Monday, January 31, 2011

Gotta Go Grab (1)

The Gotta Go Grab trial went really well, so it will now be my official Monday post! :)

Here's another book that I need to go grab!


17 year-old Kelley Winslow doesn’t believe in Faeries. Not unless they’re the kind that you find in a theatre, spouting Shakespeare—the kind that Kelley so desperately wishes she could be: onstage, under lights, with a pair of sparkly wings strapped to her shoulders. But as the understudy in a two-bit, hopelessly off-off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, wishing is probably the closest she’s going to get to becoming a Faerie Queen. At least, that’s what she thinks... In this fun, urban fantasy, Kelley's off-stage life suddenly becomes as complicated as one of Shakespeare’s plot twists when a nighttime trip to Central Park holds more than meets the mortal eye.

I've heard so much about this book and I want to read it, but at the same time I'm reluctant because I'm not that big of a fairy fan.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Review: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins


Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

My Review

(spoilers may lie here)

I had no idea how much I had missed Sophie and her smart-mouth until I picked up Demonglass and fell back in love with the DEMON-tastic world Hawkins has so generously created!

The book starts out with the same mood as Hex Hall did, hilariousness personified, and it keeps that mood through the Oh-so-giggle-worthy middle and manages to end with it during the major show-down even with a serious situation weighing on pour Sophie's demon shoulders.

I loved the way Rachel took the characters to London yet still managed to get them into even more unmanageable mischief. Sophie's entourage provided some major LOL moments!

And the boys of Sophie's heart are too wonderful! And that doesn't mean that they're perfect because they're far from it! Both Cal and Archer keep their secrets, (Just spill 'em already!?!) that coupled with their not-so-perfectness, does in fact make them perfect. For me, it's really hard to decided which one is better because I love them both!

If you're looking for a book that will put a smile on your face, give you heart pounding romance, and keep you on your toes, then you should definitly go pick up Demonglass which hits stores March 1st! And perhaps Hex Hall if you haven't read the first book in the series yet.


*I received this book from Different Area Codes Book Tour, this in no way altered my opinion or review.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Monday, January 24, 2011

Gotta Go Grab: Trial

I'm debating on whether or not to start a new feature on my blog entitled, Gotta Go Grab. Basically once a week I'll make a post saying what book I need to go grab that's already been released.

So here it is:

Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber


Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend's Run is famous for them. She's used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend's Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.

Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who's from the wrong side of town. But she can't deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste's hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend's Run.

Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon.

Now, I know a lot of people didn't like this book, but I read the first seventy pages of it on the Dark Days facebook page and I liked what I read. I'm thinking that this book may be my guilty pleasure...

*Blurb taken from Goodreads.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare


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.


My Review:

(SPOILERS MAY LIE HERE)

I'll start by saying that I had never planned on actually reading this book. I had tried to read City of Bones by Cassandra Clare two times and I couldn't get through it so I figured that this book would be as hard to read as it. Boy was I WRONG!

Tessa was selfless. All she wanted to do was help her brother, and I admired that. Her strength, and not to mention the mystery of her origin, made me love this book.

Oh! I guess I should talk about the guys CA as well. Jem is sweet. His story is heartbreaking and his demeanor cute. But Will is giggle-behind-his-back swoon-worthy. His secret is maddening!!! You want to know what happened to him soooooo badly!

Now that I've read Clockwork Angel I'm going to try and read City of Bones again. I think I'll like it more after reading CA, and yes this review is short but I figured that a lot of people have already read it.



Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Quick Announcement Over Last Post

My last post about Afterlife was not a giveaway post, I'm sorry for the confusion. Courtney Allison Moulton was the one giving away a copy of Angelfire, not me. I wish I had enough money at this moment to buy both of these books for me and you, but sadly I'm broke. Sorry!!!

So if you want a signed HARDBACK copy of Angelfire, go here, to Courtney's blog.
So Sorry!!!


