Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (June 29)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This weekly meme shares the upcoming books that I'm most excited about.

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie? 
The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune, and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses. 
But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.
In Dearly, Departed, steampunk meets romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

Published by Del Rey Books
Release Date: October 18, 2011

Monday, June 27, 2011

Best Overlooked Book Battle

I received my book assignments and co-judge for round 2 of the Best Overlooked Book Battle 2011, and I just wanted to do a follow-up post about it. My co-judge is Melissa of My Chaotic Ramblings We've finished one book, and by the time this post goes up we'll have chatted about it and started the second book in our bracket. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just tell you to keep an eye out at The Shady Glade for our results.  

Sunday, June 26, 2011

In My Mailbox (June 26)

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi of The Story Siren, who was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. All of the synopses you see below were found on Goodreads. Here are the books I got this week...


I haven't done an IMM in quite some time, and I wanted to do a special shout out thank you to a couple of people this week. I'll start with some news, I got a new job! I'm not sure what days I'm working, but I know it will be a full-time position. So, add this on to school and I'm not sure what the fall is going to be like in terms of blogging. I'm definitely going to keep it up and running, and try to get as much as possible done in advance. Still, I'm sure that for the first couple of weeks things are probably going to be a bit of an adventure. On to the books...


Won: 


From Kismet Book Touring I was lucky enough to win an Amazon Kindle as part of the book tour for Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini! This included a Starcrossed skin (seen in the photo) and the e-book version of Josephine's book. So, a huge thanks goes out to them :)



For Review: 


The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab


The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children. 

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company. 

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.

Release Date: August 2, 2011

Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life: Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.

There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long — and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous, and that is . . . the emerald is cursed.

Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all, she has her best friend — the gorgeous Hale — and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses and realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.




Alexis is the last girl you'd expect to sell her soul. She already has everything she needs--an adorable boyfriend, the perfect best friend, and a little sister who’s finally recovering after being possessed by an evil spirit, then institutionalized.  Alexis is thrilled when her sister joins a club; new friends are just what Kasey needs.  It’s strange, though, to see how fast the girls in The Sunshine Club go from dorky and antisocial to gorgeous and popular.  Soon Alexis learns that the girls have pledged an oath to a seemingly benevolent spirit named Aralt.  Worried that Kasey's in over her head again, Alexis and her best friend Megan decide to investigate by joining the club themselves.  At first, their connection with Aralt seems harmless.  Alexis trades in her pink hair and punky clothes for a mainstream look, and quickly finds herself reveling in her newfound elegance and success. Instead of fighting off the supernatural, Alexis can hardly remember why she joined in the first place. Surely it wasn't to destroy Aralt...why would she hurt someone who has given her so much, and asked for so little in return?


Another huge thanks to Jamie at Disney Publishing Worldwide for the chance to read and review some of my most anticipated 2011 reads!


Purchased: 


Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress by Tina Ferraro


Sophomore year, Nicolette Antonovich was dumped two days before prom by the hottest guy at school. As a result, she became the proud owner of one unworn, perfectly magical pink vintage dress. But Nic is determined to put that night behind her for good. She's a junior now— older, wiser, and completely overwhelmed by a new set of problems: (1) The bank's ready to foreclose on her childhood home. (2) Her father's too busy with his "replacement" daughter to care. (3) Her best friend's brother is an eternal thorn in her side. (4) Her best friend isn't exactly the rose attached to that thorn. (5) Rumors are flying around school that could get her kicked off the volleyball team, which would (6) ruin all chances of a college scholarship. (7) She still likes the boy who dumped her in the first place. (8) And what in the world do you do with an unworn prom dress, anyway? Strangely, it's getting to the bottom of this last dilemma that just might hold the answer to all Nic's problems.


 Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper


Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there's no delete button. She's the smartest kid in her whole school - but no one knows it. Most people - her teachers and doctors included - don't think she's capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again and again.
If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows... but she can't, because Melody can't talk. She can't walk. She can't write.

Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind - that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. At last Melody has a voice... but not everyone around her is ready to hear it. 



Borrowed: 

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver 



What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.
Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.


Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Can there truly be love after death?
Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.
Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.
Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Author Interview: Myra McEntire


A huge thanks to Myra for taking the time to answer a couple of questions about her first YA novel, Hourglass. You can check out her blog here: http://myramcentire.blogspot.com/

1.Can you describe Hourglass in a few quick words? It's about a girl who sees what she thinks could be ghosts. They ARE NOT.
 
2.Hourglass is your first book, can you describe your journey to getting published?

I went the traditional route - finished, revised manuscript, queried agents, revised for my agent, agent submitted to Egmont! 
 
3. The book deals with time travel, and the book doesn't shy away from describing the science behind it. What inspired you to write about this topic, and how long did it take you to research it?

I ended up writing time travel because I wanted the book to be different from other paranormal books out there. And  I did a LOT of research - many hours worth. I still do actually! 

4. I found it extremely easy to relate to Emerson, and enjoyed watching her grow as a character while she came to terms with her ability. Were any of her characteristics inspired by people in your life, or personal experiences? Definitely the edit button. Mine is ALSO broken. 

5. I was excited to find out that you've already sold the sequel to Hourglass! Can you give us any hints as to what Emerson will be facing in book two? I wish I could. But I have been forbidden by my publisher! (And they sign the checks, yo!)

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Mini-Reviews

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

I'd heard a lot of great things about this one, so I was setting myself up for a bit of disappointment. While I liked most of the characters, I was kind of hoping for a heroine who didn't need to be rescued by her vampire lover. Still, Diana was a strong, stubborn character...so even though there were some portions where she relied on Matthew, she did hold her own when faced with angry witches.

During the first chapters there was more telling than showing. It set up a lot of Diana's past, but I'd rather spend 20 extra pages seeing it happen, rather than being told it. I will say that Harkness must have done an immense amount of research, and it showed in her writing. Things were extremely detailed, and that managed to keep my attention throughout all 500+ pages.

Overall, it didn't meet my high expectations, and fell victim to some vampire cliches. I did appreciate all of the detail Harkness put into it, however.

Rating: C

The Hate List by Jennifer Brown

I can't really say that I "enjoyed" this book, because it was extremely tough subject matter. I think I'd describe it as a phenomenally written book about the tragedy and aftermath of a school shooting. Valerie and her boyfriend Nick are the outcasts, and they're treated badly by their fellow schoolmates. Together they've created a Hate List, which includes various different people/things that they despise. Still, Valerie doesn't expect Nick to exact revenge by taking a gun to school and shooting classmates, a teacher, and then himself.

I can't say that this book ends happily, that would have been horribly unrealistic. In a way, I wanted things to work out with her father (who I wanted to smack upside the head in basically every scene he was in), but tying everything up nicely would have ruined all of the growth we saw in Valerie. Instead, the book leaves readers with the understanding that the impact of the shooting has altered who Valerie is. She's changed completely from the girl in the flashback scenes, and she's ready to begin a new life.

Rating: A

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Teaser Tuesday (June 21)

What is teaser tuesday?
It's a meme hosted by Should Be Reading and here are the rules:
Grab your current read...
Open to a random page
Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on the page
Don't include spoilers.

"By the third time across the sitting room I was walking more like a debutante and less like a wounded hippopotamus. I was feeling rather pleased with my efforts until Colin came in." 
-Haunting Violet, Page 46, by Alyxandra Harvey

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (June 14)


Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This weekly meme shares the upcoming books that I'm most excited about.

Bunheads by Sophie Flack

As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet.

But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah's universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other "bunheads" in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life?

Published by Poppy
Release Date: October 10, 2011


The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus 2) by Rick Riordan



In The Lost Hero, three demigods named Jason, Piper, and Leo made their first visit to Camp Half-Blood, where they inherited a quest:
Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.
Who are the other four mentioned in the prophecy? The answer may lie in another camp miles away, where a new camper has shown up and appears to be the son of Neptune, god of the sea...

Published by Hyperion
Release Date: October 4, 2011





Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Teaser Tuesday (June 14)

What is teaser tuesday?
It's a meme hosted by Should Be Reading and here are the rules:
Grab your current read...
Open to a random page
Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on the page
Don't include spoilers.

