Thursday, September 30, 2010

Review : Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2)


Title: Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2)
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Published: October 19th 2010 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Synopsis:
The sequel to the New York Times Best selling phenomenon, Hush, Hush! Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home. The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

Thoughts: Wow. Amazing! If you thought Hush, Hush was good, wait till you read Crescendo. I promise, it will blow your mind away!

Crescendo begins where Hush, Hush ends. Patch is Nora's guardian angel and really, things couldn't be any better. In fact, Nora begins to fall in love with Patch. The thing is, does he love her back?

Patch begins to become more distant and secretive towards Nora. And what's up with him spending all his time with Marcie Millar? So, what's a girl to do when your guardian angel/boyfriend won't tell you anything? You snoop, and that's what Nora does. But playing detective is harder than Nora expected. Plus, there's the added bonus of Scott, her mother's best friend's son. Scott's a bad boy with secrets of his own. What do you get when you mix two bad boys and a girl who thinks she's Harriet the Spy? A fabulous fall read!

While I adored Nora in Hush, Hush, I had a few issues with her character in Crescendo. Her jealously is less than ideal, and I hate how she jumps to conclusions before investing the facts. There's also the added bonus of her using her friends, and the way she makes rash decisions prior to discussing it with anyone else. Oh, Nora. You have much to learn.

Now, onto someone else! I will say I very much enjoyed Vee's character, more so than I did in Hush, Hush. She's a true friend to Nora and is always there to loan a helping hand or car. She's still the same sarcastic, king of superficial Vee, but more developed. I couldn't see why she was Nora's best friend in Hush^2, but now I can and do.

Then there's Patch. Oh Patch, how I love thee! I love his arrogance and his innuendos. In Crescendo, he has this new kind of...sweetness?...he brings to his character. His patience with Nora really surprised me a well. Charm, charisma, call it what you will, but Patch has it all! As far as swoon-worthy boys go, Patch is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Who doesn't love a reformed bad boy who still holds on to his edge? RAWR!

Full of suspense, surprises, secrets and an ending that will shock you to your core, Crescendo is a Fall must read. Believe me, it's an epic tale you don't want to miss. Though Crescendo may be hitting stores October 19th, I can't help but think and dream about Tempest (Hush, Hush #3). I know it will release sometime next Fall, but the brat in me wants it now. PLEASE, LET IT BE SOON! I can't stand waiting any longer!

Rating:

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday



Synopsis:
Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant she trusts, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limted time she has left.


Why I Can't Wait:I love the concept. Very original. And I'm interested in seeing how this story goes. Wither is the first in the Chemical Garden trilogy, so I'm well aware not everything will be answered. It'll probably end in an infamous cliffhanger. Still, I'm looking forward to checking this one out!

Wither releases March 22nd, 2011

Teaser Tuesday : Dash & Lily's Book of Dares


Teaser Tuesday is weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should Be Reading.
The rules are simple:

-Grab your current read
-Open to a random page
-Share 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 Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's Teaser Tuesday comes from...



Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. The book alternates between Dash and Lily's point-of-views. In this scene, Dash is caught by a friend, who happens to be a girl, in the middle of performing one of Lily's many dares. Now, I know the name of the game is to leave you with just 2 sentences, but to get the REAL effect on how hilarious and amazing this book is, I must leave you with a bit more.


-Dash-
"She looked at the books I was holding- a red Moleskine, French Pianism, Fat Hoochie Prom Queen, and, open to a rather graphic drawing of two men doing something I had heretofore not known possible, The Joy of Gay Sex (3rd edition).

Apprising the situation, I figured some explanation was in order.

'It's for a paper I'm doing,' I said, my voice ripe with fake intellectual assurance. 'On French pianism and its effects. You'd be amazed at how far-reaching French pianism is.'

Priya, bless her, looked like she regretted ever saying my name."-Page 10


Dash & Lily's Book of Dares releases October 26, 2010. Keep in mind, the copy I'm reading is an arc, so the final copy may differ.

Now, who has a teaser for me? Leave it in the comments, and I'll go check it out!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

In My Mailbox



In my mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Arc Tours from Aroud The World:

*Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
*Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz

Bought:

*Almost To Die For by Tate Hallaway
*Ruined (How To Ruin #1-3) by Simone Elkeles

YAY! So, what did you get in your mailbox this week?

