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Clockwork Angel Countdown

Em's to-read book montage

Strange Fate
Midnight
Afterlife
Angel
Original Sin
Hellbent
A Touch Mortal
Tempest
The Gray Wolf Throne
The Enchanter Heir
Untitled
Angelfire
The Iron Witch
Entwined
The Vampire Diaries
Moonsong
Phantom
Reign Check
Reign or Shine
Fanged & Fabulous


Em - of Everything Books's favorite books »

Sunday, January 30, 2011

JAPANESE ANIME!

I'm so sorry for not being able to post as frequently as I want to. I've been swamped with all my homework and all that. I have 3 or 4 big projects going on right now. So until the summer I might not be posting constantly.

Anyways to my real point of this post. I have just found the joy of reading japanese manga and watching japanese anime. Lately I have been watching as much as I can. I am sad to say though, that I haven't been focusing on reading as much during this time. I also was just wondering if any of you guys know any good manga or anime. I have really fallen in love with it, but I don't know a lot about it either. 

Some of the Japanese anime or manga that I have watched or read are:


I know that t isn't that much, but it takes a lot of time plus I just started a week or so ago.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Angelfire

Angelfire
by Courtney Allison Moulton
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: February 15, 2011


Summary: When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul. 

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.


Book Review:
AMAZING! I loved this book a lot. It has been awhile since I last read a really good book. The beginning was a little boring. No I don't think boring is the right word. I didn't really get into the book until about halfway through. When I did get into it, I found that I loved all the characters and the actual story. The whole idea was really interesting. Plus this is a totally individual book. I haven't read a book quite like this one before. I liked the writing it was okay. The characters were okay as well. They weren't my favorite cast of characters, but they were good. Overall a really good book. I am totally happy that I got to read it!


Rating: B+

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spinethat spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:


Wildfire
by Kartsen Knight
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Release Date: July 26, 2011

Summary: Ashline Wilde never received an instruction manual on how to be a 16-year-old Polynesian volcano goddess. If she had, it might have contained helpful warnings such as: 

• Dreaming about your (thankfully) mortal boyfriend may cause your bed to spontaneously combust
• Oven mitts should be worn at all times during heavy make-out sessions

Instead, Ash has to learn these life lessons the hard way as her dormant powers erupt at the most awkward times. In the wake of a hometown tragedy, Ash transfers to Blackwood Academy, a boarding school nestled in California’s redwoods, where a group of fellow gods-on-earth have mysteriously convened. As if sophomore year couldn’t get any worse, her storm goddess older sister, the wild and unpredictable Eve, resurfaces to haunt Ashline. With a war between the gods looming over Blackwood, Ash must master the fire smoldering within her before she clashes with her sister one final time, which leads us to life-lesson #3:

• When warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm. 

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

ARC (3)

Delirium 
By Lauren Oliver
Genre: YA
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: February 1, 2011


Summary: 
Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love - the deliria - blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy. 

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.



Angelfire
By Courtney Allison Moulton
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: February 15, 2011

Summary:
When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember. 

Monday, January 24, 2011

Hereafter

Hereafter
by Tara Hudson
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: June 7, 2011


Summary:

Can there truly be love after death?
Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.
Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.



Book Review:
SOOO CUTE! You'd think that since it was a ghost story that it would be a little darker. It was basically a Romance book for teens. I liked it, but it was mushy. I like some of books where there is romance and I don't like others. I don't know why this is. I guess it has something to do with the writing skills of the author. Well anyways I liked this book. It was another short quick read, and it was light. I mainly wanted to read it because it had a pretty cover. I know that I shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but I couldn't help myself. As for the story I really liked it. It isn't one of those books that I will read over and over, and never forget, but it was pretty good. I liked the idea that a ghost could still fall in love. Plus I liked the part that Eli played. Normally I'm into series. For some reason I tend not to like books that aren't part of a series. This is definitely an exception. If your looking for a book that is mainly just romance, and is a quick read then this book is for you.


