Midnight Bloom Reads

March Release Picks

2012-03-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

March is another great month for YA novels that I'm so excited to read!

Here are this month's releases that I'm most looking forward to checking out! Once again, I've matched my Chapters/Indigo list. I've gone back to my usual top ten book selections! If you'd like to know what other novels will be releasing this month, you can find more on my Upcoming Releases page as usual.

March 1

Above by Leah Bobet ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo *Canadian Release Date*

Perception (Clarity #2) by Kim Harrington ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

March 6

Balthazar: An Evernight Novel by Claudia Gray ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Embrace (Violet Eden Chapters #1) by Jessica Shirvington ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Illuminate (Gilded Wings #1) by Aimee Agresti ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

March 13

Out of Sight, Out of Time (Gallagher Girls #5) by Ally Carter ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3) by Rachel Hawkins ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Starters (Starters #1) by Lissa Price ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

March 20

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

*****

What books are YOU most looking forward to reading in March? What books did I miss that you can't wait to read?

Waiting on Wednesday (86) - Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent

2012-02-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

Release Date: June 26, 2012

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Summary (from Goodreads):

** If you haven't read IF I DIE yet, it contains spoilers! **

I died on a Thursday—killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul.

The good news? He didn’t get it.

The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school…

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent “recovering,” she’s back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.

But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won’t keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn’t just gambling with her own life….

Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series is among my absolute favourite paranormal books to read! I've read all the books countless times, and any time I'm re-reading one of the books, I always find myself making my way through the entire series all over again. There's a steady progression to these novels that continuously builds up the action and raises the stakes, while also allowing for the characters to grow.

I absolutely cannot wait to read Before I Wake! It may be the sixth novel in the series, but I'm so glad there's still one more to go afterwards because there's no way I can let go of these characters just yet. If I Die was simply pure perfection... but I have high hopes Rachel Vincent will once again amaze me!

Team Tod for the win! ^_^

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

2012-02-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Hallowed (Unearthly #2)
Author: Cynthia Hand
Release Date: January 17, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 416
Source: Bought

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn’t prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

In this compelling sequel to Unearthly, Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are.

My Thoughts:
When it comes to angel books, I'm always more on the nervous side to read them because it's too often that they've left me disappointed in some way. But last year, when I first read Unearthly, my hope was once again restored in the genre and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. And oh my! Cynthia Hand's Hallowed was most certainly well worth the wait!

Hallowed was everything and more I had hoped it would be! The aspects that frustrated me in the first book disappeared in this one, and I was so happy to learn more answers to the questions raised surrounding the angel mythology Cynthia Hand has created and the part Clara has to play in fulfilling her purpose. And after the surprising revelation at the end of Unearthly concerning Christian, I loved seeing him take on a greater role in this novel and seeing how Clara's previous actions the day of the fire had altered their futures. He's more than just a boy in Clara's visions who she thought she had to protect before.

I felt rather sympathetic towards Tucker this time around. He's still the incredibly sweet boy that we all grew fond of in Unearthly, but there are things about Clara's angel heritage which he'll just never be able to understand or relate with that Christian can on the other hand. But once again, I must give full credit to Cynthia Hand for not over-playing the love triangle between Clara, Tucker and Christian. Clara might have chosen Tucker by the time Unearthly finished, but that never stopped Christian from being a supportive friend. He knows not to over-step his boundaries when it wouldn't be right. And Clara had so much more on her shoulders than just boy problems, so I'm glad she had her priorities straight when she had difficult decisions to make.

I absolutely loved Cynthia Hand's Hallowed! As Clara continues to discover what destiny has in store for her, she faces emotional moments which will tear at your heart. It's not very often that I find paranormal novels as beautifully written as both Unearthly and Hallowed, but Cynthia Hand makes it all look so easy. I cannot wait to see how the trilogy will end!

In My Mailbox (59)

2012-02-26T14:04:00.002-05:00

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 Balthazar (An Evernight Novel) by Claudia Gray
Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould
Darkest Light (Half World #2) by Hiromi Goto
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
Half World (Half World #1) by Hiromi Goto
Starters (Starters #1) by Lissa Price
The Traitor in the Tunnel (The Agency #3) by Y.S. Lee
You Deserve Nothing by Alexander Maksik

Thanks so much to HarperCollins Canada, RazOrbill / Penguin Canada, and Random House Canada for sending these novels for review!

Won:

ARC of Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer

I was so surprised to see that I had won a copy of Bloodrose thanks to Penguin Canada's new RazOrbill Community they recently launched last month!

Bought:

Darkness Becomes Her (Gods & Monsters #1) by Kelly Keaton
Hold Still by Nina LaCour
Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver

I was happy to buy Pandemonium a few days early on Friday! I'm very excited to read it and see what has happened since that awful cliffhanger ending in Delirium. The early reviews for the book have been raving about it!

And isn't the cover of Nina LaCour's Hold Still so pretty? I began reading it as soon as I bought it and couldn't put it down, finishing the book with tears in my eyes. It was so beautifully written. I still have to read LaCour's latest book The Disenchantments!

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

And as always... Happy Reading!

Spotted! Cover of Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

2012-02-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

The cover for Leigh Bardugo's debut novel Shadow and Bone, the first novel in the Grisha Trilogy, was officially revealed over at The Story Siren today where you'll also be able to read a quick Q&A with the author as well!

Release Date: June 5, 2012

Publisher: Henry Holt & Company

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Raincoast):

Alina Starkov doesn't expect much from life. Orphaned by the Border Wars, all she's ever been able to rely on is her best friend and fellow refugee, Mal. And lately not even that seems certain. Drafted into the army of their war-torn homeland, they've been sent on a dangerous mission into the Fold, a swath of darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh.

When their convoy is attacked, all seems lost until Alina reveals a dormant power that not even she knew existed. She is torn from everything she knows and whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. He believes that she is the answer the people have been waiting for: the Sun Summoner. Only her power can destroy the Fold.

Overwhelmed by luxury, envied as the Darkling's favorite, Alina struggles to keep her wits about her without Mal by her side. But nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her mastery of her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha—and the secrets of her heart.

Aren't you completely in love with this cover? I know I sure am! They've done an absolutely wonderful job designing this book cover... and it should have a wide appeal for both girls and guys to want to pick up a copy when it's released. Every day, I've been getting more and more excited to read Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone and I just can't wait to see if this fantasy novel (with Russian influence!) will meet the high expectations I've set for it.

Spotted! Cover of The Unfailing Light by Robin Bridges

2012-02-23T20:49:00.000-05:00

The book cover of The Unfailing Light, the second novel in The Katerina Trilogy, by Robin Bridges was officially revealed earlier today over at Page Turners! There's also some interesting facts about the beautiful dress the model is wearing below for the cover, so if you'd like to learn more, definitely check out their post...

Release Date: October 9, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Random House Canada):

Having had no choice but to use her power has a necromancer to save Russia from dark forces, Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, now wants to forget that she ever used her special powers. She's about to set off to pursue her lifelong dream of attending medical school when she discovers that Russia's arch nemesis--who she thought she'd destroyed--is still alive. So on imperial orders, Katerina remains at her old finishing school. She'll be safe there, because the empress has cast a potent spell to protect it against the vampires and revenants who are bent on toppling the tsar and using Katerina for their own gains. But to Katerina's horror, the spell unleashes a vengeful ghost within the school, a ghost more dangerous than any creature trying to get in.

I'm so glad we don't have to wait a full year for the next book in The Katerina Trilogy to be released! I was surprised to learn that it's coming out in October and not in the beginning of 2013, since there's usually a one-year waiting period between books in a series. The first book, The Gathering Storm, was just released earlier in January and was such a wonderful blend of the supernatural meeting historical fiction. And what made it extra special was that it took place in Imperial Russia! I'm definitely looking forward to reading The Unfailing Light and seeing what happens next!

