about Chelsea and Clint. I'm not usually one that enjoys seeing a girl practically fall for a boy on the spot, especially when she already has a devoted boyfriend back home... but there was no denying the connection these two feel for each other. They're both tormented by their pasts and seeing them slowly open up to each other left me hoping they could heal some of the pain neither should have deserved to still feel. There is something just so right seeing Chelsea and Clint together.

It was Holly Schindler's wonderful execution and believability in drawing this pair ever closer together that left me swooning and craving for more as we see the passion ignite between Chelsea and Clint. The romance could be considered more geared towards older YA readers but you wouldn't want it any other way. A glossed over version would have been just so wrong so I appreciate Holly Schindler's skill with words all the more.

When not lost in the story, I was completely in awe of Holly Schindler's absolutely beautiful writing because it is simply perfection. With Holly's vivid descriptions and a distinct cadence in her prose, Playing Hurt comes to life before your very eyes as the words seem to effortlessly flow off the page! I mean, I think it's impossible to not be swept away in some fashion by this moving tale that captivates you from the very start.

Playing Hurt has instantly earned a place among my favourites! It's more than just a summer contemporary novel filled with romance... it's also a novel with substance that tackles the difficult obstacles that fate sometimes has in store for you. And now that I've finished reading Playing Hurt, there is only the waiting game as I eagerly anticipate Holly Schindler's next novel.

A Cornucopia of Dystopia! Lauren Oliver Author Interview Scavenger Hunt!

Like so many aspects in life, all good things must come to an end and this is the case for "A Cornucopia of Dystopia!", an event co-hosted by Danya at A Tapestry of Words and Casey at The Bookish Type. Today is the final day! *sad face* 

It's been a wonderful privilege to help take part in the event... and I've had such an awesome time reading all the many reviews and author interviews celebrating the rise in the dystopian genre! And I'm sure you've all been enjoying the cool giveaways too, eh? 

So for the final day of the event, there's a scavenger hunt interview with... Lauren Oliver, author of Delirium! (You can read my review of the novel if you wish as well.) There are 8 blogs participating in the scavenger hunt and each one will be posting their question and answer before linking to the next blog in the chain. You'll have to follow the link trail to read the interview in its entirety!

If you'd like to start at the very beginning, Casey's kicking it off over at The Bookish Type! And if you're just stopping by from the previous stop on the tour, then "Hello!". *waves* Okay, so here's the moment you've been hopefully waiting for... my question:

What literary couples would convince people that receiving a cure for deliria would be a mistake? 

Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice; and Fermina Daza and Florentina Araza in Love In the Time of Cholera. It takes them, like, 80 years to get together…but the payoff is so worth it.

Want to see the next question on the scavenger hunt? Head on over to A Writer's Review to see what it is! You'll definitely want to see all the questions asked during the hunt!

Book Trailer! - Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly

I recently stumbled across the book trailer for Angel Burn, the first novel in the Angel trilogy by L.A. Weatherly, while I was on Bookurious. If I'm not mistaken, the novel was already released in the UK in the fall last year simply under the name Angel, so I'm glad to see it's getting a North American release soon!

Release Date: May 24, 2011
Publisher: Candlewick Press

Summary:

Willow knows she’s different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people’s dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where this power comes from. But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces, and that he’s one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems, least of all good and evil. In the first book in an action-packed, romantic trilogy, L.A. Weatherly sends readers on a thrill-ride of a road trip - and depicts the human race at the brink of a future as catastrophic as it is deceptively beautiful.

They’re out for your soul . . . and they don’t have heaven in mind.

It sounds like we have a lot of action and suspense in store for us! Add in a bit of forbidden romance to get our hearts racing even more and it sounds like Angel Burn is a novel we'll easily enjoy. I'm always a bit iffy with angel novels though so fingers-crossed this will be a good one!

Waiting on Wednesday (41) - Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: May 31, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen

Summary (from Goodreads):

How do you defy destiny? 

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

I'm definitely loving the rise in YA novels that feature Greek mythology and Starcrossed is no exception! It's the first novel in a new trilogy by debut author Josephine Angelini and by the sounds of it, the series will be a modern retelling of The Illiad. I'm sure we'll be left anxiously wondering how the two star-crossed lovers will find a way to be together as we read along...

