Sunday, June 30, 2013

Mini Reviews # 10

THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS by Rae Carson, MERCY by Rebecca Lim and THE NEAR WITCH by Victoria Schwab are three more 2011 Netgalley titles I finally got to review. Read my mini reviews for them below.


The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Girl of Fire and Thorns #1) by Rae Carson

The blue gemstone in Elisa's navel is a sign for the divine purpose she's destined to fulfill. Chosen by God like many others before her every century. Married to King Alejandro de Varga, Elisa is expected to fit into her new role as future Queen of Joya d'Arena. Until she is kidnapped by revolutionaries and  has to choose her very own path.
Finding her path has to be understood figuratively as literally. Elisa is travelling a lot whether she wants to or not. She leaves her home of Orovalle for Joya d'Arena, most of the route leads her through desert areas of great expanses. I really would have liked a map to go with the story so I could have followed Elisa's journey more easily. She's living in a war-torn country and that's why there were too many discussions about strategy and stretched marches through the desert that lacked all kinds of excitement.
It must have been the long and tedious  journey that clouded my senses and made me unresponsive for Elisa's desert romance.
Central to the story are high beliefs in God, thorough praying, a profound historical background and tellings of former Godstone-bearers.


3,5/5 ***/* THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS -  Have a little faith and this could be an adventurous journey!

Elisa's special because she's a Godstone-bearer. But her ways of communicating with God weren't exactly what made her appealing as a main character but the metamorphosis she's undergoing in so many different ways. For fans of GRACELING by Kristin Cashore, LEGACY by Cayla Kluver or A TOUCH OF POWER by Maria V. Snyder.


Publisher: Harper Teen
Publishing Date: September 1st 2011
Length: 423 pages
Keywords: YA fiction, fantasy, religion, history, romance, sorcery
Source: Netgalley
Author's Homepage



Mercy (Mercy #1) by Rebecca Lim

Waking up in a new human body now and then, taking over their lives to righten things, that's what Mercy's existence looks like. This time Mercy finds herself on a schoolbus on its way to a choir practice trip and with that in the life of Carmen Zappacosta. From the beginning it's all about singing and choir meets - a complete musical overload if you ask me.
Then there's a crime case at hand that Mercy gets involved with. Lauren, the daughter of her host familiy went missing almost two years ago and Lauren's brother Ryan still hasn't lost hope of finding her. Mercy and Ryan team up to dig for info with joined forces.
There was nothing said about Carmen's life before Mercy or that much about the missing girl's life.
Ryan and Mercy as Carmen wander around town, blatantly and obviously asking people about where Lauren could be. I could't call it hunting for clues, they are just too dumb to realise what's right in front of them the whole time. I guess they were supposed to bring a romance factor to the story of MERCY but I hardly felt the spark.
From the sound of its abstract MERCY is supposed to be the start of a new paranormal angel series but there's not much talking about angels and everything about the background of Mercy is left in the dark. No explanations, therefore stark frustration.


1,5/5 */* MERCY – Music, angels, a missing girl – all rather disproportionate and shapeless parts of MERCY not really adding up.

MERCY was a touch case. The story got more absurd and cruelly evoking disinterest with each passing page. The entire choir and music theme a liability. The romance probably the weakest I've encountered so far this year. Only the idea of some angelic being put into another human's life to offer help and improvement time and time again was what kept me reading.


Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publishing Date: May 17th 2011
Length: 288 pages
Keywords: YA fiction,music, angels, romance, missing girl
Source: Netgalley
Author's Homepage



The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

The Near Witch is only an old child's tale. That's what Lexi believes until one day when a stranger appears, in the town of Near where there are none, and children start to disappear overnight.
Lexi and the stranger Cole, who has an otherworldly feel about him, start looking for clues to find the lost children and see if there's actually more to the near witch tale than they always thought. Cole is mysterious and elusive and  I wasn't sure if their relationship was supposed to be a love story, it only evoked weak feelings.
The story itself is supposed to be scary, slightly unset was all I felt. It's more of a spooky tale to read to children than a Young Adult novel.


3/5 *** THE NEAR WITCH – An eerie read for cold and windy days. More children's tale and not much of a successful YA debut.

It's been a while since I read THE NEAR WITCH and even though the plot wasn't elaborate enough to fully grasp me it's the atmosphere of a remote town, a whispering gale, moor and green glades that's still surprisingly present when I think about Victoria Schwab's debut.


Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publishing Date: August 2nd 2011
Length: 282 pages
Keywords: YA fiction, tale, witch, romance
Source: Netgalley
Author's Homepage

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Mini Reviews # 9

This week's Mini Reviews post is about the first book in three different series that I probably won't be finishing at all or in the near future, THE MEPHISTO COVENANT by Trinity Faegen, IMMORTAL BELOVED by Cate Tiernan and THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET by Kady Cross.



Sasha is Anabo, a daughter of Eve's and one of the purest souls on earth. So it doesn't take long for Eryx, an evil immortal who wants to take over hell, and his devotees to start hunting her. To her rescue come dark and mysterious Jax and his brothers, devotees to another master, Mephistopholes. Together they try to fight against evil and prevent any more good souls in Sasha's surroundings to get lost.
Strong emotions about a book are almost always a safe sign for said book's and the author's story-writing qualities. Just what if anger and frustration aren't caused by antagonists but directed at main characters? It simply doesn't feel right.
Here's what THE MEPHISTO COVENANT was like. A fight between heaven and hell is realised by cultish formations robbing high school kids of their free will, turning them into aggressive and brainless minions. Between mostly passable kissing scenes, of course Sasha and Jax can't keep their hands or mouths to themselves, there's talking about religious beliefs. Stalking and brain washing are involved, too. Feelings of hatred are strewn into a high number of scenes, scenes without any real relevance to the story.
The first and second book were published by Egmont. Then the publisher decided to say no to more books in this series. Fans will be happy to hear that Trinity Faegen is thinking about self-pulishing them.


1,5/5 */* THE MEPHISTO COVENANT – Unbalanced characters, a screwy system of beliefs and a stale love story!

As you can see THE MEPHISTO COVENANT had very little to offer to me and my patience was tested more than once. I often felt like quitting but somehow made it to the end. This will definitely be the end of my acquaintance with the THE MEPHISTO COVENANT series, as sad as I am to give up on any book series.


Publisher: Egmont USA
Publishing Date: September 27th 2011
Length: 438 pages
Keywords: YA fiction, romance, religion, cult, hell, heaven
Source: Netgalley
Author's Homepage





Nastasya is an immortal and has lived a long life in excess and ignorance. In the past hundreds of years she hasn't been the best version of herself. When one of her so-called dark friends harms a human, Nastasya decides to leave her gang of dangerous immortals and with them all destructiveness and misery behind her.
IMMORTAL BELOVED discusses what it means to have a never-ending life ahead of you and what it is you should do with it. On her quest for change Nastasya meets an immortal who offers shelter to all the lost immortal souls looking for a new start. So she finds a home in River's mansion. It has a kind of boarding school feel about it because of all the avid students buzzing around. Immortals can take lessons and have to do chores. With the help of others Nastasya is now learning to master a normal life. And with that things start to fall into a monotone pattern without prospect of any serious action.
Between complaining about chores and slowly discovering her heritage Nastasya develops a crush on fellow immortal Reyn. Theirs isn't a love story of the exciting but more of the repellent kind. So this romance didn't exactly fit my idea of sexy.


3,5/5 ***/* IMMORTAL BELOVED – A reform school presenting us with a new somber spin on immortality.

IMMORTAL BELOVED was appealing in a way because of all the possibilities immortality had to offer. When I pick up a novel with immortals in it I'm mostly interested in hearing more about their pasts and Nastasya's visions of the past are one important part of her story now. Visit River's remote reform school for immortals with a dark atmospheric feel about it but don't expect all too much fun in the end.


Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publishing Date: September 1 st 2011
Length: 400 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, romance, immortals
Source: Publisher
Author's Homepage

 


Finley Jayne's on the run from her past. She just took care of a lord who molested her. Or more precisely, her bad side did. There are two sides battling for attention in Finley, one good and one evil. She's lucky young duke Griffin and his friends take her in and show her a new world, one filled with magic and solidarity.
What starts with a kick-ass heroine in action gradually reverses into a series of trivial dialogues and unexciting scenes. Since we are given access to so many characters' perspectives, Finley, Griffin, Sam and some others, there is little chance for anticipation and wondering left. My attention was amiss more than once during the story.
Finley's and Griffin's love story is of the average kind, too few intense feelings and actual kissing scenes. A love triangle was purely unnecessary, so Jack Dandy, the man who Finley's dark side favours, was a character I just couldn't get acquainted with. Finley's biopolar personality is the most interesting aspect about THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET because it made her such an unpredictable character


3/5 *** THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET – A diverting 19th century stroll with rather weak performance on part of the clockwork automatons.