If you'd like to read my thoughts on The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges, here is my review.

Waiting on Wednesday (85) - Insurgent by Veronica Roth

2012-02-22T13:52:00.000-05:00

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

Release Date: May 1, 2012

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Summary (from Goodreads):

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

Insurgent is easily one of my most anticipated reads of the year! I immediately fell in love with Veronica Roth's Divergent last year, completely blown away by everything from the world-building to the characters and writing style. I'm pretty sure everyone must have Insurgent on their TBR lists and is anxiously awaiting the release of book two in the trilogy just like me!

What Boys Really Want by Pete Hautman

2012-02-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Title: What Boys Really Want
Author: Pete Hautman
Release Date: January 1, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 304
Source: Copy provided by Scholastic Canada

Overall: 2.5 Stars

Summary:

National Book Award-winning author Pete Hautman lets us in on the secret.

Lita is the writer. Adam is the entrepreneur. They are JUST FRIENDS.

So Adam would never sell copies of a self-help book before he'd even written it. And Lita would never try to break up Adam's relationship with Blair, the skankiest girl at school. They'd never sabotage their friends Emily and Dennis. Lita would never date a guy related to a girl she can't stand. They'd never steal each other's blog posts. And Adam would never end up in a fistfight with Lita's boyfriend. Nope, never.

Adam and Lita might never agree on what happened, but in this hilarious story from Pete Hautman, they manage to give the world a little more insight into what boys and girls are really looking for.

My Thoughts:
I really did want to like Pete Hautman's What Boys Really Want so much more, but sadly, it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. I read Hautman's The Big Crunch last year and thought it was a delightful, quirky contemporary novel that deserved some more love than it had received... so when I began reading his latest novel, I was hoping it would be along these similar lines. That didn't happen.

There was nothing really likeable or endearing about any of the characters, which made it rather difficult for me to actually care what happened to them. When Adam suddenly decides that he'll write a book about relationships, Lita scoffs and laughs at the idea. And for good reason, because he's such an unlikely person you'd ever expect to spend time writing anything. Surprisingly, he doesn't give up on the idea though... but he's completely clueless that most of his book is actually plagiarized and taken from a blogger named Miz Fitz who gives relationship advice on her blog. I mean, how does any high school student not know what plagiarism is?

And then there's Lita, whose biggest secret is that she's the mastermind behind the Miz Fitz blog, a fact nobody else knows. As Miz Fitz, she replies to reader questions with the kind of sarcasm she never would have used in person. (These were fun to read!) When she learns that Adam is writing a book, she becomes jealous and starts pulling away from him because she's always wanted to be a writer. Instead, she turns her attentions to helping her best friend, Emily, go out with the fellow student she's been seriously crushing on. Normally, I would think Lita was being a supportive friend... but I just couldn't agree with the superficial methods she told her to do.

It hurts to say it, but I was disappointed with how What Boys Really Want turned out to be. There wasn't really any character development and I found it hard to find acceptance in their actions. The novel had a great premise with tons of potential to really explore relationships... but in the end, the result just didn't live up to my expectations.

Dead to You by Lisa McMann

2012-02-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Dead to You
Author: Lisa McMann
Release Date: February 7, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 256
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

A page-turning realistic novel with a shocking twist from bestselling author Lisa McMann.

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It’s a miracle…at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn’t going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he’d be able to put the pieces back together. But there’s something that’s keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

My Thoughts:
Lisa McMann's Dead to You marks her first departure from anything paranormal-related in this short standalone novel that you'll be sure to finish reading quickly. I've enjoyed reading all of Lisa McMann's previous YA novels, so when I first heard about Dead to You, I was quite curious to see just what kind of contemporary novel she would write!

What really makes Dead to You such a page-turner was the way Lisa McMann focused on building up the tension in the De Wilde family once Ethan returns home. It's not the peaceful transition that everyone would have hoped it could be, but rather, a fragile relationship between Ethan and his family members. Ethan is not the same boy he was before his abduction and his past is made up of blurred memories; his parents have a strained marriage; and his younger brother is more suspicious than overjoyed to see his return. The two brightest spots in Ethan's life are his adorable little sister, Gracie, and his childhood friend, Cami.

And as Dead to You progresses, we notice the psychological effects that have taken their toll on Ethan as he tries to adjust to a normal lifestyle again and the strain it causes with his family. When I finished the novel, I was left completely stunned and speechless! I immediately began to frantically turn the pages, in a state of disbelief that Lisa McMann could so suddenly end the book that way. And for days afterwards, it was still all I could think about because I wasn't prepared for it to end the way it did...

In a haunting portrayal of a family trying to become whole once more, Lisa McMann's Dead to You stands out among other contemporary novels. McMann's signature writing style, glossing over the rich descriptions and heading straight to the character's emotions, made the novel all the more compelling and gave it just the right intense edge it needed. I can't wait to read her next novel!

Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me this review copy! And if you missed it before, you can read my author interview with Lisa McMann where we talk more about Dead to You.

Waiting on Wednesday (84) - Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols

2012-02-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

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

Release Date: July 10, 2012

Publisher: MTV Books

Summary (from Simon & Schuster Canada):

The wildly popular author of Going Too Far, Forget You, and Love Story returns with a sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers.

High school senior Leah Jones loves nothing more than flying. While she’s in the air, it’s easy to forget life with her absentee mother at the low-rent end of a South Carolina beach town. When her flight instructor, Mr. Hall, hires her to fly for his banner advertising business, she sees it as her ticket out of the trailer park. And when he dies suddenly, she’s afraid her flying career is gone forever.

But Mr. Hall’s teenage sons, golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson, are determined to keep the banner planes flying. Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business—until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers—and the consequences could be deadly.

Engrossing and intense, Such a Rush is a captivating story from an author with a rising star.

Jennifer Echols is one of my absolute favourite contemporary authors, so I've been extremely excited for Such a Rush for quite awhile now! I can't wait to read her latest romantic drama and learn just what kind of secret Leah had been trying to hide that has given Grayson power over her. Why must July be so far away until it's released?

And if you still haven't read a novel by Jennifer Echols yet, I'm just going to gasp in shock and recommend you change that soon!

I've Got Your Number Blog Tour! Author Interview with... Sophie Kinsella

2012-02-14T18:36:00.000-05:00

I'm very excited to be taking part in the Canadian blog tour for Sophie Kinsella's latest novel, I've Got Your Number, which is officially out in stores today! I've Got Your Number is a hilarious romantic comedy of a novel filled plenty of laughs and moments where I was giggling uncontrollably. I stayed up until the middle of the night reading the book because I was loving it so much!

Thanks to Random House Canada, I was able to ask Sophie some questions...

I’ve lost it. :( The only thing in the world I wasn’t supposed to lose. My engagement ring. It’s been in Magnus’s family for three generations. And now the very same day his parents are coming, I’ve lost it. The very same day! Do not hyperventilate, Poppy. Stay positive :) !!

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry her ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her “happily ever after” begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring in a hotel fire drill but in the panic that follows, her phone is stolen. As she paces shakily around the lobby, she spots an abandoned phone in a trash can. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!

Well, perfect except that the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, doesn’t agree. He wants his phone back and doesn’t appreciate Poppy reading his messages and wading into his personal life.

What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other’s lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls, and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents . . . she soon realizes that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.

Hello! Happy Valentine's Day and thank you for having me!

1) Who was your favourite character to write about in I've Got Your Number?

Oh, that's hard! I loved writing all the characters. I think my favourite 'minor' character was Wanda. As for major characters, I couldn't really choose between Poppy and Sam. My favourite scenes were the ones where they were sparring with each other. There was such a connection between them (not just their phone line!)

2) Technology plays an important part in your latest novel with the texting and emailing between Poppy and Sam. How much does it affect your own life?

