Waiting on Wednesday [12]

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 week my pick is....

This week my pick is....

Gameboard of the Gods!

This is a Brand New series from the Bestselling Author Richelle Mead! I really can't wait to get my hands on this one. But without further ado here is the synopsis:

In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

 It looks like Richelle is moving towards the Dystopian genre, which is fine by me! This book sounds amazing and very interesting! It is slated for release on:

 June 4, 2013 

 

Let me know what you think and please link me to your WoW picks of the week!

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[Review] Dark Star

Title: Dark Star
Author: Bethany Frenette
Format: Hardcover, 368 pages
Genre: YA, Paranormal Fiction
Publication Date: October 23, 2012
Published by: Disney/Hyperion
Rating: 4/5

Purchase
Amazon | Chapters | Book Depository








Synopsis
Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. Her mother is the superhero Morning Star, the most deadly crime-fighter in the Twin Cities, so it's hard for Audrey not to feel safe. That is, until she's lured into the sweet night air by something human and not human--something with talons and teeth, and a wide, scarlet smile.
Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn't fight crime at night. She fights Harrowers--livid, merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Yet some have managed to escape. And they want Audrey dead, just because of who she is: one of the Kin.
To survive, Audrey will need to sharpen the powers she has always had. When she gets close to someone, dark corners of the person's memories become her own, and she sometimes even glimpses the future. If Audrey could only get close to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to discover the Harrowers' next move. But Leon, her mother's bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick, has other ideas. Lately, he won't let Audrey out of his sight.
When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving her herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything--and everyone--she loves.

My Thoughts
I will admit that I went into this book without reading the synopsis. I remember seeing it on a website that displayed upcoming releases and I fell in love with the cover. The female character presented screams independence and strength and I knew that I wanted to give this book a try, and I am so glad I did.  

The book starts off with a dream sequence that encompasses the tone of the entire novel. From the first page forward, you are sucked into this world full of super hero-like guardians and Demons. A world that I very much enjoyed reading, with its fast paced narrative and extremely witty dialogue.

The main character, Audry was such a great character to read. She was feisty and strong-willed when it came to protecting herself and her family. She has a quick wit and a great sense of humor that really comes through throughout the book. I loved hearing her interactions with characters that pushed her buttons and made her uncomfortable because they were hilarious and realistic. Her companions in this novel were just as great and just as realistic. Her mother was a very interesting character. Because she is Morning Star(the superhero) and is absent most of the time, it become extremely interesting when she tries to give orders to Audrey and make her believe that she knows whats best. I found that relationship to be the most interesting of the entire book, and I will say that I cannot wait for the next book to see where it goes.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, the story was original and the writing was very fun and exciting. It was fast-paced and thrilling and I loved every page. I really think that this series will go in interesting directions and I can't wait to see where it ends up!

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[Review] Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

Title: Finale
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Format: Hardcover, 488 pages
Genre: YA, Paranormal Fiction
Publication Date: October 23, 2012
Published by: Simon and Schuster
Series: Hush Hush #4
Rating: 4/5

Purchase
Amazon | Chapters | Book Depository







Synopsis
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 they are fated to be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him. Now Nora and Patch must gather their strength to face one last, perilous trial. Old enemies return, new enemies are made, and a friend's ultimate betrayal threatens the peace Patch and Nora so desperately want. The battle lines are drawn—but which sides are they on? And in the end, are there some obstacles even love can't conquer?

My Thoughts
I have religiously read every single Hush Hush book since the first one published over 3 years ago,and I have to say that I am quite sad that this series is ending. Over the years I have grown to love Nora and Patch and everyone in between. I went into this book without any expectations because I never know how a series will end, especially one as beloved as this one.

In this final installment we follow Nora and Patch as they try and fight the oncoming war between the Nephilim and Fallen Angels. It is up to her to lead this army or, according to the oath she swore, she and her mother will die.

