Friday, January 10, 2014

2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge



Hey!

So This year I'm going to take part in the 2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge.
It's a really fun way to tackle the unread books on your shelf. Read more about the challenge here.
My goal is to read between 11-20 books.

Do you plan on joining? If so, what is your goal?


Happy Reading!

Sunday, January 5, 2014

The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason


Title: The Clockwork Scarab

By: Colleen Gleason
Publication Date: August 16th 2013
Genre: YA, Mythology, Historical Fiction, Romance, Sci-Fi
Summary: Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes never meant to get into the family business. But when you’re the sister of Bram and the niece of Sherlock, vampire hunting and mystery solving are in your blood. And when two society girls go missing, there’s no one more qualified to investigate.
Now fierce Evaline and logical Mina must resolve their rivalry, navigate the advances of not just one but three mysterious gentlemen, and solve murder with only one clue: a strange Egyptian scarab. The stakes are high. If Stoker and Holmes don’t unravel why the belles of London society are in such danger, they’ll become the next victims.

My Review: If there was one book that had it all, this would be it. This has something that anyone and everyone could enjoy. It's got mystery, steampunk, a splash of romance, and a bit of the paranormal! I honestly didn't think I would like it, but I did! It was fun to read and had me guessing. Bringing a Stoker and a Holmes together was a brilliant idea. These two girls are awesome separate but together they make a kick butt team!
I was worried about the ending. I thought it was going to be wrapped up but didn't know how because there was nearly 20 pages left. I completely forgot that this was a part of a series. I was so mad when it ended where it did! There's no news for the second one, or at least on Goodreads there isn't. 
I'd give this one a 4.5/5 stars.

Happy Reading!


Saturday, January 4, 2014

Vitro by Jessica Khoury Contest

Hey! Do any of you want to win free prizes and maybe a chance to win even bigger prizes? Well then head over to http://www.corpusnetwork.com!

It's fun and you have a week to do it!





Happy Reading!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Happy New Year's!

Happy New Year's everyone! Where I live, the first day of the the new year is almost over. It's kind of weird to think that 2013 is done and over. It went by so fast! 
Like the new background? I got a couple of my favorite books that came out in 2013 and used them as a background. There are some books though that I didn't use. But here are the top five that I didn't include that were not published in 2013 but were read for the first time during the year:

By: Sara Walsh
Summary: Mysterious lights have flickered above Crownsville for as long as Mia can remember. And as far as she's concerned, that's about the only interesting thing to happen in her small town. That is, until Sol arrives. Mia's not one to fall for just any guy, but she can't get Sol or the brilliant tattoo on his back out of her mind. Then Mia's brother goes missing, and Mia's convinced that Sol knows more than he's sharing. But getting closer to Sol means reevaluating everything Mia once believed to be true. Because Sol's not who Mia thought he was and neither is she.




By: Rinsai Rossetti
Summary: Controlled by her father and bound by desert, Frenenqer Paje’s life is tediously the same, until a small act of rebellion explodes her world and she meets a boy, but not just a boy--a Free person, a winged person, a shape-shifter. He has everything Frenenqer doesn’t. No family, no attachments, no rules. At night, he flies them to the far-flung places of their childhoods to retrace their pasts. But when the delicate balance of their friendship threatens to rupture into something more, Frenenqer must confront her isolation, her father, and her very sense of identity, breaking all the rules of her life to become free.


By: Satcy Kramer and Valerie Thomas
Summary: KYLIE: Mexico? What a nightmare! I should be putting the finishing touches on my valedictorian speech. Graduation is TODAY! Wait! Is this a wedding band on my finger??
MAX: It started with Kylie's laptop and a truck full of stolen electronics and it ended in Ensenada. It was hot, the way she broke us out like some chick in an action movie. But now we're stranded here, with less than twenty-four hours before graduation.
WILL: Saving Kylie Flores from herself is kind of a full-time occupation. Luckily, I, Will Bixby, was born for the job. And when I found out she was stuck in Mexico with dreamy Max Langston, sure, I agreed to bring their passports across the border but there's no reason to rush back home right away. This party is just getting started.


LILY: This cannot be happening. It's like some cruel joke. Or a bad dream. I close my eyes and when I reopen them, they're still there. Max and Kylie Flores, freak of the century. In bed together. If Kylie thinks I'm giving him up without a fight, she's dead wrong.



By: Keira Cass
Summary: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.