I am addicted to technology! It's a love-hate relationship. I can't function without my phone and get panicky if I mislay it. I text and message all day. But sometimes it feels overwhelming and I feel bombarded. What I find amazing is how quickly our entire lives have transferred into technological devices. Most people's phones contain an entire world of information about them, from emails to texts to voicemails to embarrassing photos. That's why it's a good idea not to lose them!

3) I've Got Your Number is your newest novel since the release of Mini Shopaholic in 2010. What was the writing process like for this book?

Writing this book was a lot of fun. I love writing stand-alone novels because I have such freedom in them to explore new ideas and develop new characters. I was excited to be tackling a whole new world and creating Poppy and Sam. I spent a long time planning the plot and only started writing when I felt the story was practically bursting out of me.

4) Was there a deleted scene from the novel that you wish had made it into the final version?

I would have loved to write Poppy and Sam at the dentist :)

5) What is it about the contemporary genre that you enjoy writing the most?

I love reflecting the world and writing about aspects of modern life that intrigue me. My writing changes as society changes. I wouldn't have written this book fifteen years ago, because technology wasn't nearly the force it is today. It's exciting to feel that what you're doing is evolving with the world.

6) What is a day in the life of Sophie Kinsella like?

My days are different depending on whether I'm writing, promoting or on holiday. When I'm writing, I like to start first thing, with a cup of coffee and some loud music. I aim to complete 1,000 words and then I'm 'done' for the day. But writing is very unpredictable so I never know how long this will take. Sometimes an hour or two. Sometimes all day. Sometimes I have to give up for the day! If I get really stuck I go out with my husband for cocktails. We discuss the plot and usually iron out the glitches. He has the same sense of humour as me, which really helps. Then it's home and into the mayhem of family life with five kids. I get them all into bed and then maybe go back to the book and look at what I did that morning. It's quite addictive.

Thank you - great questions!

Sophie x

*****

Thanks so much to Sophie Kinsella for answering my questions! Don't forget, I've Got Your Number is out in stores today and I'd wholeheartedly recommend you read it! It's the perfect choice for both YA and adult readers alike looking to read a fun contemporary novel!

If you'd like to learn more about Sophie Kinsella and her novels (which includes the Shopaholic series, Can You Keep a Secret? and Twenties Girl), you can check out her author website.

Switched by Amanda Hocking

2012-02-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Switched (Trylle Trilogy #1)
Author: Amanda Hocking
Release Date: January 3, 2012 (paperback)
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: 336
Source: Bought

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Summary:

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She's not the person she's always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel - all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken... though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she'd ever admit. But it isn't long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth - and he's come to take her home.

Now Wendy's about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that's both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she's meant to become...

As a special gift to readers, this book contains a new, never-before-published bonus story, "The Vittra Attacks," set in the magical world of the Trylle.

My Thoughts:
Because I don't really read self-published novels, I wasn't all too familiar with the Trylle series until I heard they were going to be published by a traditional publisher. I sure am happy that I get the chance to read the novels now that they'll soon all be available in print! I had no idea what expectations I should have Switched, but as soon as I began reading, I completely lost myself in the storyline.

It really is easy to see why Amanda Hocking's Trylle series has been met with such enthusiasm and success along with strong online support. I don't think Switched necessarily offered anything particularly new to the supernatural genre... yet there's an addictive quality to the book that makes it so difficult to tear your eyes away from the pages for a single moment.

Wendy has always felt that she's not like other people, but with her protective older brother and loving aunt always taking care of her, she has never let that get to her. But when Finn Holmes informs Wendy that she's a changeling and that he's to return her to her rightful home, she can't deny the feeling in her heart that has always secretly known she's not human. Leaving everything behind to learn more about her newly discovered heritage, Wendy is suddenly thrust into a world that will test her strength and capabilities. You can't help admire Wendy's determination to stay true to herself while others try to make her change her ways...

With a teenage girl discovering a destiny she could never have imagined and a touch of forbidden romance, Amanda Hocking has created an enchanting world that will captivate readers right away. A gathering storm brews beneath the surface of Trylle and you know it's just a matter of time before violence will spill, if not in this book... then further down the line. I am absolutely looking forward to reading the second novel in the trilogy, Torn, and seeing Wendy continue to grow into her potential!

I've also included the book trailer below because after I first watched it, it helped convince me that I just had to buy the book and read it!

Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

2012-02-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1)
Author: Veronica Rossi
Release Date: January 3, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 384
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Summary:

Since she’d been on the outside, she’d survived an Aether storm, she’d had a knife held to her throat, and she’d seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland—known as The Death Shop—are slim. If the cannibals don’t get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She’s been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He’s wild—a savage—and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile—everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria’s help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

In her enthralling debut, Veronica Rossi sends readers on an unforgettable adventure set in a world brimming with harshness and beauty.

My Thoughts:
Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky really took me by surprise! I've been growing rather weary of the dystopian genre lately... so I might have let the book sit on my shelf for longer than I had originally planned. I wish I had read the book sooner though because Under the Never Sky turned out to be a much better read than I had expected!

The first few chapters are the hardest to get through, but once the novel shifts to The Death Shop, the land outside the Pods, events begin to get so much more suspenseful and clearer. Calling Under the Never Sky strictly a dystopian novel wouldn't be an apt description because there were tons of fantasy and science fiction elements as well. The Dwellers who live in the enclosed cities spend their lives in the Realms, a virtual reality with advanced technology where almost anything is possible. Meanwhile, the Outsiders live a more primitive life, a harsher one where food is scarce and people who are Marked have special abilities. But no one is safe from the Aether storms which continue to rage and threaten everyone...

It really helped that the novel was told in dual perspectives because it was so much easier to understand the character's actions and see the contrast between life as a Dweller and an Outsider. Aria grows from being a naive girl to a strong young woman who can protect herself against the dangerous world she's been exiled into. Perry is headstrong and just as stubborn as Aria can be... but he's hesitant to let others get too close to him. As they journey into the wilderness on their own missions, Aria and Perry become closer than they ever could have imagined given their completely different backgrounds.

Thrilling and heart-pounding, Veronica Rossi's debut novel Under the Never Sky is an adventurous tale which had me completely enthralled by its final pages. I'm already eagerly anticipating Through the Ever Night, the second novel in the trilogy, to see what exciting events will happen next to Aria and Perry!

Thanks so much to HarperCollins Canada for providing this review copy! To learn more about Under the Never Sky, you can find more information about the book on HarperCollins Canada's website, "like" their Facebook page, and visit The Savvy Reader!

In My Mailbox (58)

2012-02-12T13:19:00.002-05:00

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.

The past few weeks, I've gotten...

Received for Review:

The Boy Project: Notes and Observations of Kara McAllister by Kami Kinard
Gil Marsh by A.C.E. Bauer
I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
The Iron Thorn (Iron Codex #1) by Caitlin Kittredge
The Nightmare Garden by (Iron Codex #2) by Caitlin Kittredge
What Boys Really Want by Pete Hautman

Thanks so much to Random House Canada and Scholastic Canada for providing these novels for review! I also received a Croak bookmark and signed bookplate thanks to Gina Damico for participating in The Apocalypsies YAmazing Race.

Gifted at Random House Canada's Blogger Love Fest:

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (signed!)
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (signed!)
Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World's Best Bargain Wines by Natalie MacLean
The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay (signed!)
ARC of The Watch by Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya

Thanks so much to Random House Canada for hosting such a wonderful event yesterday (February 11) to celebrate book bloggers! During the event, I also got some signed bookplates, and a Random House Canada mug and pens. I should have a recap of the event on my blog soon!

Bought:

Angelfire (Angel Fire #1) by Courtney Allison Moulton
The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols

And reading some enthusiastic tweets lately for Courtney Allison Moulton's Angelfire novels, I thought I'd pick up the paperback. And I've been so excited for The One That I Want for months now! I read it as soon as I got it and loved it!