There were many things I loved about this book, first is always Patch. He is an amazing character and defies perfection in some instances (which can lead to some to think that he is too perfect) but that doesn't bother me. Over the course of the four books we have seen some sides of Patch that are very selfish and all-consuming and I think he is far from perfect. But that is why he is so good for Nora, he adds a sense of adventure yet protects her at the same time. Its the perfect match.

The one area of the story that I did not like was Vee's story arc. I felt like it was forced and at times it felt like she was written in only because she was the best friend and nothing more. The secret that Vee reveals at the end of the book comes out of nowhere and I honestly didn't believe it to be plausible, it felt like a way to connect Vee to Nora once again because they didn't really have a best friend relationship in this books.

The story line was well crafted and I loved the twist at the end, I did not see it coming and I thought it added a good dimension to the story. There are many lovely scenes for all of those fans that love Patch and Nora, yet I was disappointed with the end. I will not say why because it will spoil the end, but lets just say I wanted more... in a good way :)


Overall I really enjoyed this book, it had romance, suspense and a little tragedy and was a great finish to the series. I am very sad that I will no longer be able to read another book about Nora and Patch, but I can just reread this series until I get enough :P

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Waiting on Wednesday [11]

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 week my pick is....

This week my pick is....

Days of Blood and Starlight!

 I absolutely LOVED the first book and can't wait for this one to hit shelves! Plus the cover is gorgeous! It is released November 6, 2012!

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[Excerpt] Swift by Heather London

 As part of the Swift Tour I am giving you an excerpt of the book!

Here is the excerpt for Swift!

Excerpt 1:

After a few seconds, I looked right and left and saw the street was deserted. Just as I was about to step off the curb, something caught my eye. Or should I say, someone. There on the opposite corner a guy was standing facing me. It was weird, because I could feel the stare that he held on me. My eyes drifted toward him, and when our eyes met, his stare did not waver in the least. A shiver ran down my spine when I realized that I did not recognize him either. He was tall, maybe six feet or so and had blonde hair. His athletic build reminded me of most of our football players at school. I couldn’t make out much more detail because of the distance separating us. Our eyes were locked together for a few seconds, only interrupted by the beeping of the crosswalk, letting me know it was my turn to cross. I shook my head as if to wake myself up from a dream, and without thinking twice about it, I stepped off the curb and into the street. And that’s when I heard it—the horrible sound of tires screeching, trying their hardest to stop. But by the time I looked to my right, it was too late. I couldn’t have moved out of the path of the car even if my frozen legs could’ve moved—there was just no time. The only thing I could do was shut my eyes tight, hope it would be quick, and pray the pain would be slight. Then everything went totally silent, so silent that I could hear my ears ringing and my heart pounding loud against my chest.

About a second later, a second past when I thought I would be road kill, I slightly opened my right eye and gasped at what I saw. The car was still in front of me, but it was moving in very slow motion. I mean, like molasses coming out of a bottle slow. Everything around me felt weird, different. I looked around, wondering if maybe the car had already hit me and this was just a cruel part of the afterlife or something, making me watch in slow motion how I died.

 

 

To purchase your copy of swift:

Amazon

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[Review] The Evolution of Mara Dyer

Title: The Evolution of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Format: Hardcover, 544 pages
Genre: YA, Paranormal Fiction
Publication Date: October 23, 2012
Published by: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Series: Mara Dyer #2
Rating: 4/5

Purchase
Amazon | Chapters | Book Depository










Synopsis
Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.

She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.

They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.

She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

My Thoughts
I have loved this series from the very beginning. The characters and the story resonated with me so much that I read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer twice last year. Evolution starts off with Mara in a Mental Institution and you can image the difficulties that she faces while there. No one belives that Jude is alive and to make matters worse, she feels like she is losing control of reality even more than before. Her only saviour is Noah, and it is his presence that guides her to the truth. 

First of all I want to address the idea of Noah. Many people say that it is wrong to fall in love with a character from a book, but I DO NOT CARE. He is the perfect guy for many girls, including me. He is sensitive when needed, caring at the right moments and of course he is not hard on the eyes. But what I really loved was the way he dealt with Mara and her condition. He was so sweet that you couldn't help but fall for him just like Mara did. 

