Waiting on Wednesday (52) - Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

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

Release Date: August 23, 2011
Publisher: Razorbill

Summary (from Goodreads):
** Warning: Contains spoilers if you haven't read the last novel in the Vampire Academy series, Last Sacrifice.**

The first book in Richelle Mead's brand-new teen fiction series - set in the same world as Vampire Academy.

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

I definitely know I'm not alone in saying that Bloodlines is one of my anticipated reads of the year! I was a fan of the Vampire Academy series from the very beginning and I look forward to continuing the adventure with the new Bloodlines series. I can't wait to see the return of old faces (and meet new ones!) while learning more about the Alchemists. And knowing that Adrian will be back too is an awesome added bonus!

Canada Day Blog Hop + Giveaway!

I'm so happy to be helping take part in the Canada Day Blog Hop co-hosted by Aislynn at Knit, Purl, Stitch... Read and Cook! and Chrystal at Snowdrop Dreams of Books! Over the next few days, beginning today on June 29, you can visit the participating Canadian blogs for giveaways to win some awesome novels! All the giveaways will be open to Canadians but international folks, don't feel too left out because I'm sure many of them will be open to everyone!

For the event, I will be giving away a copy of Canadian author Lesley Livingston's Once Every Never which was recently released by Penguin Canada!

Clarinet Reid is a pretty typical teenager. On the surface. She’s smart, but a bit of slacker; outgoing, but just a little insecure; not exactly a mischief-maker … but trouble tends to find her wherever she goes. Also? She unwittingly carries a centuries-old Druid Blood Curse running through her veins.

Now, with a single thoughtless act, what started off as the Summer Vacation in Dullsville suddenly spirals into a deadly race to find a stolen artifact, avert an explosive catastrophe, save a Celtic warrior princess, right a dreadful wrong that happened centuries before Clare was even born, and if there’s still time— literally—maybe even get a date.

This is the kind of adventure that happens to a girl once every … never. 

The giveaway for a copy of Lesley Livingston's ONCE EVERY NEVER will be INTERNATIONAL but you must be a FOLLOWER to enter! While the Canada Day Blog Hop lasts until July 2, some of you may be away and busy during the long weekend, so the final day to enter the giveaway will be JULY 4, 2011. I'll choose a winner using a random number generator and will send an email to the winner for their mailing address. They'll have 48 hours give or take to respond back. Sound good?

To enter, PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM and you'll be all set to go! Good luck!

-GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED-
-> Winner has been announced! <- 

EDIT: Some of you informed me that the form wasn't allowing you to check off both the extra entries but the problem has been fixed! If you've already entered and you're both a Canadian resident AND tweeted the giveaway while leaving the link in the form, don't worry because you'll start get those extra entries. =)

Here are the blogs participating in the Canada Day Blog Hop! Happy hopping! ^_^

The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen

Title: The Vampire Stalker
Author: Allison Van Diepen
Release Date: June 1, 2011
Publisher: Point
Pages: 272
Source: Bought

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Summary:

What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world and came into yours?

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander. He has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction. 

My Thoughts:
Have you ever dreamed that your favourite character from a novel would come to life? I know I sure have! So when I read the plot description for The Vampire Stalker, it was like seeing every bookworm's dream come true and I just had to see how Allison Van Diepen would bring her story to life.

Allison Van Diepen has created a wide range of characters in The Vampire Stalker, some with loveable traits... and others, not so great. I think everyone will be able to relate to Amy on some level because not only is she a true book lover, but she also has such a warm, caring heart. Although she does find herself in spots of trouble with Alexander's unexpected arrival and the subsequent urgency to stop Vigo before people get hurt, you'll still think she's the luckiest girl for having her favourite character somehow escape the pages and actually be a real person. Alexander was rather sweet for a vampire hunter with his old-fashioned, chivalrous ways and I laughed out loud to his reactions when seeing modern technology for the first time.

Surprisingly, I didn't really fear Vigo too much. I think this had more to do with the fact that there was a lot of telling in the book, rather than showing... if you know what I mean. We're told that he's a really evil person, but he didn't cause as much trouble as I would have liked and the severity of it was too low for me to really panic about the situation as much as Amy and Alexander were in the book. Instead, the character I most hated was Amy's younger sister, Chrissy, because of her annoying attitude and the poor choices of judgement she made while Amy could still easily forgive her as though nothing was wrong.

