Friday, August 30, 2013

Quickie Review: Scored by Lauren McLaughlin

Book: Scored
By: Lauren McLaughlin
Published: October 25, 2011
Published by: Random House

Description: Set in the future when teenagers are monitored via camera and their recorded actions and confessions plugged into a computer program that determines their ability to succeed. All kids given a "score" that determines their future potential. This score has the ability to get kids into colleges, grant scholarships, or destroy all hope for the above. Scored's reluctant heroine is Imani, a girl whose high score is brought down when her best friend's score plummets. Where do you draw the line between doing what feels morally right and what can mean your future? Friendship, romance, loyalty, family, human connection and human value: all are questioned in this fresh and compelling dystopian novel set in the scarily forseeable future.

My Thoughts: With a premise like this one, I expected this book to be amazing. Unfortunately, it fell short in my book. The main character Imani is not only a "snitch" as we in America like to call it, but she just annoys me to no end. I don't think I could ever be friends with her in real life. Her love interest, Diego, though somewhat interesting, still didn't draw me in. I loved the premise though, and the way people responded to it, but I didn't like the lackluster ending. I felt like it was missing something. I give it 3 stars.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Rebel Spring and Cold Spell

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I have only one pick this week...
Book: Rebel Spring (Falling Kingdoms #2)
By: Morgan Rhodes
Published: December 3, 2013
Published by: Razorbill

Description: Love, power, and magic collide with war in the second book of the Falling Kingdoms series

Auranos has fallen and the three kingdoms—Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia—are now united as one country called Mytica. But still, magic beckons, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the world...

When the evil King Gaius announces that a road is to be built into the Forbidden Mountains, formally linking all of Mytica together, he sets off a chain of events that will forever change the face of this land, forcing Cleo the dethroned princess, Magnus the reluctant heir, Lucia the haunted sorceress, and Jonas the desperate rebel to take steps they never could have imagined.
I loved Falling Kingdoms so much and I can't wait to get my hands on this one!!! Woo hoo!! I gotta have it...

What are you waiting on?

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Teaser Tuesday: The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's teaser is from The Calling (Darkness Rising #2) by Kelley Armstrong

"Our ordeal was almost over. Except it wasn't. Our real problems--being subjects in a supernatural experiment--had only begun"


I didn't like the first book in this series very much, but I heard better things about this one. Lets hope I can actually get into it...

What are your teasers for this lovely Thursday?

Monday, August 26, 2013

Review: Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews


Book: Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6)
By: Ilona Andrews
Published: July 30, 2013
Published by: Ace

Description: Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…


My Thoughts: There's not much to say about this book, because honestly if you've read anything by Ilona Andrews you know they're all amazing. Even further, if you've read anything in the Kate Daniels series, you know that nothing in this series can be horrible. The same can be said for Magic Rises.

We pick up the story with Kate again living in the Keep, and as the description says, she and Curran are having trouble stopping the kids in the Pack from going loup. The only way to fix it is to answer a request from a European Pack who has it. Of course they're headed into a trap, but once you find out how serious a trap it is, you'll know how freaking serious this book really is.

I love Kate, and I love Curran, and this book has those scenes that you remember made you fall in love with them from the beginning. Everyone you love is in this book, Derek, Aunt B, and more characters are introduced that you know you can grow to like. That being said, this book will test your nerves. It took my heart and yanked it into multiple directions and literally made me super sad, and super happy and just all around crazy.

This book chewed me up and spit me out, and then kissed all my wounds back together. It was one of my favorites of the series. I am absolutely going to be reading it again, probably in audio format this time. The audiobooks of this series are really good for those of you who like audiobooks. The narrator is pretty good and I love them too.

If you've been thinking about this series, give it a chance (and give it more than just one book to feel the love.) If you've already read this series thus far and are thinking about this next book, stop thinking and pick it up already. It's great. I give it 5 big huge stars!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Random Rant Thursday: Author Personal Lives


Not too long ago I finished a book called Magic Rises, the sixth and most recent book in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. It came out July 30th and I had it read by August 1. Then I found myself wondering just how long I would have to wait for the next one, figuring out when the author(s) would announce it and if they've even started on it. Imaginary conversations were had in my head between me and the authors where I wondered when it would be released and why they were taking so long to begin it. A break? Who needs a break? Didn't they know I was waiting on the next one?

Then I realized what was going on. Until my recent epiphany, I actually believed that my beloved authors have nothing better to do than sit around writing amazing stories for me to read. That they're sitting around on the top of their lovely words, purposefully making me wait a whole year (at the very least) for my next fix read. Then I thought about it how hypocritical I was being.

Half the time, I drag myself into work and count down the seconds until I can get back home to "freedom." Just because authors normally love writing, that doesn't mean they aren't allowed a few days of time off from their writing. A day to themselves, or two. What do writers do when they have to go on vacation, or when they're sick, or when they just don't feel like writing? Somehow those words get out there, just like somehow my work at my job gets done, but still.