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Review : Spells (Wings #2)


Title: Spells (Wings #2)
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Published: April 20th 2010 by HarperCollins
**Special thanks to my friend Catie at Book Bound who not only sent me a copy of Spells, but also had it signed and personalized! I luff you, Catie!**

Synopsis: "I can't just storm in and proclaim my intentions. I can't ‘steal' you away. I just have to wait and hope that, someday, you'll ask," Tamani said."And if I don't?" Laurel said, her voice barely above a whisper."Then I guess I'll be waiting forever."Although Laurel has come to accept her true identity as a faerie, she refuses to turn her back on her human life—and especially her boyfriend, David—to return to the faerie world.But when she is summoned to Avalon, Laurel's feelings for the charismatic faerie sentry Tamani are undeniable. She is forced to make a choice—a choice that could break her heart.

Thoughts: The thing about any sequel is, you never know whether or not it'll be as good as the first book. Fear not loyal readers because Spells is every bit as marvelous as Wings. I'll admit, when I first read Wings, I thought "Good, but not great." Now, I'm hooked. I want more, and I want it now!

For those who have yet to read Wings, I recommend stopping here. This review of Spells might ruin the experience for you.

Spells begins about 6 months after Wings ends. Remember when Laurel promised to visit Tamani as soon as she could? Well, it didn't really turn out that way. Now, she's been called to Avalon to learn more about not only her heritage, but also how to be a Fall faerie. Remember in Wings how Fall faeries are healers? They contribute to Avalon by mixing remedies, cures and poisons which help protect and keep other faeries alive.

Onto her classes! Laurel's classes are anything but easy. Though strenuous and demanding, Laurel can't help but feel the allure and yes, magic, which surrounds her. I mean, who wouldn't want to live in paradise and learn faerie magic? Plus, her outtings with Tamani? Think of your idea of the perfect date. Now multiply that by 10. That's what they're like.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. First off, faerie politics in Avalon are less than ideal. Laurel can't wrap her mind around it and refuses to abide. And what about her life at home? She has to remember (and keeps reminding herself) her life is with her parents and David, not Avalon and Tamani.

When Laurel does return to her real life back home, she can't help but think about Avalon and Tamani. She knows it's wrong, but why can't she have both? To top it all off, things with her mother have been awkward and strange. Plus, what about David Barnes and the trolls? Laurel knows they're after her. What will happen when they finally meet again? Will she have to fight them in order to protect her family, friends and David or will Tamani and the other sentries ward them off?

Dun, dun, dun. I guess you'll have to read it to find out!

One thing I'll say about Spells is, it's definitely a page turner. Though it doesn't have a lot of action, what it offers it's readers are an array of emotions and a feel good, fun time. You'll want to live, breathe and devour Spells until the very end.

At times, I found the pacing to be a bit slow. Maybe this is because I couldn't fully enjoy any scene without Tamani? Probably. I mean, if Prince Charming was a faerie, his name would be Tamani. I love his arrogance, his passion and his overall bravado. He's more than just your typical two-deminional character. He's the kind of guy you love to hate yet love to love. Yes, I understand, David's a sweetheart too...but he's no Tamani. RAWR!

OH, and the ending! Talk about cliffhangers. I hate them, but this one? Wow. While my selfish need for more screamed "WHAT?! WHAT?!", my enjoyment for genuinely good books couldn't help, but think "Touche. Nicely done."

Overall, I really enjoyed Spells. I forgot how much I missed Aprilynne's world until I started reading Spells. Now, I must wait another 100 months (kidding, not that much, but it feels like it!) before the release of Wings #3. If you liked Wings, you'll absolutely adore Spells. But do take caution: Make sure you get plenty of rest before you open this one up. Once you start, you won't want to stop!

Rating: 4/5

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday



Synopsis: In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris, and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together, they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes-fascinating, sometimes-exasperating boy fits into the life she’s chosen.

But Tris also has a secret: one she’s kept hidden from everyone, because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly-perfect society, she also learns that her secret might be what helps her save those she loves . . . or it might be what destroys her.


Why I can't wait: I am loving these dystopia books. Did you read the synopsis? It sounds like something I'd absolutely love. Plus, you know it's a winner when Melissa Marr fangirls about it on Twitter.