Victorian London is one of my favourite places for a story to be set. We will even be graced with Queen Victoria's presence. Evil master minds as enemies and clockwork automatons always promise to bring some excitement to the story, not so much in this case. THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET is a historical fiction with fantastical elements I only enjoyed to a certain extend.


Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publishing Date: May 24th 2011
Length: 473 pages
Keywords: YA fiction, magic, romance,Victorian London, steampunk
Source: Netgalley
Author's Homepage

Friday, June 21, 2013

Book Review: The Longest Holiday by Paige Toon


Title: The Longest Holiday
Author: Paige Toon
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Publishing Date: April 25th 2013
Length: 400 pages
Keywords: romance, chick-lit, vacation, self-discovery, Key West
Source: Publisher

He's smiling down at me with tears in his eyes as I say my solemn vow:
'I, Laura, take thee, Matthew, to be my lawful wedded husband…' I thought I would never feel like this about anyone ever again. Not after my first love… Not after the heartbreak and the loss and the trying to pick myself back up again… Then I met Matthew, and I know that he has my heart forever: my perfect, gorgeous, adoring Matthew. And then I wake up. And I remember that he's not perfect. He's so far from perfect that my heart could surely collapse from the pain that instantly engulfs me…
To say Laura is unlucky in love is an understatement. Her first boyfriend died in a horrific accident, and now she's just discovered that her husband of six months has been hiding a terrible secret. Devastated and unwilling to face reality, she escapes on a girls' holiday to Key West with her best friend Marty. But a deep and instant attraction to a sexy Cuban scuba diver takes her completely by surprise. When her two weeks in the sun come to an end, Laura doesn't want to go home again. But she can't run from real life forever. Can she?


Summary by Goodreads 






Laura, Marty and Bridget are on their way to Key West. They've come to explore Florida, to party and most important to forget (and forgive) Laura's husband Matthew. THE LONGEST HOLIDAY is told from Laura's perspective who has to deal with a lot right now, something her husband did to her. Like possibly every other woman I couldn't help to feel sorry for Laura and angry at otherwise pretty perfect, but admittedly plain, Matthew.
The Keys open up a whole new world for Laura. Without the pressure and pretence of life back in London. And without any barriers to hold her back. For Laura it's not just a trip across the Atlantic, but a chance to discover herself and find her place in life.What is life worth if you are constantly stressing or worrying yourself? Laura's inspirational quote sums it up best: "Don't wait for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain." 

The trio's girl power is a fabulous and carefree plunge into the story. Marty and Bridget urge Laura to let go and drink, party and have fun with them. Together they absolve a dive course and drive around to explore the island. You'll learn a few fun facts about the Keys and are awarded with a gratis crash course on Scuba diving. It's a wonderland of colorful underwater scenery, brightly painted houses and the richness of nature and food in its exotic glory. They are having a blast, but when the time comes to leave and go back to England Laura does what she feels like and not what others expect her to do. She stays.

One evening Laura finds herself wandering around and is magically drawn to an overgrown garden. It's life that throws fortunate coincidences your way and so it comes that Laura moves in with her new crush, sexy Scuba diver Leo, his friend Carlos and his sister Carmen and her boyfriend. By stepping into their home, she's entering an almost dream-like world, paradise right outside her window. Now it's her task to find out what's in her heart. Can she go back to London and face reality or does she stay in Florida. And what does brooding and cautious Leo want?

Laura's and Leo's relationship is like a little game itself. They are slinking around each other, testing, and teasing. When they are ready and willing to let go of their inhibitions, their emotions flow into a sensual bond that gives THE LONGEST HOLIDAY a very passionate and slightly erotic air. Be assured, this isn't about the sex only, their love story convinces with a a true romantic feel to it. 
Leo isn't your typical love interest. He's unrelenting and at first seemingly uninterested. But there's much more to him than you first thought. In the course of the story he goes through something that shows his loyal and loving character that you can't help but be touched by. 