Although the cover for the novel is really dark, its contents are actually rather light. The solutions to the roadblocks that stumped Amy and Alexander were rather simple and convenient when I wanted more suspense and challenge, but on the other hand, it did keep the pacing for the novel fast. I liked learning about the explanation Van Diepen had created to justify how Alexander and Vigo could be real people instead of fictional ones. I thought it was rather creative and she somehow made the theory seem plausible! 

The Vampire Stalker was a fast-paced, entertaining read with the pages easily flying by in no time at all! The novel may have had its faults but I did see Allison Van Diepen's second foray into the supernatural genre as an improvement over Raven, which I'm glad to say. I may have been left with mixed feelings after reading The Vampire Stalker, but overall, it was a satisfying and enjoyable novel.

Sorry for the Blog Silence!

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to apologize for the lack of posts this past week. I've been sick so I didn't mean to disappear on purpose. I didn't have the energy to type anything, let alone write a post, so I've been pretty much lying around and resting, trying to feel better.

Instead, I've been eating lots of cough candies and haven't read any new books. When I'm sick, I can't read anything so I've been catching up on watching some Korean dramas, starting and finishing both Prosecutor Princess and Secret Garden. Plus, I'm in the middle of watching two other ones but waiting for the next new episodes to air and be English subbed. They always evoke such emotion turmoil for me with tons of laughing and sadness, so they've been the perfect distraction to help me feel better! (Plus, they're really addicting so I'm sure I'll start watching another drama soon...)

Anyways, I should be back to posting normally again soon! I need to catch up on reading books for review, commenting on blogs, etc. so I'm sure that will also keep me busy in the meantime.

Thanks for understanding,

- Liz

Waiting on Wednesday (51) - Supernaturally by Kiersten White

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: HarperTeen

Summary (from Goodreads):

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.

But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.

So much for normal.

Paranormalcy was one of my favourite novels released in 2010 and ever since I finished reading the first novel, I've been highly anticipating the next book in the trilogy! (You can read my raving review if you'd like too.) Supernaturally is bound to be as amazing as Paranormalcy and I'm sure I'll be falling in love with every aspect of the world Kiersten White has created all over again! It's a good thing we don't have too much longer to wait for its release!

In My Mailbox (36)

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...

Bought:

• Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott
• Crush Control by Jennifer Jabaley
• Forgotten by Cat Patrick
• Last Little Blue Envelope (Little Blue Envelope #2) by Maureen Johnson

I finally found a copy of Between Here and Forever in good condition so I could buy it this week, and better yet, I found it at Costco for only $10 which is half the retail price! Awesome deal, right? And I'll also be looking forward to reading the other three novels as well!

Canada Post, please end your strike soon! I doubt I would have received anything this week but it felt really weird not having to check the mail... 

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

And as always... Happy Reading! 

Book Trailer! - From Bad to Cursed by Katie Alender

The book trailer for From Bad to Cursed, the second novel in the Bad Girls Don't Die trilogy, by Katie Alender was revealed on the author's blog a few days ago but I finally go a chance to watch it and really liked it! My sister's been a bit hyped to read it for awhile now and I'm just as excited to see what happens as well. The first novel was creepy in a totally good way, so I'm definitely eager to see what will happen next in book two!

I hope you enjoy the trailer! The light humour in the narration is amusing and the ending is just pure awesome. It may just make you want to jump out of your seat! 

Release Date: June 14, 2011
Publisher: Hyperion

Summary:

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? 

Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

Title: Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have)
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Release Date: June 7, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 368
Source: ARC provided by publisher 

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house – parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.

In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time. 

My Thoughts: 
In some ways, Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) was exactly what I expected it to be... and in others, it took me by surprise unexpectedly. In any case, I've been ever so excited to read the novel and as soon as I read the prologue, I already knew it would be one I would truly enjoy as I eagerly continued flipping the pages for more! And, really, who can resist a bit of teen drama?

The novel was definitely a fun read that had me laughing out loud and waiting to see what kind of trouble April would find herself in next, but there were enough heavier topics broached and discussed that give pause. In no way did I think it affected the novel negatively, but rather, it gave me an appreciation for Sarah Mlynowski's storytelling all the more. She manages to weave sex, drinking, relationships and plenty of partying into a humorous tale while also tackling the effects divorce can have in dividing a family such as April's. Do you see what I mean when I said I was surprised? I liked how the novel went beyond being only light and had more substance to it.  

Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) is narrated in a language that any teen could understand and take to heart. Despite some of the hysterical (but not necessarily always realistic) situations April finds herself in with her friends, it's still very much easy to relate with her as a character. She has a certain naivety of the world, but as she spends more and more time having to act independently and accomplishing one more "probably shouldn't have", her life begins to unravel.

I wish there had been more moments with Hudson! April may have had a longtime boyfriend, Noah, but it was Hudson who really stole the spotlight for me with his kindness and the way he always stepped up to help April when she needed it the most. Hudson and Noah weren't the only cute boys in the story either as April's best friend, Vi, had her own relationship doubts to worry about...

Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) may have been my first time reading a novel by Sarah Mlynowski but it certainly won't be my last! There was never a dull moment and reading as April's life got steadily more complicated left my eyes glued to the page the entire time. If you're looking for a sweet contemporary novel that offers some meaning beyond just fluff in a funny tale, then I'm sure you'll enjoy Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) just as much as I did!

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

Review + Giveaway: Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari

Title: Ashes, Ashes
Author: Jo Treggiari
Release Date: June 1, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 352
Source: Copy provided by publisher

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

An unbelievable tale of adventure and romance, in the face of the darkest of nightmares.

Smallpox epidemics, floods, droughts— for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, taking 99% of the population with it. As the weather continues to rage out of control, and Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, Lucy survives alone in the wilds of Central Park, hunting and foraging for food. But when she is rescued from a vicious pack of hunting dogs by a mysterious boy named Aidan, she reluctantly realizes she cannot continue on her own. She joins Aidan's band of survivors, yet a new danger awaits her: The Sweepers are looking for her, and they've laid a trap. There's something special about Lucy, and the Sweepers will stop at nothing to have her in their clutches. 

My Thoughts:
I've been so excited to read Ashes, Ashes for quite some time now and it didn't come as any surprise when I found myself easily immersed within the pages as soon as I had a copy of the novel in my hands. Bound inside the jaw-dropping awesomeness that is the cover, Ashes, Ashes is a suspenseful tale full of plenty of action and a dash of romance as it plays out just like a movie right inside your head! 

Jo Treggiari has done a wonderful job creating a vivid setting that easily describes the destruction and drastic state much of the landscape has fallen into as Lucy does her best to survive in a post-apocalyptic New York. In some ways, Lucy's lack of knowledge limits the reader at first because while we're brimming with questions, we only get the answers that Lucy knows from her own understanding and personal experience. As the novel progressed though, just like Lucy, we got the chance to learn more and more about the fate of our world in more of a wider scope since climate change and a fatal plague took its toll.

Lucy definitely has my admiration. She went from being a clumsy, quiet girl who lingered in the shadows as her two siblings shined in the spotlight to being the lone survivor in her entire family. Almost before her very eyes, she has watched the world change for the worse and has had to adapt in whatever way she could. She may possess a certain drive and instinct to do whatever is necessary to live, but at the same time, neither does she ever lose her compassion. The romance that unfolds between Lucy and Aidan is sweet and unhurried, which gave the two characters more time to learn more about one another before they started to profess their feelings.

What's interesting about Ashes, Ashes is that the natural disasters which have wreaked havoc on the society are very recent. In the growing number of YA dystopian novels these days, we learn of a society with their own set of laws and rules already implemented for their citizens to follow. However, in Ashes, Ashes, the much smaller populace is only beginning to show the makings of a dystopian one as the Sweepers constantly scour and search to bring people to the Compound, a hospital that has always unsettled Lucy.

I'm really hoping there were will be a sequel to Lucy and Aidan's story, but I wouldn't deny the opportunity to read a companion novel set in the same world either. I really do feel that there is still potential for more heart-pounding events to occur! Without a doubt, Ashes, Ashes is an exciting, action-packed tale that will leave you as breathless as its cover!

Thanks so much to Scholastic Canada for providing this review copy!

*****

Now, it's time for the giveaway! Scholastic Canada has very kindly offered to give a copy of ASHES, ASHES away to one lucky CANADIAN resident! You don't need to be a follower to enter and the giveaway will end June 30, 2011. I'll use a random number generator to choose a winner, who will have 48 hours to respond back to my email asking for their mailing address.