The story itself was amazing and well done, it was believable and made me (figuratively) sit at the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. I loved Jude's character and I felt that his emotions and his ability to evade detection were well crafted and the story would not have had the same effect without his hatred for Mara. Great.

The only downfall for me was the confusing I felt at some points in the novel. it has been about a year since I read the last book and there was really no seque into the current plot. Some of the characters felt distant, yet seemed to have a huge impact on the narrative and it took me a bit to collect my facts and remember who was who. Other than that I have no complaints.  

This second installment was fast paced, breathtaking at times and extremely well written. I felt engrossed in Michelle Hodkin's world and I never wanted to leave it.  I can't wait for the third book to hit shelves, and next time I will try and read the previous book before I dive into the next one, just so I can get the full effect of the stpry with no confusion!

Please pick up this series if you haven't yet, it is absolutely amazing and it will not disappoint! 

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Book Swap [Canada Only]

Here are my books to swap!

I usually just ask for a straight swap, but if its a hardcover I normally ask for two paperback or two ARCs.

Take a look and get in touch if you want to swap!

YA ARCs

You set me (on fire)= Mariko Tamaki

The Crown of Embers-Rea Carson

Power of Six- Pittacus Lore

Hereafter-Tara Hudson

Starling-Lesley Livingston

The Fame Game-Lauren Conrad

 Pandemonium-Lauren Oliver

Eve- Anna Carey

Starters- Lissa Price

Hemlock-Kathleen Peacock

Angel Burn- L.A. Weatherly

Floating Islands-Rachel Neumeier

Fanatics-William Bell

Insignia-S.J. Kincaid
Breathe- Sarah Crossan 

YA Hardcovers

The Peculiars- Maureen Doyle McQuerry

Girl of Fire and Thornes- Rae Crason

Wake- Lisa McMann

You Against Me- Jenny Downham

Forgotten-Cat Patrick

The Duff-Kody Keplinger

Another Faust-Daniel Nayeri

Bumped-Megan McCafferty

Moonglass-Jessi Kirby

Prophecy of Sisters-Michelle Zink

Devil's Kiss- Sarwat Chadda

Between-Jessica Warman

Above-Leah Bobet

Elixir-Hilary Duff

The Last Dragon Slayer-Jasper Fforde

Cryer Cross- Lisa McMann

Darkness Becomes Her-Kelly Keaton

Infinity- Sherrilyn Kenyon

Pathfinder-Orson Scott Card

Someone Elses Life- Katie Dale

Possession-Elana Johnson

Jessica's Guide to the Dark Side-Beth Fantaskey

The Other Girl- Sarah Miller

 Department 19- Will Hill

YA Paperbacks

Born at Midnight-C.C Hunter

End of Days- Eric Walters

Variant-Robsin Wells

Hold Still-Nina LaCoeur

Losing Faith- Denise Jaden

Don't Breathe a Word-Holly Cupala

XVI-Julia Karr

Splendor- Anna Godbersen

Rumors- Anna Godbersen

Infinite Days-Rebecca Maizel

Vesper-Jeff Sampson

Adult ARCs

End of your life Book Club-Will Schwalbe

Mr. Penumbras 24Hour Bookstore-Robin Sloan

Graveminder- Melissa Marr

Adult Hardcovers

Beatrice and Virgil- Yan Martel

Bright Shiny Morning-Stephen Frey

Sisterhoos Everlasting-Ann Brashares

Angelology- Danielle Trussoni

The Carpenter- Matt Lennox

Adult Paperbacks

The Girls-Lori Lansens

The Flight of Gemma Hardy

Insitiable-Meg Cabot

Falling Together-Marisa de los Santos

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[Cover Reveal] Taking Back Forever + Giveaway!

Karen Amanda Hooper, author of Tangled Tides and Grasping at Eternity, is revealing her newest cover this week. The sequel to Grasping at Eternity, book 2 of The Kindrily series, is titled Taking Back Forever.  Have you seen it yet? 