Divergent releases May 2011.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Teaser Tuesday : The Scorch Trials


Teaser Tuesday is weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should Be Reading.
The rules are simple:

-Grab your current read
-Open to a random page
-Share 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 Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's Teaser Tuesday comes from The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner #2) by James Dashner. Wow, this is one book that's hard to put down. You'll see why...

"Finally, reality swept in, washed away the darkness. Engulfed in terror, Thomas opened his eyes and shot to a sitting position on his bed, scooted out until he got his feet under him and jumped up. Looked around.

Everything had gone crazy
."-Page 6.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Smart Chicks Kick It Giveaway



I know you have all heard about the Smart Chicks Kick It tour. Let me tell you, it's awesome. If you have a chance to go, I highly recommend it. I was lucky enough to attend the Houston stop, hosted by Blue Willow. While there, I got all my books signed by a lot of my favorite authors and had a blast.

To help celebrate the tour, I thought "Why not host a giveaway?" I ran this by a couple friends, and they had the same response: "BLEEP, YEAH!" Thus, the Smart Chicks Kick It Giveaway.


The Prize:

One winner will receive the poster shown above (which is signed by all the authors who attended the Houston stop) and a copy of any YA book written by these same authors. Here's a list of the authors:

-Melissa Marr
-Kelley Armstrong
-Alyson Noel
-Holly Black
-Cassandra Clare
-Sarah Rees Brennan
-Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Rules:


*You must be a follower to enter
*You must fill out THIS FORM.
*The book portion is open to international participants (provided the Book Depository delivers to your area), but the poster portion is for a US winner only. If an international winner is selected, a second US winner will be chosen for the poster.



An added bonus:

*If, by some miracle, I hit 500 followers, I will add a another winner! This person will also receive any YA book listed by the authors above.



This giveaway ends October 15th at midnight CST. Good luck!

WINNERS!!!





First off, the winner of the signed copy of Wicked Lovely and swag.



#23 is...

Amber/aLmYbNeNr!!!


And now, the winner of the Low Red Moon arc and Tulips in the Sand.




#62 is...

Freda Mans!!!!

CONGRATS!!! I am currently watching the Texans vs Redskins game, but will be emailing you both shortly. You will have 72 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen. If, by chance, you read this before I email you, feel free to email me your mailing information : addicted2novels(at)gmail(dot)com.

A new contest will be posted in the morning. Thanks to everyone who participated. I luff you all SFM! :)

In My Mailbox



In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Won:

*The Darkly Luminous Fight For Persephone Parker (Strangely Beautiful #2) by Leanna Renee Hieber (signed!)
(Special thanks to The Book Faery and Leanna)

Bought:

*Kisses From Hell antho (signed by Kelley Armstrong and Alyson Noel)
*Burned (HoN #7) by PC and Kristin Cast
*Dark Flame (Immortals #4) by Alyson Noel (signed!)
*Zombies Vs Unicorns editted by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (signed by Holly and Cassandra Clare)

For those who will be attending the Smart Chicks tour, I highly recommend taking EVERY book and getting them signed. It might be a hassle but SO worth it! :)

Anywho, what's in your mailbox this week?

Friday, September 17, 2010

Review : Ascendant (Killer Unicorns #2)


Title: Ascendant (Killer Unicorns #2)
Author: Diana Peterfreund
Published: September 28th 2010 by HarperTeen
(Special thanks to my buddy, Karen, at FWIW for not only grabbing me an arc of Ascendant at BEA, but also getting it signed. I LUFF YOU!!!)

Synopsis:
Now a fully trained unicorn hunter, Astrid Llewelyn is learning that she can’t solve all her problems with a bow and arrow. Her boyfriend has left Rome, the Cloisters is in dire financial straits, her best friend’s powers are mysteriously disintegrating, and her hope of becoming a scientist seems to be nothing but an impossible dream.

So when she’s given the opportunity to leave the Cloisters and use her skills as part of a scientific quest to discover the Remedy, Astrid leaps at the chance. Finally, she can have exactly what she wants—or can she? At Gordian headquarters deep in France, Astrid begins to question everything she had believed: her love for Giovanni, her loyalty to the Cloisters, and—most of all—her duty as a hunter. Should Astrid be saving the world from killer unicorns or saving unicorns from the world?


Thoughts: In one word: brilliant. Ascendant is the sequel to the very fabulous Rampant. There really are no words for how amazing this book is. Ascendant is jam packed full of action, drama, suspense, romance and heartache. Of all things, Ascendant is an emotional roller coaster that will leave you breathless and begging for more.

The story picks up almost right where Rampant leaves off. Astrid and the other unicorn hunters are still living in the Cloisters, only now, the world knows about them and their cause. Sadly, without Gordan picking up the tab, the girls are struggling keeping the Cloister up and running. On top of all this, Astrid must deal with Giovanni leaving Rome so he can go back to school in New York. As Astrid and the girls continue to hunt, she begins to regret the life she chose. She knows she must be a unicorn hunter, but she doesn't want to do it anymore. She wants to go to school, study medicine and live a normal life.

When her best friend Cory, the girl who hates unicorns most of all, begins to lose her hunting powers, Astrid can't help but feel jealous. Then, while travelling to France and investigating, Astrid receives the opportunity of a lifetime. Gordan Pharmaceuticals offers her a position to help research the Remedy. At first, Astrid feels torn. She's a unicorn hunter and wasn't it Gordan Pharmaceuticals that got them into trouble in the first place? After considering this, Astrid decides to take it. Her dream is to study medicine. What better way to combine her unicorn experience and love for medicine?

As Astrid begins to work in France, she begins to realize maybe hunting unicorns is wrong. She begins to question her life choices, the Cloisters and even her relationship with Giovanni. He's out living his life, and she can't help but feel left behind. Her life's falling apart and before she even realizes it, something happens that will change Astrid forever.

To start off, I have to tell you how much I adore Diana Peterfreund's writing. It's imaginative, well thought out and just marvelous. Now, onto the review!

How can I really describe this book without giving too much away? I cannot tell you the emotional roller coaster Ascendant took me on. Heartache after heartache. I honestly don't know how Astrid did it. Of all things, I must say that Astrid is definitely one strong, tough young lady.

Like me, if you're a fan of Giovanni, it pains me to say his presence in this book is quite bare. After all, he is in New York. I will tell you his absence will effect Astrid. In fact, there's a nice little twist in there which will keep you reading, and in my case, cringing.

I originally thought the Killer Unicorns was going to be a trilogy. I'm sad to say that unless there's more interest, there might not be a third book. For those who have yet to read Rampant, you must. And for those who have Rampant and are waiting for Ascendant, I honestly think you'll love it. BUT, with the way things end in Ascendant, I can't imagine not reading a third book. There's so many questions left unanswered and even more issues left untouched. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, LET THERE BE A THIRD BOOK! The saga must continue!

Rating: 5/5

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday



Synopsis: “I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

Why I Can't Wait: Remember Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist? Oh course you do, so you know whatever these two authors came up with will be brilliant. Plus, check out the synopsis. This book sounds like a feel good ride, I can't wait to dig my teeth into.

Release Date: October 28, 2010

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Teaser Tuesday : Fixing Delilah


Teaser Tuesday is weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should Be Reading.
The rules are simple:

-Grab your current read
-Open to a random page
-Share 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 Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's Teaser comes from Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler. Please keep in mind I'm reading an arc, so the dialogue might change in the final copy.

"Rachel closed her eyes and beaths in the air over the candles. 'Del, our mother said a lot of hurtful things at Dad's funeral. Things that can't be unsaid or undone. And now that she's gone, we'll never resolve any of it. It's like everything from that time in our lives is just...I don't know. Frozen, right where we left it.'" - Page 104

Fixing Delilah releases December 15, 2010. Be sure to check it out!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Review : Extraordinary


Title: Extraordinary (arc)
Author: Nancy Werlin
Published: September 7th 2010 by Dial


Synopsis: Phoebe finds herself drawn to Mallory, the strange and secretive new kid in school, and the two girls become as close as sisters . . . until Mallory's magnetic older brother, Ryland, shows up during their junior year. Ryland has an immediate, exciting hold on Phoebe, but a dangerous hold, for she begins to question her feelings about her best friend and, worse, about herself. Soon she'll discover the shocking truth about Ryland and Mallory: that these two are visitors from the faerie realm who have come to collect on an age-old debt. Generations ago, the faerie queen promised Pheobe's ancestor five extraordinary sons in exchange for the sacrifice of one ordinary female heir. But in hundreds of years there hasn't been a single ordinary girl in the family, and now the faeries are dying. Could Phoebe be the first ordinary one? Could she save the faeries, or is she special enough to save herself?

Thoughts: Never bargain with the fey. They are mean, mean, mean! At least, in Nancy Werlin's world they are. They will manipulate, glamour and trick you to get what they want. No rules or regulations apply.

The story starts off with Phoebe as a 7th grader. She's tired of her friends and is looking for something or someone different. When she hears there's a new girl at school, she couldn't be more excited. Even though this girl is strange (and everyone thinks so), she still wants to befriend her. Do her a favor and in return, have a new friend.

Now, fast forward. Phoebe and Mallory are both 17 years old and the best of friends. They're practically sisters! So when Mallory introduces Phoebe to her older estranged brother, Phoebe couldn't be more excited. Ryland is gorgeous and mysterious, just like his sister. But what Phoebe doesn't know is Mallory and Ryland are both faeries and they're there to collect a debt an age old debt her ancestor, Mayer Rothschild, made with the Faerie Queen generations ago.

One of the interesting aspects about this book is how each chapter will transition from Phoebe's life to conversations with the Faerie Queen. With this, it gives the reader an insight into not only Phoebe's life, but also Mallory and Ryland's intentions. And let me tell you, those conversations will have you cringing. They aren't pleasant, but they are enjoyable.

While I found Extraordinary an interesting story, I felt it was lacking something. It took me about 100 pages to finally get into it and even then, it still felt so-so. From the slow pacing to the emotionally driven but unrealistic dialect, it just wasn't what I expected. Part of the fun in the book is figuring out why the fey are pursuing Phoebe. Sadly, the synopsis gives this away. The one on the back of the arc is much better than the final copy because it still gives you that mystery we all love. And since you already know why, a lot of the fun in this book is taken away.

I wanted to love Extraordinary. I really did! I loved the synopsis, the beautiful cover, and the author. Unfortunately, this just wasn't the book for me.

Rating: 3/5

Sunday, September 12, 2010

In My Mailbox



In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

This was such a great week!

FOR REVIEW/ARCS:
*The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner #2) by James Dashner
(Special thanks to Bibliopunkk)

*Witch and Wizard- The Gift by James Patterson
(Special thanks to The Book Faery)

WON:
*Life of Glass by Jillian Cantor (signed!)
*September Sisters by Jillian Cantor (signed!)
(Special thanks to Jillian Cantor)

BOUGHT:
*Firelight by Sophie Jordan (Signed and personalized! Thanks, Sophie!)
*Mockingjay (Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins
*Guardian of the Gate (Prophecy of the Sisters #2) by Michelle Zink
*Return to Paradise (Leaving Paradise #2) by Simone Elkeles

And that's all folks! So, what did you get in your mailbox? :)

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Review : Torment (Fallen #2)


Title: Torment (Fallen #2)
Author: Lauren Kate
Published: September 28th 2010 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Source: Arc provided by Around The World

Synopsis: How many lives do you need to live before you find someone worth dying for? In the aftermath of what happened at Sword & Cross, Luce has been hidden away by her cursed angelic boyfriend, Daniel, in a new school filled with Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. Daniel promises she will be safe here, protected from those who would kill her. At the school Luce discovers what the Shadows that have followed her all her life mean - and how to manipulate them to see into her other lives. Yet the more Luce learns about herself, the more she realizes that the past is her only key to unlocking her future...and that Daniel hasn't told her everything. What if his version of the past isn't actually the way things happened...what if Luce was really meant to be with someone else?

Thoughts: Torment is the second book in the Fallen series. As you can see from other bloggers, there's a lot hype to this sequel. One of the questions many people ask is: "Is it better than Fallen?" In my opinion, yes. Whereas Fallen focuses more on the mystery between Luce and Daniel, Torment is more about digging into the past and how it can effect not only Luce's, but everyone's future.

There are bigger evils out there than Cam and his band of evil soldiers. They're so evil that Daniel and Cam have actually called a truce for 18 days in order to hunt these monsters down. But what about Luce, you ask. In order to keep her safe, Cam and Daniel both agree to send her to a (best way to describe it) supernatural boarding school. It's actually a school for Nephilim. With the school guarded and sealed so tightly, those hunting Luce will not be able to find her. The catch? Daniel must leave Luce. He's not allowed to visit her during the truce.

Each chapter counts down these 18 days, and lets just say a lot can and will happen. As Luce explores the school and it's students, she begins to learn the shadows following her are actually memories from her past lives. She begins to learn from her peers and teachers how to see into the shadows at her past lives. As she explores, she begins to discover who she used to be and how tragic this curse really is to not only Daniel and herself, but others too. Plus, as we all know, sometimes the past should stay hidden.

I must say, I absolutely adore the chemistry between Daniel and Luce. It's undeniable. Truly, it's hard to describe why without giving spoilers away, but lets just say this book has some of the sweetest, most beautiful scenes I have ever read. Torment also introduces new characters. Again, hard to explain, but know that they will impact the story, possibly even more so than the old school, key players. Added bonus: one thing this book gives you that everyone wants is a peak into Luce and Daniel's past lives. All I can say about that is WOW.

The negative aspects. When I first read Fallen, I found the pacing to be a bit slower than I normally enjoy. Same applies to Torment. I enjoy the details the author uses to not only describe the setting, but also the characters, and yet it still felt too drawn out. Every exciting incident seemed to drag out with too many unneccesary details, which wouldn't effect the plot or story in anyway. Also, I'm not a big fan of Luce as a character. She seems to blame Daniel for everything that goes wry. A bit too overdramatic for my taste when it comes to the protag and leading lady. Lastly, I would have enjoyed seeing MORE of Luce's past lives. These were my favorite scenes, and with all their past lives together, I felt like the story could have/should have included more. It felt limited, but then again, I guess if it had, the book would most likely be hitting the 700 page mark.

Much like Fallen, Torment leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Which ones? Well, I guess you'll have to read and figure it out when/after the book releases September 28th. Fair warning, Torment will leave you craving for more.

Rating: 3.5/5

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday



Synopsis: When Gwendolyn “Dough” Reilly’s boyfriend and best friend Wish moves away in seventh grade, the only consolation she can find is in her family bakery’s donuts. Now, it’s sophomore year, and Wish is coming back. But in only three years, they’ve both changed—drastically. She’s seriously overweight, and suddenly Wish is the most popular guy in school, and girls everywhere want him. Dough has doubts that appearances don’t matter and that Wish can love her as she is, so she launches into a plan designed to keep them together. That is, until she discovers that Wish’s gorgeous looks and charm might not be all they appear to be.

Why I can't wait: I love Cyn's other books so it comes as no surprise why I can't wait for Starstruck to be released. What is up with all these amazing 2011 titles? I don't feel like waiting. Come on, 2011!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Teaser Tuesday : Angelfire


Teaser Tuesday is weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should Be Reading.
The rules are simple:

-Grab your current read
-Open to a random page
-Share 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 Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's Teaser Tuesday comes from Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton. Keep in mind Angelfire does not release till 02/2011 so the final copy might differ from the arc. FYI, this is also one of my favorite scenes. Here we go!

"The reaper roared and head-butted me square in the chest, knocking me right out of the Grim and rocketing through the air, clear over my pool, and sending me smashing through the picture windows that covered the back of my house. I landed on a sea of broken glass in my living room, surrounded by screams." Page 144

Sunday, September 5, 2010

In My Mailbox


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Arc Tours:
Angelfire by Courney Allison Moulton (Around The World)

Won (Special Thanks to Michelle Hodkins):
*I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
*Matched by Ally Condie
*Dust by Joan Francis Turner

Bought:
*Tales of the Otherworlds by Kelley Armstrong

So...what did you get in your mailbox this week? :)

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Review : Personal Demons



Title: Personal Demons
Author: Lisa Desrochers
Published: September 14th 2010 by Tor Teen

Synopsis: Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance—even her closest friends—and it seems her senior year will be more of the same...until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't seem to stay away from him. What she doesn't know is that Luc works in Acquisitions—for Hell—and she possesses a unique skill set that has the King of Hell tingling with anticipation. All Luc has to do is get her to sin, and he’s as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance.

Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and the angel, Gabe, is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that Luc doesn’t get what he came for. And it isn't long before they find themselves fighting for more than just her soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay…for all of them.