Rating: B

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Die for Me

Die for Me
by Amy Plum
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: May 10, 2011


Summary: 
DIE FOR ME is the first of three books about Kate, a sixteen-year-old American who moves to Paris after the death of her parents. She finds herself falling for Vincent, who she discovers is not the typical French teenager he appears: he is something else entirely.
DIE FOR ME presents a new supernatural mythology presented in a city where dreams are sometimes the same as reality.



Book Review:
Another paranormal, Young Adult novel. That is all it is. There really isn't that much about it that stands out. I think I'll try and take a break from Paranormal type books. Anyways I liked the story thought. I thought that the idea that some people who die trying to save another's life will come back to life. I also liked the idea that the same thing happens to those who are evil. I read this book mainly because of the idea of the book, but I also read it because I liked the cover. I don't know why, but I thought that this book would be deeper. For me it felt light. There wasn't really any depth. Plus the relationship in between Kate and Vincent was too mushy. That's my personal opinion at least. Either way I liked it. Another book that isn't memorable. It's not one of those books that I will never forget. The characters were okay. Nothing out of the ordinary. Kate was just another sweet girl. Vincent just another mysterious guy. Overall just okay.
 
Rating: B-

Saturday, January 22, 2011

The Ghost and the Goth


The Ghost and the Goth

by Stacey Kade
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Publication Date: June 29, 2010

Summary:
Alona Dare–Senior in high school, co-captain of the cheerleading squad, Homecoming Queen three years in a row, voted most likely to marry a movie star… and newly dead.

I’m the girl you hated in high school. Is it my fault I was born with it all-good looks, silky blond hair, a hot bod, and a keen sense of what everyone else should not be wearing? But my life isn’t perfect, especially since I died. Run over by a bus of band geeks—is there anything more humiliating? As it turns out, yes—watching your boyfriend and friends move on with life, only days after your funeral. And you wouldn’t believe what they’re saying about me now that they think I can’t hear them. To top it off, I’m starting to disappear, flickering in and out of existence. I don’t know where I go when I’m gone, but it’s not good. Where is that freaking white light already?

Will Killian–Senior in high school, outcast, dubbed “Will Kill” by the popular crowd for the unearthly aura around him, voted most likely to rob a bank…and a ghost-talker.

I can see, hear, and touch the dead. Unfortunately, they can also see, hear and touch me. Yeah, because surviving high school isn’t hard enough already. I’ve done my best to hide my “gift.” After all, my dad, who shared my ability, killed himself because of it when I was fifteen. But lately, pretending to be normal has gotten a lot harder. A new ghost—an anonymous, seething cloud of negative energy with the capacity to throw me around—is pursuing me with a vengeance. My mom, who knows nothing about what I can do, is worrying about the increase in odd incidents, my shrink is tossing around terms like “temporary confinement for psychiatric evaluation,” and my principal, who thinks I’m a disruption and a faker, is searching for every way possible to get rid of me. How many weeks until graduation?


Book Review:
I loved this book. Though it's not one of my favorites I have to say that it was cute. This isn't one of those deep books. It is what it is. The storyline is very straightforward and predictable. I guess if I really wanted to I could find a bunch of little faults throughout the book. Though I do not want to do this. When I review books I just like to say my personal opinion. So my personal opinion on this book is that it is really good. Even though, like I said earlier, the book is predictable I loved it. I really can't wait for the next book in the series Queen of the Dead. I think that this series really has potential. There isn't really much else to day about this book.

Rating: B+

Friday, January 21, 2011

Friday Fantasize (1)

Friday Fantasize is a weekly event hosted by Misha over at 
My Love Affair With Books where you list 3 books (released/unreleased, 
new/old) on your wishlist, every week :)

Synopsis: When high school junior Natalie--or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper--is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected--especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?

Synopsis: Nikki Glass thinks of herself as an ordinary person, although her skills as a private investigator sometimes verge on the uncanny. But whatever Nikki might think of herself, she is far from ordinary, as she discovers one life-altering night when she loses control of her car on an icy road, accidentally killing a man who appears out of nowhere. The man Nikki struck with her car was an immortal who wanted to die—and she has now inadvertently stolen his immortality. As a descendant of the Greek goddess Artemis, Nikki’s talents have reached supernatural proportions. Of course, before she was an immortal, there wasn’t anyone who wanted her dead….
Synopsis: When secrets and old histories come to light, Frannie realizes that nobody is who she thought they were. Hell won’t give up and Heaven won’t give in. Some are willing to hurt anyone close to Frannie in order to get what they want. It will take everything she has and then some to stay out of Hell's grasp. 
And not everyone will get out of it alive.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

ARC (2)

A couple of days ago I just got a couple more ARCs. 
Here they are:

Hereafter                                                                                                           by Tara Hudson        
Genre: YA, Fantasy  
Publisher: Harper Teen        
Release Date: June 7, 2011       

Die for Me
By Amy Plum                                          
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: May 10, 2011

Summary of Hereafter: 
Can there truly be love after death?Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.
Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.                                                                   

Summary of Die for Me:
DIE FOR ME is the first of three books about Kate, a sixteen-year-old American who moves to Paris after the death of her parents. She finds herself falling for Vincent, who she discovers is not the typical French teenager he appears: he is something else entirely.

DIE FOR ME presents a new supernatural mythology presented in a city where dreams are sometimes the same as reality.


Angel Burn

Angel Burn
by L.A. Weatherly
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Candlewick
Release Date: May 2011
(this is the info for the newest edition though the old edition cover)


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


Book Review:
Personally I liked it. I had never heard of it until a couple of days ago. The whole idea of the book was really interesting. And the execution was fairly well done. I loved the characters. Though with Alex I was thinking ooh stalker. There wasn't really that much to explain their relationship either. Plus the book is totally surrounded on their relationship, what I have to say is the weakest part of the book. Remember this is my personal opinion so if you don't like what I'm saying then you don't have to read it. Anyways when I read books I don't really like it when they get all mushy and stuff. Well this one definitely had it's share of mushy moments. I don't mind it when a book is mushy if the rest of it isn't totally revolving around the relationship of the two main characters. Also if the two main characters are going to have a relationship I want to feel like they really love each other. In this book that was kinda lacking. Though overall I have to say I kinda enjoyed it. With all it's faults it was fun to read. Though quite forgettable.


Rating: B-



Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spinethat spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Dark Descendent
by Jenna Black
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Pocket
Release Date: April 26, 2011

Summary: Nikki Glass thinks of herself as an ordinary person, although her skills as a private investigator sometimes verge on the uncanny. But whatever Nikki might think of herself, she is far from ordinary, as she discovers one life-altering night when she loses control of her car on an icy road, accidentally killing a man who appears out of nowhere. The man Nikki struck with her car was an immortal who wanted to die—and she has now inadvertently stolen his immortality. As a descendant of the Greek goddess Artemis, Nikki’s talents have reached supernatural proportions. Of course, before she was an immortal, there wasn’t anyone who wanted her dead….

Monday, January 17, 2011

Clockwork Angel

Clockwork Angel
by Cassandra Clare
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Publication Date: August 31, 2010

Summary:
Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.


Book Review:
LOVED IT! You know I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book. I mean the summary thing didn't really capture my attention. Plus it was set in the same world as The Mortal Instruments. I don't know why but usually I have a problem with two different story lines being in the same "world". Anyways this was not a problem with Clockwork Angel. Again Cassandra Clare has really shown what a talented writer she is. From the first chapter I was sucked right into the book. I loved it and I can't wait for the next book Clockwork Prince. This takes place in a similar type "world" as The Mortal Instruments, but it makes it all it's own. The characters were also great. Tessa was sweet and selfless. All she wanted to do was find her brother. Will was brooding and quite annoying, but I think thats part of his charm. Jem was okay, he wasn't anything extraordinary, but I liked him. Overall I just loved all the characters. Except maybe Tessa's brother Nate. The story was unbelievably good. It's one of those books in which you could get lost in there and never want to come back out. No matter what anyone else says I still think that this is one of the best books I have read. At lest in it's genre. I am definitely  looking forward to the rest of the series. The only down side is that i have to wait months before the next book comes out! Ugh!

Rating: A

The Infernal Devices:


Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3)Clockwork Prince Comes out August 30, 2011
(most likely date may change)

Clockwork Princess Comes out December 2012
(date isn't exact, may change)

Sorry I couldn't get the covers, but they haven't been revealed yet.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Giveaway of Delirious by Daniel Palmer

This giveaway is at Bookaholic Does Reading. It ends on January 18th. It is only open to followers of the blog. Here is an excerpt from their post:




Up for grabs in this giveaway is a SIGNED advance reader copy of Delirious by Daniel Palmer.

Delirious is about Charlie Giles, an electronics superstar, who sold his startup company to a giant Boston firm.  One day, everything in Charlie’s neatly ordered world starts to go terrifyingly wrong. His prestigious job and his inventions are wrenched away from him. His family is targeted, and his former employers are dying gruesomely, picked off one by one. Every sign, every shred of evidence, points to Charlie as a cold-blooded killer. And soon Charlie is unable to tell whether he’s succumbed to the pressures of work and become the architect of his own destruction, or whether he’s the victim of a relentless, diabolical attack. 





This contest is open to current and new followers. Giveaway policy is as follows:

--You must be a follower to win.
--To enter you must fill out the form below or click here
--Contest ends on January 18th.
--Winner will be announced in a blog post and notified within 2 days of contest closing.
--Winner has 3 days to respond to my e-mail notifying them they have won.
--If winner does not respond within 3 days, prize will be given to a new winner.
--Questions/Concerns regarding the giveaway can be asked via comment or e-mail sent to me at bookaholicdoesblogging [at] gmail [dot] com.

One entry per person, however, extra entries are allowed for: Twitter Followers, Facebook Fans, Copying the linked button below to your blog, becoming my friend on Goodreads, and posting about this giveaway on either your blog, Twitter, or Facebook.  Extra entry possibilities are up to 9 additional entries (for a total of 10).

Saturday, January 15, 2011

City of Ashes


City of Ashes

by Cassandra Clare
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher:
Publication Date:

Summary:
Clary Fray is a Shadowhunter, a demon slayer who has the gift of spotting Downworlder werewolves, vampires, and faeries. She is also an adolescent in an abnormally dysfunctional family: Her mom is in a magically induced coma and her father is probably insane and undoubtedly evil. All of which places Clary in situations that would challenge even the most talented average American girl.


Book Review:
OOOOH! I loved this book just as much as the first. I have to say I might have even enjoyed it even more. After reading the first book I had very high expectations for this one. Let's say I was not disappointed.  There were ups and downs for this book. There were some very emotional parts, and parts where I was laughing my head off. I like how Cassandra Clare can write a very emotional scene and then have a super funny one afterwards. The plot was really well done, but I have to say that I liked the characters more. Simon is my favorite though. I have a soft spot for guys who are the best friend of the main character. Plus he is just overall pretty good guy. Jace is funny in a sarcastic kind of way, but he is also arrogant, and charismatic. I'll just leave it at the fact that I really enjoyed this book and that if you liked City of Bones you will love City of Ashes. I will have to get around to reading City of Glass, and look for a review of Clockwork Angel which is coming fairly soon.

The Mortal Instruments:


ARC (1)

  

Sorry about the cover for Angel Burn. I couldn't find the right one. Anyways I just wanted to say that I just got the ARCs for these two books, so look for the upcoming reviews of them soon. Though I should probably read the book that comes before Always a Witch, before I read it. Oh and just so you know I have had these ARCs for awhile i just haven't gotten around to reading them yet.

Angel Burn                               Always a Witch
by L.A. Weatherly                     by Carolyn MacCullough
Genre: YA, Fantasy                 Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Candlewick Press  Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Release Date: 5-24-11            Release Date: 8-1-11

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

Summary: The adventures of Tam and Gabriel continue with more time travel, Talents, spy work, and of course, the evil Knights. 

Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice.


Friday, January 14, 2011

Trail by Fire Cover Revealed

Trail by Fire
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Egmont USA
Release Date: June 14, 2011

Sorry I don't have a summary yet.