I hate the fact that I have to keep reminding myself that I cant check the internet every other day for news about the next release. I have to give them time to ride the high of the last release. Besides, publishers probably wouldn't let authors release books every 2 months even if they wanted to....even though I wish they would...

Still...I miss some of my fictional worlds. I miss some of my favorite characters. So much so, that I often want to head over to my favorite author's doors and knock and ask if my character can come out to play. I want to tell them I miss them. That it's not as amazing reliving reading reruns of our past fun times together.

Please tell me I'm not the only one to feel this way....and Kate? Wherever you are....please come out to play? I promise Roland will be nowhere nearby...oh and be sure to bring Curran and Derek with you.

The review of Magic Rises will be out Monday, August 26.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Allegiant and Never Fade

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I have two for this week, mainly because they're both sequels of books I'm absolutely in love with....


Book: Allegiant (Divergent #3)
By: Veronica Roth
Published: October 22, 2013

Description: One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?


The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.



Book: Never Fade (Darkest Minds #2)
By: Alexandra Bracken
Published: October 15, 2013

Description: Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster.

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her.

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?



I soo cant wait for these sequels...what are you waiting on?

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Teaser Tuesday: Everbound by Brodi Ashton

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week, my Teaser is from Everbound by Brodi Ashton

"Whatever you think of me, I was honest with you. Just because you want to live the mortal life doesnt mean that my path is any less moral"-Cole


Does that make you want to read it? Well slow down and read the first book first, and then check this out. The first is super great, and so far the second is even better!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Review: Undeadly by Michele Vail

Book: Undeadly (The Reaper Diaries #1)
By: Michele Vail
Published: November 20, 2012
Published By: Harlequin Teen

Description: The day I turned 16, my boyfriend-to-be died. I brought him back to life. Then things got a little weird...

Molly Bartolucci wants to blend in, date hottie Rick and keep her zombie-raising abilities on the down-low. Then the god Anubis chooses her to become a reaper—and she accidentally undoes the work of another reaper, Rath. Within days, she's shipped off to the Nekyia Academy, an elite boarding school that trains the best necromancers in the world. And her personal reaping tutor? Rath.

Life at Nekyia has its plusses. Molly has her own personal ghoul, for one. Rick follows her there out of the blue, for another...except, there's something a little off about him. When students at the academy start to die and Rath disappears, Molly starts to wonder if anything is as it seems. Only one thing is certain—-Molly's got an undeadly knack for finding trouble....


My Thoughts: Undeadly was a nice twist on egyptian myth that, like many books of this type, gives regular humans godly power to use for good.

Ever wondered what it would be like if raising zombies or your dead parents and carrying them around with you as pets would be like? What about what it would be like if most of the world had some type or necromantic power over the dead. Well this story exploits this idea. We follow Molly as she is given a special gift, and consequently realizes her life as she knew it, has been a bit of a lie. She goes to a new school where she must perfect her new powers and help the others like her. Meanwhile, Molly would prefer to just be a regular person, with a regular relationship. Unfortunately, the boy she's interested in accidentally dies at her birthday party, but she brought him back to life, and now he's weird. He's not a zombie or anything...but something is definitely wrong.

I enjoyed this book, despite the excessive young "teen language" the author used. It was an interesting story that I couldnt wait to finish. Unfortunately, it was a bit too young for me so I couldnt completely relate. There isnt much romance in my opinion, though there is a bit of romantic tension. The appearance of one of the gods here is also a little weird. He just didnt seem "godly" to me. In addition, the ending ot this story seemed a bit rushed and random. Still, it was good.

I would recommend this book to an actual young adult, around 13-16 years old who likes zombies and necromantic magic. It was a good story with quite a lot of good reviews. 3 Stars.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Shooting Scars

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This one's right around the corner for me, and i just can't wait. I've been stalking the authors blog for months now and I am so ready for this release that I'm growing anxious...If you haven't yet read Sins and Needles, the first book in the series, please do so now...

Description: Sometimes the right choice can be the deadliest.

When Ellie Watt made the ultimate sacrifice for Camden McQueen, she never thought it would be easy. But walking away with her ex-lover, Javier Bernal, in order to ensure Camden’s safety has brought a whole new set of dangers. With Javier’s plans for Ellie growing more secretive by the moment, Ellie must find a way to stay ahead of the game before her past swallows her whole.

Meanwhile, Camden’s new life is short-lived. Fueled by revenge and pursued by authorities, he teams up with an unlikely partner in order to save Ellie. But as Camden toes the line between love and retribution, he realizes that in order to get back the woman he loves, he may have to lose himself in the process. He might just turn into the very man he’s hunting.

Told in dual POV from Camden and Ellie.