Book Trailer! - Enclave by Ann Aguirre

I think the book trailer for Enclave by Ann Aguirre, the first novel in a new dystopian series, was released awhile ago but I just watched it today and thought I'd share it! It makes me sort of regret picking up a copy of the novel when I saw it in stores the other day...

Release Date: April 12, 2011
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Summary:

New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20’s. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.

Right now, I think it's my feelings about the cover that are stopping from getting this book. I know, I know... you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover but I'm only human. Anyways, with a great book trailer like this one and an interesting plot description, I may just have to take a closer look. Plus, it helps that most of the reviews I've read for this novel seem to be positive!

Red Glove by Holly Black

Title: Red Glove (Curse Workers #2)
Author: Holly Black
Release Date: April 5, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 336
Source: ARC received from publisher

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Summary:
** Warning: Contains spoilers if you haven't read White Cat yet! **

Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else.

That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion worker mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as Cassel's made-up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does.

When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone—least of all, himself?

Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.  

My Thoughts:
I'm going to say this right off the bat that this review will contain spoilers if you haven't read the first novel in the Curse Workers trilogy, White Cat, yet. But other than that, I won't be giving anything away in Red Glove!

Holly Black has once again hit the mark with Red Glove in a novel that was just as good, if not better, than its predecessor! I easily breezed through the pages, my interest captured from the very beginning... yet I also read carefully because I didn't want to miss a single detail! There was always just the right amount of suspense and intrigue added in the story that I didn't want to put the novel down even for a second! 

It has been several months since Cassel learned that his mother used her skills to curse Lila into loving him... and the same amount of time since he's seen Lila last because he couldn't stand the thought of being with her when her feeling's were not the real thing. But that's just one complication in a string of many. Now that Cassel has finally learned he's a transformation worker and that his memories had been tampered by his scheming brothers, Cassel's not sure who to trust anymore... not even himself. And when he learns that his oldest brother has been murdered, Cassel finds himself caught in between two very different groups who want him for themselves: the FBI and the mob. 

My crush fest with Cassel is reaching some very high levels... but oh my, I feel bad for him because he can never seem to catch a break! He's been betrayed by own family members, the mob is trying to recruit him for criminal acts he wants no part in, and just when he thought he could be with Lila after learning he didn't murder her after all... she's cursed by his own mother. One thing for sure is, ordinary could never be used to describe Cassel! But despite all the bad luck, his heart is still in the right place and he strives to make things right... even if that means picking some locks and conning someone along the way to make it happen.

I'm also seriously beginning to think Holly Black has some of her own curse working abilities because she has definitely worked some magic in this novel! Just when you think you have everything figured out, she throws in plenty of twists and turns to always keep the surprises coming. I'm constantly kept on my toes questioning the motives of all the characters!

Oh sigh. You know what the bad thing is about reading Red Glove so shortly after it has been released instead of prolonging it like I did with White Cat though? I now have to wait a whole year for the release of Black Heart all without knowing what's going to happen next between Lila and Cassel! Red Glove has it all: drama, crime, suspense, romance... you won't be disappointed for sure!

Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me this review copy!

In My Mailbox (28)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where we share any new books or goodies we bought, received, borrowed, etc. during the week. 

This week I got...

Received for Review:

• ARC of Abandon (Abandon #1) by Meg Cabot
• ARC of Blood Magic (Blood Journals #1) by Tessa Gratton
• City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare
• Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale by Ramona Wray
• ARC of Welcome to Bordertown edited by Holly Black and Ellen Kushner

Thanks so much to Scholastic Canada, Bookurious and Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me these novels!! I'd also like to extend thanks to Ramona Wray for sending me her novel Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale which I'll reading as part of the Hex blog tour organized by Ashley at What's Your Story?.

Bookurious also sent me a poster for the upcoming YA debut novel by Ransom Riggs called Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and I'll totally admit, it kind of creeps me out... S&S Canada also sent me a CoFA poster and buttons. So again, huge thanks!

My mailbox is never this busy so there may have been squealing at the wonderful surprises I was finding in the mail this week...

Bought:

• Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
• The Gathering (Darkness Rising #1) by Kelley Armstrong
• The Liar Society (The Liar Society #1) by Lisa and Laura Roecker
• My Unfair Godmother (My Fair Godmother #2) by Janette Rallison
• Where She Went (If I Stay #2) by Gayle Forman

And even though I'm supposed to be studying for my final exams, I just couldn't resist going to the bookstore and buying some books that I've been dying to finally have in my hands! I may not be able to read them right away... but at least I have them now, right?