To enter, PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM and you're all set to go! Good luck!

-GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED-
-> Winner has been announced! <-   

If you missed it yesterday, you can read my author interview with Jo Treggiari!

And don't forget! The ASHES, ASHES Plague and Pestilence Tour is still on-going! Here is the full schedule below where you can find more reviews, giveaways, and author interviews with Jo Treggiari:

Midnight Bloom Reads - June 14

Rayment's Readings, Rants and Ramblings - June 14

Lavender Lines - June 15

21 Pages - June 16

Geek Girl's Book Blog - June 16

The Moody Teenager - June 17

Dreaming of Books - June 17

YA Book Shelf - June 17

Shelf Elf - June 18

SMS Book Reviews - June 19

The Crazy Bookworm - June 19

In The Next Room - June 20

Lost in the Library - June 20

He Followed Me Home... Can I Keep Him? - June 20 

Book Madam YA - June 21

Waiting on Wednesday (50) - If I Die by Rachel Vincent

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

Release Date: September 27, 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.

I feel like I'm beginning to suffer the symptoms of Tod withdrawal. It has been awhile since my favourite reaper has made me laugh, giggle, smile... and well, swoon in general. And I miss Kaylee too! She's grown so much over the course of the series and this latest development, in which her borrowed time has begun to run out, has me both excited and dreading what's going to happen. I definitely can't wait to read If I Die to find out!

Oh September, why must you be so far away? 

The ASHES, ASHES Plague and Pestilence Blog Tour! Author Interview with... Jo Treggiari

I'm incredibly honoured to be helping kick off The ASHES, ASHES Plague and Pestilence Blog Tour today with an author interview with the one and only... Jo Treggiari! The Canadian author's YA novel, Ashes, Ashes, was released earlier in the month and it's a post-apocalyptic adventure you definitely don't want to miss! 

1) You're traveling underground on the subway when the ground seems to awaken and shudders beneath the rails. The train suddenly sways and screeches to a halt. There is a loud rumble as the lights overheard flicker and sputter before completely dying. Was it an earthquake? Did a building collapse above? You don't know yet. How do you get to safety once again?

You know I was living in the Bay Area in 1989 when we had the big, big earthquake. A freeway collapsed pretty close to my house in Oakland and I remember riding my bike down and looking at those tons of concrete and the crushed cars as the fire department tried to dig people out. I worked in San Francisco and used to take the subway to work (the train went under water for most of the twenty-five minute journey) but it was at least a year before I could force myself to get on that train again. So my answer is: I don’t like subway trains and usually find alternate methods of transportation.

However if I had to, I would crawl out through the emergency window and then make my way along the tunnels to safety. I would of course have a high powered flashlight in my purse, a cell phone and a large knife in case of subterranean zombie attack.

2) Who was your favourite character to write about in Ashes, Ashes? 

It’s a toss-up between Grammalie Rose and Del. I mean, I love Lucy and Aidan too, and Sammy and Henry and Leo (obviously) but writing about an elderly woman was really fun. Grammalie has lived a long time. She’s fierce and sarcastic and she has an amazing spirit. And Del is interesting because she is strong-minded and loyal but conflicted too. I felt sorry for her having to make some really difficult choices when she knew they would not win her any friends.

3) If you had a playlist for the novel, what songs would definitely be on it? 

• China Town by Jets to Brazil 
• Sea Anemone by Jets to Brazil 
• The Cave by Mumford & Sons 
• My Body is a Cage by Arcade Fire 
• It’s Oh So Quiet by Bjork 
• All is Full of Love by Bjork 
• Lust for Life by Iggy Pop 
• Speak, Oh Heart by American Steel 
• The Blood Gets Everywhere by American Steel 
• Ball and Biscuit by The White Stripes

4) In the book, Lucy is able to save a survival guide and her old yearbook. If you were living in a post-apocalyptic world, what two novels would you try to save at all costs? 

That’s a hard question for me to answer. My house is filled with shelves and shelves of books, but I guess I would say The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell and When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson.

5) When I first saw the cover for Ashes, Ashes, I'm sure my jaw must have dropped because it's so stunning! What was your reaction when you first gazed your own eyes on it? 

I loved it! I don’t know if many of you know, but the author of the book doesn’t really have any say in what the cover looks like. My editor is awesome and she kept me in the loop and asked my opinion but it comes down to the publisher to make the decision. I think it’s unique and really stands out. And I like that Lucy and Aidan look equally strong and purposeful.

6) What do you have in store for your readers next? 

I just finished a punk rock, road trip, coming- of -age book set in 1983 California featuring two amazing teen girls, and I’m working on a fish-out-of-water urban fantasy with great white sharks, and of course I have a ton of ideas for another book set in the Ashes, Ashes world.

*****

Thanks so much to Jo Treggiari for stopping by! My review of Ashes, Ashes will be posted tomorrow and there may just be a giveaway for a copy too for my fellow Canadians... so I'm sure you won't want to miss out on that!

Here is the full schedule for The ASHES, ASHES Plague and Pestilence Blog Tour organized by the lovely folks at Scholastic Canada:

Midnight Bloom Reads - June 14

Rayment's Readings, Rants and Ramblings - June 14

Lavender Lines - June 15

21 Pages - June 16

Geek Girl's Book Blog - June 16

The Moody Teenager - June 17

Dreaming of Books - June 17

YA Book Shelf - June 17

Shelf Elf - June 18

SMS Book Reviews - June 19

The Crazy Bookworm - June 19

In The Next Room - June 20

Lost in the Library - June 20

He Followed Me Home... Can I Keep Him? - June 20

Book Madam YA - June 21

Each stop on The Plague and Pestilence Tour will involve, in some form, asking Jo Treggiari what she would do when faced with a natural or unnatural disaster so I think it will be tons of fun to see what answers she'll come up. Plus, I'm sure you'll be able to find more Q&A's, reviews and giveaways too!

Looking for more ways to learn about Jo Treggiari and Ashes, Ashes? Why not visit her website, "like" her facebook page, or follow her on Twitter! Or you can listen to the first chapter of the Ashes, Ashes audiobook or an author interview on YouTube.

Book Trailers! - Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Have you read Moira Young's Blood Red Road yet? It's the first novel in the Dustlands trilogy and with a distinct writing style and a fast-paced plot in a dystopian world, it's a novel I'm sure you won't want to miss! You can read my review of the novel from the other day if you'd like too.

A UK book trailer was revealed towards the end of May but the US version was finally unveiled not long ago and it's interesting to see the two very different approaches they've taken to filming them. Have fun watching them both and let me know which one you prefer!

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

UK Version (publisher- Marion Lloyd Books):


US Version (publisher- Margaret K. McElderry):

In My Mailbox (35)

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 Passion (Fallen #3) by Lauren Kate

 
Thank you Bookurious for the awesome giveaway! 

Received for Review:

• ARC of The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle
• ARC of Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) by Maggie Stiefvater
• Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard
• Passion (Fallen #3) by Lauren Kate
• ARC of The Revenant by Sonia Gensler
• ARC of There Is No Dog by Meg Rosoff
• ARC of Wildcat Fireflies (Fenestra #2) by Amber Kizer

Thanks so much to Bookurious, Random House Canada and Scholastic Canada for sending these novels to review! I'd also like to thank Jennifer Castle for sending me her debut novel to read and review as well! I've been especially excited for The Beginning of After ever since I first saw the gorgeous cover but it also sounds like a great contemporary story too.

Bought:

• The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles #1) by Kady Cross 
• The Girl Who Was On Fire: Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy edited by Leah Wilson

I didn't buy too much this week but that's okay because my mailbox was busy and I already bought quite a few books last week that I had really wanted and still haven't even had the chance to read yet! I seem to be getting more and more behind... or is it that there are just too many awesome books being released lately? 

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

And as always... Happy Reading! 

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

Title: The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles #1)
Author: Kady Cross
Release Date: May 24, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 477
Source: Bought

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one…except the "thing" inside her.

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch….

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help—and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on—even if it seems no one believes her. 

My Thoughts: 
I picked up The Girl in the Steel Corset thinking I would just start the first few chapters, when the next thing I knew, I had already reached the halfway mark. I simply couldn't put it down! I fell in love with every aspect of the novel, from the characters and the storyline... to the gorgeous cover that is just so stunning that I have to force myself to tear my eyes away from it.

