Waiting on Wednesday (81) - Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

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

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Summary (from author's website): 

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac's life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac's hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy's killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy's murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy's boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Hemlock is the first novel in a spellbinding urban fantasy trilogy filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

I am very excited to get my hands on Kathleen Peacock's debut novel Hemlock! I would buy the book for the gorgeous cover alone, but it also helps that the premise sounds fantastic as well! I can't wait to see the new spin the Canadian author will take on werewolves, but the mystery of Amy's brutal murder and the romance elements are also appealing to me too. I have high hopes for Hemlock!

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: January 3, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Feiwal & Friends
Pages: 400
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.  

My Thoughts:
After hearing tons of praise for Marissa Meyer's debut novel Cinder, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy to see what all the excitement was about! I just couldn't wait to see what science fiction spin Marissa Meyer would give to one of my favourite fairy tales. Sure, I thought the novel had its predictable moments but that didn't make the reading experience any less enjoyable... and there were also plenty of times where I was completely surprised. I was addicted to Cinder from the very first page and couldn't put the book down until I was finished! 
 
Cinder was an exciting tale of adventure set in an unfamiliar future where a deadly plague, letumosis, has been steadily killing Earth's population. In the meantime, the Lunars, under the power-hungry rule of Queen Levana, threaten to break the the precarious peace between them and the Earthens. After Prince Kai approaches Cinder with a secret task of fixing an old android, a chain of events are set off which neither of them could ever have imagined. 

Cinder is more than just a talented mechanic with a canny ability to fix what others cannot; she's also a cyborg with a mysterious past that could unlock hidden revelations that may change the fate of more than just her own future. Prince Kai was sweet and down-to-earth, and I didn't envy the vast amount of responsibility resting on his shoulders to protect his people. The friendship which formed between Cinder and Prince Kai left me holding my breath for the magical moment when it would hopefully lead to something more.

I have a wonderful feeling the Lunar Chronicles is already a classic in the making. In any case, you'll be hard-pressed to find a novel that's as creative and original as Cinder among the many YA novels on shelves today. Marissa Meyer has written a Cinderella retelling unlike anything I've ever read before! It's going to be a long wait, filled with high expectations, for the second novel in the series, Scarlet! 

And if you're a fan of Cinder (or interested in reading the book!), I would wholeheartedly recommend reading the short prequel story Glitches, which Marissa Meyer has written for readers to enjoy! Thanks so much to Raincoast Books for providing this review copy!
 
 

In My Mailbox (57)

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 A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful #2) by Suzanne Young 

Thanks so much to Angie from Beneath the Jacket! I couldn't believe I'd been one of the winners from a quick Twitter contest she'd hosted not long ago. I've been so excited to read A Want So Wicked! 

Bought:

• Charmfall (Dark Elite #3) by Chloe Neill
• Fire Study (Study #3) by Maria V. Snyder
• Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
• Magic Study (Study #2) by Maria V. Snyder
• The Thief (The Queen's Thief #1) by Megan Whalen Turner 

After falling in love with Maria V. Snyder's Poison Study a few weeks, I ordered the rest of the books in the trilogy, so I was very happy to see them arrive! I'm sure I'll be ordering the entire Glass companion trilogy afterwards as well.  

And I was so excited to get my hands on Cynthia Hand's Hallowed! All of the reviews I've read so far have been simply raving that it's just as good, if not better, than the first book!

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

And as always... Happy Reading! 

Giveaway! Win "Tempest" by Julie Cross

Thanks to the generosity of Zeitghost Media and St. Martin's Press, I'll be hosting a giveaway for one lucky reader to win a copy of Tempest by debut author Julie Cross! And if you missed it before, you can check out the book trailer for Tempest!

Summary:

The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

Official Giveaway Information:

• One copy of Tempest by Julie Cross to be provided by St. Martin's Press
• please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter
• open to US / CANADA
• giveaway will end by midnight on February 2, 2012 
• winner will be contacted by email afterwards for mailing address
• do not leave your email address in the comments 

-GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED-
-> Winner is Monica T.! <-

Spotted! Cover of Endure by Carrie Jones

The book cover for Endure by Carrie Jones, the fourth and final novel in the Need series, was officially revealed today on the Need series Facebook page!