Ahhhh!!!! I totally loved the first book. I cant wait to get my hands on this one...and that cover? Tell me you aren't in love? If you've already read S&N, there isn't much longer to wait for this sequel...It will be out on August 20th....and I'll be ordering it promptly at 12:01 am (preordering is for sissies ;) lol).

What books are you waiting on??

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Teaser Tuesday: Scored

I told you all I was coming back to the world of meme's and here I am fulfilling my promise!!
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser for this week comes from Scored by Lauren McLaughlin:

"And now here was Diego, his long legs hugging the scooter, his straight back waiting for her to press herself against it. There was nothing inherently sexual about riding behind someone on a scooter, but she wished Diego had a car, something with a wide front seat, seat belts, and a lot of room between passenger and driver."

Interested? I'm just getting to the meat of the book, so stay tuned to my blog for insight into how I feel once this book is all over.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Review: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Book: Eleanor & Park
By: Rainbow Rowell
Published: February 26, 2013
Published by: St. Martins Press

Description: Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

My Thoughts: This story is so freaking cute I want to cuddle it in my bed and pet its pages. (Too creepy?)

Its told in alternating POV's. One MC is Eleanor, the "chubby" red headed new girl at school with problems at home and self image issues. She's bullied and stuff at school and has a horrible/poor family life. The other MC, Park, is a half Korean  somewhat popular guy at school with a somewhat excellent home life. They meet on Eleanor's first day of school, and the rest, you'll have to read to find out.

OMG its so cute. It speaks of first love, how intense and life changing it is, but still fickle and breakable. It;s intense, and touching, and innocent, but maddening and horrible. Eleanor and Park are both good for each other and bad for each other. This book made me laugh and cry and smile and remember every second of my first relationship.

This book was so good and the audio narration was great. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good love story. I give it 4.5 Stars.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Review: Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Book: Falling Kingdoms
By: Morgan Rhodes
Published: December 11, 2012
Published by: Razorbill

Description: In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword. . . .

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

My Thoughts:  Okay, this book was really good. I've been reading lots of books I've seen on "The best of" lists all over the place and this fantasy book was one of them. It definitely lived up to it's hype.

There's not much to say that's not already described in the summary. We follow 4 different people in 3 different kingdoms, Palesia, Limeros, and Auranos as they deal with various issues plaguing them all. Eventually, one "small" mistake leads to all out war for all the kingdoms and we get a front row seat to the action.

This isn't one of those books with the sugary sweet ending where the MC's all end up on top. No, they pretty much dig a hole for themselves, jump into it, and pull the dirt in over top of them. This is war, in all it's gory details.

I loved this story. It reminded me a lot of Game of Thrones (the show, not the book. I've yet to read the book so I wouldn't know if they're the same) with the espionage and sneakiness, and double crossing. I loved this story and will definitely read the next one, Rebel Spring, when it comes out in December.

I give this one, 5 Stars.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Review: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Book: The Darkest Minds
By: Alexandra Bracken
Published: December 18, 2012
Published By: Disney Hyperion

Desription: When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.


My Thoughts: You guys know how I get when I read a book I absolutely love. I get all random and weird and cant make coherant thoughts. That's how this review is going to be.

We follow ruby who has powers and gets shipped to a rehab camp. There, she discovers the differences in the powers, and what hers means. That's all I can say without spoiling it, or repeating what's in the synopsis above.

This books is so good. Like soooo good. There was a lot of hype surrounding it, and I think it just about lived up to it. It made me cry at one point, and laugh out loud at others. There was only one part at the end that annoyed me because I felt like more could have been done with the MC and her powers, but that's easily let go. This book reminds me of the X-Men, only a bit different. I just loved it and am sure I'll be reading it again. Read it!!!!

I give it 5 Stars.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Random Rant Thursday: Picking things up

Hey Everyone!

So in an effort to get back into blogging after my short hiatus, I've looked through my past posts and saw a bit of a decline in the amount of features I've done. It's been mainly review after review, after review, with one of these RRT's thrown in there. I don't want to flood you all with constant review without giving anything else. It doesn't allow you to know me at all, and I think I may be beginning to bore you to death!

For that reason, I'll be picking up my random rants, and attempt to have one every Thursday, or at the very least, 3 Thursdays out of the month. I may also be picking up some of the other blogger's featured features. I always loved Teaser Tuesday, so I'll probably pick that back up and probably do a few others too. I just have to do a bit more research to see which ones I like the most. Any ideas on which ones I should choose?

Ive also had a lot of issues with blogger lately. Sometimes I log in and my reading feed is nonexistent. Sometimes I cant post anything. I've just had entirely too many issues. I'm beginning to get fed up with it. I know I've talked about it before, but I'm convinced that I'll probably move to wordpress sometime before the end of this year/the beginning of next year. I may also get a whole new blog design and everything to celebrate the switch, but since I'm a bit allergic to technology, I'll be hiring someone to do it for me. Doing research on that now. If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to let me know.

Thanks for listening!