"Only my mother seemed determined to ignore that fact with sniffs of disdain and complaints about the violent rocking of the train and what it was doing to her delicate sensibilities. Mother was delicate the way badgers were delicate."

Haunting Violet, Page 13, by Alyxandra Harvey

Monday, June 13, 2011

Book Review: Abandon By Meg Cabot

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.
But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.
Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.
But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld. (From Goodreads)


I always start a review of a Meg Cabot book by expressing my love for her writing. The stories are funny, and my go-to for entertaining reads. While Abandon was more of a serious book, I really enjoyed it. 

This summer seems packed with mythology, and I love it! I wasn't sure how Cabot was going to rework the myth of Persephone, but I guessed that the two main characters would be modern-day versions of the originals. I was right in some respects, Pierce does mirror Persephone, except her trip to the underworld occurs because she's dead. John is also a bit like Hades, although I should clarify that he isn't actually Hades. I won't share any more similarities/differences between the two for fear of spoiling things. I'll just leave you with the information that together they're dealing with some mythological baddies. 

The Underworld was only briefly visited during the story, so I'm interested to read more about it in the sequel. Because I was expecting most of the book to take place there, I was a bit disappointed that it was really only a flashback scene. On the other hand, I really liked what I saw. I can't wait for Cabot's next release!

Abandon 
By Meg Cabot
Published by Point
320 Pages
Purchased
Rating: B

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday (June 8)

Before I get to my WoW, I just wanted to do a little birthday shout out to my sister! Happy birthday!


Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This weekly meme shares the upcoming books that I'm most excited about.

From Bad To Cursed by Katie Alender


Alexis is the last girl you'd expect to sell her soul. She already has everything she needs--an adorable boyfriend, the perfect best friend, and a little sister who’s finally recovering after being possessed by an evil spirit, then institutionalized.  Alexis is thrilled when her sister joins a club; new friends are just what Kasey needs.  It’s strange, though, to see how fast the girls in The Sunshine Club go from dorky and antisocial to gorgeous and popular.  Soon Alexis learns that the girls have pledged an oath to a seemingly benevolent spirit named Aralt.  Worried that Kasey's in over her head again, Alexis and her best friend Megan decide to investigate by joining the club themselves.  At first, their connection with Aralt seems harmless.  Alexis trades in her pink hair and punky clothes for a mainstream look, and quickly finds herself reveling in her newfound elegance and success. Instead of fighting off the supernatural, Alexis can hardly remember why she joined in the first place. Surely it wasn't to destroy Aralt...why would she hurt someone who has given her so much, and asked for so little in return?

Published by Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: June 14, 2011

Monday, June 6, 2011

Book Review: Exposure by Therese Fowler

In Exposure, Therese Fowler has written her most gripping novel to date—a ripped-from-the-headlines story of ardent young love and a nightmarish legal maelstrom that threatens to destroy two families.
Amelia Wilkes’s strict father does not allow her to date, but that doesn’t stop the talented, winsome high school senior from carrying on a secret romance with her classmate Anthony Winter. Desperately in love, the two envision a life together and plan to tell Amelia’s parents only after she turns eighteen and is legally an adult. Anthony’s mother, Kim, who teaches at their school, knows—and keeps—their secret. But the couple’s passion is exposed sooner than planned: Amelia’s father, Harlan, is shocked and infuriated to find naked pictures of Anthony on his daughter’s computer. Just hours later, Anthony is arrested.

Despite Amelia’s frantic protests, Harlan uses his wealth and influence with local law enforcement and the media to label Anthony a deviant who preyed on his innocent daughter. Spearheaded by a zealous prosecutor anxious to turn the case into a public crusade against “sexting,” the investigation soon takes an even more disturbing and destructive turn.

As events spiral wildly out of control and the scandalous story makes national news, Amelia and Anthony risk everything in a bold and dangerous attempt to clear their names and end the madness once and for all.  (From Goodreads)


I don't normally write up full reviews of non-YA fiction, but when I was contacted about Exposure I couldn't say no. Not only is it about a relevant topic in todays tech/media society, it's also something that the Fowler drew on experience from.

