Saturday, March 30, 2013

Shades of Earth by Beth Revis

Shades of Earth by Beth Revis
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication: January 15th, 2013
Page Count: 369
Goodreads
Amazon

Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.

But this new Earth isn't the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? Godspeed's former passengers aren't alone on this planet. And if they're going to stay, they'll have to fight.

Amy and Elder must race to discover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been for nothing.

FUELED BY LIES.
RULED BY CHAOS.
ALMOST HOME.

When Across the Universe first came out, I was hesitant to start it.  I wasn't much for futuristic, sci-fi kind of books, but the cover (the original one!) drew me in like a moth to a flame.  So when I finally got around to reading it and gobbling it up like it was Thanksgiving dinner, I knew that I was in for one heck of a ride.  Revis's writing is ingenious and all of the plot twists really know how to keep me at the edge of my seat.

Amy, I think, will always be one of my favorite heroines in the YA genre.  She didn't annoy me or make these extremely stupid mistakes that made you ponder the common sense of the majority of society.  She was a fierce and determined girl that didn't care what others thought of her.  Her character development grew gradually throughout the entire series, but her overall personality stayed consistent and believable.  I know that if I were to be involved in some type of rebellion/revolution kind of setting, I'd want this girl on my side.

Things got crazy in this book!  This was the moment all of us--including the characters--have been waiting for!  Centauri-Earth!  We were finally going to see what this planet was all about!  Danger lurks around every corner for them and even forces within threaten the fragile unity of Sol-Earth and shipborn passengers.  I mean, this is a Beth Revis book, so there isn't going to be some fairytale ending kind of thing going on.   Obviously, people are going to die and things are going to get blown up and things are just going to be so frexing awesome.  Never once was there a dull moment, the plot was twisty-turny as always, and the pace was quick and full of action and discovery.

I don't think I've ever loved Elder as much as I did in Shades of Earth.  He really found his voice and his place in the colony.  He took charge and showed everyone that he was still to his people and to others.  I loved being inside his head as he began to fall harder and harder for Amy and how stronger he became.

Shades of Earth was the perfect ending to an amazing series.  It was a thrilling and intoxicating read that kept me on my toes.  Emotions were high (including mine!), plots were twisted at their abdomens, and tears were in abundance.  Fans of this series will love this book for obvious reasons, and if you haven't read it yet, frexing read it before I frexing throw the book at your frexing face.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (26)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where bloggers like me get to gush about what makes their hands all grabby.


The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Expected Publication: May 7th, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Goodreads
Amazon

The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up

 I cannot wait for this book! That is all!

Monday, March 25, 2013

Sever by Lauren DeStefano

Sever by Lauren DeStefano
Genre: YA Dystopia
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication: February 12th, 2013
Page Count: 371
Goodreads
Amazon

Time is running out for Rhine in this conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Chemical Garden Trilogy.

With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them.

Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain.

In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered.

The only reason why I was even drawn into this series was the fact that all of the books in the series have these beauteous covers.  There's something so haunting and alluring about them.  They just beckon you from their spot on the shelf.  I can't get over how much I adore the covers.  

However, while I love the covers, I couldn't have said the same for the content of the first two books.  It's not that they were terribly written or that they had disastrous plots or anything.  There was just something that didn't connect with me.  Looking back on my thoughts of each book, I kind of disliked Rhine.  Also, I wasn't feeling Rhine and Gabriel's love for one another.  In addition, I didn't find the plot to be that amazing to me.  I mean, I gave the first book three stars and I was iffy on that at the time.

Luckily, things have change drastically!  I crack open Sever expecting there to be some high-tension last battle kind of idea and stuff, but oh, was I wrong!  I remember taking a break from the book and reflecting on it, and I thought to myself 'Damn, this book is depressing'.  Things have occurred throughout the series that have really put a heavy weight on Rhine in this book.  And to be able to finally have the ability to connect with Rhine for the first time in the entire series was something special and amazing.  Rhine's emotions and story and thoughts were believable, yet sad.