So far I have only read one other book by Paige Toon, ONE PERFECT SUMMER, and I enjoyed it so much that I did a jump of joy when Simon & Schuster sent me her newest book THE LONGEST HOLIDAY. I heard that Paige Toon brings back characters from her previous books and involves them in her new stories. That's something I am absolutely cheerful about. I'm a reader who never wants to let go of her characters and meet them again and again. I recognized one character from ONE PERFECT SUMMER crossing Laura's way but there could be others, too I haven't met yet. My goal is to read all previous Paige Toon books by next year so that 2013 can be officially named my Paige Toon year.  






1) of its vibrant underwater scenery
2) we've always wanted to live in paradise
3) of a glimpse on the other side of love
4) there's a new dream for everyone
5) we get a chance to meet other beloved Paige Toon characters again






4/5 **** - A luscious and inspirational journey to paradise, self-discovery and beyond!

THE LONGEST HOLIDAY is indeed a fine holiday read and another definitive chick-lit favourite of mine. You practically feel the soft sea breeze combing your hair, sand between your toes and smell the richest flavours of Leo's curry. Between Laura's sorrowful past and her confusing present, there's hope at a bright and rewarding future.






* Want to read more by Paige Toon? Start with her first novel, LUCY IN THE SKY!

* You can read an excerpt of THE LONGEST HOLIDAY by clicking here.

* You might want to have a look at Paige Toon's research photos for THE LONGEST HOLIDAY.

* For further information about Paige Toon and her books visit www.paigetoon.com

* Thanks to Simon & Schuster UK for sending me THE LONGEST HOLIDAY for review! 


Thursday, June 20, 2013

Book Review: The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa


Title: The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publishing Date: April 30th 2013
Length: 434 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, vampire, virus, rabids, romance
Source: Netgalley 

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.


Summary by Goodreads






THE ETERNITY CURE was a sequel I wasn't sure I would read too soon after the first book. I saw the book on Netgalley and like any other book addict couldn't resist to request it. It took me some time to finish THE IMMORTAL RULES and the second book was just as thick. As I had predicted the story was more on the slow side in the beginning. Allison Sekemoto is wandering around, searching for her sire Kanin. I felt like I was looking for something as well during that first third of the story and Allison's restlessness and her desire to make progress were passed on to me. When things finally started to get under way I noticed fast that THE ETERNITY CURE was a sequel that for once would bring the story forward and not just step on the same spot most of the time.

Allison is joined by a familiar face known from THE IMMORTAL RULES, who appears as an unknown ally. Their constant quarreling adds a new zappiness and snark to our dismal journey through deserted planes and crumbling cities. But Allison isn't the only one searching for someone. Guess who else joins their group? A certain fair-haired boy with the warmest and kindest heart. Yes, Zeke! His and Allison's romantic feelings for each other are another puzzle they're trying to figure out on their way to finding a cure. I think I liked their moments and love story in THE ETERNITY CURE even better than in the first book, because a greater development becomes apparent.

This books' title is its subject, too. Allison and her new ally - one that will certainly surprise and amuse you - are hunting psycho vampire Sarren who is holding Kanin hostage. They are also searching for a cure to the disastrous virus that's threating to destroy both humans and vampires. Theories and possible solutions are discussed and old abandoned labs explored. Julie's BLOOD OF EDEN series is the first series centering around a deadly virus that I actually felt drawn to.

THE ETERNITY CURE promised hope, but is an even darker read than THE IMMORTAL RULES, full of atmosphere. It's a mix between dystopian and horror, vampires and zombies (just thinking about the manic rabids makes me shudder). This is probably no book for a queasy stomach and there will be a lot of fighting. It contains various descriptive scenes of macabre, violent and pretty bloody nature.






1) of a new chance at love
2) of fighting till the very last second
3) of a crazily torturous ending
4) of one entertaining bickerung duo
5) of knowing there'll be a paradise at the end of your journey






4/5 **** THE ETERNITY CURE – A vampire world with the most chilling and delicious post-apocalyptic feel about it!

Allison isn't new to the vamp business anymore. As she gains more experience and strength, she as a character very much grew on me, too. With an honorable goal in mind Allison is embarking on a gripping and, most important, life-saving quest that will lead readers through many states of emotions, varying from bright hope to deepest despair. Be warned, this book ends with a mean cliffhanger! 