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads):  

It’s all-out war (and no-holds-barred romance) in the climactic conclusion to Carrie Jones’s bestselling series.

Zara is at the center of an impending apocalypse. True, she’s successfully rescued Nick from Valhalla, but it simply isn’t enough. Evil pixies are ravaging Bedford, and they need much more than one great warrior; they need an army. Zara isn’t sure what her role is anymore. She’s not just fighting for her friends; she’s also a pixie queen. And to align her team of pixies with the humans she loves will be one of her greatest battles yet. Especially since she can’t even reconcile her growing feelings for her pixie king . . .

Unexpected turns, surprising revelations, and one utterly satisfying romantic finale make Endure a thrilling end to this series of bestsellers.

If you haven't read any of the books in this series yet, you NEED to check them out! I still remember the first time I saw Need on bookshelves and impulsively buying it right away, not even knowing if I'd fall in love with a book that had pixies in it. The books will CAPTIVATE you right away, leaving you wishing there were more pages to devour. 

I've been firmly Team Astley ever since his character was first introduced, so I'll be continuing to root for him to be with Zara. I'm sure the romance and Norse mythology influence will ENTICE those of you who are late to reading the Need series. Now I just have ENDURE the wait a few months more to see how Carrie Jones will finish a series I've loved re-reading over and over again.

What do you think of the cover? I think my favourite is still the hardcover version of the one for Entice, but Endure also features another pretty cover too! 

Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Title: Jessica Rules the Dark Side (Jessica #2)
Author: Beth Fantaskey
Release Date: January 10, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages: 320
Source: Copy provided by publisher

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

When Jessica Packwood found out she was a Romanian vampire princess, she had the shock of her teenage life. Turns out that was the easy part. Now, married to Prince Lucius Vladescu, she has to claim her throne and convince a vampire nation she’s fit to be their queen. But Jess can’t even order a decent meal from her castle’s Romanian staff, let alone deal with devious undead subjects who would love to see her fail.

And when Lucius is accused of murdering a vampire Elder and imprisoned without the blood he needs, Jessica finds herself alone, fighting for both their survivals. Desperate to clear her husband’s name and win his release, Jess enlists the help of her best friend Mindy Stankowicz and Lucius’s mysterious Italian cousin, Raniero Lovatu. But both of them are keeping some dark secrets. Can Jess figure out who to trust – and how to rise to power – before she loses everything, including the vampire she loves?

Full of romance, mystery, and danger, the highly anticipated sequel to Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side shows that sometimes a princess has to earn her “happily ever after” – with a sharpened stake in hand. 

My Thoughts:
You don't know how excited I was to finally be able to read the long-awaited sequel to one of my favourite vampire novels, Jessica's Guide to Dating the Dark Side! After waiting a couple years for this book to be released, I dived into its pages with sheer giddy happiness and a certain touch of disbelief that the book was finally in my hands. Seriously, I did a silly happy dance because I'm such a fan-girl... or it may have been related to seeing more of a certain vampire prince named Lucias Vladescu...

It's been awhile since I last re-read the first novel, but that didn't really matter because as soon as I began reading Jessica Rules the Dark Side, all of the events came rushing back to me in a moment of clarity and I was in love once more with a storyline that I've never been able to resist. Feeling lost in her element, Jessica has become unsure of herself in being a vampire ruler, relying heavily on Lucias for support. So while I did miss Lucias' presence once he'd been locked away for crime he didn't commit, I also liked seeing Jessica finally begin to overcome her doubts and gain confidence in her capabilities, becoming a stronger person you could be proud of.

I'll admit, I was slightly doubtful about reading from Mindy's point of view in the story. After playing a rather minor role in the first book, she's more of an important player in this one. As a human, the things which trouble her provide quite the contrast compared to all of the pressure Jessica is under as a vampire princess who's also trying to save her husband. But don't be alarmed that it's only Mindy's narration readers are getting! Jessica is still very much the central figure of the novel and much of the book is from her perspective; it just came as somewhat of a surprise to read Mindy's take on events. I also loved how, in a similar fashion to the first book, Beth Fantaskey included letters and emails between Lucias and Raniero, revealing witty senses of humours they normally hid under guarded expressions among other vampires.   