Speaking of the story, I very much enjoyed it.  I feel as if it moved faster than the first two books in the series.  The stakes were higher and emotions were wrought thin.  The writing was spectacular.  I loved the imagery and the writing was so poetic and melodic.  I actually enjoyed being inside Rhine's head for a change.  It's not that I hated her, though; it's just that I couldn't relate to her and found her to be a bit boring before.  Thinking about it, she really doesn't speak much . . .

I was so engrossed in the story and was so emotionally involved that I cried my eyes out for the last fifty pages of the book or so.  And I'm not joking.  It's been a while since I've cried all ugly tears in a while, and I was glad that Sever made me be all disgusting and emotional.  It was a pleasure to be at the mercy of DeStefano's evil author ways.  

Sever has left such an imprint on my heart.  The story was moving and haunting at the same time.  Evil guys will be evil, but somehow the good guys have to find a way to shine through the viscous blackness.  DeStefano painted such a gritty and raw story for readers and her writing captivated my mind and made me feel all good inside . . . until she made me cry and all, that is . . . But that's a different story.  Fans of dystopia, a depressing yet moving and emotional story, and a determined heroine will possibly enjoy this series.  Sever made the perfect ending to the Chemical Garden Series. 


4 Splashes

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Wasteland by Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan

Wasteland by Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan
Genre: YA Post Apocalyptic
Publisher: HarperTeen
Expected Publication: March 26th
Page Count: 352

Welcome to the Wasteland. Where all the adults are long gone, and now no one lives past the age of nineteen. Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan’s post-apocalyptic debut is the first of a trilogy in which everyone is forced to live under the looming threat of rampant disease and brutal attacks by the Variants — hermaphroditic outcasts that live on the outskirts of Prin. Esther thinks there’s more to life than toiling at harvesting, gleaning, and excavating, day after day under the relentless sun, just hoping to make it to the next day. But then Caleb, a mysterious stranger, arrives in town, and Esther begins to question who she can trust. As shady pasts unravel into the present and new romances develop, Caleb and Esther realize that they must team together to fight for their lives and for the freedom of Prin.

 *A review copy was provided for me to review*

The first time I got a glance by this cover, I was instantly intrigued.  There's just something about it that caught my eye. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but that was quite alright.  Hermaphroditic outcasts and a mystery were sure to keep me interested.

Esther was a different girl compared to the rest of the inhabitants of Prin.  She didn't mind the Variants and did not agree with the ways of how they were ruled by Levi.  She wasn't mindless and subordinate like her sister and tried her best to stand up for what she thought was right in her own way.  Sadly, I didn't really create that connection between reader and character with her.  I liked her--didn't mind her or anything--but I didn't feel like I'd care either way what happened with her, unfortunately.

However, I really did care about this story.  I got invested in the story and couldn't wait to see what would happen next.  So unpredictable!  I can't say that I'm a master at figuring the plot of a book out, but I can easily recognize when a story goes generic.  So in Wasteland, I couldn't figure anything out.  I had no idea what these authors had up their sleeves when writing this book.  I was surprised over and over again.  I truly loved this story!

My only major problem about this book would be the writing style.  I've read some pretty complicated writing styles--yet loved it--but for some reason, this book's writing style confused me!  I didn't understand why it would keep tripping me up and I would then get frustrated at myself and then I'd have to distract myself because I wasn't able to read when I was all upset.  I'm not saying that the writing was bad; it was just different.

Wasteland was a gritty and unpredictable read about what people will do for survival.  This post-apocalyptic read featured a tyrannical evil dude bent on manipulating others for his own gain.  Besides the lack of a relatable character who I thought to be too childish for her age and the writing style, this book was good!  The story was so original and I had to keep reading to see what would happen.  Turns out,  Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan are master plotters.  I may just like them a lot.  Fans of dystopia, post-apocalyptic, and awesome plots will possibly enjoy Wasteland.

4 Splashes

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop (US)


Welcome to the giveaway!  So here's the plan: one winner will win five books (2 ARCs and 3 finished copies).  It's gonna be a mystery, so the winner will not know what they will be receiving until the package ends up on their doorstep.  Standard rules apply to this giveaway.  Don't enter unless you are older than 13 years or have parental permission, please live in the US/CA area.  This is NOT an INTERNATIONAL giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday (25)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where bloggers like me get to gush about what makes their hands all grabby.

