Tuesday, 31 July 2012

Stacking the Shelves [2]

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by TYNGA'S REVIEWS and it showcases the new books received!

This week I had a medium size haul, all bought by me as a birthday present to myself! Here they are!

In this haul we have:

The Book of Love by Kathleen McGowan

Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough

13 by Kelley Armstrong

Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

The funny thing about this haul is that I went into my local Chapters to buy Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard, and of course they did not have it, so what did I do? I bought 5 more books instead!

Happy Reading!

The Wishing Spell (Land of Stories #1)

Title: The Wishing Spell
Author: Chris Colfer
Series: The Land of Stories
Format: Hardcover, 438 pages
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Fairy Tales
Publication Date: July 17, 2012
Published By: Little Brown Young Readers
Rating: 4/5

Goodreads Synopsis:
Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairytales.

The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about.

But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought.

My Thoughts:
I am usually a little hesitant when it comes to reading book put out by celebrities, especially fiction. But I am a sucker for anything that has to do with Fairy Tales and Chris Colfer came up with an interesting take on the beloved tales we know so well.

Because this book is geared toward the middle grade age group, some of my critiques have to do with the writing style. Although the story itself was fantastic and original, i found that, at times, the writing was repetitive, and stating the obvious. In Middle Grade fiction many think it is okay to state the obvious because the readers might be able to read between the lines, but I have to say that that is not true. Many young readers are better at interpreting books than most adults. The writing style is my only complaint for this book, and i know that because this is Chris' first novel, he will only get better with time. All authors do.

The two main characters, the twins Alex and Connor were great characters. They might have been a bit stereotypical when it comes to attitudes and personality, but that is what made it so much more enjoyable. Connor was the one that cracked all the jokes and Alex was the one that read into everything and tried to think logically. They fed off each other very well throughout the book and cause many hilarious scenes as well.

My favorite part of the entire book was probably the concept itself. We get to see what happened after the Happily Ever After's that we all read about when we were kids. This story is like a continuation of the stories we know so well, and I have to say that I loved getting to see what happened after the stories ended. Great Middle Grade read!

Insignia

Title: Insignia
Author: S.J. Kincaid
Series: Insignia #1
Format: Hardcover, 444 pages
Genre: YA, Science Fiction
Publication Date: July 10, 2012
Published By: HarperCollins Canada, Katherine Tegen Books
Rating: 3/5

Goodreads Synopsis:
More than anything, Tom Raines wants to be important, though his shadowy life is anything but that. For years, Tom’s drifted from casino to casino with his unlucky gambler of a dad, gaming for their survival. Keeping a roof over their heads depends on a careful combination of skill, luck, con artistry, and staying invisible.

Then one day, Tom stops being invisible. Someone’s been watching his virtual-reality prowess, and he’s offered the incredible—a place at the Pentagonal Spire, an elite military academy. There, Tom’s instincts for combat will be put to the test, and if he passes, he’ll become a member of the Intrasolar Forces, helping to lead his country to victory in World War Three. Finally, he’ll be someone important: a superhuman war machine with the tech skills that every virtual-reality warrior dreams of. Life at the Spire holds everything that Tom’s always wanted—friends, the possibility of a girlfriend, and a life where his every action matters—but what will it cost him?

Gripping and provocative, S. J. Kincaid’s futuristic thrill ride of a debut crackles with memorable characters, tremendous wit, and a vision of the future that asks startling, timely questions about the melding of humanity and technology.

My Thoughts:
I had heard many good things about this book over Social Media, and I went in with high expectations. And I think that was the issue with me not liking this book as much as I wanted. I heard many people describe it as having Harry Potter elements with a dash of Divergent. The divergent comparison was spot on, the suspense and conflict with authority was all there, but the Harry Potter thing is still wracking my brain. Maybe the cast of characters are very much like those from Harry Potter, and the more I think about it, the more I believe this is only way to compare the two novels.

There was a lot of explaining in this book, a lot of technical elements that were beyond my understanding, and really it wasn't my cup of tea. I am not opposed to Science Fiction as a genre, but when my brain starts to get confused when it comes to the ins and outs of the world that is created, I lose interest. I am not saying I hated this book, It is far from that. Although the technical side of things left me a little standoffish, the characters made up for all of that. Their chemistry was absolutely brilliant and I loved their friendly banter that was extremely natural and left me laughing out loud in some parts.