Thoughts: For those who have ever asked the question "What do demons think about?", Personal Demons will answer it for you. It's sexy, fun, and creepy in all the right ways. There are 5 things I look for/need in a 5 star book:

-romance (check!)
-swoon worthy guy (check!)
-drama (check/check!)
-interesting/keeps me reading (check!)
-has me craving for more (check/check/check!)

In so many words, Personal Demons seems to have it all.

One of the interesting thing about this book (as well as my favorite) is that it switches from Frannie (aka the main character)'s POV to Luc's (aka the demon/bad-but not so bad guy). And though Hell and Heaven both want Frannie's soul, she still comes off as very human and very flawed. I love this. It means she's relatable. No one wants a main character that's perfect. Flaws make them real, and this also applies to Luc as well as Gabe. Even the freakin' angel isn't perfect!

On to swoon-worthy guys. Though Gabe has a few loveable traits, he doesn't compare to Luc. Hot, steamy and completely sexy Luc. I adore the way he treats Frannie. From evil to good to somewhere inbetween, you never really know what to expect from him. It's a good thing he didn't go to my high school or else I'd have a one way ticket to Hell.

Can you believe this? I want the sequel, and this book hasn't even hit shelves yet! Personal Demons releases September 14th, 2010. That's a little less than 2 weeks away. Grab it. Read it. Considering it comes out in paperback (meaning it'll be a great deal), I honestly can't see why you (yes you!)wouldn't. Personal Demons will take you on a ride you don't want to miss!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Arc + 1 Giveaway



Skittles wanted to help announce the next giveaway, so I told him he could be my model. Don't worry, I paid him in love and treats. Anywho, lets get the giveaway started.

The Prize:

*An Arc of Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin
*Tulips in the Sand by Caryn Gottlieb FitzGerald
*Firelight swag

The Rules:

*You must be a follower to enter
*You must be 13 years or older
*Please fill our this FORM.
*Restricted to US and CA participants only. If you live overseas, but have a US mailing address I can send the books to, feel free to enter! :)

Giveaway ends 09/13 (the day before Low Red Moon releases)

Good luck, everyone! *sends you good luck juju*

Waiting on Wednesday



Where She Went is the follow up to If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Sadly, the jacket cover/synopsis has yet to be revealed, but there have been Teasers lurking around the blogosphere.

Here is the schedule and links to the Where She Went Teaser Tour:

August 19: Persnickity Snark- http://www.persnicketysnark.com/
August 20: Hope’s Bookshelf - http://princess2293.blogspot.com/
August 23: Bookworming in the 21st Century - http://www.bookworminginthe21stcentury.com/
August 24: The Story Siren - http://www.thestorysiren.com/
August 25: Sarah’s Random Musings - http://sarahbear9789.blogspot.com/
August 26: The Compulsive Reader - http://www.thecompulsivereader.com/
August 27: The Book Scout - http://thebookscout.blogspot.com/
August 30: Frenetic Reader - http://www.freneticreader.com/
August 31: Book Chic - http://bookchicclub.blogspot.com/
September 1: Presenting Lenore - http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/

After you read these, you'll understand why I can't wait to read Where She Went.

Release Date: April 19, 2011

Ultimate Reviewers Challenge Winner



Thanks to everyone who participated in this month long event. I really enjoyed reading all your reviews and hope you guys had fun with the URC. Also, an extra special thanks to all URC co hosts, Karen from For What It's Worth, Karen D from Karen's Addictions, and Tiger from All-Consuming Books. This wouldn't have been possible without you guys.

*huggles*

Now...on to the winner. After some form errors, fixing them, then messing that up, I finally got everything up to date and drew a winner. And how's this for irony: after spending almost an hour renumbering and fixing everything, the winner had 3 reviews in a row and would have won anyway. But who is this lucky person?

Well, the winner is...

A BOOK OBSESSION for their review of BLOODFEVER.

Congrats, sweetie! I couldn't find your email address on your blog. When you have a moment, please email me at addicted2novels(at)gmail(dot)com your mailing information, and we'll get those books out to you ASAP.

Again, thanks to everyone who participated. Karen, Karen D, Tiger and I hope to co-host another event again sometime in the near future. Keep an eye out for that.

**Be sure to check out Karen, Karen D, and Tiger's blogs to see if you won in their Ultimate Reviewers Challenge Drawing**