Beth Fantaskey has delivered a sequel that is just as entertaining and addictive as its predecessor! If you were a fan of the first novel, you must read Jessica Rules the Dark Side as soon as possible because you won't be disappointed! While I may have been able to predict who was daring to mess with Lucias and Jessica's happily ever after, that didn't stop me from enjoying the book any less. Jessica Rules the Dark Side was just as wonderfully good as I'd hoped it would be!

Thanks so much to Thomas Allen & Son for providing this review copy!

Waiting on Wednesday (80) - Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

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

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Summary (from Goodreads): 

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up... and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

  
On Bethany Griffin's website, Masque of the Red Death is described as being a "post-apocalyptic reimagining of Poe's gothic horror story of the same name." I've never read the story Griffin has based her novel on, but there's something about Masque of the Red Death which strikes me as being dark and alluring, instantly catching my eye. It's the first novel in a planned trilogy and seems very different from the other YA novels to be found in this genre! I'm certainly looking forward to hearing more about this book!

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Release Date: January 2, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Poppy
Pages: 256
Source: Copy provided by publisher

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.  

My Thoughts:
For months and months, I've been pining away for Jennifer E. Smith's The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight ever since I've first stumbled across its perfect cover and a plot description that instantly left me desperate to learn more. The title may be a mouthful, but it aptly describes the wonderful contents of the book... and I was even more glad to see it mentioned in the actual novel as well while I was reading! Although I was initially surprised to realize that The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight was written in third person narration, I brushed that aside and continued to read, already in love with the novel within a few pages. 

When I finished the book, I happily sighed with the fact that it was just as amazingly good as I'd hoped it would be! I tried not to read too fast so I could savour the storyline more... yet I still read the book within a couple hours. Once I picked up the novel, I couldn't set it down until I was finished! Although there's a short time frame for the events to occur, Jennifer E. Smith has still managed to write a heartfelt story that readers will easily emphasize with as they learn more about the reason why Hadley and Oliver are both crossing the Atlantic to make their way to England.

I loved the banter between Oliver and Hadley! They have this instant connection with each other that feels so natural and an easy chemistry that makes it appear as though they've know each other forever, instead of just meeting at an airport. You could be laughing along with the pair in one moment, and in a heartbeat, the novel could take on a more serious tone when Hadley and Oliver mentioned their complicated families in their conversations. And how could anyone not fall in love with Oliver at first sight? He was so incredibly sweet!

Jennifer E. Smith's The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight will make you believe in fated chances and that one moment is all it takes to change everything you've ever known. Even if you're one to scoff at the idea of love at first sight, there's an irresistible quality to the book which you can't deny! This is a romantic contemporary novel that you don't want to miss out on reading!    

Thanks so much to Hachette Book Group Canada for providing this review copy! You can learn more about Jennifer E. Smith's The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight on Hachette's website, and if you're not already doing so, don't forget to follow them on Twitter and "like" their Facebook page!

In My Mailbox (56)

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 Black Heart (Curse Workers #3) by Holly Black
• Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
  
• Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald
• Bound Manuscript of Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale 

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

Bought:

• The Alchemy of Forever (Incarnation #1) by Avery Williams
• Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer
• The Demon Lover (Fairwick Chronicles #1) by Juliet Dark
• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• Fire (The Seven Kingdoms #2) by Kristin Cashore
• Looking for Alaska by John Green
• Touch of Power (Healer #1) by Maria V. Snyder
• Unraveling Isobel by Eileen Cook
• Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler (my review here)

I didn't even realize I'd bought so many books this week until I was writing my IMM post! I bought a few books one day and then a few another, and I guess it just added up by the end of the week...

I couldn't resist getting my hands on finished copies of Cinder and Why We Broke Up, especially when I found them at such a great price at Walmart and Costco along with The Alchemy of Forever and Unraveling Isobel. I also bought my very first two John Green books! I've been hearing such wonderful praise for his novels for the longest time now, but I still hadn't read one of his books. That will change soon!

And in last week's IMM, I raved about finally reading Maria V. Snyder's Poison Study, so I picked up a copy of her latest novel Touch of Power and also ordered the rest of the books in the Study trilogy. Touch of Power was amazingly good! And because I was still in the mood for fantasy novels, I finally picked up a copy of Kristin Cashore's Fire and read it yesterday. I'm also re-reading Graceling, so then I'll be all set for the release of Bitterblue in a few months!