* Want to learn more about the world Allison Sekemoto lives in? Then you should read the prequel to THE IMMORTAL RULES, TIL THE WORLD ENDS!

* Read an excerpt of THE ETERNITY CURE.

* Click here to watch the book trailer.

* For further information about Julie Kagawa and her books visit www.juliekagawa.com

* Thanks to Harlequin Teen and Netgalley for the chance to review THE ETERNITY CURE!


Sunday, June 16, 2013

New Books On My Shelf #66

I couldn't resist to order a few books in the past week and I'm saving MOONGLASS and THE BOOK OF BROKEN HEARTS for my vacation. SIEGE AND STORM will probably be my next read and the two netgalley copies of course.



Brooklyn Girls by Gemma Burgess (Netgalley)
All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill (Netgalley)


Golden by Jessi Kirby (Bought- read)
The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler (Bought)
Moonglass by Jessi Kirby (Bought)


Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo (Bought)
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey (Bought)
If I Should Die by Amy Plum (Won - big thanks to Amy Plum for sending me a signed copy + signed swag!!) 

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Book Review: Dead Silence (The Body Finder #4) by Kimberly Derting


Title: Dead Silence (The Body Finder #4)
Author: Kimberly Derting
Publisher: Headline
Publishing Date: April 16th 2013
Length: 400 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, mystery, thriller, romance, murder
Source: Publisher

Violet thought she’d made peace with her unique ability to sense the echoes of the dead and the imprints that cling to their killers…that is until she acquired an imprint of her own. Forced to carry a reminder of the horrible events of her kidnapping, Violet is more determined than ever to lead a normal life. However, the people who run the special investigative team Violet works for have no intention of letting her go.

When someone close to Violet becomes a suspect in a horrific murder, she finds herself pulled into a deadly hunt for a madman with an army of devoted followers. Violet has survived dangerous situations before, but she quickly discovers that protecting those closest to her is far more difficult than protecting herself.

Summary by Goodreads 





Read the prologue of DEAD SILENCE and tell me you are not feeling a compulsive need to finish this book in one sitting, for this prologue is a very scary and unsettling start to the story. Things are feeling more urgent and dangerous than before, because now one of Violet's friends is on the culprit's radar. Pick up the fourth THE BODY FINDER novel and risk another sleepless night spent reading.

As seen in the three previous books, the chapters of Violet's perspective are again complemented with chapters from the murderer's perspective. And this one's a tough case of wicked evil mind with scary and insane issues.
Every single one of Violet's murder cases has been thrilling so far. And I was equally entranced and repulsed by the vile and violent case Kimberly Derting envisioned in DEAD SILENCE. The new killer could be even more disturbing than others before him, expect a few very gruesome details.

DEAD SILENCE shows us another side of Violet, a new courage to trust the ones around her with her secrets. I liked that Violet opened herself a bit to her friends and Jay, too. Still her senseless way to dash off and hunt the killer on her own made me want to shake her more than once. The romantic aspect of DEAD SILENCE wasn't as strong as in DESIRES OF THE DEAD or THE BODY FINDER. I mean Jay was as sweet and swoon-worthy as ever, but there just wasn't that much space for Violet and Jay to spend alone-time together as a couple or further develop their relationship.

As the romance is definitely not the focus of this book, now the mysterious Center is observed more closely. Violet discoveres old journals from her grandmother and we will learn more about her experiences, her ability to sense the dead and what it was like to live with it a few decades ago.
Rafe, Sara and the Team of other specially gifted teens will be back, too. But the main focus isn't on them solving cases together, it's more a personal story of Violet finding out more about her grandmother's life and about Violet's personal posture towards the Center and her own involvement in solving the murder cases.

I was as content with DEAD SILENCE as I was with the other books, but if this is truly the ending to the whole series…SO NOT ACCEPTED! Kimberly Derting can’t just leave it at that, with questions unanswered and the future uncertain. The ending felt just like the ending of a book in a series, not of an entire series. I can't imagine a Top 2014 list without a new BODY FINDER title on it!






1) of probably the most wicked murder case in this series
2) of the cutest turtle
3) family history is important
4) of a beach that requires boys to take off their shirts
5) of learning to trust and let others in on the secret that's your life






4/5 **** DEAD SILENCE – A twisted murder case that will be calling dibs on your reading time and won't let you rest for a second, until it's solved! 