The conflict, at times, was awesome and fast paced. But I felt a little disappointed at the ending and felt like I wanted a little more action. But I feel like the next installment will have more, and will delve more into the interesting character changes we encountered at the end of the novel.

The Calling

Title: The Calling
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Darkness Rising #2
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Format: Hardcover, 326 Pages
Publication Date: April 10, 2012
Published By: HarperCollins, Random House of Canada
Rating: 4/5

Goodreads Synopsis:
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.

My Thoughts:
What I love most about Kelley's writing, especially during a series, is her ability to describe previous events just enough for the reader to remember them, without overpowering the new story. It had been over a year since I had read the Gathering, the first in the Darkness Rising series, and I have to admit that I was a little hazy on the details. But Kelley took the time to remind her readers of the events that happened in the previous book, and I am very grateful for that.

This books starts off with a bang and doesn't stop from there. We are filled with anxiety and fear throughout the novel, and the end doesn't let up at all. I was left to wonder and wait for the next book to come out. I am truely in awe of Kelley's ability to create a world that is so similar to our own, yet that houses elements beyond our imagination.

I first fell in love with Kelley's first YA series after reading her adult novels. And I have to say that she has a talent of melding books together in the smallest ways that it takes the reader a moment to understand what is going on. I had heard that Kelley was trying to think this series with her previous, and in the Calling we get a glimpse at how this might happen. There are hints here and there about the Cabals and Davenport etc. But I will very interested in how she melds the two series together.

I loved this book from beginning to end. The writing was top quality and the chemistry between characters is absolutely amazing. I was a little disappointed at the lack of romance in this novel, but in the end I understood the reasoning behind it. Please read this series, and if you can read her first YA series first...I feel like it will add an extra understanding to the little details spread out across the novel. Thank you Kelley for writing yet another amazing book that leaves me wanting even more.

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves started at Tynag's Reviews and is all about sharing books that you have bought or received or borrowed!

Bought for possible review:

Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen

Anna Dresses in Blood by Kendare Blake

The Wishing Well (Land of Stories #1) by Chris Colfer

This is not a Test by Courtney Summers

From Publisher for Review:

From HarperCollins Canada

Crown of Ember by Rea Carson

Taken by Erin Bowman

Breathe by Sarah Crosson

Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza

Mind Games by Kiersten White

Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum

Indiscretion by Charles Dubow

What goodies did you get this week?

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, it highlights upcoming books that we cannot wait to read!

This weeks Waiting on Wednesday is...

Title: Ten
Author: Gretchen McNeil
Publication Date: September 18th, 2012

Goodreads blurb:
And their doom comes swiftly.

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

Why I am excited
I am all about creepy, trill ride kind of fiction because it always keeps you on your toes and at the edge of your seat. And when I heard of this book I knew that it was exactly what I love in a thriller novel. I can't believe I have to wait until September but I have a feeling it will be worth the wait :)

Repost of Starling Review + Giveaway!

Title: Starling
Series: Starling #1
Author: Lesley Livingston
Genre: YA, Mythology, Suspense
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Publication Date: August 28th, 2012
Published By: HarperCollins Canada, Harper Teen
Source: ARC received for review
Rating: 4/5

Goodreads Synopsis:
"Love is just the beginning... of the end."

Mason Starling is a champion fencer for Gosforth Academy, but she’s never had to fight for her life. Until now. When a ferocious storm rips through Manhattan and unleashes terrifying creatures onto Gosforth’s campus, Mason barely escapes alive. Without help from the mysterious stranger who appeared in the midst of the storm, she might not have made it at all. But now, in the aftermath, Mason’s life begins to spin dramatically, mystically out of control, and the only one who seems able to help her is the stranger who can remember nothing but his name: Fennrys Wolf.

As Mason and Fenn uncover more about Fenn’s past and the strange events that surround them, they realize that Mason’s family — and its dark allegiance to the ancient Norse gods — is at the center of everything. A predetermined fate seems to be closing in on Mason, but is it possible to change one’s destiny?

Readers who fell in love with Lesley Livingston’s Wondrous Strange trilogy and those who love Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series will be captivated by the sweeping romance and pulse-pounding action of Starling.

My Thoughts:
I remember when I first met Lesley, at the time I was working at Chapters and she arrived with Aprilynne Pike and Kim Harrison in tow. All three of these authors were touring and promoting their upcoming books. What struck me most about their visit was how outgoing Lesley was, even in comparison to Kim Harrison, who has many a book published in comparison. Lesley was sociable and quirky in a way that made you want to read her books.