When I first started reading, I had no idea what to expect. I guess you could say that I'm still rather inexperienced with the steampunk genre and it was this fact which was one of the main reasons why I really wanted to read The Girl in the Steel Corset. I wanted a novel that could offer intrigue, suspense, and a smattering of romance alongside a beautiful historical setting... and The Girl in the Steel Corset delivered in every way. The machinery and new inventions that Kady Cross has created within the beautifully described Victorian England, which really set the novel in the steampunk genre, left me ever so curious as well!

Finley Jayne is my kind of heroine! She's independent, kind and certainly knows how to take care of herself while letting loose some awesome kicks and punches. But at the same time, she does have her vulnerable moments which leave you wishing you could step into the pages and give her a hug. And then there's the sweet, intelligent and tech-savvy Emily and Sam, who proves that just because you can seem strong in appearance, it doesn't mean you can't also be a weak link. I couldn't possibly forget to mention the two romantic interests either: Griffin, a young, charismatic Duke with an open heart... and flirtatious Jack, a young man who appealed to Finley's darker side. You might want to watch out because they are two very different boys who will try to steal your own heart!

When I finished the novel, I couldn't believe the story was over because I wasn't ready to say goodbye just yet! I can't wait to read the second novel in the Steampunk Chronicles. I need it. Right. Now. If you haven't guessed it by now, I absolutely enjoyed Kady Cross' debut novel and I'll be eager to recommend the novel to anyone looking for a fresh, exciting story that will be sure to keep you entertained the entire time!

Abandon Giveaway WINNER!

Are you curious to see who won a signed copy of Abandon by Meg Cabot? Random.org has spoken and the winner of the giveaway is... *drumroll*

Audrey @ holes In My brain

Thank so much to everyone who entered the giveaway and congratulations to Audrey for being the lucky winner! After adding up all the entries, it came to 439... which is just so awesome!

If you missed it before, you can read my review of Abandon here.

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Title: Blood Red Road (Dustlands #1)
Author: Moira Young
Release Date: June 7, 2011(hardcover)
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Pages: 464
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.  

My Thoughts:
When I first started reading Blood Red Road, I had this horrible feeling I wasn't going to like the novel. You see, it's written in dialect... and previously before, I had never read anything like it. I struggled a bit with the first thirty or so pages, trying to grasp the imperfect language that seemed far from being structured and polished. But after a certain point, getting completely lost in the story became suddenly very easy and soon, I seemed to be flying through the pages!

Many of the dystopian novels being released lately have focused more on the political aspects of a flawed society, but Blood Red Road is more focused on Saba trying to rescue her brother and the epic adventure she'll have to partake to make this happen. Don't get me wrong, we do learn about the cruel world Saba has been born into but there was never really a need to get into the major details unless it was required. The result is an action-packed novel filled with plenty of suspense and danger!

Moira Young has created a fantastic cast of characters in her debut novel and each one has their own unique personalities that seem to jump right off the pages. Saba's growth throughout the novel is subtly shown as she gains more experience in her travels. She would do anything to save her twin brother, Lugh, but she despises her younger sister, Emmi, and doesn't even bother to hide it. Yes, she can be cold and rather selfish, but at the same time, you can't help but greatly admire her tremendous fortitude and resilience in the face of great obstacles. And then, of course, there's Emmi, who would do anything to prove herself; the fierce Free Hawks, willing to take action to protect others; Jack, our romantic interest and a charming thief; and well, there are more I could talk about but I won't. Each character introduced in the novel really did make the story all the better!

The narration is very much a reflection of Saba's personality. She's not a young woman of many words nor one for long, poetic descriptions... so the descriptions are more observant, practical and to the point. With this in mind, a brisk pacing is set and pushes the story quickly along before your mind is left to wander aimlessly. You won't even dare flip forward a few pages because you'll always be captivated by the events as you're reading them! 

Blood Red Road took me completely by surprise and surpassed all of my expectations! It's the first novel in the Dustlands trilogy, so I'm definitely very eager to see what's going to happen next in the second book! Once you get a feel for the writing style and Saba's narration, you'll have a difficult time putting the novel down as you're caught up in an exciting, gripping tale of survival and hope. Give this novel a chance... you won't regret it.

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

Waiting on Wednesday (49) - The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

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

Release Date: November 15, 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Summary (from Goodreads):

Words are the most dangerous weapon of all...

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she’s spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can’t be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country’s only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

There are three keys reasons why I'm so excited for The Pledge:

1) It's a novel by Kimberly Derting.
2) The Pledge is in the dystopian genre.
3) Have you seen this awesome cover? It's screaming, "Read me!".

I think that reasoning is certainly enough, don't you? I can't wait for the release of The Pledge but November is looking awfully far away...

Mark Your Calendars Canadians! June Edition

To my fellow Canadians, are you ready to mark your calendars? Here are some upcoming YA events to look forward to in June!

Allison Van Diepen

Allison Van Diepan will be celebrating the release of her latest novel, The Vampire Stalker, at Kaleidoscope Kids' Books in Ottawa, Ontario on Friday, June 10 at 7 p.m.

Jo Treggiari

Jo Treggiari will be celebrating the release of her post-apocalyptic YA novel, Ashes, Ashes, with 3 author appearances in Nova Scotia! Below are the dates and locations, which have been taken from the News portion of her website:

• June 18 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. ~ Woozles Children's Bookstore: 1533 Birmingham Street, Halifax, NS.
• June 18 from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. ~ Chapters Bayers Lake: 188 Chain Link Drive, Halifax, NS.
• June 24 at 7 p.m. ~ Fables Club: 259 Main St., Tatamagouche, NS.

Lesley Livingston

Lesley Livingston will be celebrating the release of her latest novel, Once Every Never, with a book launch at Dominion on Queen, Restaurant and Pub in Toronto, Ontario on Tuesday, June 21 at 7 p.m. According to the Facebook event page that has been created, the party/event will end at 2 a.m. and there will be music, prizes and readings!

***

Those were all the YA events I could find for this month, but that's okay because I feel fortunate enough that I could attend two book signings in May. I'm not sure if I'll be attending the book launch for Lesley's Livingston's Once Every Never yet but that's the only possible event I would be attending this month.

And while I still have your attention (hopefully), I thought I'd give you a heads up in case you didn't already know that Maggie Stiefvater will be in Ontario for a couple book signings on Saturday, July 16. One will be midday at Chapters Oshawa and another will be later in the evening at Indigo Yorkdale. There will also be a signing on Sunday, July 17 at Chapters South London. I will, of course, post the details again in the July edition!

Well, I think that's everything. Will you be attending any of these events?

In My Mailbox (34)

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 Dust & Decay (Benny Imura #2) by Jonathan Maberry
• ARC of Fury (Fury #1) by Elizabeth Miles 
• Switch by Tish Cohen
• ARC of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
• ARC of Witchlanders by Lena Coakley
  

Thanks so much to HarperCollins Canada and Simon & Schuster Canada for sending these novels to review!

Bought:

• He's So Not Worth It (He's So/She's So Trilogy #2) by Kieran Scott
• Hourglass (Hourglass #1) by Myra McEntire
• Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma 
• Something Deadly This Way Comes (Madison Avery #3) by Kim Harrison
• The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen 

I'd been planning on only buying one or two novels when I went to the bookstore this week, but that plan quickly went out the window when I saw they had a couple books I've been so excited to read out on shelves early. So, of course, I just had to buy them!!  

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

And as always... Happy Reading!

Book Trailer! - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Ransom Riggs, the YA debut author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, recently shared the book trailer for the novel on his blog! On the publisher's blog though, they talked more about the trailer and how the author helped put it together by even "flying to Belgium to shoot in several creepy old houses" while other scenes were shot in Los Angeles. The movie rights were also recently sold to 20th Century Fox!

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the trailer because I think it has been very well done! The cover still kind of creeps me out though...

Release Date: June 7, 2011
Publisher: Quirk Books

Summary:

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

Spotted! Cover of The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Julie Kagawa revealed the cover of The Iron Knight, the fourth and final novel in the Iron Fey series, today on her blog! I know the cover has been making its way across many blogs already but I couldn't resist sharing it here because the Iron Fey series is one of my favourites and I'm so excited for this novel!

 Release Date: October 25, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

There's no description to be found yet but on June 15, Harlequin Teen and Julie Kagawa will be sharing the back cover of The Iron Knight and answering questions. I'm not sure where they'll be doing that exactly though, so I'll be just as curious as you to find out more information!

I have some serious LOVE for this cover! The colours they've used are just gorgeous and so easy on the eyes with the mix of blue, purple, aquamarine and silver. The model who's portraying Ash also has some handsome charm, so I'm glad the online voting through Harlequin Teen's Facebook page worked out well!

What do you think of the cover?