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

And as always... Happy Reading!

Book Trailer! - Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

The book trailer for Born Wicked, the first novel in the Cahill Witch Chronicles, by debut author Jessica Spotswood was unveiled yesterday on EW's Shelf Life!

I'm very excited to get my hands on Born Wicked! Not only is the book cover absolutely gorgeous, but the premise sounds just as wonderful too! While the book trailer seems to cover more of the romance part of the book, I'm also interested in learning more about the magical talents of the Cahill sisters as well!

Release Date: February 7, 2012
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Summary:

Blessed with a gift...cursed with a secret.

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship - or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word . . . especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood - not even from each other.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Title: Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna #1)
Author: Kendare Blake
Release Date: August 30, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pages: 320
Source: Bought 

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Summary: 

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life. 

My Thoughts:
I really should have listened to the praise much more because I absolutely enjoyed reading Anna Dressed in Blood! There's something about the mystery of Anna's death and the dark reason she haunts her old house that completely mesmerizes you. I was just as curious and compelled as Cas to uncover the secrets which Thunder Bay, Ontario was hiding regarding Anna. There was more to Anna's vicious nature than the townsfolk's ghost stories were telling... and I tore through the pages trying to find the answers.

Cas was a great protagonist who showed so much growth throughout the novel. He's very cool and confident in his abilities on the surface, but on the inside, he has his doubts that he can avenge the death of his father when the time becomes right. His tireless efforts to kill the restless dead have been preparing him to take that step. He's not afraid to take risks to get the job done but he's also aware of his limitations. And despite his nature to push people away, others can't help but be drawn to Cas' strong sense of character and offer their help, knowing he's secretly grateful even if he wouldn't actually admit it. I just really liked Cas as a narrator with his sarcasm too!

I loved how the romance in the novel just sort of creeps up on you. It's not very obvious in the beginning, but then, it's suddenly in your face and everything falls perfectly into place. But that's all I'm going to say on that note. And like any good horror story, Kendare Blake has written some scary and gory scenes that leave quite the impression with the visuals brought to mind! It left me wondering if it was really such a great idea to be reading the book in the middle of the night...

If more ghost stories were as captivating and well-written as Kendare Blake's Anna Dressed in Blood, without a doubt, I would read them more often. Anna Dressed in Blood is just as dark and creepy as its cover, but in a completely awesome way. It's not so easy to find horror stories as imaginative and enticing as Kendare Blake's debut novel, yet Anna Dressed in Blood goes above and beyond being your ordinary ghost story. I'm absolutely looking forward to seeing what will happen next to Cas in the sequel, Girl of Nightmares!

Spotted! Cover of Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross

Sarah Cross officially posted the cover and description of her upcoming novel Kill Me Softly on Fairy Tale Mood, her Tumblr blog inspired by fairy tales, earlier tonight!

 Release Date: April 10, 2012

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from author's website): 

True love’s kiss just may prove deadly….

Mirabelle’s past is shrouded in secrecy, from her parents’ tragic deaths to her guardians’ half-truths about why she can’t return to her birthplace, Beau Rivage. Desperate to see the town, Mira runs away a week before her sixteenth birthday—and discovers a world she never could have imagined.

In Beau Rivage, nothing is what it seems—the strangely pale girl with a morbid interest in apples, the obnoxious playboy who’s a beast to everyone he meets, and the chivalrous guy who has a thing for damsels in distress. Here, fairy tales come to life, curses are awakened, and ancient stories are played out again and again.

But fairy tales aren’t pretty things, and they don’t always end in happily ever after. Mira has a role to play, a fairy-tale destiny to embrace or resist. As she struggles to take control of her fate, Mira is drawn into the lives of two brothers with fairy-tale curses of their own … brothers who share a dark secret. And she’ll find that love, just like fairy tales, can have sharp edges and hidden thorns.

Doesn't Sarah Cross' Kill Me Softly sound pretty amazing? I LOVE reading fairy tales and it seems like Mirabelle will be stumbling upon a dark fairy tale world nestled in our own more mundane one. I'm pretty excited to see if the book will be just as awesome as its plot description!