Monday, January 17, 2011

I'm Dying for Afterlife + Angelfire Giveaway

Afterlife by Claudia Gray

The fourth book in this electrifying vampire series has all the romance, suspense, and page-turning drama that have made Claudia Gray’s Evernight books runaway successes. Having become what they feared most, Bianca and Lucas face a terrifying new reality. They must return to Evernight Academy, Lucas as a vampire and Bianca as a wraith. But Lucas is haunted by demons, both personal and supernatural. Bianca must help him fight the evil inside him, combat the forces determined to drive them apart—and find the power to claim her destiny at last. Readers have fallen in love with Bianca and Lucas, and they will be thrilled to read this exciting conclusion to their romantic adventure.

I don't know about you, but I've been waiting for this book to come out for a solid year!!! If you're as desperate to get your hands on this baby as I am, convince me in the comments!

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***Quick Announcement Courtney Allison Moulton is giving away THREE signed HARDCOVER copies of Angelfire!


Just go HERE!!!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Vesper Review

Vesper (Deviants #1) by Jeff Sampson



Emily Webb is a geek. And she’s happy that way. Content hiding under hoodies and curling up to watch old horror flicks, she’s never been the kind of girl who sneaks out for midnight parties. And she’s definitely not the kind of girl who starts fights or flirts with other girls’ boyfriends. Until one night Emily finds herself doing exactly that . . . the same night one of her classmates—also named Emily—is found mysteriously murdered.


The thing is, Emily doesn’t know why she’s doing any of this. By day, she’s the same old boring Emily, but by night, she turns into a thrill seeker. With every nightfall, Emily gets wilder until it’s no longer just her personality that changes. Her body can do things it never could before: Emily is now strong, fast, and utterly fearless. And soon Emily realizes that she’s not just coming out of her shell . . . there’s something much bigger going on. Is she bewitched by the soul of the other, murdered Emily? Or is Emily Webb becoming something else entirely— something not human?


As Emily hunts for answers, she finds out that she’s not the only one this is happening to—some of her classmates are changing as well. Who is turning these teens into monsters—and how many people will they kill to get what they want?



My Review:

(spoilers may lie here)


I'll start by saying that this book was totally not what I was expecting. It has a plot twist that went beyond my thought process.

Emily who at first thinks she is possessed turns out to be a genetic freak, a werewolf. And while we're on the subject of Emily I'll talk about her... "geeky" characteristics? Supposedly Emily is a geek, but she never actually did anything geeky. She watches movies, big deal. A lot of people who aren't geeks watch movies. She wears baggy hoodies to hide up her body- that isn't hideous. I'm sorry to say that no girl would hide her body like that just because she was teased about having curves in elementary school.

The story just had too many twists and turns that didn't make sense. Why did Emily think she was possessed by Emily? Was there a movie that was like her situation, did she look it up online? No, it apparently just poofed into her head.

Okay, I know that this sounds like I'm totally dissing this book, but I'm not. I did like it. Stressing the LIKE. It was alright. Nothing special. Emily's friend (who's name I can't remember and I don't have the book to look it up because I received it from Different Area Codes Book Tours) was funny with her death stares, and her brother and his two-man band made me smile as well.

I recommend not buying this book, just wait until it comes to your local library or borrow it from a friend.

3/5


*I received this book from Different Area Codes Book Tours, this in no way altered my opinion.


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Unearthly Review


In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .


Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

My Review:

(MAY BE SPOILERS)

I'm gonna start with the fact that if you do not own this book, GO BUY IT NOW!!!! It is amazing!

This book is so beautiful, in looks and writing. The jacket is shiny and pretty while the writing is so flowy and lovely. I read this book in one sitting and I'm sooooo glad that I did.

At first I wasn't sure if I would like Clara, she seemed too awkward, but I quickly got over that. Her story is different from all other angel stories and her little brother is just too cute! (I had to put that in there.) She's strong yet shy and she makes smart choices.

And of course with any book nowadays there's a love triangle. Tucker is great. He's outdoorsy, smart, funny, and soooo lovable. (In case you haven't realized yet, I'm TEAM TUCKER.) While Christian is aloof and mysterious.

The only problem I had with this story was the last twenty to ten pages. They felt a little rushed to me.

I haven't heard anything about a sequel to this book, but you can bet that I'm going to be searching for info.

All in all I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it!!!!

5/5

Monday, January 10, 2011

Stylish Blogger Award



I received the Stylish Blogger Award from The Bookaholics Blog!