 
In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters
Expected Publication: April 2nd
Publisher: Amulet Books
Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
TBD

In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.

How awesome does this book sound?  I just love the cover, too!  So creepy!  I especially love all books set in an early twentieth century setting, so I'm pretty pumped for this book.  I just *flails* want to read it so bad.

So what are you waiting on this fine Wednesday?

Monday, March 18, 2013

Splintered Chapters 1-7 Wrap-Up


Woo! We're one week down!  How did everyone's reading go?  Everyone finished their goal for last week, right?  

So what are everyone's thoughts on the chapters?  Honestly, I'm enjoying it so far.  I'm super curious to see how things are going to turn out for Al and Jeb.

We're introduced to Alyssa who can hear bugs and flowers talk.  Her mother is sentenced to life in an asylum, and Alyssa spends her time either skating, pinning bugs into works of art, or trying to convince herself that she's not crazy, like her mother and her grandmother and her great grandmother and so on.  Her great-great-great grandmother is Alice Liddell, the Alice in Wonderland.

We're introduced to Alyssa's best friend Jeb and Jenara, who are brother and sister and Alyssa's neighbors.  And there's possibly something going on between Alyssa and Jeb, I'm certain.  Oh, yes....

Things happen, but it's a little complicated for me to explain here, but both Jeb and Alyssa end up going down the rabbit hole and come across Rabid White and fight off these zombie flowers.  And that's where chapter seven left us!

And here are some questions to think of:
  • Why do you think that Alison, Alyssa's mother, is keeping up that act at the asylum?
  • What do you think of Jeb so far? Do we ship him with Alyssa?
  • Why do you think Alyssa calls her mother Alison instead of  Mom?
  • Do you think that this skater punk style that Alyssa has going on is the real her or is it part of her act to not be like her mother?
Comment your thoughts!  And don't forget to read chapters 8-14 for this week!

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Stacking the Shelves (3)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews where bloggers get to show what they've snagged over the week.

[All links lead to Goodreads]

And . . .


For Review:

Borrowed:

So what did everyone else nab over the week?

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (24)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where bloggers like me get to gush about what makes their hands all grabby.

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood
Expected Publication: June 18th, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate's friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.

Cate doesn't want to be a weapon, and she doesn't want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood's schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

In the highly anticipated sequel to Born Wicked, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess's quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England.


So while I am super bummed about the cover redesign of Spotwood's books, I'm still super excited to read this one.  I've met Jessica twice and I've fallen in love with her work, so it's safe to say that I'd read anything she writes.  I'm burning with curiosity to see what will happen next with Cate and her sisters!  And--dear Lord!--Finn! I love him so much!  I need to read this book.  Pronto, preferably.

So what are you guys waiting on this fine Wednesday?

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Splintered Read-A-Thon Sign-Ups

Splintered Readathon photo SplinteredReadathon_zps263e8b98.png 

Woohoo! Hey, guys!  Monica over at  Cover Analysis and I will be hosting this AMAZINGLY AWESOME read-a-thon!  For this read-a-thon, we've chosen Splintered by A.G Howard.  For the month of March, we will be reading and hopefully very much enjoying Splintered

Splintered by A.G Howard
Publication: January 1st, 2013
Publisher: Amulet Books
Page Count: 371

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.
 


Starting Monday the 11th, we will begin reading the first 7 chapters of the book.  Then on next Monday, we'll read the next 7 chapters.  And on the next Monday after that, we'll all finish up the book

Monica and I both highly encourage all who join to tweet, take pictures, and blog about this read-a-thon!  Use the #SplintRAT hashtag and have a blast interacting with other participants!  There will be a Twitter chat and a giveaway going on, so make sure to participate in any way that you can!  Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Sign up for the Splintered Read-A-Thon below

Friday, March 8, 2013

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi
Genre: Dystopia
Publisher: Harper
Publication: October 2nd
Page Count: 103

The Synopsis:
Perfect for the fans of Shatter Me who are desperately awaiting the release of Unravel Me, this novella-length digital original will bridge the gap between these two novels from the perspective of the villain we all love to hate, Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.
In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . .
Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.
Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.