Kimberly Derting's fourth THE BODY FINDER installment introduces us to a new stage of awareness of Vilolet's world, filled with imprints and echoes. Minor shortcomings romance-wise and the lack of an ENDING ending are compensated by Kimberly's writing that's as engaging as in the previous THE BODY FINDER books.
THE TAKING is a novel I'll be looking forward to read in 2014 then, but I'm still hoping, wishing, pining for another THE BODY FINDER book. Who would believe that Violet would ever stop getting involved with echoes and crimes, huh?





* If you liked the THE BODY FINDER series, you could also enjoy THE PLEDGE.

* Read an extract of DEAD SILENCE here.

* Click here to watch the DEAD SILENCE book trailer.

* For further information about Kimberly Derting and her books visit www.kimberlyderting.com

* Thanks to Sam and Headline for sending me a copy of DEAD SILENCE for review!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Book Review: The Impossibility of Tomorrow (Incarnation #2) by Avery Williams


Title: The Impossibility of Tomorrow (Incarnation #2)
Author: Avery Williams
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Publishing Date: July 4th 2013
Length: 375 pages
Keywords: YA fiction, incarnation, romance, thriller
Source: Publisher

The immortal Seraphina is forced to face the darkness of her past—and risk losing the love of her life—in this second novel in the Incarnation series.

Seraphina has been living for centuries, thanks to a special method of alchemy, but only recently has she really felt alive. She’s finally broken free from her controlling boyfriend, Cyrus, and after years of swapping bodies to preserve her immortality, is happily settled into a life worth sticking with. Because in this life, she has Noah.

But Noah might not be as trustworthy as he seems. After he delivers an ominous message that could only come from Cyrus, Sera is worried that her new friends and family will find out her secret. And as her suspicions extend beyond Noah, Sera is forced to wonder about her new friends as well: Could her old coven be disguising themselves right under her nose?

Will Sera have to move to another body—and take another life—or can she find a way to keep what she’s got, forever?

Summary by Goodreads 





After the cliffhanger THE ALCHEMY OF FOREVER ended with I couldn't wait to read its sequel. Believe me, if you have the chance, you want to read the two INCARNATION books back to back because they both are so unbelievably irresistible. I was surprised and elated to find out the second book had about one hundred pages more than the first which guaranteed so much more freaskishly frightening reading fun.

Incarnates are souls that have lived for centuries. They possess the ability to take over the body of any human being they come near enough to do the transfer. Sera was one of them once, but not anymore. In THE ALCHEMY OF FOREVER she left her coven and her possessive boyfriend Cyrus for good and took over one last body on her escape. And with it the life of sixteen-year-old Kailey. She goes to school, hangs out with her friends and falls in love with Noah.

It should all be about the undying love between Cyrus and Seraphina, who met hundreds of years ago and have been together for almost all of their immortal lives. Rudely phrased, Cyrus is a jerk that has lived way too long to be granted another chance in life. So it's only fair that Sera was lucky enough to begin a new life on her own and that she found Noah.
And the sweetness that's Noah, her boyfriend from next door! You won't be able to resist him. Sera and Noah's love story is an epic one.

Sera is such a kind soul. She's lived all these different lives and has been to so many different places all over the world, still it seems this new life as Kailey is an entirely new thing to her. She's never felt so accepted and loved before and you can't but be happy for her. Now Sera has to deal with all the problems Kailey left behind and get to know the people who were important to the mysterious teenage girl that was Kailey.

The alchemy part and the power to transfer your soul into another body still fascinated me so much. But the fact that every time a new body was possessed, the person would die and the old body disintegrate to dust scared me pretty much. So a new murder case was caused every time Cyrus, the crazy immortal stalker ex of Sera, changed bodies. He sure leaves a path of death on his mission to find Sera's new body.

Not knowing whose body Cyrus would have possessed by then, was creepy. It was like a very elaborate game of hide and seek. You automatically suspected everyone around Sera who acted
strange. I started analysing every sentence and motif. And these little hints and threats Cyrus leaves all around town? The game he's playing couldn't be more terrifying.
Also, how dare Cyrus endanger Sera and Noah's future together? You just want to kick him and rip him apart for the dread and fear he puts into Sera and thereby sabotages Sera and Noah's relationship at some point. You sabotage their relationship and you have to report to me!