I have 3 midterms to write this week, so I'll try to post if/when I can. I know it's been sort of quiet of the blog lately but that's because I've been so busy with school! I'm looking forward to Reading Week so I can take a bit of a break.

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

And as always... Happy Reading!

Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald

2012-02-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Getting Over Garrett Delaney
Author: Abby McDonald
Release Date: January 24, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pages: 336
Source: Copy provided by publisher

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

Can a twelve-step program help Sadie kick her unrequited crush for good? Abby McDonald serves up her trademark wit and wisdom in a hilarious new novel.

Seventeen-year-old Sadie is in love: epic, heartfelt, and utterly one-sided. The object of her obsession — ahem, affection — is her best friend,Garrett Delaney, who has been oblivious to Sadie’s feelings ever since he sauntered into her life and wowed her with his passion for Proust (not to mention his deep blue eyes).

For two long, painful years, Sadie has been Garrett’s constant companion, sharing his taste in everything from tragic Russian literature to art films to ’80s indie rock — all to no avail. But when Garrett leaves for a summer literary retreat, Sadie is sure that the absence will make his heart grow fonder — until he calls to say he’s fallen in love. With some other girl! A heartbroken Sadie realizes that she’s finally had enough. It’s time for a total Garrett detox!

Aided by a barista job, an eclectic crew of new friends (including the hunky chef, Josh), and a customized self-help guide, Sadie embarks on a summer of personal reinvention full of laughter, mortifying meltdowns, and a double shot of love.

My Thoughts:
I've enjoyed reading all of Abby McDonald's previous YA novels but Getting Over Garrett Delaney has easily become my new favourite of hers to date! It was a fun and cute contemporary novel that left a smile on my face, capturing the lightness of summer and all the aspirations it holds.

For two years, Sadie has been in love with her best friend, Garrett Delaney, and during this time, she's watched him go out with different girlfriends while she can only secretly pine away. But when Garrett goes away to summer camp and calls her to say he's fallen in love with yet another girl, Sadie decides enough's enough and that it's time to crush her unrequited love for good. And when Sadie actively makes a plan to distance herself from Garrett's influence, you can't help but feel proud of her for trying to stop centering her world around a boy who doesn't feel the same way about her.

I absolutely loved the support of Sadie's friend Kayla and her coworkers at her new summer job at a coffee shop. There was such a great group dynamic between them all with their easy companionship and fun personalities that made me laugh out loud. Sadie is a sassy, intelligent teenage girl who was always quick with a comeback... but her feelings for Garrett blinded her from seeing just how much she had changed herself just for a boy. Her friends were up to the task of keeping Sadie on track for her goal to get over Garrett, but they also didn't let her mope around either, making sure she was having fun and pushing her to open herself to new experiences during the summer as well.

With each new release, Abby McDonald's novels seem to be only getting better and better. Getting Over Garrett Delaney is her best novel yet! The romance is light in the novel, but I didn't mind that all because it was still adorable to watch Sadie stumble and have own turn of being oblivious that another boy could possibly like her. But really, this is a novel more focused on self-discovery and of a teenage girl finding herself once again. I cannot wait to read Abby McDonald's next YA novel!

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

Enter Simon & Schuster Canada's "Lone Wolf" Sweeps!

2012-02-08T20:43:00.002-05:00

Are you a fan of Jodi Picoult? Simon & Schuster Canada is celebrating the upcoming release of Jodi Picoult's latest adult novel, Lone Wolf, by giving Canadians the chance to meet the author and win some amazing prize packs!

There will be 2 grand prizes given away, available to residents of the GTA only, who have the possibility to win:

a pre-event meet and greet with Jodi Picoult for you and a friend
two tickets to her Toronto event on March 13
a complete Jodi Picoult library of books including her latest novel Lone Wolf

If you don't live in the GTA, don't be sad! There are still more prizes to be won! You can win 1 of 3 nationwide prize packs which include:

a complete Jodi Picoult library of books
a signed copy of Lone Wolf

Doesn't that sound awesome? The sweepstakes is currently running now but will end on March 2, 2012. Don't forget to enter! If you're interested in entering the contest, you can find the entry form on Simon & Schuster Canada's website HERE.

If you'd like to learn more about Lone Wolf, you can find more information on Simon & Schuster's website or check out Jodi Picoult's website.

Details on Jodi Picoult's Upcoming Event
As already mentioned above, Jodi Picoult will be coming to Toronto next month for a signing!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Church of the Redeemer: 162 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON.
Note: This is a ticketed event. Tickets cost $5 each and may be purchased via TicketWeb.
You can also find more details on the Facebook event page.

Waiting on Wednesday (83) - The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

2012-02-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

Release Date: April 10, 2012

Publisher: Doubleday Canada

Summary (from Goodreads):

On the heels of the wildly popular The Gathering comes the second in the "Darkness Rising" YA trilogy from NYT bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is--a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

I simply cannot wait to get my hands on The Calling, the second novel in Kelley Armstrong's Darkness Rising trilogy! The Gathering was a great introduction to the trilogy, raising questions about the St. Cloud Corporation and building up the mystery for later on. If it progresses in a similar fashion to the Darkest Powers series, I just know the books are only going to get more and more exciting! And I just have to know what happens next after the way The Gathering ended...

Dead to You Blog Tour! Author Interview with... Lisa McMann

2012-02-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm very excited to be taking part in the Canadian blog tour for Lisa McMann's latest release, Dead to You, which is officially hitting shelves today! If you're a fan of Lisa McMann, I'm sure you'll be eager to get your hands on a copy of Dead to You right away. Unlike her previous novels, Dead to You doesn't have any paranormal elements but the novel will still leave you wide-eyed and stunned by the time you finish the book! Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada, I was able to ask Lisa some questions...

A page-turning realistic novel with a shocking twist from bestselling author Lisa McMann.

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It’s a miracle…at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn’t going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he’d be able to put the pieces back together.

But there’s something that’s keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

1) What kind of research was needed to understand the psychological effects Ethan experienced?

I had several conversations with a child/teen social worker and spoke with someone at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. I also did a lot of online research.

2) As a parent, would you consider Ethan's abduction as one of your fears come to life for your own children?

Absolutely. The thought of losing a child like that is beyond horrifying.

3) Which character in the novel has a personality that most closely resembles your own?

I asked my husband this question. He said Gracie. :) I said yay, because I freaking heart that little girl.

4) In Dead to You, Ethan experiences a rather embarrassing (or in his terms, "humiliating") event when he returns to school. So on a lighter note, were there any memorable moments in high school you might be able to share with us?

Oh dear. There were so many unfortunate events. One involved a handful of snot.

5) Your next upcoming novels include Crash, another YA book, and Island of Silence, the second MG book in your The Unwanteds series. Can you tell us some more about what they'll be about?

CRASH (March 2013) is the first in a new series about a girl, visions, a meatball food truck, forbidden love, and nine body bags in the snow. I can’t wait!

The Unwanteds: Island of Silence (Sept 2012) – After the battle, things don’t go quite like everyone had hoped, Alex gets a shocking request from Mr. Today, and Aaron is out for revenge. This story ramps up the stakes in a big way. I hope you like it! I’m working on book 3 in the series now.

*****

Thanks so much to Lisa McMann for answering my questions! And don't forget, Dead to You is out in stores today! You can also find yesterday's stop on the blog tour at YA Book Shelf.

If you'd like to learn more about Dead to You, why not check out the author video below, created by Simon & Schuster, with Lisa McMann discussing the novel or watch the book trailer? You can also learn more about Lisa McMann and her novels on her website.

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Book Trailer for Dead To You:

Book Trailer! - Black Heart by Holly Black

2012-02-06T13:25:00.000-05:00

The book trailer for Black Heart, the third and final novel Holly Black's Curse Workers trilogy, was released last week on MTV's Hollywood Crush but a YouTube version is now available for those outside of the US to watch! The book trailer is more of an overview of the entire trilogy, with a focus on the romance, but I love how they've incorporated the new covers to give the trailer a cool effect.