Least to say, I was peer pressured into reading this.  Geo from Auntie Spinelli Reads was very, very adamant that I read this as soon as I can because--WARNER!!!  And if you've not read her very fangirly review of Destroy Mele click here.   Even before then, I had heard nothing other than Team Warner.  I was confused; how could I remotely fall for some twisted psychopath from Shatter Me?  How delusional everyone must be to like him!  Did these people read the book right?  I will admit that--while I did fall a little for Adam--I wasn't 100% convinced with him.  So, after winning an ebook of Destroy Me from Geo, I decided that I should read it and give Warner a chance.  I had nothing to lose. 

So . . . here goes . . .


And possibly--

 
Because WARNER!!

Destroy Me is not only a perfect example of how an author can manipulate the emotions of an audience, but also make us judge a character before we even get to meet or know them.  How in the world Mafi did this in one short novella, I have no idea.  I myself feel bad that I judged Warner before I got to see his side of the story.  He may not be a sweetheart or be sentimental, but his complexity was incredible.  So he wasn't 100% bad guy, but he also wasn't 100% good guy.  He was in the middle, but there's a reason behind his behavior and stone-cold facade.  But I don't want to say too much that I'd ruin it for other who've not read this novella yet.

The similarity between Warner and Juliette was uncanny.  I didn't realize the similarity until Warner actually brought it up in the novella.  But when I did realize it, I was blown away.  The little romantic in me was going crazy over this piece of information.  Also, Warner is MAD for Juliette!  He loves her.  He just has a different way of expressing his affections.  Mafi expertly wove their lives together and made for an interesting back story that would come into play in Unravel Me (which I am extremely excited for and impatient to read).  In Shatter Me, I thought that Warner's supposed affectionate feelings toward Juliette were just--I don't know--fake?  No, just  part of his obsession with her, I guess.  I didn't think that he actually love-loved her.  So, in all, it was great to get into Warner's mind.

And do any of you realize how talented Tahereh Mafi is?  I was in love with her writing in Shatter Me.  I found it to be a little much at times, but I was in heaven reading the writing.  I jumped into Destroy Me expecting there to be the same kind of writing, but boy, was I wrong!  Warner had such a unique and different voice from Juliette, and not only did it surprised me, but I was glad for it.  It wouldn't have made sense for Warner to have the same voice as Juliette, right?  I'm not saying that her writing wasn't as amazing in this novella--I just mean to say that the versatility of her writing is amazing and probably knows no bounds.

Destroy Me may just be a short novella, but it that doesn't mean to say that it was dull or pointless.  I felt as if it were a privilege to be inside Warner's mind.  It was such a private thing, Warner's mind, and it was fantastic.  I actually . . . felt for the bad guy.  I had feelings . . . for the villain.  Crazy, right?  I can't tell you if I'm exactly Team Warner yet; he still hasn't proven himself to me yet, but if you've read Shatter Me, I highly suggest you read this novella!


Four Splashes


Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (23)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where bloggers like me get to gush about what makes their hands all grabby.
Expected Publication: August 27th
Publisher: HarperCollins
Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
TBD

No synopsis given yet.









I loved the first book! It was such a great book.  Plenty of action, adventure, and Super Sekrit Government Stuff.  So, as you can imagine, I'm pretty pumped for the second book here.  I can't wait to see what will be in store next for Noa and Peter. I'm so excited!  Only problem here is that I have quite a while to wait here.

So what are you waiting on this fine Wednesday?

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Stacking the Shelves (2)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews where I get to show what I've acquired this past week.

 *Link leads to Goodreads*
Wasteland by Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan

Thank you to Ellen Oh for this lovely pretty! *hugs* I can't wait to read this one--it looks so interesting! 

It was a quiet week, but a good one, nonetheless.  What did everyone else get this week??
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