I have read Lesley’s Wondrous Strange trilogy, which is very good, but I have to say that Starling, her fourth YA novel, is her best yet. Lesley delves deep into the genre of Myth and its many forms, making it impossible for the reader to determine where she will go next. Not only does she take reference from Norse Mythology but also Greek and some Egyptian Mythology as well. It is this combination that gives greater dimension to her story.

In Starling, we follow a young girl named Mason Starling, a champion fencer whose future rests on making it onto the National Team. When a freak storm strikes one night during practice Mason’s whole world changes forever. A mysterious boy seemingly appears out of nowhere and Mason can’t seem to get him out of her head. She soon finds out that this boy, Fennery’s Wolf, cannot remember a thing about himself; only his name. Mason, feeling a strong connection between them, takes it upon herself to help Fennery’s Wolf figure out his past. But what Mason doesn’t realize is that his past could break apart every fabric of reality she has ever known.

I am a sucker for Greek myth—actually myth in general and Lesley has created a world so realistic that it makes you wonder if it is at all possible. Her personality is visible through every world and it makes for a wonderfully sarcastic and witty piece of writing. I believe that Lesley has found her niche in this book; she has so much knowledge of Myth and takes such inspiration from these stories that it is possible that she could create a series even better than Wondrous Strange. Please read this book, you will not be disappointed.

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
I am giving away 1 ARC of Lesley Livingston's new YA Novel Starling! Open to US/CAD Only please! Thanks and Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shadow and Bone

Title: Shadow and Bone

Series: The Grisha Trilogy #1)

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Genre: YA, Suspense, Fantasy

Format: Hardcover, 358 pages

Publication Date: June 5, 2012

Published by: Henry Holt and Company, Simon and Schuster Canada

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads Synopsis:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

My Thoughts:

I didn't really know what to expect when I opened this book, the cover was gorgeous and I had heard so many good things on Twitter about it, but still, I was hesitant at reading it. I am always reluctant to give into the hype of a book, because I hate to not like it when so many others love it. But in this instance, I'm glad that didn't happen. I absolutely loved this book.

It contained every element that I love in a novel, suspense, romance, beautiful writing and the element of surprise. Like many others I thought this book was absolutely fantastic. Not only is the protagonist a strong and independant female, but she also has a very distinct voice that travels throughout the entire book. At times I did find the names to be distracting because they were Russian and a lit hard to pronounce, but once you get into the heart of the book, the names seem to disappear and all you care about are the characters.

The romance. I have to talk about the romance. It was extremely well developed and not over written. I felt that the emotions were real on every level and I even caught myself falling for the one guy along with the main character. The romance was real and believable and I can't wait to see how it develops in the second book.

The imagination that went into this extravagant world building was amazing. It was unlike anything I have read in a long time, there were elements of Dystopia with a sprinkling of Lord of the Rings. It was quite fantastic. I would recommend this book to everyone that loves a good suspenseful read, and loves magical worlds and a good solid romance that tears at your heartstrings.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)

Liebster Blog Award!

I am shocked and honored hat I have been nominated for the Liebster Blog Award! to be honest, before I was nominated I did not know this award existed, BUT I am soo pleased that The Young Book Collectors Blog nomintaed me!

The Liebster Award is given to upcoming Bloggers that have fewer than 200 followers

Here are the rules:

1.) The person who's nominated must post eleven facts about themselves.

2.) Answer the eleven questions the tagger (the nominator) has given you.

3.) Choose eleven people and link them on your blog post.

4.) Create eleven questions for the people you tagged (nominated).

5.) Tell them you've tagged them on their blog.

6.) No tag backs !

Eleven Fact about me:

1. I will be 23 on July 27 of this year

2. I love everything book related

3. I went to school for Publsihing and Creative Writing

4. I am deathly affraid of fish

5. I recently got engaged in Paris

6. I am addicted to Vampire Diaries(the show not the books)

7. I love sports (expect maybe soccor)

8. I love to read and watch TV at the same time

9. I am addicted to Twitter

10. I love music, any genre

11. I have 4 tattoos

Eleven Questions From The Young Book Collectors Blog:

1.) What's your favorite literacy genre and why do you like it?

In the last few years I have been addicted to YA. I dont really know what started me on my obsession, but Its still going strong. I love that in YA you can delve into so many different genres, and different characters, yet the same fundametal ideas appear in most all YA novels. There is so much diversity that I just can't seem to get enough!