I'm nervous to see how Holly Black will end the trilogy! White Cat and Red Glove were such awesome books that took me by surprise by how much I enjoyed them, so I'm hoping the same will be true for Black Heart! Cassel has been through some tough times, but hopefully, he'll be able to pull through...

Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Summary:

Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy.

But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—this time on love.

Mark Your Calendars! February Edition

2012-02-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

To my fellow Canadians, are you ready to mark your calendars? Here are some upcoming bookish events to look forward to in February! (And wow! I just realized that it has been a few months since I've done a round-up post with upcoming YA events in Canada. Let's hope we continue to get more!)

Megan Crewe

Canadian author Megan Crewe will be celebrating the release of her latest novel, The Way We Fall, with a launch party in Toronto! The first in a planned trilogy, The Way We Fall centers around a deadly virus outbreak in a small island community.

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. ~ Bakka-Phoenix Books: 84 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON.
You can also find more details on the Facebook event page for the launch party.

Marissa Meyer

Marissa Meyer will be promoting the release of her debut novel, Cinder, the first novel in the Lunar Chronicles series with a signing in British Columbia!

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. ~ Chapters Metrotown: Metropolis, Metrotown 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC.

Looking Ahead to March...

Tahereh Mafi will have a signing event in British Columbia to promote her debut novel, Shatter Me, the first in a dystopian trilogy!

Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Chapters Metrotown (location details already above)

Canadian author Leah Bobet will be having a launch party in Toronto to celebrate the release of her debut YA novel, Above!

Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. at Hotel Ocho: 195 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON.
You can also find more details on the Facebook event page for the launch party.

*****

I probably won't be able to make it to the launch party for Megan Crewe's The Way We Fall, sadly, because I have too much school work to stress about this weekend. I'll have to hope I'm not so busy when the time arrives for the Above launch party at the end of March...

I hope some of you will be able to make it to these events and have fun meeting the authors! Are you looking forward to any of these events?

Waiting on Wednesday (82) - Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

2012-02-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

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

Release Date: May 1, 2012

Publisher: Dial

Summary (from Goodreads):

Eight years have passed since the young Princess Bitterblue, and her country, were saved from the vicious King Leck. Now Bitterblue is the queen of Monsea, and her land is at peace.

But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisers, who have run the country on her behalf since Leck's death, believe in a forward-thinking plan: to pardon all of those who committed terrible acts during Leck's reign; and to forget every dark event that ever happened. Monsea's past has become shrouded in mystery, and it's only when Bitterblue begins sneaking out of her castle - curious, disguised and alone - to walk the streets of her own city, that she begins to realise the truth. Her kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year long spell of a madman, and now their only chance to move forward is to revisit the past.

Whatever that past holds.

Two thieves, who have sworn only to steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, who possesses an unidentified Grace, may also hold a key to her heart...

Can you guys believe that the long-awaited release of Kristin Cashore's Bitterblue is almost here? Just think, in a few more months, we can all finally get our hands on a copy! I'm so excited for the release of the book! There's definitely not enough YA fantasy available to read that can match the awesomeness of The Seven Kingdoms novels. I've already re-read Graceling and finally got to reading Fire in anticipation for Bitterblue!

February Release Picks

2012-02-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

It looks like February is going to be another great month for new releases!

Here are this month's releases that I'm most looking forward to checking out! Once again, I've matched my Chapters/Indigo list. I've picked less books than last month's craziness, but I still couldn't resist going just over my usual ten choices by adding an extra book. If you'd like to know what other novels will be releasing this month, you can find more on my Upcoming Releases page as usual.

February 6

The Rivals (The Mockingbirds #2) by Daisy Whitney ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

February 7

Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1) by Jessica Spotswood ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Dead to You by Lisa McMann ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

February 21

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Fever (The Chemical Garden #2) by Lauren DeStefano ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

February 28

Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Torn (Trylle Trilogy #2) by Amanda Hocking ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

The Traitor in the Tunnel (The Agency #3) by Y.S. Lee ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

*****

What books are YOU most looking forward to reading in February? What books did I miss that you can't wait to read?

Waiting on Wednesday (81) - Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

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)

2012-01-22T10:00:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

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.! <-

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotted! Cover of Endure by Carrie Jones

2012-01-20T19:11:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

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)

2012-01-15T15:14:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-13T20:05:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-12T23:36:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-12T14:32:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-11T18:13:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-10T17:20:00.000-05:00

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!)

2012-01-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

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.! <-

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-08T20:00:00.000-05:00

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)

2012-01-08T13:53:00.000-05:00

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!

2012-01-06T16:48:00.000-05:00

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

2011 Bookurious ABC's of Reading Challenge - My Results!

2012-01-06T16:30:00.000-05:00

It was my second year in a row participating in the ABC's of Reading Challenge hosted by the awesome Bookurious, a Canadian book community supported by Random House Canada! If you've never checked out the site, I'd highly recommend you do so!

These were my results for 2011, and much like for 2010, I was so close to completely finishing. I only had four letters to go... I'm going to see if I can improve this year and do a little better!

A – Across the Universe by Beth Revis, Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky, Afterlife by Claudia Gray, Abandon by Meg Cabot, Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen. Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari, Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

B – A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler, The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting, The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman, A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang, Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton, Blood Red Road by Moira Young, The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle, Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent, Bloodlines by Richelle Mead, A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

C – Choker by Elizabeth Woods, Clarity by Kim Harrington, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare, Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon, Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally, Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter

D – Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver, Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting, The Death Cure by James Dashner, Drink Deep by Chloe Neill, Dead on the Delta by Stacey Jay, Die for Me by Amy Plum, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel, Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber, Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

E – Entice by Carrie Jones, The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols, Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik, The Espressologist by Kristina Springer, The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch, Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong

F – Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill, Fishtailing by Wendy Phillips, Flip by Martyn Bedford, Forever by Maggie Stiefvater, Forgotten by Cat Patrick, Fateful by Claudia Gray, Fury by Elizabeth Miles

G – The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong, The Goddess Test by Aimée Carter, The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross, Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski, The Glory Wind by Valerie Sherrard, The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson, Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

H – Haven by Kristi Cook, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Hourglass by Myra McEntire, How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

I – If I Die by Rachel Vincent, The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

J – Jane Jones: Worst. Vampire. Ever. by Caissie St. Onge, Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay, Jessica Rules The Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

K –

L – Love, Inc. by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout, The Locket by Stacey Jay, Lexie by Audrey Couloumbis, Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead, Linger by Maggie Stiefvater, The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker, Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

M – Miles From Ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams, My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison, Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

N – A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young, Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

O – Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers

P – Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg, Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler, Pale Demon by Kim Harrison

Q –

R – Rhymes With Cupid by Anna Humphrey, The Reinvention of Bessica Lefter by Kristen Tracy, Red Glove by Holly Black, Reaching Through Time: Three Novellas by Lurlene McDaniel, Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles, Ripple by Mandy Hubbard, Reasons to be Happy by Katrina Kittle

S – Shadowspell by Jenna Black, Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill, The Second Trial by Rosemarie Boll, Strings Attached by Judy Blundell, Switch by Tish Cohen, Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, Supernaturally by Kiersten White, Shut Out by Kody Keplinger, Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams, Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready, Saving June by Hannah Harrington, Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready, Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey, Switched by Amanda Hocking

T – Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill, Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski, There Is No Dog by Meg Rosoff, Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

U – Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin, Unleashed by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié

V – The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen, Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

W – Wither by Lauren DeStefano, White Cat by Holly Black, Where She Went by Gayle Forman, We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han, What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen, Wildefire by Karsten Knight, Witchlanders by Lena Coakley, The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher, Winter Town by Stephen Emond, Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

X –

Y – You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Z –

Spotted! Cover of City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

2012-01-04T20:08:00.000-05:00

The cover for City of Lost Souls, the fifth novel in the extremely popular Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, was revealed today on USA Today's Book Buzz! You can also read the prologue there as well! And on Cassandra Clare's blog, she answered some questions regarding the cover too.