I bought a finished copy of The Gathering last weekend when I attended Kelley Armstrong's book signing in Toronto, and I also got a couple buttons, a postcard and a bookmark which was just some of the cool swag she giving away to everyone. I was originally going to give some to my sister but she said I could have it instead... sweet!

I've been waiting for two years for the paperback of Along for the Ride to finally come out and let me tell you, I have no intention of ever doing that again! I don't think I could take all that waiting... I was also happy that my order for The Liar Society finally came in- the novel is still nowhere to be found in stores! And oh my gosh, I'm so excited to finally read Where She Went! I'm going to have the tissues at the ready just in case. I guess you can totally tell I got a bit hyped up this week by all the new releases!

What about YOU? Any new reads/finds this week?

And as always... Happy Reading!

Spotted! Cover of After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel

The cover of After Obsession, Carrie Jones' upcoming novel which she wrote co-wrote with Steven E. Wedel, was exclusively revealed on the official Need Facebook fanpage yesterday!

 Release Date: September 5, 2011

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Summary (from Goodreads): 

Aimee and Alan have unusual pasts and secrets they prefer to keep hidden. Aimee's deceased mother struggled with mental illness and hallucinations, and Aimee thinks it could be hereditary. After all, she sees a shadowy river man where there isn't one. And then there was that time she and her best friend Courtney tried to conjure a spirit with a Ouija board...

Alan is Courtney's cousin. His family moved to Maine when Courtney's father went missing. It's not just Alan's dark good looks that make him attractive. He is also totally in touch with a kind of spiritual mysticism from his Native American heritage. And it's not long before Aimee has broken up with her boyfriend...

But it's not Aimee or Alan who is truly haunted - it's Courtney. In a desperate plea to find her father, Courtney invites a demonic presence into her life. Together, Aimee and Alan must exorcise the ghost, before it devours Courtney - and everything around her.

Doesn't After Obsession sound like it's going to be such a dark, creepy read in a totally awesome way? I sure think so! Spirits, exorcisms, mysterious disappearances and a bit of romance thrown in for good measure... count me in!

I also think the cover's pretty cool. I'm especially loving the spattering of black around the edges of the girl's dress! What do think of the cover? Looking forward to After Obsession? And just in case you were wondering... this novel is a stand-alone one!

A Cornucopia of Dystopia! Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium (Delirium #1)
Author: Lauren Oliver
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 448
Source: Won in CureMeITB Twitter contest thanks to  Indigo Teen Blog and HarperCollins Canada 

Overall: 4 Stars 

Summary:

Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't. 

Lauren Oliver astonished readers with her stunning debut, Before I Fall. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly called it "raw, emotional, and, at times, beautiful. An end as brave as it is heartbreaking." Her much-awaited second novel fulfills her promise as an exceptionally talented and versatile writer. 

My Thoughts:
Upon completing Delirium, there were three stages I experienced:

1) I wanted to scream! I was seriously tempted to just grab a pillow and scream into it for all it was worth.
2) Once the urge to scream passed, next were the tears threatening to fall. My heart completely reached out to Lena as plans slowly went awry by the end.
3) This awful ache settled in my chest, threatening to never go away as I kept replaying the ending over and over again in my head. How could Lauren Oliver possibly end the novel on such a horrible cliff-hanger note? Pure evilness. 

Delirium has left me infected... with a case of amor deliria nervosa that is. Lauren Oliver's beautiful prose has such a wonderful lilt that the words just seem to seamlessly flow off the page! She brings such beauty to the smallest inconsequential of things with her writing, making you second-guess your own view of the world.

With Lena's 18th birthday approaching ever closer in only a few months, so is her future. Her evaluations will determine who she is to marry and eventually have children with... and she'll receive the cure to amor deliria nervosa, or love, that the government says is deadly to everyone. Sympathizers who even think that love could possibly be good are taken out and swiftly silenced. Such thoughts are dangerous and it's for everyone's protection... Lena has always known and understood this fact. But then the unimaginable happens when Lena meets a beautiful boy... and falls in love.