2.) What annoys you the most when your reading a story?
I think the one thing that annoys me the most would be when an author tries to pound information into me while im reading. I am one for subtlety so when I am barbarded with the same information on a continuing basis, i get really annoyed.

3.) Explain, what is the number one book, you would read all over again?
My number one book I would read all over again? There are so many I could chose from, but I think I would have to pick Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The reason? Well for one, I grew up with Harry Potter and that series was unlike anything I had read previous, but also because this book is my all time favorite. This is the turning point in the series, where things start t get darker and more sinsiter, which made for a very good book.

4.) Who's your favorite author (or poet) of all time, and why do you think others should read their work?
Since I am a YA nut, I will stick with that theme and say Cassandra Clare. Why? Because her imagination has no end, and the characters she build are so complex and in depth that sometime I wonder if they are in fact real. Her writing is amazing and she has a knack for sexual tension that I have yet to see from another YA author.

5.) If you could be any character from one of your favorite books who would it be? Why?
This is a tough question because there are so many great characters out there in books today, but if I had to chose I would probably pick Nora from Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush Hush series. The reason I chose Nora was because she is a very likable character and she is strong willed and very independent. A very good model for young girls out there. And plus, she gets to make out with Patch...how wouldn't like that?

6.) What attracts you to reading a book? Is it the cover or merrily because the plot sounded interesting itself?
I have to say a little bit of both. I am very interested in what the cover looks like and I will admit that I do judge a book by its cover. BUT I also read the blurb on the back of the book as well, an even if the cover is less than satisfactory for me, I will still be intrigued and pick up the book.

7.) What made you start blogging in the first place?
My love for books. All I ever wanted to do was get my opinions out there for everyone to see. I love to write, and reviews seemed like a good way for me to express my opinions in a creative way. I also wanted to connect with more bloggers and book lovers so that we could discuss our favorite books.

8.) What book, author, or poet do you find influential?
I have always loved Walt Whitman, ever since I was a little girl, so I find his poetry and his imagery to be very inspiring. I always find that poetry is a good place to start, especially if you are looking for inspiration.

9.) What book are you looking forward to reading next year?
There are many books that I am looking forward to reading next year. My TBR list for 2013 is HUGE, but if I had to choose I would say Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi. It sounds amazing!

10.) If you could publish a book what would it be about, and what would you want the reader to get from it?
I would probably gravitate towards the YA genre, just because it is what I am most familair with, and my book would have to have an element of Mythology to it, whether it be greek, roman or norse, it doesnt matter. I just love all kinds of Mythological tales, and I would want to express that through my writing.

11.) Now, what if your published book was to be turned into a movie? Would you go for it? Even though the settings within your story might drastically changed on scene?

I would only go for it if Iwould have some say in what goes on within the production. I would never allow my vision be tampered by hollywood, that is not my style. If they allowed me to be in on some of teh casting and set etc. I wouldn't think twice about doing a movie.

Conversations of a Reading Addict Nominated:

1. Just a Lil Lost

2.Moonstar's Fantasy World

3.Moonlight Beauty Books

4. Starlet Reviews

5. Spunky Reviews

6. YA Books Beyond the Cover

7. Sated Faery

8. Paranormally Romanced

9. Leah Boos Books

10. Excellent Reads

11. DeLibrarie

Eleven questions for my Nominees:
1. Who is your favorite character from a book and why?
2. Is there a series out there that you wished was longer? and why.
3. Do you judge books by their cover?
4. Do you have an author that you look up to, or are inspired by?
5. Have you ever wished to be a writer? if yes, why?
6. what is your favorite scene from a book you read recently?
7. How long have you been blogging, and why did you start?
8. What do you like better, Hardcovers or Paperbacks?
9. Do you have a favorite guy character from a book? why is he your favorite?
10. Are you for or opposed to the love triangle plot line?
11. Who is your favorite author or all time?

Waiting on Wednesday!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, it highlights upcoming books that we cannot wait to read!

This weeks Waiting on Wednesday is...

      Title: Finale
      Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
      Publication Date: October 23, 2012

From Goodreads:
Fates unfurl in the gripping conclusion to the "New York Times" bestselling Hush, Hush saga. Nora is more certain than ever that she is in love with Patch. Fallen Angel or no, he is the one for her. Her heritage and destiny may mean that they will always be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him. And yet their biggest challenge lies ahead. Can their love survive a seemingly insurmountable divide? The lines are drawn, but it's unclear which sides have been taken. And in the end, will there be enough trust left to rebuild what has been broken?

Appropriately titled, Finale is the forth and final book in the Hush Hush series written by the amazingly talented Becca Fitpatcrick. I remember when I first cam across Hush Hush while I was working at Indigo and I wondered if I would like it. The cover was gorgeous, and the premise seemed intriguing. So I bought it and I fell in love within the first couple of pages. Becca's writing is nothing short of amazing, she has a way to pull readers in and keep them engrossed for hundreds of pages. Norah and Patch's relationship is a union that I love so much. As a reader, I can feel their connection through every page, and the series just got better and better with each book. I am sad to see this series end, but I can't wait to get my hands on this so I can read them all in order and swoon over Patch ;)

Visit Becca's Blog here
Follow her on Twitter here

Most Wanted in July!

Here are my most wanted books of July. These books are all released at some point this month and I think that they will all be fantastic reads and I cannot wait to get my hands on them and tell you guys what I think! So without further ado! Here they are:

1. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard (Harpercollins Canada, HarperTeen)
The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

Sounds amazing. It releases July 24th, mark your calendars!

2. Endlessley by Kiersten White (HarperCollins Canada, HarperTeen)
Evie's paranormal past keeps coming back to haunt her. A new director at the International Paranormal Containment Agency wants to drag her back to headquarters. The Dark Faerie Queen is torturing humans in her poisonous realm. And supernatural creatures keep insisting that Evie is the only one who can save them from a mysterious, perilous fate.

The clock is ticking on the entire paranormal world. And its fate rests solely in Evie's hands.

So much for normal.

I have loved the previous two books in this series, and Endlessly releases on July 24th! Can't wait!

3. Cold Fury by T.M Goeglein (Putnam Juvenile)
Jason Bourne meets The Sopranos in this breathtaking adventure

Sara Jane Rispoli is a normal sixteen-year-old coping with school and a budding romance--until her parents and brother are kidnapped and she discovers her family is deeply embedded in the Chicago Outfit (aka the mob).

Now on the run from a masked assassin, rogue cops and her turncoat uncle, Sara Jane is chased and attacked at every turn, fighting back with cold fury as she searches for her family. It's a quest that takes her through concealed doors and forgotten speakeasies--a city hiding in plain sight. Though armed with a .45 and 96K in cash, an old tattered notebook might be her best defense--hidden in its pages the secret to "ultimate power." It's why she's being pursued, why her family was taken, and could be the key to saving all of their lives.

Action packed, with fresh, cinematic writing, Cold Fury is a riveting and imaginative adventure readers will devour.

This books sounds very interesting considering that it is comp'd to The Bourne series and the Sopranos. But nevertheless I can't wait to read it. It also releases in July 24th!

4. Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield (Dutton Juvenile)
An arresting un-coming-of-age story, from a breathtaking talent

Becca has always longed to break free from her small, backwater hometown. But the discovery of an unidentified dead girl on the side of a dirt road sends the town--and Becca--into a tailspin. Unable to make sense of the violence of the outside world creeping into her backyard, Becca finds herself retreating inward, paralyzed from moving forward for the first time in her life.

Short chapters detailing the last days of Amelia Anne Richardson's life are intercut with Becca's own summer as the parallel stories of two young women struggling with self-identity and relationships on the edge twist the reader closer and closer to the truth about Amelia's death.

This book sounds amazing and the cover is just gorgeous! It released in July 5th so i you are interested go and get it now!!!!

5. The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee (Bloomsbury)
Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother.

After a suicide attempt, and now her parents' separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home, undaunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom. At school, her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there. But when a reckless séance goes awry, and terrible things start happening to her new friends—yet not to her—Rinn is determined to find out why she can’t be "touched" by Annaliese...or if Annaliese even exists.

With the help of Nate Brenner, the hunky “farmer boy” she’s rapidly falling for, Rinn devises a dangerous plan to uncover the truth. Soon reality and fantasy meld into one, till Rinn finds it nearly impossible to tell the difference. When a malevolent force threatens the lives of everyone she cares about--not to mention her own--she can't help wondering: who should she really be afraid of?

Annaliese? Or herself?

The emotions in this book seem palpable even by just reading the blurb. Sounds like a must read to me! It releases on July 17th, I know I will be in line to get it when it hits the shelves!

6. Once by Anna Carey (HarperCollins Canada, HarperTeen)
When you're being hunted, who can you trust?

For the first time since she escaped from her school many months ago, Eve can sleep soundly. She's living in Califia, a haven for women, protected from the terrifying fate that awaits orphaned girls in The New America.

But her safety came at a price: She was forced to abandon Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. When Eve gets word that Caleb is in trouble, she sets out into the wild again to rescue him, only to be captured and brought to the City of Sand, the capital of The New America.

Trapped inside the City walls, Eve uncovers a shocking secret about her past--and is forced to confront the harsh reality of her future. When she discovers Caleb is alive, Eve attempts to flee her prison so they can be together--but the consequences could be deadly. She must make a desperate choice to save the ones she loves . . . or risk losing Caleb forever.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book from HarperCollins Canada(Thank You!) and was blown away. The quality of writing and plot structure was amazing. Once was released on July 3rd and you should all read it, or better yet, start with Eve! Its is amazing too!

7. Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols (Simon & Schuster)
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

I love a good love triangle, and this book seems like it would deliver. It goes on sale July 10th!

8. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson (HarperCollins Canada, HarperTeen)
Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair. . . .

Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything—her family, her future—to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

I was lucky enough to read this in ARC format, and I have to saw that i enjoyed the read. It was an inventive way of looking into the lives of Tiger Lily and Tinkerbell from Peter Pan. Tiger Lily went on sale July 3rd! The cover is gorgeous and so is the writing!

There are my pick for July! What are some of the books you are looking forward to reading this month? Let me know!

FURY GIVEAWAY!

recently saw the new cover of Elizabeth Miles' new novel Envy, which by the way is gorgeous! Just take a look:

In honor of its pending release and the release of the Paperback Editon of Fury, releasing August 21, 2012 I have decided to give away a hardcover, first editon of Fury.

Sometimes sorry is not enough...

Em loves the winter holidays. And this year, things are really looking up: the guy she's been into for months has finally noticed her. But if she starts something with him, there's no turning back. Because he's going out with her best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase's home life is stressful and his social life's unravelling. But that's nothing compared to what's really haunting him. For Chase has done something cruel -- something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it's only a matter of time before he's exposed.

Mistakes can be deadly.
And three beautiful, mysterious girls are about to make them pay...

I have always been a fan of mythological based novels, especially YA. There is something about the way a story from the past can be retold and retold into different versions and yet can still be seen as unique and in a league of its own. Mythology is something grabs at the imagination, and leads readers to read more and more. So hopefully you enjoy enjoy Fury, and good luck

Fury, Hardcover Edition

Fury, Paperback Edition

Giveaway is open to Canadian residents only please, thanks. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Timepiece

Title: Timepiece

Series: Hourglass #2

Author: Myra McEntire

Genre: YA, Time Travel, Suspense

Format: Hardcover, 336 pages

Publication Date: June 12, 2012

Published by: Random House Canada, Egmont USA

I was a little hesitant when reading this book because of the change in character perspective. I got so attached to Emerson when I read Hourglass last year, and when I found out that Timepiece was from the perspective of Kaleb, my excitement kind of dwindled a little bit, because I wanted so much to read Emerson and Micheal's relationship blossom. Nevertheless I knew I loved Hourglass so I dove in, and I have to say I was really surprised. Not only did the change in perspective change the way I saw Kaleb, but it changed the way I looked at all of the characters within the book.

If you are not familiar with what Timepiece is about, here is the goodreads blurb:

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results.

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.

Timepiece sheds new light on Kaleb as a character. To be perfectly honest, I didn't really like Kaleb in Hourglass. I found him to be selfish, misogynistic and a man slut. But in Timepiece we get to see things from his point of view, and I loved it. Even though I loved Emerson as the protagonist, I really do think that Kaleb added extra depth into the world that Myra McEntire had previously created.

At times I found that the original Kaleb, from Hourglass emerged and I got a little annoyed at his snide, selfish comments. But I do think that that was done on purpose, to show that he is not perfect and that he is not like Micheal. I found that the comparison between the two men was palpable within Timepiece, not only were Kaleb's feelings for Emerson in the mix, but also his fierce competition with Michael for his fathers affections. I loved the rivalry and the way it played out.

Timepiece was a very solid and well written sequel that leaves you wanting more and more. I can't wait for the third installment to hit the shelves so I can find out which character we will get a glimpse of next, and what exactly happens to Kaleb and everyone in the Hourglass.