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Simon & Schuster Canada):

The New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments continues—and so do the thrills and danger for Jace, Clary, and Simon.

Can the lost be reclaimed? What price is too high to pay for love? Who can be trusted when sin and salvation collide?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge.

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

Yay! You don't know how excited I was to see the cover of City of Lost Souls today! The Mortal Instruments series is one of my absolutely favourites and while I had no idea what I should expect for the cover, I was more than pleasantly surprised to see both Jace and Clary gracing the cover together!

What do you think of the cover for Cassandra Clare's City of Lost Souls? Are you excited to learn what will happen next in the latest installment of the series?

Waiting on Wednesday (78) - Above by Leah Bobet

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

Release Date: March 1, 2012
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

Summary (from Chapters/Indigo):

A gorgeous urban fantasy about dangers outside and in.

Matthew has always lived in Safe, a community hidden far beneath the pipes and tunnels of the city Above. The residents fled to Safe years before to escape the Whitecoats and their cruel experiments, and now Matthew is responsible for both the keeping of Safe's stories and for Ariel—a golden-haired shapeshifter, and the most beautiful girl he's ever seen.

But one horrifying night, an old enemy murders Safe's founder, Atticus, and the community is taken over by an army of shadows. Only Matthew, Ariel, and a handful of friends escape Above. Now they not only have to survive in a sunlit world they barely know, but they must unravel the mystery of the shadows' fury and Atticus's death. It's up to Matthew to find a way to remake Safe—not just for himself and his family, but for Ariel, who's again faced with the life she fled, and who needs him more than ever before.

An urban fantasy and a love story, Above is the breathtaking debut of an extraordinary new voice.

Everything about Leah Bobet's Above seems like a breath of fresh air! I would probably buy this novel based off its gorgeous cover alone, but adding in the fact that the Canadian author's debut YA book sounds so unique and completely different than most novels today also makes Above a novel that I've been very interested in reading for quite some time. And look! It's set in Toronto!

Charmfall Blog Tour & Giveaway – Lily’s & Scout’s Top Ten Favorite Things!

2012-01-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm very excited to be taking part in the blog tour for Chloe Neill's Charmfall, which will be officially released in stores tomorrow! The books in The Dark Elite series are quick, fun supernatural reads with gorgeous covers... and I can't wait to see what will happen to Scout and Lily in this book!

While I'm the sixth stop on the Charmfall Blog Tour, this is a ten-day event happening across ten different blogs! I'm just going to let Lily and Scout take the rest from here...

*****

High school can be a battlefield, but for Lily Parker, surviving at St. Sophia’s School for Girls is a matter of life and death…

Protecting Chicago from the dark side can be an exhausting job, especially when you’re a junior. So when the girls of St. Sophia’s start gearing up for Sneak, their fall formal, Lily decides to join in on some good, old-fashioned party prep—even if it means not giving demons, vampires and the twisted magic users known as Reapers her undivided attention.

But when a Reaper infiltrates the school, Lily doesn’t forget what she’s sworn to protect. She reaches deep into herself to draw out her magic—and finds that it’s gone. And it turns out she’s not alone. A magical blackout has slammed through paranormal Chicago, and no one knows what—or who—caused it. But Lily knows getting back her magic is worth the risk of going behind enemy lines…

Hi, everyone! We’re Lily and Scout, the heroines of CHARMFALL, the third book in Chloe Neill’s The Dark Elite series. We have lots of opinions–especially about magic–but also about what is and is not cool. We’ve included a few of our favorite things below. Be sure to also check out CHARMFALL, which hits shelves on January 3, 2012. Thanks!

No. 6 - Weekends in Chicago

It’s Scout again! Although I don’t get to get out (and aboveground!) as much as I’d like, take it from me that Chicago has a ton to offer. From great food, like authentic hot chocolate and churros, to paintings at the Art Institute, to the Chicago River and the ferris wheel, I really love this town. Which is the only reason I’m willing to spend all those nights roaming the tunnels in search of monsters.

1 – Xoco for Churros!. 2 -Architecture Foundation Cruise. 3 – Navy Pier Ferris Wheel. 4- Chicago Art Institute.

*****

Giveaway! Chloe Neill is very kindly giving away a signed copy of The Dark Elite, the omnibus version which includes the first two novels of the series (Firespell and Hexbound) along with some swag. She's mailing them to the bloggers hosting the contest... so when it arrives, I'll be mailing out the prize to the winner afterwords! The contest will be international and ends on January 23, 2012. I'll be contacting the winner once they've been chosen for their mailing address.

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

-GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED-
-> Winner is Anne-Marie D.! <-

Tomorrow's stop on the tour will be at A Cupcake and a Latte... but if you would like to start from the beginning of the tour, you'll want to head over to Cold Moon Violet Books!

January Release Picks

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! Whereas December seemed like a slower month for books being released, January is the exact opposite as it's a crazy busy month for new books! Usually, I only stick to picking around ten novels... but I've chosen sixteen this time!

Here are this month's releases that I'm most looking forward to checking out! Once again, I've matched my Chapters/Indigo list and ended up having to split the list into Part 1 and Part 2 there. I usually pick ten novels, but this month, I've selected nine instead. If you'd like to know what other novels will be releasing this month, you can find more on my Upcoming Releases page as usual.

January 2

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

January 3

The Alchemy of Forever (Incarnation #1) by Avery Williams ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Charmfall (Dark Elite #3) by Chloe Neill ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Switched (Trylle Trilogy #1) by Amanda Hocking ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Under The Never Sky (Under The Never Sky #1) by Veronica Rossi ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

January 10

The Gathering Storm (Katerina Trilogy #1) by Robin Bridges ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Jessica Rules the Dark Side (Jessica #1) by Beth Fantaskey ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

January 17

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Tempest (Tempest #1) by Julie Cross ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

January 24

Everneath (Everneath #1) by Brodi Ashton ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

*****

What books are you most excited to read in January? Do you agree or disagree with some of my choices? What books did I miss that you're looking forward to reading this month?

Waiting on Wednesday (77) - The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross

2011-12-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

Release Date: May 22, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Summary (from Goodreads):

In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling – or dangerous.

Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade – the dangerous device Jasper stole from him...for the life of the girl Jasper loves.

One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens.

From the rough streets of Lower Manhattan to elegant Fifth Avenue, the motley crew of teens with supernatural abilities is on Jasper’s elusive trail. And they’re about to discover how far they’ll go for friendship.

More than ever, Finley Jayne will rely on powerful English duke Griffin King to balance her dark magic with her good side. Yet Griffin is at war with himself over his secret attraction to Finley…and will risk his life and reputation to save her. Sam, more machine than man, finds his moody heart tested by Irish lass Emily – whose own special abilities are no match for the darkness she discovers on the streets.

Now, to help those she’s come to care for so deeply, Finley Jayne must infiltrate a criminal gang. Only problem is, she might like the dark side a little too much…

If you read my review of The Girl in the Steel Corset a long while ago, then you may recall that I absolutely loved the first novel in The Steampunk Chronicles! It was one of the first novels I read in the steampunk genre, and since then, I've been on the lookout for more novels within the genre which can deliver the same suspense, intrigue, and action!

I'm really excited to read what's going to happen for Finley, Griffin and company in Kady Cross' The Girl in the Clockwork Collar... but I have a nervous foreboding for the characters after reading the plot description. It sounds like they have some tough times ahead of them to get past. I'm also hoping Jack makes a return in the second book... and I can't wait to learn more about Mei's role too.

Cover Reveal! Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker

2011-12-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'm very excited to be helping reveal the cover of Melissa Walker's Unbreak My Heart on the blog today!