What do you think of the book cover? It has a nice, simplistic feel that is still very pleasing to your eyes. I really like the font of the title and the white rose splattered with blood! I'm kind of surprised the cover doesn't feature a girl wearing a pretty dress, since that seems to be more of the trend these days, so I'm curious to learn what your own reactions are after seeing the cover! 

Book Trailer! - The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

The book trailer for Nina LaCour's upcoming contemporary novel The Disenchantments was unveiled on MTV's Hollywood Crush earlier on Wednesday, but there's a YouTube version now available for those outside the US to watch!

I'm so excited to read The Disenchantments! A road trip filled with music and a coming-of-age story, plus a gorgeous cover, what's not to like about this novel?

And don't forget to check out the official website for The Disenchantments!

Release Date: February 21, 2012
Publisher: Dutton

Summary:

Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev's band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she's abandoning their plans - and Colby - to start college in the fall.

But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie- Colby struggles to deal with Bev's already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what's next?

Morris Award–finalist Nina LaCour draws together the beauty and influences of music and art to brilliantly capture a group of friends on the brink of the rest of their lives.

Official Book Trailer:
 

Music Video (ie. Meet The Disenchantments Band!):

Book Trailer! - Tempest by Julie Cross

The book trailer for Tempest, the first in a new trilogy by debut author Julie Cross, was revealed yesterday on EW's Shelf Life!

I think the music works well with the trailer and I like the cool effect they did by using the cover art near the end, watching Jackson trying to reach Holly but then being torn apart from her. I have a copy of the novel sitting on my TBR pile, so I'm looking forward to reading this one soon and seeing how the time travel concept works!

And don't forget to "like" the Tempest Series Facebook page where you'll be able to read an excerpt of the novel as well!   

Release Date: January 17, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Summary:

The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

Waiting on Wednesday (79) - In Honor by Jessi Kirby

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

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Summary (from Goodreads): 

Honor receives her brother’s last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn's celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her. 

Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn's last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn's best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn't seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn. . . and ruggedly good looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn’t. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

My sister and I both have a love for any novel which involves some sort of road trip and as soon as we hear about one, we both consider them must-reads. In Honor is certainly no exception! I have a good feeling I'll be falling for this novel right away. It sounds both sweet and poignant, and I'm sure Honor's journey in finding acceptance of her brother's death will be one readers won't have too much difficulty following along. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Jessi Kirby's In Honor!

Book Trailer! - The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

The book trailer for The Alchemy of Forever by debut author Avery Williams was unveiled on Monday on MTV's Hollywood Crush but if you're outside the US, a YouTube version is now available to watch!

I'm very excited to get my hands on this novel! I love this concept of reincarnation by swapping bodies with a combination of a romance story as well, so I'm sure I'll be enjoying The Alchemy of Forever very much. 

Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Add to Goodreads

Summary:

Seraphina’s first love made her immortal…her second might get her killed.

Incarnation is a new series that introduces a fresh mythology perfect for fans of bestselling series like The Immortals by Alyson Noel and Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

After spending six hundred years on earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world’s riches, but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to swap bodies with other humans, jumping from one vessel to the next, taking the human’s life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she’s done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again.

Then sixteen-year-old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body. For the first time, Sera finds herself enjoying the life of the person she’s inhabiting—and falls for the human boy who lives next door. But Cyrus will stop at nothing until she’s his again, and every moment she stays, she’s putting herself and the people she’s grown to care for in great danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that’s eluded her for centuries: true love?

The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges (Review & Giveaway!)

Title: The Gathering Storm (The Katerina Trilogy #1)
Author: Robin Bridges
Release Date: January 10, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages: 400
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?  

My Thoughts:
What first captured my attention about The Gathering Storm was its setting in Imperial Russia, a time when the Russian Empire ruled with tremendous power and grand balls took place in mansions filled with glamour and wealth. Isn't that such a gorgeous image? And as soon as I learned The Gathering Storm would not only be historical fiction and that the supernatural was interwoven into the plot, I just knew I had to get my hands on a copy as soon as possible.