You know I loved THE ALCHEMY OF FOREVER very much (read my review here), so you also know what it means when I say that THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF TOMORROW was even better than the first book. How is that even possible? Avery Williams doubled the package of awesomeness she installed in her first INCARNATION book. She added some more mystery, thriller. Plus the romance is something to be eternally enarmored with. Avery Williams always keeps the story exciting. You never know what comes next and especially who or what is waiting around the next corner. Love or death.

Sera's story doesn't find a complete wrap-up in this sequel, so it's only natural I have the hugest hope for a sequel to follow THE IMPOSSIBLITY OF TOMORROW!





1) of a seriously thrilling hide and seek
2) of a new life
3) of stary night skies above glasshouses
4) of intimate souls
5) of the one and only unicorn hotline





5/5 ***** THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF TOMORROW – The most astounding and thrilling game of hide and seek. This is a YA love like no other!

There's no chance you'll get around this stunning sequel to THE ALCHEMY OF FOREVER! Avery Williams spun an elaborate and magnificient story around the essence of souls, incarnation and alchemy and gifted readers with one of the most adoring and timeless love stories of YA. But never fear thrill-seekers, Sera's ex Cyrus has never been more dangerous and unpredictable than in THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF TOMORROW. This is a read for your mind, heart and soul!




* Have you read THE ALCHEMY OF FOREVER, the first book in the INCARNATION series?

* Read an excerpt of THE ALCHEMY OF FOREVER here

* Click here to watch the book trailer of THE ALCHEMY OF FOREVER.

* Click here to learn more about the characters of the series. 

* Thanks to Kat and Simon & Schuster UK for sending me a copy of THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF TOMORROW for review!

Sunday, June 9, 2013

New Books On My Shelf #65

Another bunch of books from my wishlist. I bought most of them and got THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF TOMORROW for review (loved it). Couldn't wait to read SWEET PERIL either. I just had to move it up my TBR pile and it was SO GOOD!



Of Triton by Anna Banks (Bought- currently reading)
Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins( Bought-read)
The Diviners by Libba Bray (Bought)



The moon and more by Sarah Dessen (Bought)
The Impossibility of Tomorrow by Avery Williams (For Review - read. Thanks to Sion & Schuster UK. REALLY loved it!)


Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Giveaway: ARC of Famous Last Words by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski + Swag

This is your chance to win an ARC of FAMOUS LAST WORDS by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski and with it the perfect read for your summer vacation. Last month I did a Q&A with Jen and she also wrote a guest post about road trips. I loved her debut novel, HOW MY SUMMER WENT UP IN FLAMES. You can read my review here. My review of FAMOUS LAST WORDS will be up here closer around its pub date in July.



Sixteen-year-old Samantha D’Angelo has death on the brain. Her summer internship at the local newspaper has her writing obituaries instead of soaking up the sun at the beach. Between Shelby, Sam’s boy-crazy best friend; her boss Harry, a true-blue newspaper man; and AJ, her fellow “intern scum” (aka the cute drummer for a band called Love Gas), Sam has her hands full. But once she figures out what—or who—is the best part of her summer, will she mess it all up?

As Sam learns her way around both the news room and the real world, she starts to make some momentous realizations about politics, ethics, her family, romance, and most important—herself.


Summary by Goodreads



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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Book Review: The Elite & Mini Review of The Selection by Kiera Cass


Title: The Elite (The Selection #2)
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: Harper Collins Childrens Books
Publishing Date: April 23rd 2013
Length: 323 pages
Keywords: YA fiction, romance, dystopian, competition, rebellion, monarchy
Source: Publisher

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Summary by Goodreads 





THE ELITE continues the contest for Prince Maxon's heart with six girls left in the race. The remaining girls in the palace are Celeste, Natalie, Elise, Kriss, Marlee and America and there will be many challenges and public interviews to learn more about each girl, her feelings for Maxon and her strategy to outshine the other girls. Don't only imagine tiaras and smiles, these girls can bite.

This sequel to THE SELECTION more or less follows a resembling scheme as Kiera's debut. Like the first book THE ELITE was a quick read. Towards the end the story even took a really surprising and welcome turn. One turn of events that I felt especially content with, because it added a new spin to the story and would open up many new perspectives for THE ONE. That Kiera Cass didn't strictly follow this new lead and made a backtrack in the end, left me a bit sour though. Of course now I'm hoping for THE ONE to be more offensive and present us with an even more curageous America than we've met in this book.