This book was intense. Fowler wrote this book in a way that had me emotionally invested in the characters. Once I got a few chapters in, I really couldn't set it down. This wasn't the case of a bad boyfriend sending a naked photo of his girlfriend to all of his friends, it involved a couple who were deeply in love, and a father snooping on his daughter's computer. It was nice to see a couple that were really in love, and that it clearly wasn't "puppy love" for them. It always bothers me when adults look down on teens in love, so I was glad that the relationship between these two characters was wasn't a superficial one.

The situation spiraled out of control quickly, and was made worse by Amelia's aggressively overprotective father, Harlan. The portions of the book that were narrated from his point-of-view were a struggle to get through...he was completely unreasonable. I don't have kids, so I can't claim to understand what it's like to try to protect your child. Still, to me he was the start of the problem, and continued to exacerbate it. The emotions in the book, woo boy. Can I say that it was intense again? I really wasn't sure how things were going to resolve, and I ended up finishing the second half of the book in a couple of hours. I had to know what was going to happen to the characters, particularly if Amelia and Anthony would be able to move past everything that had happened to them.

I would have liked to see more of Amelia's mother, and why she remained almost passive during most of the scandal. Some background on her would have been nice, although we do get quite a bit about Harlan and Kim. I'm also a bit biased about the Vermont scenes, being a Vermonter myself. There were a few portions where I thought the accent was a bit extreme...The fact that those are my only two issues should say a lot about the book. I thought the characters were real, and I felt like Fowler was able to use her experience to infuse the book with something that other author's would miss.

Exposure
By Therese Fowler
Published by Ballantine Books
366 Pages
Purchased

Friday, June 3, 2011

Book Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire


For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.
So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened? (From Goodreads)

I very rarely give out A ratings, because I reserve that grade for books that surpass my expectations completely. Hourglass was one of those books that had me hooked from start to finish. Because I wanted to learn more, I pushed past my internet shyness, and emailed the author for an interview (see note at the bottom of the review)! The characters and plot were written well, and the book had substance. In short, I loved it.

This book does err on the serious side, beginning with Emerson dealing with her return from the life-altering depression the began after the death of both of her parents. She sees scenes from the past, ripples of people and events, and assumes they're hallucinations. It hasn't been easy on her brother and his wife, who are trying to support Em while thinking about starting a family of their own. When her brother calls in Michael to help, Em gets the answers that she's looking for...plus a romance. The only thing I want to add, and this is about all YA fiction, is that when a male character pushes away/sends mixed messages to the girl he likes for "her safety"...argh! She's already involved, it's too late, so there's no need for this dramatic tension. Of course, I love that dramatic tension...I just really wanted to point that out.

Woo, there were a couple twists in this book that had me shocked. I literally had to reread certain passages because I couldn't believe what had just been revealed. I thought the pacing of the book was excellent, and while the twists surprised me, they were perfectly timed in the overall plot. I'm looking forward to watching how things resolve themselves in the upcoming books.

This is another strong title from Egmont, and I can't wait for the next book in the series to be released. The great news is that McEntire has already sold the sequel (hurrah!), and according to her blog there are numerous other stories taking place in the Hourglass universe.

Hourglass
By Myra McEntire
Published by Egmont USA
408 Pages
Release Date: June 14, 2011
Received for review
Rating: A

I've got an interview with Myra in the works, so keep an eye out for that over the next fews weeks. I'm also going to plug the big pre-order contest she's hosting over at her blog. Here's a link: http://myramcentire.blogspot.com/2011/05/preorderhourglass-epic-giveaway.html

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (June 1)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This weekly meme shares the upcoming books that I'm most excited about.

This week:
Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society 2) by Ally Carter
 
 Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life: Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.

There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long — and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous, and that is . . . the emerald is cursed.

Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all, she has her best friend — the gorgeous Hale — and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses and realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.

Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.

Published by Hyperion
Release Date: June 21, 2011

Uh, what?! How was I unaware that this was being released this summer? I really enjoyed Heist Society, so I'll definitely be grabbing a copy. In other news, I have a pretty horrid sunburn that's been making me feel super lazy. The upside to that is I've accomplished a lot of reading (hurrah). What are you waiting on this wednesday?

Copyright ©2009-2013 Cornucopia of Reviews. All Rights Reserved.