 

 

Karen and her cover designer, Alexandra Shostak, have worked side by side to create the Taking Back Forever cover. Stop over at Alexandra’s blog to see her special post about the ins and outs of creating the cover.

Want to know more about the story? Here’s a summary of Taking Back Forever.

 

Forever is worth the fight.

Maryah erased all memory of her past lives, but she couldn’t erase her soul mate Nathan, or his undying love. Now, Maryah and Nathan have a second chance at a future together, but first Maryah must remember the person she used to be and embrace her supernatural gifts—more than one kindrily member’s life depends on it.

Maryah’s power is Harmony’s best hope of finding her kidnapped soul mate, Gregory. But Harmony isn’t big on asking anyone for help, and she’s tired of waiting, so she’s taking matters into her own hands. Heaven help anyone who stands in her way.

To celebrate, Karen and Alexandra are giving away signed paperbacks of Grasping at Eternity. (Signed by Karen AND Alexandra!)

Contest is open internationally!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Alexandra Shostak is a writer of dark and fantastical things, mostly meant for teenagers. She is a freelance cover designer, and is available to do covers and interior artwork directly for authors. She is also a former Irish dancer, a guitar player, and the person who can get you through the zombie apocalypse without getting bitten.

If you’re especially worried about the zombie apocalypse, you can find her in one of these places:

www.alexandrashostak.com

www.coversbyalexandra.com

www.yaconfidential.com

or on Twitter as @a_shostak

Karen was born and bred in Baltimore, frolicked and froze in Colorado for a couple of years, and is currently sunning and splashing around Florida with her two beloved dogs. She's addicted to coffee, chocolate, and complicated happily-ever-afters. Due to her strong Disney upbringing, she still believes in fairytales and will forever sprinkle magic throughout all of her novels.

 

www.KarenAmandaHooper.com

Twitter: @karen_hooper

 

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[Cover Reveal] Fire (Elemental #4) by Shauna Granger

 

Title: Fire (Elemental, #4)

Age Group: Young Adult/New Adult

Genre: Urban fantasy

Expected Release: December 18, 2012

Cover Design: Mooney Designs

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

 

Summary

Demons, faeries, and mermaids. Claws, teeth, and nightmares.

They have been beaten and bruised, set on fire, and nearly drowned, but manage to always find their way home.  Over their last Winter Holiday break before college, Shayna, Jodi, and Steven try again to put aside the magic in their lives for a little mundane fun. But Shayna's mother is having dreams of fire and death. A mysterious stranger by the name of Liam has just arrived in town. And Shayna's attempts to manage her new angelic powers are set back by Steven's insistence that the trio intervene in a riot outside of a concert, with disastrous consequences.

In her attempt to stop the riot, a man sees Shayna use her magical abilities – a man driven mad by watching his brother die at the hands of a black witch. He stalks Shayna, plotting to destroy her and her friends. With her mother’s warnings echoing in her mind, Shayna is now in the fight of her life against an unlikely foe: a human man.

Bio:

Like so many other writers, Shauna grew up as an avid reader, it was in high school that she realized she wanted to be a writer. Five years ago Shauna started work on her Elemental Series and released the first installment, Earth, on May 1, 2011. When not reading and writing, Shauna enjoys cooking and playing hostess whenever she can.

Shauna Granger| Facebook| Twitter

Links to find/buy previous books in the series:

 Amazon | Barnes and Noble  | Kobo      

            Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo            

           

 Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo 

           

            

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Waiting On Wednesday [10]

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 week my pick is....

Pivot Point by Kassie West!

 Synopsis

Addison Coleman's life is one big "What if?" As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It's the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie's parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with–her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the "Norms," or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it's not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school–but she never wanted to be a quarterback's girlfriend. When Addie's father is asked to consult on a murder in the compound, she's unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she's willing to live through...and who she can't live without.

Looks so interested and I can't wait to get my hands of this book when it comes out on February 12, 2013!

Don't forget to let me know what you think and link me to your WoW pick and I will check it out!

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October New Release Giveaway Hop!

Hosted by Book Twirps and Refracted Light Reviews!

Pick a book from the list below and you could win a copy!

As always, if there is a title that I have not listed, please just let me know and I will order it for you.

Rules and Regulations

• Contest ends on Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 12:01AM (EST)
• Open Internationally
• I will be using TheBookDepository.com to ship the books
• Total Prize Value depends on the book chosen
• TheBookDepository.com will be shipping the prize. I will not be responsible for any lost or damaged packages that occur from the shipper
• The winner will be announced on Twitter and will also be emailed
• If emailed, the winner will have 2 days to respond or I will pick another winner

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the rest of the Giveaway Hop below!

 

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[Review] The Diviners by Libba Bray

Title: The Diviners
Author: Libba Bray
Format: Hardcover, 578 pages
Genre: YA, Dystopian Fiction
Publication Date: September 18, 2012
Published by: Little Brown for Young Readers
Source: Bought for Review
Rating: 5/5

Purchase
Amazon | Chapters | Book Depository




Synopsis
Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.

My Thoughts
There is nothing I love more than a well written period novel, especially ones that are set in the 1920s. That period in history is so rich in culture and extravagance that I can't help but fall directly into that world. In The Diviners, Libba Bray lets her readers immerse themselves into a time where women discover their sexuality and their voice in society. Not only was the setting of New York City a magical event, Libba creates characters that flow extremely well in that world. Their diction, including their slang and their view of the world is something I loved so much in this novel. Add in some paranormal activity and wow do you end up with an amazing story. 

The book starts off with a bang that includes drinking, peer pressure and an Ouji Board. This combination proves to be deadly for some, and terror for others. I read this book in just over a week, and considering its mammoth size, I believe that to be fast. I remember wanting to savor every moment of this book; the detail that was created on every page made me wish that the world Libba created was real, and that I could actually go to the Flapper parties and talk the way they did! 

The writing in this novel was extraordinarily brilliant. I don't even know if I can read another YA novel without comparing the writing to The Diviners. I hate to say that I haven't read anything else by Libba Bray, but I will now. The Diviners captures the imagination and creeps the hell out of you sometimes. The characters are extremely memorable and none are insignificant. They each have their own voice in the novel and I think that was the part I loved the most. I got a glimpse into so many different lives that seemed to eventually connect. I loved every second of this novel. I don't think I have enjoyed myself this much while reading, it was fun, flirty and thrilling. As you can tell I will not be bashing this book in any way, shape, or form, and all I will say is that if you havent picked this book up yet, you should. It will be the best book you read this year!

Amazing :)
 
 

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Defiance Review & Interview!

Review

Title: Definace
Author: C.J Redwine
Format: Hardcover, 403 pages
Genre: YA, Dystopian Fiction
Publication Date: August 28, 2012
Published by: HarperCollins Canada
Source: ARC from Publisher for honest review
Rating: 4/5

Purchase
Amazon | Chapters | Book Depository




Synopsis
Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city's brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father's apprentice, Logan--the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same one who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but a fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city's top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor's impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

My Thoughts -->

C.J. Redwine has created a world that doesn’t compare with anything I have read this year. A combination of medieval setting and fantastical elements that combust into a world that encompasses many secrets and characters that linger long after the last page is turned. I fell in love with this book the moment I started reading it, C.J. Redwine introduces us two characters that are both courageous and independent.

Defiance starts off with Rachel, a young girl who realizes her father has not returned from his tour of the Wasteland, and therefore is considered dead by The Commander. We then meet a young man named Logan, the apprentice of Rachel’s father Jared, and Rachel’s newly appointed guardian. Both Logan and Rachel believe that Jared is still alive, waiting for them to follow, and therefore they create a plan to find him, not realizing the obstacles that will try at everything to thwart their plans.

The world building in this novel is amazing and so intricate and believable that I couldn’t get enough of the descriptions that were written. I found myself wanting to know as much as possible, and waiting for more explanation when it came to their world. I do wish that there were more explanation on the history of how this world came to be, and why certain rules came into existence. But overall the world that C.J. Redwine created was amazing. I also loved the character building in this novel, both main characters were extraordinarily well created, both Logan and Rachel compliment each other in a way that characters should. They bring the best and worst out of each other, which is a sign of good chemistry and good writing. I loved how their relationship grew over time and that the relationship did not seem forced in any way.

I wish that the secondary characters were more in the forefront of the story. By the end of the novel I wanted more from Rachel’s best friend. I wanted to know why she accepted their lifestyle so completely; which was the exact opposite of Rachel. I wanted to know how they became friends in the first place and what brought them together. I also would have loved more information of The Commander, he was such an interesting character with no regard for human life, and it would be amazing to hear what his story entails, and why he became what he was in Defiance.

This debut is a must read for fans of Graceling, the Game of Thrones Series, and fans of Tamora Pierce. I absolutely loved this book it was very fast and entertaining read!



 

 About the Author!

C.J Redwine loves stilettos, lemon bars, and any movie starring Johnny Depp. She is teh author of Defiance, the first in a post-apocalyptic fantasy trilogy from Blazer+Bray/HarperCollins. C.J lives in Nashville with her husband, four kids, two cats, and one long-suffering dog. To learn more about C.J visit her website at http://cjredwine.blogspot.com




 Now for the Interview!

Have you always known you wanted to write Young Adult novels? Or did you start in a different genre? 

I actually started out writing romantic suspene (for all of ONE book). That wasn't a good fit for my voice, and I really longed to write stories that incorporated my love of fantasy and supernatural/paranormal elements. I switched to writing adult urban fantasy for two books, and then decided that since my go-to genre to read was YA, I would dive in.

Was there one person in your life that influenced you to become a writer? 

No, I've literally been writing stories since the second grade when I realized that I had the power to take the ideas in my head and commit them to paper.

Defiance has many medieval and fantasy elements within it, are these genres ones you have always gravitated towards while writing? And do you think you would ever deviate from these genres for other novels you write?

I've always been fascinated by medieval times (Renaissance festivals FTW!), and fantasy is my wheelhouse. I cut my teeth on the Chronicles of Narnia and Grimm's Fairy Tales and moved on to Lord of the Rings by the time I was in fourth grade. However, my ideas are all over the place. They tie together in that they all have an element of fantasy to them, but look for fairy tale retellings, sci-fi, and steampunk from me in the next few years. :)

In Defiance we are introduced to Logan and Rachel as narrators, did you always know that both of these characters would get their own voice? 

No, I actually wrote half of the book from Rachel's POV only before realizing that Logan had an equal stake in the story and deserved to be heard.

I saw that you credited Myra McEntire in your acknowledgments for helping you with your romance scenes. What aspects of those scenes did you find the most difficult to write? 

Their interactions were far too polished during their first kiss. Myra is a big fan of bringing in that sweet awkwardness that exists when we're teenagers and are experiencing our first kiss, and so I started asking myself "What would Myra do?" as I wrote those scenes.

What was your favorite scene in Defiance to write?

The lake scene where they have their first kiss. :)

Did you base any of the characters in Defiance to people in your life, or in the media?

No, but I use my life experiences and my observations of those around me to help make sure my characters and their responses feel authentic.

Have you finalized how many books will be in the Defiance series? And if so, how did you land on that number of books?

Yes, it's a trilogy. Once I was nearly finished writing Defiance, I could see that the story arcs spanned three books.

What aspect of the publishing process did you find the most challenging? And what aspect did you find the most fun? 

The most challenging is juggling my online presence, my writing deadlines, and my family. The most fun is definitely the writing itself.

Finally, what advice would you have for any aspiring writers out there wishing to emerge into the YA scene? 

Don't quit. This is a business designed to punch you in the face far more often than it ever gives you cookies, so if you really want it, you have to keep writing, learn your lessons, and then keep writing some more. 

I really want to give a huge thanks to C.J Redwine for this interview! And please go and get Defiance, it is one of my favorite books of the year (so far!)

 

  

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Waiting on Wednesday [9]

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 week my pick is....

 

The Friday Society by the lovely Adrienne Kress!

Synopsis

Set in turn of the century London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.

It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder–and the crimes they believe may be connected to it–without calling too much attention to themselves.

Set in the past but with a modern irreverent flare, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike–well, relatively ladylike–heroines poised for more dangerous adventures.

This is Adrienne's Debut YA novel and I am so excited to read it. It has everything I love: London, strong female protaginists and mystery. What else could you ask for?

Can't for this to release on December 6, 2012!

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Cover Reveal: Tempest by Jenna-Lynne Duncan

Title: Tempest (Hurricane, #1.5)

Author: Jenna-Lynne Duncan

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Paranormal romance/urban fantasy

Expected Release: Late November 2012

Cover Design: No cover designer specified by the author

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours



Summary

Hayden Boudreaux couldn't decide which was worse— that he was falling in love with a mortal or that the only way to break his family's centuries-old curse would be to kill her. Of all that he was certain was the more time he spent with her, the more he knew he would do anything to protect Adriana Alexander, including sacrificing his eternity. What he wouldn't expect was that Luke - his brother that hated Ana, who wanted to kill her - would decide he would want her as his own.

                         
Author Bio:

Jenna-Lynne Duncan graduated from the University of St. Thomas with degrees in Political Science,
International Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies. Hurricane is her debut novel and she is planning a
series.

Jenna- Lynne Duncan|Facebook|Twitter

What Team are you on?

Hayden?

Or Luke?                           Let me know which one you choose! 

Giveaway Time!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Waiting on Wednesday [8]

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 week my pick is....

 

Two of my favorite authors together for one novel? YES PLEASE!

This is set to release in May 2013

Synopsis:

Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned, especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth.  

Can't wait for this novel to come out, and the cover is absolutely gorgeous too!

Let me know what your WoW pick is for this week and I will come check it out!

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Review: Breathe by Sarah Crossan

Title: Breathe
Author: Sarah Crossan
Format: Hardcover, 400 pages
Genre: YA, Dystopian Fiction
Publication Date: October 2, 2012
Published by: HarperCollins Canada
Source: ARC from Publisher for honest review
Rating: 4.5/5


Purchase
Amazon | Chapters | Book Depository






Synopsis
Inhale. Exhale.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe . . .
The world is dead.
The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

Alina
has been stealing for a long time. She's a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she's never been caught before. If she's careful, it'll be easy. If she's careful.

Quinn
should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it's also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn't every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

Bea
wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they'd planned a trip together, the two of them, and she'd hoped he'd discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?

My Thoughts
Debut author Sarah Crossan has created a very interesting and mysterious world in Breathe. We follow Bea, Quinn and Alina on their journey outside "the pod" which provides a vast population with oxygen. The outside world is not so lucky, the trees have been destroyed and there is a limited amount of oxygen. Yet Quinn and Bea decide to take a camping trip outside the pod to see what it is all about, but it is when they meet Alina that their world gets turned upside down.

Alina is part of the resistance and she believes that the government is holding people hostage in the pod and she will do anything to help set them free. But what she didn't expect was the friendships she would develop along the way.

This book was an adventure from beginning to end. The short chapters allowed for the story to flow very nicely and it became a very fast read for me. The dynamic between the characters was fantastic, I felt their emotions and heart aches and I did not feel like anything was forced upon me. It was a great reading flow that lasted the entire time.

The dystopian society that was created was very well done, and believable. The shock value was definitely there, and I found myself shocked at certain moments of the novel and I love that feeling. I loved that I never really knew what was going to happen and I really hope that this continues throughout the series.

Overall I would say that Breathe is an amazing debut and start of a series. It was well developed, in its world and its characters, and there is also a lot of room for growth and development within the story itself. This has easily become one of my favorite new series of the year.

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