There was a nagging feeling, a constant suspicion I couldn't explain, about Maxon and the entire royal family that something wasn't quite right about them and the entire competition. One thing is for sure, the royals are even more conniving than any real girls of a competition could ever be. Don't expect them to be as helpless as you first thought.

The caste system is a thorn in every democratically-oriented reader's side. It's no wonder the resistance is growing steadily and it's acting more violently with each passing week. The rebels, North and South are agressive and the need to protect the girls and the royal family becomes more urgent. They start attacks that are extremely dangerous for everyone involved. Their movement and goals aren't transparent at all which poses as quite interesting since we've always supported the rebels' side in recent YA dystopians. I haven't read any other dystopian from the non rebels' perspective.

America becomes stronger, too and – I wouldn't have thought possible- even more emotionally confused than in the first book. But why has America to be so volatile? Things about Maxon's past are revealed that even I as a Team Aspen girl, couldn't but thaw a bit. But this love triangle is slowly starting to get on my nerves.
I am wondering if there can't be a trilogy with a love triangle, with the girl deciding whom she wants to be with in the second book so that we can actually enjoy a final couple interacting and growing together in the third book. That would be refreshing wouldn't it? America doesn't make that longed for final decision in THE ELITE, so we'll have to wait for THE ONE to find out what's in her heart and even more important how Kiera Cass intends to uproot the entire caste system and bring the resistance back in full force. I'll be awaiting THE ONE with high expectations.





1) of fortifying alliances and devious enemies
2) of uncovering the past
3) of royal party planning fun
4) of an unexpected turn of events
5) of stolen kisses





3,5/5 ***/* THE ELITE – Less fairy tale and more rebellious and combative than any real princess comptetion could ever be.

THE ELITE didn't send up as many sparks as THE SELECTION, because a more serious component is added to the story. The shiny facade of royal reign starts to crumble, friendships come apart and things- romantically on America's side and politically on the royal's side - get out of hand. It gets dangerous and also harder for America to stay on my good side if she continues her irresolute back and forth between Aspen and Maxon.




 
* Have you read THE PRINCE? It's the prequel to THE SELECTION. 

* Click here for an excerpt of THE ELITE. 

* Watch the THE ELITE book trailer

* For further information about Kiera Cass and her books visit www.kieracass.com

* Thanks to Harper Collins UK for sending me a copy of THE ELITE for review!




The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass


For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Summary by Goodreads 


A prince and thirty-five girls who fight for his heart. What first sounds like a regular YA contemporary, fast proves that this princess' story is more on the darker side of royalty. By writing THE SELECTION Kiera Cass created a story more dystopian than contemp. The United States have been destroyed and people are divided by a caste system, that ranges from a 1 for the royal family to 8 for unemployed people who don't contribute to society. This promises to be a world building with a deeper running conflict potential to lure in many YA readers.

Prince Maxon is a beau, rich and most popular bachelor in the kingdom. So THE SELECTION sure has a love story. But it's not only about Maxon looking for a bride. It seems the prince has to compete for one of his ladies' heart, too. America is the girl in the middle of a love triangle. Prince Maxon is a gentle man, on the shy side and not the confident leader one expects him to be. So it was only natural girls would fall for America's first love, too. His name is Aspen and he is manly, confident and the gorgeous boy next door. The love story between America and Aspen really put a spell on me. He is America's first love and I loved to read about their tender and tentative feelings for each other growing into something shiny and beautiful. My heart ached as much as America's when they had to part and America left for the palace.

Once in the palace, America is a part of the competition. And the contest is what keeps THE SELECTION expectionally delightful. The girls have to master all kinds of challenges and public appearances. Fun and glee are guaranteed, because these girls don't always play fair. Expect tender moments as well as scenes that can fast escalate into a cat fight.


5/5 ***** THE SELECTION - Poofy dresses, sparkling dates with a prince and a dream life the palace. A very princess-like read!

THE SELECTION is a 2012 debut that filled a gap in the wide YA range. It has the romance and girly power of a contemporary and the disrupted world hinting at its dystopian character.


Publisher: Harper Collins Childrens Books
Publishing Date: June 7th 2012
Length: 327 pages
Keywords: YA fiction, romance, competition, rebellion, monarchy, love triangle
Source: Bought