By: Suzanne Selfors
Summary: Emmeline Thistle, a dirt-scratcher's daughter, has escaped death twice-first, on the night she was born, and second, on the day her entire village was swept away by flood. Left with nothing and no one, Emmeline discovers her rare and mysterious ability-she can churn milk into chocolate, a delicacy more precious than gold.
Suddenly, the most unwanted girl in Anglund finds herself desired by all. But Emmeline only wants one-Owen Oak, a dairyman's son, whose slow smiles and lingering glances once tempted her to believe she might someday be loved for herself. But others will stop at nothing to use her gift for their own gains-no matter what the cost to Emmeline. 
Magic and romance entwine in this fantastical world where true love and chocolate conquer all.



There are tons of people out there who make lists of things that they promise themselves to do in the new year. This year I came up with a list filled with bookish goals. Here they are:
1. Beat 2013's book count (Over 104)
2. Read and complete Lord of the Rings trilogy
3. Reread Harry Potter
4. Buy and complete all of my incomplete series on my bookshelf
5. Read a classic
6. Read or reread books before seeing them in movie form

Have a good year and happy reading!

Thursday, December 26, 2013

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead


Title: The Fiery Heart
Author: Richelle Mead
Publication date: November 19,2013
Summary:Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.
In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .
But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure — and re-education — looms larger than ever.
Pulses will race throughout this smoldering fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

My review: It seems with with Richelle Mead I like to take to my time with reading her her books. It took me at least three days to read it. And it was a really good three days! 


The stuff that I loved:

1.) I love all the things Sydney does. I found it amazing how she was able to make potions to help former alchemists and vampires.
2.) Jill and Eddie!!! I've shipped them since Bloodlines. They finally moved a step forward! Kind of... I can't wait to see more of them in Silver Shadows!
3.) We get to see more spirit. I liked that we get to see more of how spirit effects the users. It's pretty scary. But I loved that I got to explore it more.
4.) Sydney's strength. The end when she says what she says! I was concerned and all "You tell them, Sydney!" at the same time.
5.) The love! Adrian! And Sydney! 

I loved the book. It was enjoyable and Adrian was lovely as ever. I'm eager to get the next book and see what happens!

I'd give the book 4.5/5 stars!

Happy Reading!


P.S. Did you see the cover Silver Shadows? This has to be the only cover in the series that I don't like. I don't like the grey background. But I'll give them credit for using the same models, unlike the Vampire Academy series.



Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Fault Line by C. Desir


Title: Fault Line
Author: C. Desir
Publication Date: October 15, 2013
Summary: Ben could date anyone he wants, but he only has eyes for the new girl — sarcastic free-spirit, Ani. Luckily for Ben, Ani wants him too. She’s everything Ben could ever imagine. Everything he could ever want.

But that all changes after the party. The one Ben misses. The one Ani goes to alone.
Now Ani isn’t the girl she used to be, and Ben can’t sort out the truth from the lies. What really happened, and who is to blame?
Ben wants to help her, but she refuses to be helped. The more she pushes Ben away, the more he wonders if there’s anything he can do to save the girl he loves.


My review: Ellen Hopkins did a review for this book and she said that is a necessary read for every teen, boy or girl. I absolutely, 100% agree with her. This book is one that everyone should read. It shows how rape can effect people, and in many different ways. But the main effect shown in this book is promiscuity. It kind of reminded me of Kitty from Glee. Kind of. Ani takes it to a whole new level.
I think Desir did a wonderful job with presenting this kind of abuse. She made it believable with her characters. The only thing is, I wish that there was more of an ending. (Spoilers!) I wanted to see if Ani properly healed. And if Ben would've stuck by her, if not as a boyfriend, than as a friend. 
I would give this book a 4.5/5 stars.

If you read this one I also suggest Easy by Tammara Webber.


Happy Reading!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn


Title: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares
Authors: David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
Publication Date: October 26, 2010
Genre: YA, Romance, Contemporary
Summary: “I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”
So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

My review: For some reason I found this book in the Junior's section over in my library. I don't really think that this book is really appropriate for 10 to 12 year olds. But either way I enjoyed this book fully. This book was absolutely adorable and so funny! I loved the humor and the writing. You could definitely tell the difference between the characters.I think that this is the perfect December/Holiday book. It's filled with hilarious scenes and cute moments. I definitely recommend this book!

I would give this 5 out 5 stars!

Happy Reading!