There is so much about The Gathering Storm that I want to talk about, but I can't because it would only give something away! So please forgive me for being intentionally vague when I say that the plot description doesn't really serve the book justice at all. It's more like an appetizer to the main course! Robin Bridges has created a complex world filled with danger and secrets that could turn the tide in a power struggle that's been raging beneath the surface for quite some time. Faeries, vampires, werewolves and more, I was fascinated by the new approach Robin Bridges has undertaken by tackling the paranormal and combining it along with European nobility, making readers question everyone's true natures.

At the heart of the struggle between dark and light is Katerina Alexandrovna, a young Duchess who has suddenly become a powerful player— and target — in a dangerous game she hadn't even realized she'd entered. When her abilities as a necromancer are discovered after trying to protect a member of the Imperial family, Katerina must place aside her fears and arm herself with knowledge. She's a stronger girl than she realizes, if only she can have the confidence to believe her dark magic talents don't also equate to being a bad person as well. And as if that weren't enough, Katerina finds herself drawn between two young men, one who infuriates her more often than not... and one whose intentions are far from pure.

The only element that stopped me from completely falling in love with the novel was that there was almost too much to take in. There are many characters to recognize who are supporting different sides for their own interests, and while part of me was reading the novel in awe by the sheer complexity Robin Bridges has imagined in her novel... the other part of me felt a little over my head by all the details and names. I wanted to race through the book to discover what would happen next, but at the same time, I read carefully so I could better understand the events.

Robin Bridges' debut novel is an impressive blend of Russian history meeting the supernatural! The Gathering Storm was an enthralling start to a trilogy I'm sure will only get better and better from here!

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

*****

Giveaway! Random House Canada is very kindly offering to give away one copy of Robin Bridges' The Gathering Storm to a lucky Canadian reader!

• please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter
• must have a Canadian mailing address
• giveaway will end on January 24, 2012
• winner will be contacted by email afterwards
• do not leave your email address in the comments 

-GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED-
-> Winner is Joy M.! <-  

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

Title: Why We Broke Up
Author: Daniel Handler
Illustrator: Maira Kalman
Release Date: December 27, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Pages: 368
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

Min Green and Ed Slaterton have broken up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box is why they broke up. A movie ticket from their first date, a comb from the motel room they shared and every other memento collected over the course of a giddy, intimate, heartbreaking relationship. Item after item is illustrated and accounted for, and then the box, like a girlfriend, will be dumped.

Why We Broke Up is a sincere and moving portrait of first love, first heartbreak and all the firsts in between. Min’s smart, sharp, devastatingly honest voice is one of the most memorable in contemporary young adult literature. 

My Thoughts: 
It is novels like Daniel Handler's Why We Broke Up which remind me why I love reading contemporary fiction so much. Within a few pages, I was completely lost in the story of Min and Ed– of how the unlikely couple met and quickly fell in love, and then ultimately, broke apart. And really, I don't think I would have enjoyed the novel as much if it weren't for the unique writing style and letter format, as well as Maira Kalman's accompanying illustrations. The special touch to every aspect of Why We Broke Up made everything about Min's letter to Ed seem all the more real and personal.

There is something so refreshingly honest about Daniel Handler's Why We Broke Up that I can't quite put my finger on. It felt like Min was my best friend and all I wanted to do was warn her about Ed and the heartbreak he would only bring... but I also knew it wasn't really in my place to say anything. I had to let Min make her own decisions and mistakes. Min and Ed had such different personalities; Min was a dreamer and a creative individual with a passion for old classic movies, while Ed fit under the typical jock category. Yet, reading Min's thoughts as she took us on the journey of recounting how she first met Ed and started having feelings for him, you still can't help feeling secretly hopeful they'll beat the odds... even if you're also really wary about what's to come.

Why We Broke Up is a touching and heartfelt account of a teenage girl recovering the pieces of her broken heart with one long letter and a box filled with memories. Daniel Handler has done a wonderful job capturing the whirlwind of emotions that every relationship brings, from the happy and giddy times to the sad moments filled with regret and pain. Even if you've never been in a relationship before, Min's story will effortlessly resonate with readers.

Thanks so much to HarperCollins Canada for providing this review copy! To learn more about Why We Broke Up, you can find more information about the book on HarperCollins Canada's website, "like" their Facebook page, and visit The Savvy Reader! I'd also suggest checking out the official website for the novel, The Why We Broke Up Project, where you can also read breakup stories and share your own. 