Lena is the main factor in driving this novel forward; her growth as a character was essential and without it, Delirium would not nearly be as good as it is. The reasoning behind her eagerness to receive the cure is carefully explained, becoming even more apparent after we learn more about Lena's past and her relationship with her mother. With the introduction of Alex into the story and watching as their relationship unfolds and blossoms before our eyes, we see Lena come to make decisions for herself as she questions the rules of a society she had always believed to be right.

And as much as this novel was dystopian and focused on exploring this fascinating, yet horrifying, society Lena lives in... it was also very much a love story as well. Lauren Oliver captures first love in its innocence, complete with all the sweetness, butterflies, and other scrambling emotions it involves as well.

Love is pain... and with Delirium that certainly extends to the ending. Lauren Oliver's novel Delirium delivers with its absolutely beautiful writing and a heartfelt story set to the backdrop of a world without love. I'm eagerly looking forward to next year's release of the second novel, Pandemonium, for sure!

***

Don't forget everyone! "A Cornucopia of Dystopia!" is still an ongoing event and you can check out the full schedule of where to find reviews, author interviews, and giveaways from the several blogs participating here!

White Cat by Holly Black

Title: White Cat (Curse Workers #1)
Author: Holly Black
Release Date: February 8, 2011 (paperback, first published in hardcover May 4, 2010)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 320
Source: Bought

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Summary:

Cassel comes from a family of curse workers — people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail — he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.

Ever since, Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts crumbling when he starts sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things, too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find that out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.

Holly Black has created a gripping tale of mobsters and dark magic where a single touch can bring love — or death — and your dreams might be more real than your memories. 

My Thoughts:
The first thought that popped into my mind when I finished reading White Cat was, "Why didn't I read this sooner?" Because oh my, this novel blew me away with how awesome it was! Now before I start raving, I'm going to point something out. I wasn't a huge fan of Holly's Modern Faerie Tales trilogy so I went into reading White Cat not expecting too much in case I got my hopes up. You'll have to imagine my warm surprise then when I found myself immensely enjoying every single page! 

In a family of curse workers, people who have the power to change your luck, memories and more with a single touch of the hand, Cassel has always been an outsider with his lack of magical skills. He's a pretty normal guy unless you count the fact that his family is made up of criminals, he's pretty good at conning people when he wants to... and oh, he murdered his best friend Lila when he was fourteen years old and his older brothers had to cover it up. Normal, right? But when Cassel begins to have dreams about a white cat and his brothers act like they're keeping something from him, Cassel suspects there's a larger game being played and it all leads back to the night Lila died...

While I was reading White Cat, I might have developed a crush on Cassel. He's part bad boy, not afraid to break the rules when he needs to... but he's also got his heart in the right place. He's still grieving about Lila and it torments him that he still can't remember exactly how she came to die by hands. His memories of her death are filled with holes, so uncovering them alongside Cassel in the novel left me eager for answers. He really doesn't give himself enough credit though!

I absolutely loved the originality of Holly Black's storytelling in this novel. It's unique, fresh, a bit dark... and easily manages to stand out completely on its own! The combination of mystery and thrills to be found mixed with a bit of magic worked so well and left me riveted as I tried learn more and more about this world of curse workers. Not to mention, I'm a bit awed as well by the intricacies of the plot-line and how Holly manages to leave you breadcrumbs along the way so that you can piece details of Cassel's past together with ending results that will leave you surprised! 

White Cat was an absolute joy to read... and missing out on reading it would have been a mistake! It left me actively engaged, continuously wondering which characters were to be trusted and which were lying through their teeth as Cassel sought to learn answers. The added touch of a world with crime families exploiting the abilities of curse workers simply fueled the intrigue. So while I would say that White Cat is Holly Black's best novel yet... I have a feeling that Red Glove, the second novel, is going to be even better! (And it's a good thing it's now out in stores too!)

Waiting on Wednesday (40) - Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: June 14, 2011
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Summary (from Goodreads):

Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

With palpable drama and delicious craft, Nova Ren Suma bursts onto the YA scene with the story that everyone will be talking about.

Isn't the cover of Imaginary Girls breathtaking? I mean, it's just so hard to look away with the lovely expanse of blue and the girl outstretching her arms beneath the surface of the water! I might have been drawn to the novel because of its cover but the plot sounds great too! I'm looking forward to seeing how the sisterly relationship between Chloe and Ruby will be explored. And who wouldn't be curious to see just what "deadly surprises" await Chloe when she returns to town? Imaginary Girls is a contemporary novel I'll be looking forward to reading for sure!