Girl in the Arena

Girl in the Arena
by Lise Haines
Genre: YA
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Publication Date: October 13, 2009


Summary:

It’s a fight to the death—on live TV—when a gladiator’s daughter steps into the arena

Lyn is a neo-gladiator’s daughter, through and through. Her mother has made a career out of marrying into the high-profile world of televised blood sport, and the rules of the Gladiator Sports Association are second nature to their family. Always lend ineffable confidence to the gladiator. Remind him constantly of his victories. And most importantly: Never leave the stadium when your father is dying. The rules help the family survive, but rules—and the GSA—can also turn against you. When a gifted young fighter kills Lyn’s seventh father, he also captures Lyn’s dowry bracelet, which means she must marry him... For fans of The Hunger Games and Fight Club, Lise Haines’ debut novel is a mesmerizing look at a world addicted to violence—a modern world that’s disturbingly easy to imagine.




Book Review:
The main reason that I read this book was because of it's cover. The cover isn't really pretty, it's more intriguing. Anyways I really liked this book. I liked how it took the idea of gladiator fighting and brought it into the modern day world. Lyn is a strong capable young women, and she is forced into an arranged marriage by the Gladiator Sports Association when her 7th step father is killed. She lives her life by rules set by the GSA. When it comes to the ultimate test ,(an arranged marriage), of loyalty to the GSA Lyn proves that she has what it takes to push right back. I loved the story, mainly because I thought that it was sweetish. Though Lyn has to work past a lot of things she makes it. She loves her brother and will do anything to protect him. Overall a pretty good book. 


Rating: B



Thursday, January 13, 2011

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side.

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
by Beth Fantaskey
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Harcourt
Publication Date: February 1, 2009


Summary:
The undead can really screw up your senior year ...

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.



Book Review:
For some reason I didn't get around to reading this book until a couple of months ago. When I did I really enjoyed it. It is one of those quick reads that you love, but move on. I thought that the story line was fun. Also the way the author depicts vampires is interesting. i have seen some different variations of the idea of vampires, but I haven't seen this before. I like the light feel in the beginning. Often times when I read vampire books they have a dark heavy type feel to them. This, though having to do with vampires, wasn't. Jessica was a nice leading character. She didn't really stand out though. I have read a lot of books with characters like her, so she doesn't really captivate my attention. As is with Lucius. Nothing extraordinary about him either. The story line wasn't totally unique, but it was still fun to read. I liked this book a lot, but I have to say that it isn't one of my favorites. I would suggest this book to anyone who wanted a short quick read.  


Rating: B


Notable/ Funny Quotes:
"Jessica. For god's sake," he said. "Allow me to do at least one common courtesy for you. In spite ow what 'women's lib' teaches you, chivalry does not imply that women are powerless. On the contrary, chivalry is an admission of women's superiority. An acknowledgment of your power over us. This is the only form of servitude a Vladescu ever practices, and I perform it gladly for you. You, in turn, are obligated to accept graciously." 


"Where do you. come from?" Frank challenged, puffing his chest, a little bolder now that he could breathe. "Some of us are starting to wonder." 
"I come from civilization," Lucius retorted. "You wouldn't be familiar with the territory. Now pick up the books." 


"No one's making any decisions today," Mom translated. "It's late, and we're all tired and a little overwhelmed. Besides, Lucius, Jessica is not ready to contemplate marriage. She hasn't even kissed a boy yet, for goodness' sake." 
Lucius smirked at me, raising one eyebrow. "Really? No suitors? How shocking. I would have thought your pitchfork skills would be attractive to certain bachelors here in farm country." 


"American women. Why do you all want to be nearly invisible? Why not have aphysical presence in the world? Women should have curves, not angles. ...One should never confuse fashionable with beautiful. ...Eat. Be happy to have curves. A presence." 


"I shan't take advantage," Lucius promised seriously. "And she can't be forced into a marriage, of course. It is a new century. Unfortunately. But I am afraid that I am compelled to pursue this courtship until Antanasia realizes her place at my side. As she will."
I will not." 

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spinethat spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Babe in Boyland
by Jody Gehrman
Genre: YA
Publisher: Dial 
Release Date: February 17, 2011

Summary:
When high school junior Natalie--or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper--is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected--especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?

What do you guys think about it?

Monday, January 10, 2011

Timeless

Timeless
by Alexandra Monir
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 11, 2011


Summary:
When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist. And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance.

Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives.



Book Review:
OMG! It was sad. It was happy. It was just amazing. Michele was so sweet. My heart really went out to her. Having to deal with the death of her mother. Getting the cold shoulder from her grandparents. I just felt really bad for her, but I also understood how all of this made Michele a better person overall. Alexandra Monir really knows how to weave a beautiful story. I don't usually like romance novels, or novels that are more romance than anything else, but I loved this one. I felt like I could really connect to Michele. I also really loved how she helped each of her female relatives in turn. Michele learned a lot from all of them, and they her. The Windsor line is more than a line of blue bloods. It is a line of strong young women who know what they want and how to get it. Speaking of people that she helped, the relationship of Michele and Phillip was well done. I really felt like they loved each other. It was a little bit rushed though. This was explained through the fact that they felt like they already knew each other. I also think that Michele going in and out of the time period was totally unfair for Phillip. I felt bad for him. Pinning after someone who he could never be with. The ending was a really good one if you are speaking in writing and storyline good. In opinion good I didn't like it. It's not that big a deal, especially considering that I am biased in these type of things. Anyways it was a beautiful story, and a great debut novel. I would totally recommend this to anyone who doesn't mind romance in a novel.  


Rating: A

Sunday, January 9, 2011

City of Bones

City of Bones
by Cassandra Clare
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Publication Date: March 27, 2007
Hardcover: 485 pages


Summary:
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.



Book Review:
This book had a lot of mixed reviews, and that is why I didn't end up reading it until now. I know I'm a little late to reading this book, but I was busy. Anyways I really liked this book. It is one of those books where you either love it or you hate it. The plot wasn't that original, but the world was. The characters were good, and the way the author depicted the world was great! Clary really brings the reader into the story. She is sweet and kinda naive. All she wants to do is find her mother. I liked her relationship with her best friend Simon. Though Simon was kinda  a boring character. There wasn't really anything unique about him. I did feel sorry for him. Jace was another good character. He was overprotective, strong, and annoying at times. Jace and Clary were the main reasons I liked this book. Not that I didn't like the storyline it's just that similar storys have been done before. Isabelle, at first I liked her. She was nice and helpful. Then I didn't like her, she acted like a jealous brat, and then I liked her again. It was like the author couldn't decide wether or not Isabelle would be a friend or an enemy. Not that I didn't like this. It wasn't a big deal, I really didn't mind it. Alec in the end was nice, kinda. I really didn't like him at first. He was an asshat. He was rude and openly mean to Clary, when she had done nothing to make him hate her, at least at first.The things that made this book were, the characters, the storyline, and the overall writing. Some might say that the writing was bad and all that, but I really don't think so. Plus remember this is my own opinion and you don't have to agree with me. I really look forward to getting around to reading the next books in this series. I will have high expectations for them. Also I can't say that you would like it if you read it, but there is a pretty good possibility. 


Rating: B


Notable/ Funny Quotes:
"Have you fallen in love with the wrong person yet?'
Jace said, "Unfortunately, Lady of the Haven, my one true love remains myself."
..."At least," she said, "you don't have to worry about rejection, Jace Wayland."
"Not necessarily. I turn myself down occasionally, just to keep it interesting." 



"Is this the part where you start tearing off strips of your shirt to bind my wounds?"
"If you wanted me to rip my clothes off, you should have just asked." 



"Don't touch any of my weapons without my permission."
"Well, there goes my plan for selling them all on eBay," Clary muttered.
"Selling them on what?"
Clary smiled blandly at him. "A mythical place of great magical power." 



"Do you remember back at the hotel when you promised that if we lived, you’d get dressed up in a nurse’s outfit and give me a sponge bath?" asked Jace.
"It was Simon who promised you the sponge bath."
"As soon as I’m back on my feet, handsome," said Simon.
"I knew we should have left you a rat." 



"Sarcasm is the last refuge of the imaginatively bankrupt." 


The Mortal Instruments:


City of Ashes 
2nd book of The Mortal Instruments series.

City of Glass
3rd book of The Mortal Instruments series.


City of Fallen Angels
4th book of The Mortal Instruments series. 
Comes out April 5th, 2011
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