Book Trailer! - Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

The book trailer for Sarah Ockler's latest novel Bittersweet was recently unveiled earlier in the week. The novel just hit shelves on January 3 and I'm sure it's a contemporary novel you won't want to miss! I loved both of Sarah Ockler's previous novels, Twenty Boy Summer and Fixing Delilah, so I'm eager to get my hands on this one right away.

I hope you enjoy the book trailer! It will make you hungry for delicious cupcakes!

Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Add to Goodreads

Summary:

Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances… a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life…and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last….

In My Mailbox (55)

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. 

Over the past few weeks, I've gotten...

Received for Review:

• Jessica Rules The Dark Side (Jessica #2) by Beth Fantaskey
• My Beating Teenage Heart by C.K. Kelly Martin 
• The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
• ARC of The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Córdova

Thanks so much to Bookurious / Random House Canada, Hachette Book Group Canada, Raincoast Books, and Thomas Allen & Son for sending these novels for review! 

Bought:

• Amplified by Tara Kelly
• Born at Midnight (Shadow Falls #1) by C.C. Hunter
• The Faerie Ring (The Faerie Ring #1) by Kiki Hamilton
• The Pledge (The Pledge #1) by Kimberly Derting 
• Poison Study (Study #1) by Maria V. Snyder
• Switched (Trylle Trilogy #1) by Amanda Hocking 

I order a whole bunch of books like Amplified and The Faerie Ring because I could never find them at Chapters and I didn't want to wait any longer to read them! I really loved both of them, so if you haven't read them yet, I'd definitely recommend checking them out!

I finally read Poison Study and I'm totally kicking myself for not reading the books earlier because they're SO GOOD. I made the mistake of only ordering the first book so now I'm waiting to for my next order to come in with the rest of the books in the trilogy. While I've been waiting, I've already re-read the book a few times because I can't get over how awesome it is! I'm probably going to get Maria V. Snyder's latest novel, Touch of Power, the next time I'm at the bookstore too. 

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

And as always... Happy Reading! 

2011 Debut Author Challenge - My Results!

The Debut Author Challenge, hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren, is probably one of the easiest for me to complete because I love reading books by debut authors!

It was my first time officially participating in the challenge last year, so I'm curious to see how 2012 will compare because there are plenty of awesome debut novels to look forward to this year again!

I read 42 novels by debut authors but I didn't quite get a chance to review them all. And I'm sure there are still a few 2011 debut books I'll be trying to get to this year, in any case.

1) Choker by Elizabeth Woods ~ review here
2) Unearthly by Cynthia Hand ~ review here
3) Across The Universe by Beth Revis ~ review here
4) Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik ~ review here

5) Wither by Lauren DeStefano ~ review here

6) Clarity by Kim Harrington ~ review here

7) Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney ~ review here

8) Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky ~ review here

9) Flip by Martyn Bedford ~ review here

10) Divergent by Veronica Roth ~ review here

11) The Goddess Test by Aimée Carter ~ review here

12) Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton ~ review here

13) Jane Jones: Worst. Vampire. Ever by Caissie St. Onge ~ review here

14) Haven by Kristi Cook ~ review here 

15) Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari ~ review here

16) Blood Red Road by Moira Young ~ review here 

17) The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross ~ review here

18) Hourglass by Myra McEntire ~ review here

19) Wildefire by Karsten Knight ~ review here

20) Witchlanders by Lena Coakley ~ review here

21) The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver ~review here

22) Forgotten by Cat Patrick

23) Fury by Elizabeth Miles ~ review here

24) The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle ~ review here

25) The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin ~ review here

26) The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker ~ review here

27) The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch ~ review here

28) A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies ~ review here 

29) The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson ~ review here

30) Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon ~ review here

31) Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez ~ review here 

32) Reasons to Be Happy by Katrina Kittle ~ review here 

33) Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi ~ review here

34) The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher

35) Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally ~ review here

36) Saving June by Hannah Harrington 

37) Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey 

38) Die for Me by Amy Plum ~ review here

39) Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter

40) Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

41) Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

42) Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake