Book Review | Every Other Day | Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Book Review | Every Other Day | Jennifer Lynn BarnesEvery Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Published by Egmont USA on December 27, 2011
Genres: Paranormal YA
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher via NetGalley
AmazonBarnes & NobleGoodreads
three-half-stars

Every other day, Kali D’Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She’s human.

And then every day in between . . .She’s something else entirely.

Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.

When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she’ll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.

[Read more…]

Merry Happy!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MY LOVELIES! It’s our first Christmas together and I’m EXCITED for us to enjoy ourselves and be happy and jolly (this is my favorite Christmas word)! I feel like our first Christmas is going to be quiet, though, and cozy and snuggly and wonderful. Maybe next Christmas we’ll have EVERYONE over and it will be huge and crowded and crazy and we’ll drink too much and GET LOUD. But this year, it’s just us and a cup of cocoa and a nice fire and lots of good books to read. I like that kind of Christmas, too, and I’m BEYOND happy and thankful that you are sharing it with me, in whatever small way you can manage.

This blog is kind of like my Christmas gift to myself, because I love what I’m blogging about and I love talking to you all about books and I’m having such a great time with you all! Probably NEXT Christmas my gift to myself will be two weeks OFF from my blog because it’s driving me BONKERS, but let’s not be cynical on Christmas, hmm?

So ENJOY YOURSELVES and be safe and happy this holiday. And read lots of good stuff so we can talk about it soon! Love youuuuuu!

PS. Some quick business: No IMM this week; any goodies I got this week will be in NEXT week’s IMM. I’m going to try and get lots of reviews up this week, though, so keep your eyeballs open for ’em! Mwah!

Five-Star Friday: The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Five-Star Friday is a periodically regular (say what?!) feature that I’m planning on running on Fridays (but not every Friday) in which I talk about (or verbally drool over) a book that I’ve read and ADORED (sometimes they’ll be recent releases and other times they might be older…my piles are tall and the bottoms are old). Yay! I always feel so happy and light and wonderful when I am beside myself with delight over a book, and I want to share the love with you all in the hopes that we can all get together and have an embarrassing, squeal-filled love-fest full of lots of high-pitched “Ohmygod, I KNOW!s” and chest-clutching sighs of contentedness. Huzzah!*

This week, the holiday classic, Chris Van Allsburg’s THE POLAR EXPRESS *sigh*

[Read more…]

Waiting on Wednesday (6)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. I love it because it is basically a squee-fest where book lovers can choose one book that they are DYING to get their hands on. Check it out!

The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy #1)

by Jennifer A. Nielsen

THE FALSE PRINCE is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end.

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point — he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage’s rivals have their own agendas as well.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner’s sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.

An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.

My fingers are literally itchy with anticipation for this book. I’m jittery over it. It makes me fidgety and crazy. IT SOUNDS SO GOOD! Civil war, royal impersonators, a high-stakes competition that could mean life or death to the winners or losers. Plus, treachery! Lies! Deceit! Danger! DEADLY TRUTHS! AHHHH! *dies*

I’m a big fan of all fantasies in general, and sometimes I like a good magical fantasy, creepy and unpredictable and dark. Other times I am jonesing to devour a fantasy that leans on the sneaky, twisty, and dangerous workings of political scheming, like THE FALSE PRINCE. It sounds almost like a retelling of sorts of The Prince and the Pauper story, which is just chock full of dramatic arcs and tropes. I could NERD OUT over these books, I can feel it!

THE FALSE PRINCE is coming out April 1, 2012 from Scholastic.

Book Review | The One That I Want | Jennifer Echols

Book Review | The One That I Want | Jennifer EcholsThe One That I Want by Jennifer Echols
Published by Simon Pulse on December 6, 2011
Genres: Contemporary YA, Relationships, Romance
Pages: 288
Format: eBook
Source: Bought it
AmazonBarnes & NobleGoodreads
four-stars

Gemma can’t believe her luck when the star football player starts flirting with her. Max is totally swoon-worthy, and even gets her quirky sense of humor. So when he asks out her so-called best friend Addison, Gemma’s heartbroken.

Then Addison pressures Gemma to join the date with one of Max’s friends. But the more time they all spend together, the harder Gemma falls for Max. She can’t help thinking that Max likes her back—it’s just too bad he’s already dating Addison. How can Gemma get the guy she wants without going after her best friend’s boyfriend?

[Read more…]

Top Ten Tuesday | Top Ten Books I Hope Santa Brings

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Books I Hope Santa Brings

You know what’s funny about this list? I thought I would have a hard time thinking of books that I want most for Christmas because I actually wanted to make a list of books that were already out that I hadn’t bought already. Since I’ve been buying more books than usual lately, I thought that my list might be a little thin. And then my list went all, “SIKE! HAHA, you silly girl! You can ALWAYS think of MORE BOOKS!” And lo and behold, I easily came up with 10 books AND MORE, but I managed to stop adding books through sheer force of will. My only problem is that I only realized how many books I COULD have asked for when I made up this list YESTERDAY, so I’m probably only getting two of them. Top Ten Tuesday, I love you, but I’m shaking my fist at you today. Because you’ve made me want more things.

Mastiff, by Tamora Pierce. Beka Cooper! Girl, I can’t wait to read all about your last adventures in the Provost’s Guards. Since I actually thought to ask Santa to bring me this book for Christmas, I should be reading about you really soon. I’M PSYCHED! Tamora Pierce’s books are some of my very favorite fantasies, not only because the worlds are lively and complete and the stories are gripping and awesome, but because the main characters in her books are KICK-ASS NINJA girls who are independent, confident, brave and smart. Love them.

East, by Edith Pattou. THIS book was so gorgeous. But because I LOVE my library and I want it to be there forever and ever, I borrowed this book instead of purchasing it. I read it. I loved it. NOW I WANTS IT. It was so lovely and evocative and touching! It just gives me the warm fuzzies, even though the book contains polar bears, ice, winter, snow, and traversing the Arctic Circle. *sigh* I need to own this one, friends. I hope Santa got my letter.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone (UK Edition), by Laini Taylor. All I want is the cover. The book is AMAZING, but I like the UK cover better than the US one. Something about the black opalescent feathers is just so striking and stunning that I want to be able to hold it in my hands and pet it and STARE. I mean, LOOK at the PRETTY:

The Probability of Miracles, by Wendy Wunder. I just love the sound of everything about this book. A young girl with cancer moves to this wackadoo little town in Maine (called Promise) where all kinds of improbable things happen–even things that might be considered…MIRACULOUS. I wish I had remembered to ask for this one! I might have to Santa this one to myself for Christmas. Plus, that cover! So gorgeous!

Witch’s Brew, by Heidi Kling. Witch’s Brew, Witch’s Brew, where for art, thou, Witch’s Brew? I’ve been waiting for this book to come out for what seems like FOREVER. I’m beside myself with anticipation! because I’ve heard wicked awesome things about it: an ebook series published in installments that is a kind of choose your own adventure. WORD! DOUBLE WORD because it’s a series with 10 BOOKS IN IT about WITCHES. Putting this on here is more like a wish, though, since I probably won’t be able to get it for Christmas. I’m hoping that some holiday karma will at least get me a release date and a cover!

Kat, Incorrigible, by Stephanie Burgis. Magic? Check. Plucky, trouble-making young heroine? Check. Annoying sisters? Check. Regency-era England setting? Check. True loves hanging in the balance? Check. Magical shenanigans all around? Check. Sounds like something I would LOVE because I ADORE plucky, trouble-making, magically inclined young heroines AND Regency-era England. Alas, my library doesn’t have this one. *sad face* Santa? If you could?

Hourglass, by Myra McEntire. I can’t believe I haven’t read this yet! Ever since I heard it was about time slipping/travel, I immediately thought of one of my very favorite adult series, OUTLANDER, by Diana Gabaldon. I’m not entirely sure that the two have very much in common at all aside from the time-bouncing, but that’s not the only reason I want to read HOURGLASS and am hoping that Santa can DIVINE my wish for it and surprise me come Christmas morning (is this NOT part of his magic?). No, I am hoping that this book is under the tree because it sounds plain AWESOME and intriguing.

Midwinterblood, by Marcus Sedgewick. I can’t read anything about this book without being completely fascinated. It sounds kind of mind-blowing. It’s the story–well, it’s lots of mini-stories–about two people/souls who, over the course of the retreating centuries (the book starts in 2073 and goes backward) are bonded through various kinds of loving relationships–mother and son, husband and wife, and more–while trying to reunite with one another. You see, these two souls who love each other dearly and for infinity, always seem to be wrenched from each other in the most painful ways. I’m not sure that I’m doing the book itself any justice with my description, but it really does sound crazy good. HOWEVER, CURSES upon this book because it’s not available in the US yet. I might have to scour the internets and ship one to myself. Not very Santa/Christmas-magicky, but I don’t have any choice!

A Long, Long Sleep, by Anna Sheehan. So I’m a sucker for fairy tale retellings, and this science-fiction-esque spin on Sleeping Beauty sounds fantastic. A girl who is woken from a chemically induced sleep by a boy after 62 years of sleeping, during which time her family and all the people she loved are killed, and becomes the heir to an interplanetary empire and must face all the dangers that entails while trying to come to grips with her feelings for the boy her kissed her awake. But seriously, INTERPLANETARY EMPIRE, you guys!! I LOVE it!

Breadcrumbs, by Anne Ursu. Something about me and my reading habits: I’m kind of a seasonal reader. I like to read books that take place at certain times of the year AT those certain times of the year. For instance, I would never read a book that takes place in the cold, snowy winter–like BREADCRUMBS–in the middle of July. Don’t kill my summer buzz, winter book! I’ll get to you, I promise! And BREADCRUMBS sounds just like the kind of thoughtful, sad, it’s-cold-outside-but-I-feel-warm-and-fuzzy-INSIDE kind of books, and it’s getting tons of recognition. Since it’s finally winter time, I’m completely ready to read this one. I can’t wait to get my mitts on it.

Ahh!! There’s too many books!! This list could have been so much longer!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It’s awesome. Every Tuesday, the lovely folks over at The Broke and the Bookish post a top ten list topic so that book lovers like you and me can pour over our shelves and make our own lists. You can check out all the other Top Ten Tuesday‘s on their site!

In My Mailbox (7)

December 18, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren. It’s awesome. Every week, we all get a chance to tell everyone what new books we’ve gotten so that we can tell you guys and we can all drool and squee together! Huzzah for squees!

You guys, I got LOTS of COOL THINGS this week! From everywhere! Huzzah!

FROM NETGALLEY

Katana, by Cole Gibsen (March 8, 2012 from Flux). Two words: SAMURAI BUFFY. Say no more, Flux. I’m in. It’s a 2012 debut as well!

Pieces of Us, by Margie Gelbwasser (March 8, 2012 from Flux). Flux added some killer-sounding books to NetGalley over the last week or so, and they all sounded so great! This one is a contemporary about four teens who have complicated lives at home but manage to leave the drama behind at their lake houses each summer. OR DO THEY?? Mwaaahhaaha! (I don’t know why that just happened. This isn’t a scary book. Just lots of DRAMA.)

Buried: A Goth Girl Mystery, book 1, by Linda Joy Singleton (March 8, 2012 from Flux). This one sounds interesting, too. Thorn, the main character, is starting a new school and discovers a locket that leads her to the unmarked grave of a newborn baby (BANANAS, yes?). But Thorn has some secrets of her own to sweep up under the rug while trying to figure out what happened to the baby. Obviously, there is also man candy in the person of Phillipe, described as a “smoking hot musician.”

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, by Jesse Andrews (March 1, 2012 from Abrams). THIS book. *sigh* Sounds amazing and heartbreaking. It’s about a socially awkward loner named Greg who likes make movies with his one buddy, Earl. Until he befriends a young girl with leukemia. And that’s about when I start CRYING. And the cover! This is the one to beat so far for my favorite cover of 2012. FYI, this is also a debut, friends participating in the DAC!

Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe, by Shelley Coriell (May 1, 2012 from Amulet). This is about a girl–Chloe–who has to join her school’s struggling radio station for credit and winds up meeting quirky, awesome misfits who become her friends and hosting a call-in show. At home, she’s dealing with her grandmother’s deteriorating health. Solace in radio, my friends. Looking forward to this one. Another debut, too!

FROM THE LIBRARY

Uncommon Criminals: Heist Society, book 2, by Ally Carter (June 21, 2011 from Hyperion). Guys, I’ve been waiting for this one to come in for MONTHS. Teenage thievery is apparently popular around here! You know what, though? I can’t even blame whoever managed to get a copy from my library before me. The first book in this series, The Heist Society, was different and enjoyable, and I’m hoping this book follows in its footsteps and ramps up the action and romance a little, too. 

Sword of the Rightful King, by Jane Yolen (May 1, 2003 from Harcourt). You guys? I am on a MISSION. A mission to find an Arthurian legend book that BLOWS MY MIND TO BITS. I’m still looking. Hopefully this one will be a step in the right direction because it’s not a contemporary retelling; it’s historical/fantastical fiction. Fingers crossed!

A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness (September 27, 2011 from Candlewick). Oh man, I can’t wait to read this book! The number of OUTSTANDING reviews I’ve read of this one are beyond count. It’s the story of Conor, a young boy whose mother has cancer who is visited in the night by a monster. Said monster, in his own way, helps Conor come to grips with his mother’s illness. I’m ready to be heartbroken, you guys. Also, on an aesthetic note, the book itself is really nice. Slightly larger trim size, nice paper. Hooray!

BOUGHT

Vanish: Firelight, book 2, by Sophie Jordan (September 6, 2011 from HarperTeen). I recently read–and enjoyed–the first book in this series, Firelight, so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on VANISH. I read it already, too, and liked it a lot. I’m hoping to review it soon as well. Yay!

WON

The Near Witch, by Victoria Schwab (August 2, 2011 from Hyperion). So, around Thanksgiving time, Victoria Schwab ran a contest over on her blog. And lo and behold, I WON a copy of The Near Witch, which I had gotten from my library and read already and LOVED (my review action), but THIS COPY is extra special because it has a narwhal stamp in it! HUZZAH! (PS. Sorry for the tiny pics. Click to enbiggen!)

*Thanks so very much to Flux, Abrams, Amulet, and Victoria Schwab for being awesome and generous!

2012 Challenge: Amy’s Pile of SHAME

Amy’s Pile of SHAME Challenge

I know that I already posted the details of the actual, official challenges I’m taking part in next year. (Check out the Challenges tab up there on the menu for updates, my dears!) BUT because I’m crazy and also a slacker I have decided to create a personal challenge just for me to complete and YOU GUYS? I’m going to DO IT (she says with her fingers crossed).

Some quick background on what caused this masochistic insanity: a couple of weeks ago, I posted a Top Ten Tuesday about the 10 most embarrassing books STILL on my TBR pile. I had some doozies on there. Appropriately, and with some affection I have to say, I called it my “pile of shame.” But because shame is NO FUN, I’ve decided to go after my PoS like I’m cutting through jungle underbrush with a machete. IT’S GOING DOWN. (Hopefully.) I’m not really making any rules for myself, although I can tell you right now that this is probably the worst idea. That might change. Until then, though, here’s my list as it stands right now. Some of the books on there are EGREGIOUS and others are just books that I’ve had for awhile and want to read. Basically, this challenge is an excuse to read books that are slightly past their prime in terms of currency.

I would ask you, friends, to PLEASE try and refrain from the hurling of rotten fruits and veg at me because I really need ENCOURAGEMENT. Ok? Thanks guys. LOVES YOU SO MUCH.

Without further ado, in no particular order…*hears JAWS theme*…

Amy’s PILE OF SHAME

*gasps from the crowd* *babies crying* *women screaming* *civilians running for their lives*

1. Across the Universe

2. Demon’s Lexicon

3. Need

4. Nightshade

5. Revoution

6. Rampant

7. Hunger

8. Beauty

9. Beast

10. An Echo in the Bone

11. Jellicoe Road

12. The Book Thief

13. The Golden Compass

14. The Hobbit

Wish me luck!!

Book Review | Firelight | Sophie Jordan

Book Review | Firelight | Sophie JordanFirelight by Sophie Jordan
Series: Firelight #1
Published by Harper Teeen on September 7, 2010
Genres: Dragons, Families, Fantasy YA, Paranormal YA, Young Adult
Pages: 323
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
AmazonBarnes & NobleGoodreads
four-stars

A hidden truth. 

Mortal enemies. 

Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will’s dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She’ll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

[Read more…]

Waiting on Wednesday (5)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. I love it because it is basically a squee-fest where book lovers can choose one book that they are DYING to get their hands on. Check it out!

Embrace

by Jessica Shirvington

Violet Eden is dreading her seventeenth birthday dinner. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. The one bright spot is that Lincoln will be there. Sexy, mature and aloof, he is Violet’s idea of perfection. But why does he seem so reluctant to be anything more than a friend?
After he gives her the world’s most incredible kiss – and then abandons her on her front doorstep – Violet is determined to get some answers. But nothing could have prepared her for Lincoln’s explanation: he is Grigori – part angel and part human – and Violet is his eternal partner.
Without warning, Violet’s world is turned upside down. She never believed in God, let alone angels. But there’s no denying the strange changes in her body … and her feelings for Lincoln. Suddenly, she can’t stand to be around him. Luckily, Phoenix, an exiled angel, has come into her life. He’s intense and enigmatic, but at least he never lied to her.
As Violet gets caught up in an ancient battle between dark and light, she must choose her path. The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity…

I have been itching and wishing and DYING to get my hands on this book, the first in The Violet Eden Chapters series, already published in Australia. (HOORAY, AUSSIE YA!) The story is about Violet, a 17-year-old girl who gets caught up in some NASTY good-and-evil angel-business. The buzz and outstanding reviews for this one are all over the place, and since I’m a little bit late to angel books (I was busy reading other things, you understand), I’m kind of on the lookout for GREAT ones to help me get all caught up. EMBRACE is right at the top of that list. It sounds hot and complicated and FABULOUS. I can’t WAIT to read this one! The whole series sounds EPIC.

EMBRACE is coming out March 1, 2012 from Sourcebooks Fire.