Release Date: May 22, 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from author's website):

Sophomore year broke Clementine Williams’s heart. She fell for her best friend’s boyfriend and long story short: he’s excused, but Clem is vilified and heads into summer with zero social life. Enter her parents’ plan to spend the summer on their sailboat. Normally the idea of being stuck on a tiny boat with her parents and little sister would make Clem break out in hives, but just floating away sounds pretty good right now. Then she meets James at one of their first stops along the river. He and his dad are sailing for the summer, and he’s just the distraction Clem needs. Can he break down Clem’s walls and heal her broken heart?

Told in alternating chapters that chronicle the year that broke Clem’s heart and the summer that healed it, Unbreak My Heart is a wonderful dual love story that fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Susane Colasanti will flock to.

Unbreak My Heart sounds like a wonderful summer novel and I love how the setting is on a sailboat! I think the cover has done a lovely job capturing the novel based on the plot description and the heart is a cute addition too!

After the release of Small Town Sinners earlier in the year and its heavier themes, it's nice to see Melissa Walker returning to her lighter side of writing... though I'm sure this contemporary novel will still have its fair share of heartfelt moments too.

What do you think of the cover? Are you looking forward to reading Unbreak My Heart?

Waiting on Wednesday (76) - The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

2011-12-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

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

Summary (from Goodreads):

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?

Avery Williams' debut novel The Alchemy of Forever is the first in a two-book series and I just love its premise! Sera sounds like a sweet girl drowning in guilt after centuries of essentially stolen life. It would be enough to make someone power-hungry with the knowledge of an immortal life, but that doesn't seem to be the case with her. I'm looking forward to learning more about this new approach to immortality and the paranormal.

Book Trailer! - Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

2011-12-19T17:00:00.000-05:00

The book trailer for the highly anticipated final novel in Andrea Cremer's Nightshade trilogy, Bloodrose, was exclusively revealed on Friday over at EW's Shelf Life! I've been waiting all weekend for a YouTube version and one was finally posted today.

The book trailer doesn't really reveal too much of what will happen in Bloodrose, reiterating facts most readers already know, but it still leaves me nervous to read the novel when it's released in stores. If you're a fan of the series, are you Team Ren or Team Shay?

Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Philomel

Summary:

The third and final installment of the international bestselling Nightshade trilogy!

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there's more at stake than fighting. There's saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay's wrath. There's keeping Ansel safe, even if he's been branded a traitor. There's proving herself as the pack's alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers' magic once and for all. And then there's deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is. In this remarkable final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, international bestselling author Andrea Cremer crafts a dynamic novel with twists and turns that will keep you breathless until its final pages.

Die For Me by Amy Plum

2011-12-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Die For Me (Revenants #1)
Author: Amy Plum
Release Date: May 10, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 352
Source: Bought

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

My Thoughts:

I’ve had Die for Me sitting on my shelf for quite awhile now, but I’m not exactly sure why it took me so long to finally read it! Amy Plum’s debut novel was an enticing read filled with romance and danger, and it was no wonder I found myself lost within the story in no time at all. As soon as I began turning the pages, I was already regretting not reading the novel sooner! Amy Plum swiftly sweeps her readers off to the city of Paris, where dark secrets await to be uncovered.

I really loved the originality surrounding the concept of the revenants – undead beings who sacrificed themselves over and over again to save the lives of others. They weren’t quiet ghosts but neither were they straight-up zombies either. As Kate found herself more and more entrenched in the world of the revenants and the struggle against their enemies, it was also fascinating to learn more about the new mythology Amy Plum has introduced. Kate is definitely a stronger person than she gives herself credit for… and I liked how when it became too much for her to handle, she voiced her fears and concerns, and took a step back in realizing her own capabilities.

The easy camaraderie between the characters in Die for Me made the novel all the more enjoyable to read! I loved how Vincent’s family welcomed Kate into the fold with acceptance and some teasing remarks which lightened the tension. Although I may have been initially sceptical by how easily Kate learned the big secret Vincent had been hiding about himself, I did appreciate how it kept a fast pace for the events to continue unfolding. Vincent was handsome, charming and just as dreamy as most girls would easily fall head-over-heels for, but I also had a soft spot for the sweet and funny Jules as well.

If you’re looking for your next supernatural fix, Amy Plum’s Die for Me would be a perfect recommendation! With French boys who will leave you instantly swooning and heart-pounding excitement, all set against the gorgeous backdrop of Paris, what’s not to love about Die for Me? I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next novel in the Revenants trilogy, Until I Die, to learn what trouble will find Kate and Vincent next.

Winter Town by Stephen Emond

2011-12-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Winter Town
Author: Stephen Emond
Release Date: December 5, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 336
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Summary:

Every winter, straight-laced, Ivy League bound Evan looks forward to a visit from Lucy, a childhood pal who moved away after her parent's divorce. But when Lucy arrives this year, she's changed. The former "girl next door" now has chopped dyed black hair, a nose stud, and a scowl. But Evan knows that somewhere beneath the Goth, "Old Lucy" still exists, and he's determined to find her... even if it means pissing her off.

Garden State meets Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist in this funny and poignant illustrated novel about opposites who fall in love.

My Thoughts:

Stephen Emond’s Winter Town is a hilarious and quirky contemporary novel which will warm your heart on a cold winter night. I couldn’t help but imagining all the scenes playing out in my head like I was watching an indie comedy movie. There was simply something about the novel which had me playfully smiling as I steadily turned the pages… and a frown only appeared when obstacles appeared in a character’s way. Stephen Emond has turned very ordinary events in Winter Town and given them his own new spin to fashion a sweet story which captivates you right away.

Evan and Lucy have two completely opposite personalities, yet they share a close childhood friendship that’s easy for them to slip back into despite the initial awkwardness from the vast time apart during the year. Evan feels pressured by his father to attend an Ivy League school, but he’s unsure if that's what he truly wants; Lucy is not the same girl she was last year, decked out in dark clothes and more moody than ever before. And like any ordinary teenagers, Evan and Lucy are both unsure about themselves and the choices they need to make for their futures.

Winter Town just wouldn’t have been the same reading experience without the wonderful illustrations which perfectly complemented the text. There were drawings which helped visualized the wintry setting and characters… and there were fun comic strips telling another sort of adventure which Lucy and Evan had undertaken in the fantasy world they created as children, Aelysthia. I say this as a total compliment when I mention that Evan and Lucy are both pretty much nerds.

If you’re looking for a unique coming-of-age contemporary novel filled with heartfelt moments and endearing characters, I would highly recommend Stephen Emond’s Winter Town. Evan and Lucy are not the same young kids they once were, and as we watched their friendship strengthen and waver, we also waited to see if they could ultimately have the courage to face their fears. It’s not everyday that you stumble across a novel as one-of-a-kind as Winter Town!

Thanks so much to Hachette Book Group Canada for providing this review copy! You can learn more about Stephen Emond's Winter Town 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!

Waiting on Wednesday (75) - Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

2011-12-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

Release Date: January 17, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen

Summary (from HarperTeen):

For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn’t prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

In this compelling sequel to Unearthly, Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are.

When Unearthly was first released earlier in the year, I almost didn't read it. I had read a few disappointing angel-themed novels... and I had doubts that Unearthly would be any better. (And okay, I'm still not a huge fan of the cover. It's one of those where it looks better in person.) However, after reading several positive reviews for the book, I decided to buy myself a copy... and I was so glad I did! (You can read my Unearthly review.) Suddenly, my interest for finding novels centered around angels was renewed and Unearthly was one of the novels which gave me hope for the genre.

I'm really excited for the release of Hallowed! I'm looking forward to learning some more answers regarding Clara's heritage... and I'm sure my heart is going to be tugged into two opposite directions when it comes to Tucker and Christian. Let's hope we get to uncover some more secrets after that twist of an ending in Unearthly!

Author Video Spotlight: Lesley Livingston on "Once Every Never"

2011-12-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

Earlier in the summer, Lesley Livington's Once Every Never was released, much to my delight! It's the first in a new trilogy centered around a teenage girl, Clare, who finds herself mysteriously transported into the past after touching an ancient Celtic artifact.

Chatting away at the Royal Ontario Museum, the fabulous Canadian author goes behind-the-scenes and shares what went into writing Once Every Never, including research and her fascination with this time in history.

Published by Penguin Canada, Once Every Never is available in bookstores across Canada... and American friends, you can find the book through amazon.com.

Enjoy!

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.

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Catching Jordan
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Release Date: December 1, 2011 (paperback)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 288
Source: Bought

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though- she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

My Thoughts:

Catching Jordan took me completely by surprise. I admit, I was going to initially give this novel a pass because I thought it sounded rather predictable and I was kind of skeptical of a female character being a football captain… but it would have been a complete and utter mistake if I hadn’t read this novel! Miranda Kenneally has truly written a wonderful debut novel that’s both hilarious and heart-warming.

From the fun storytelling to the awesome characters, I simply adored everything about Catching Jordan! I’m not much of a football fan, but Jordan’s love for the game and her aspirations to play at the college level were completely infectious. It didn’t matter that when Jordan was calling out plays, I really had no idea what she was talking about – what I loved was her passion for the game. I could imagine her on the field shouting to her team members to get their heads in the game and throwing with precision as quarterback. She’s grown up always being one of the boys and her close friendships with some of her fellow players were easy-going and filled with playful banter.

When Ty arrived onto the scene and Jordan finds herself crushing hard for the very time, your heart completely reaches out to her vulnerability. She’s clueless and scared of putting herself out there, especially when she feels her only focus should be securing her spot on a football team in college. I just really liked how Jordan was such a down-to-earth girl, eating at her heart’s content, caring about the well-being of her friends… and having a fun, snarky personality which didn’t back down to anyone. You would be lucky to have a friend like Jordan.

And can I just briefly mention how much I loved Sam Henry, Jordan’s best friend? He was so sweet and hilarious… and there was one scene in the novel with him where I had to set the book down for a moment because I was laughing too hard to continue reading. Like any boy, he was prone to making a few stupid mistakes though… but I still cared about him a lot even then.

Catching Jordan has easily become one of new favourite contemporary novels! I’m quite positive that I must have had a ridiculous grin on my face as I read the novel, giggling at the jokes and only frowning when more tender moments came up. And for all its comedic moments, the novels still plays on your misconceptions about girls playing football and allows readers to reflect on the possibility of their own dreams. You don’t need to love football in order to completely find yourself falling for this book! I’m definitely going to be finding myself reading Miranda Kenneally’s Catching Jordan over and over again in the future.

In My Mailbox (54)

2011-12-10T17:00:00.000-05:00

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 The Gathering Storm (The Katerina Trilogy #1) by Robin Bridges
ARC of The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

Thanks so much to Hachette Book Group Canada and Random House Canada for sending these novels for review!

Bought:

After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel
Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare ~ my review
Darkness Unbound (Dark Angels #1) by Keri Arthur
Shift (Shade #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready
Unleashed (Wolf Springs Chronicles #1) by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié

Unsurprisingly, I found myself at Chapters once again because they were having a sale on all their hardcover novels, so how could I resist? And I just had to buy a finished copy of Clockwork Prince too! I also remembered to buy Shift this week and can't wait to see more of Zach.

Unleashed was more of an impulse buy when I saw it at Costco because the cover drew me in and the plot description sounded like it could be good. (Also, I'm hoping to give another chance to the authors after the horrible way they ended their Wicked series....)

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

And as always... Happy Reading!

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

2011-12-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Release Date: December 6, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 528
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

My Thoughts:

Clockwork Prince was easily one of my most anticipated novels of the year, and usually that may have me nervous to see if it will meet my high expectations, but knowing Cassandra Clare had written it, there were no worries that I wouldn’t fall in love with the novel. Cassandra Clare never fails to amaze me with gorgeous, addictive writing which instantly sweeps you away into another world… and Clockwork Prince was no exception! Rich in beautiful descriptions of Victorian England, readers were once again transported back to a time so unlike our own.

Tensions are running high in this second installment of the Infernal Devices trilogy, with our much-loved characters facing new and old foes that would do anything to ensure power lies solely in their hands. Following shortly after the events in Clockwork Angel, Charlotte's leadership at the London Institute is called into question while Tessa and her Shadowhunter friends continue to search for the whereabouts of the sinister Magister. Once again, Tessa proved to be strong individual, pushing forth for answers regarding her heritage and even taking steps to learn self defence in order to protect herself.

My heart is still completely torn between Will and Jem, and I don't envy the difficult situation Tessa has found herself in – not when some form of heartbreak is imminent. She can’t help being drawn to both of the handsome boys, especially when both claim a spot in her heart in different ways. Cassandra Clare wreaked havoc on my heart, allowing us to see more facets of Will and Jem’s personalities... and completely bringing me to a loss in finding a way to possibly side with only one of them in this memorable love triangle. Jem’s friendship and kindness mean the world to Tessa, but while Will may have tried to push her away before, there’s no denying their attraction for another. There’s more to Will’s enigmatic behaviour though, and in Clockwork Prince, we finally learn some of the secrets which Will has been hiding from everyone for so long. I found myself constantly wavering between both of the boys… and I loved how Cassandra Clare really developed the characters in this novel.

When I finished reading Clockwork Prince, I was left shocked and numb, attempting to grasp some sort of reassurance to myself that everything would eventually work itself out in the end. Cassandra Clare relentlessly plays with your emotions in her novels, bringing both her readers and characters to their breaking points. Filled with love, action, excitement and betrayal, Clockwork Prince will undoubtedly leave readers shaken in emotional turmoil as they finish the final pages. The release of the final novel in the trilogy, Clockwork Princess, cannot come soon enough. I'm almost frightened to learn what will happen!

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

Cover Reveal! Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

2011-12-08T15:00:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited to be one of several bloggers revealing the US cover today for Jessica Shirvington's Embrace as part of the EMBRACE Cover Reveal Blog Tour!

Release Date: March 1, 2012

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Summary (jacket flap version):

It starts with a whisper.
“It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Strange dreams leave her with very real injuries and there’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms. The guy she thought she could fall in love with just told her he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her. And she keeps hearing a distant fluttering of wings.

Violet Eden is having a very bad 17th birthday.

But if angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…

Embrace is the first novel in the Violet Eden Chapters and centers around an alluring world where angels and Grigori exist among humans. Don't you just love the cover? I love the purple and the cool effect where it appears Violet has angel wings extending from her back!

Below, you can watch the behind-the-scenes footage of the Embrace cover shoot which also includes interviews with the Sourcebooks Fire senior editor, cover designer, photographer, and model as they takes us through what it takes to get such a gorgeous cover!

And don't forget to check out both the Embrace the Book Series facebook page and www.embracetheseries.com, the official US website for the series, if you have a chance! You'll also be able to find a fuller book description, an author Q&A with Jessica Shirvington, teaser chapters and more on the official website!

Spotted! Cover of The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

2011-12-08T12:39:00.001-05:00

The cover for The Immortal Rules, the first novel in the Blood of Eden series, by Julie Kagawa was officially revealed at MTV's Hollywood Crush this morning!

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Summary (from Goodreads):

You will kill. The only question is when.

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

I'm rather hesitant to start any new series centering around vampires these days... but how can I resist when it's written by Julie Kagawa, one of my favourite authors? I'm very excited to read The Immortal Rules for its fresh and dark vampire premise!

What do you think of the cover? I really do love how it captures the gritty side of vampirism perfectly and the blood dripping from her eye is creepy in a very cool way.