Here're the rules to receive this award:


1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!


Seven Things About ME:


1. My little sister just got her license so my parents are having us take turns driving and when she drives I get extremely stressed out!


2. I'm watching iCarly. (I usually watch it while I'm on my computer.)


3. I just filled out a job application to Subway.


4. It's snowing outside my house right now. (Guess that's not really about me, but it'll do...)


5. I went from 114 GFC followers to 174 in about a week.


6. My dog is a black golden retriever.


7. I'm trying to cut out soda from my list of beverages.


Yay! Info about me!



Blogs I am bestowing this award upon:


Congrats!!!!!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

The Reading Resolutions Giveaway



Time for another fabulous giveaway!!! Are you ready???


One winner will get to choose between these three books:

Blood of a Werewolf by T. Lynne Tolles

Check out my review here.

Ecstasy in Darkness by Gena Showalter

Awakened by Ednah Walters

The giveaway is U.S. only (sorry),

you must be a blog follower (left sidebar)

and you have to fill out this FORM.

Extra entries include:

*Subscribing to this blog by e-mail (left sidebar)

*Following my fellow blogger, Sara at her new blog.

If you have any questions e-mail me at oreo_93(at)hotmail(dot)com

Review: Blood of a Werewolf by T. Lynne Tolles

Blood of a Werewolf by T. Lynne Tolles

Darby O'Rielly is not your typical girl next door. She and her sister are ancestral witches, but have never been taught the art of their craft in an attempt to have the girls 'fit in' to their tiny community. When a dark stranger and his brother enter her life, love blooms and havoc ensues. For these two handsome brothers aren't just good looking, they are 'born vampires' of royal blood and they have hunters hot on their trail. When a Van Helsing wanna-be arrives and threatens Devon and Blake's immortal lives, Darby unleashes a deadly magic in order to save them. As vengeance for killing his hunter, our villain kidnaps, Rowan, Darby's sister and injects her with werewolf blood. Darby, Devon and Blake take a redeye to Maine to try and save her. A search then ensues to find a werewolf named Dean who isn't exceptionally friendly or eager to help friends of vampires. Will Rowan survive her transformation or will the werewolf blood wreak havoc on her body and kill her. You'll find out when you read this action packed urban fantasy romance novel yourself.

My Quick Review:

The boy-meets-girl-boy's-a-supernatural-creature scenerio is used here, and normally I wouldn't mind it, but it just felt weird with the two brothers and two sisters hook-up.

There were some surprising surprises that stole my curiosity, however! The werewolf twist kept me interested and the action was great and I'm glad that the sisters are strong characters.

This book is categorized under urban fantasy romance, however a lot of reviewers have said that teens can read it due to the very light mentions of sex and I agree.


*I received a copy of this book to review by the author, this in no way affected my opinion.

Click here to read Sara's review.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Nomansland Review

Nomansland by Lesley Hauge
Sometime in the future, a lonely, windswept island is populated solely by women. Among these women is a group of teenaged Trackers—expert equestrians and archers—whose job is to protect their shores from the enemy. The enemy, they’ve been told, is men. When these girls come upon a partially buried home from the distant past, they are fascinated by the strange objects—high-heeled shoes, teen magazines, make-up—found there. What are they to make of these mysterious things? And what does it mean for their strict society where friendship is forbidden and rules must be obeyed—at all costs?
My Review:
(may contain spoilers)
Honestly, this book could have been really good. I just had sooo much stuff going on with school, family and friends that I didn't really have time to read it all in one sitting. I would pick it up once every couple of days when I remembered it. So unless you have time read this book in less than one or two sittings, don't try it.
The book was actually good except for the fact that I couldn't remember what happened, but that was completely my fault. It isn't a book with a lot or perhaps any action depending upon how you define action. It's a book of thoughts, ideas.
The plot while predictable in some areas is very surprising in others. The world is frustrating, the people are clueless and it's a perfect example of a dystopian novel.
If you are looking for a dystopian novel, I encourage you to read this book just remember what I said earlier. I don't know if this book is going to have a sequel but the ending might have hinted at it, or it may be completely finished.
3.5/5

* I received a copy of this book from the author, this in no way affected my opinion.