If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Genre: YA Contemporary
Published: April 2nd, 2009
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Page Count: 201
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Goodreads

 Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.

I open my eyes wide now.
I sit up as much as I can.
And I listen.

Stay, he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?

Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.

If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

A book like this wouldn't normally be a book that I'd pick up by myself. I've never exactly been a fan of books that deal with realistic devastation and heartache, mostly because books like these are so relatable and can really hit home. So, to avoid the emotional breakdowns and 2 am philosophical life pondering, I try my best to stay away from these types of books--even if they are critically acclaimed. However, a few months ago, I saw the trailer for the movie adaptation of this book, and while I was convinced that it was going to unleash all the feels, I decided that it would be a good idea to read the book because the movie looked interesting. And, boy, I'm glad I did!

I have always been a music geek. I played piano when I was younger, then moved on to the clarinet, then onto the alto saxophone. And I did it all, too. Concert band, jazz band, and Friday night football pep band (my school doesn't provide a marching band). So, to see the main character live and breathe music was pretty cool. I don't see these type of characters a lot in YA, but when I do, I absolutely end up loving and understanding the character on a level not usually bestowed upon most characters I like. Mia was such a sweet character, and upon her flashbacks that really helped you get to meet the characters, I discovered that she was such a normal teenager. She wasn't self-depreciative or fit into the YA female character stereotype, which I liked. She wasn't some far-fetched teenage girl trope; she was real and unique.

From reading this book, the main message I got from it is that love prevails and that love is something worth living for. For me, that was such a great message and I don't think many people realize nowadays the power that love has. It made me so emotional reading about Mia's struggle to stay alive and how the memories of her past really strengthened her and made her question what life really was all about and the importance of friends, family, and love.

This book, in all honesty, was such a good read. It sucked me in right from the start and I was able to finish it in one night. It was such a quick read to begin with, but bam, before I knew it, the book was done. There were tears and moments where I just had to put the book down and digest the raw emotions that poured from this book. I regret not having read this book earlier because I really did enjoy it! If you haven't read this book already, I highly suggest it.

4.5 Splashes

Entangled Teen Releases!

Today is release day for four amazing Entangled Teen titles and we are excited to share them all with you.  There's a little something for everyone this month so read on to find out more about them.

Only Knight Assassin by Rima Jean and Donna of the Dead by Alison Kemper are on sale for just $.99 for a limited time so be sure to pick up your copy today before they go back to full price!

About the Book

Title: Searching for Beautiful

Author: Nyrae Dawn

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pub. Date: March 4, 2014

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Kobo Books

Before it happened…

Brynn had a group of best friends, a boyfriend who loved her, a growing talent for pottery. She had a life. And then…she had none.

After it happened…

Everything was lost. The boy she now knew never loved her. The friends who felt she betrayed their trust. The new life just beginning to grow inside her.

Brynn believes her future is as empty as her body until Christian, the boy next door, starts coming around. Playing his guitar and pushing her to create art once more. She meets some new friends at the local community center, plus even gets her dad to look her in the eye again…sort of. But letting someone in isn’t as easy as it seems.

Now…

Can Brynn open up her heart to truly find her life’s own beauty, when living for the after means letting go of the before?

Find Nyrae Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

 

About the Book

Title: Til Death

Author: Kate Evangelista

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pub. Date: March 4, 2014

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Kobo Books

Sixteen-year-old Selena Fallon is a dreamer. Not a daydreamer, but an I-see-the-future kind of dreamer. Normally, this is not a problem, as she has gotten pretty good at keeping her weird card hidden from everyone in her small town. But when Selena dreams of her own rather bloody death, things get a little too freaky—even for her.

Enter Dillan Sloan. Selena has seen the new guy in a different dream, and he is even more drool-worthy in person. Beyond the piercing blue eyes and tousled dark hair, there is something else that draws her to him. Something…electric. Too bad he acts like he hates her.

When Selena learns she’s being targeted by a force bigger and darker than anything she ever imagined, she’s had enough. Despite her death dream, Selena is not going to give up easily, especially when she discovers that Dillan isn’t what he seems…and might not actually hate her after all. Dillan might be the only person who can save her.

Find Kate Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

About the Book

Title: Knight Assassin

Author: Rima Jean

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pub. Date: March 4, 2014

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

Seventeen-year-old Zayn has special powers she cannot control—powers that others fear and covet. Powers that cause the Templar Knights to burn Zayn’s mother at the stake for witchcraft. 

When a mysterious stranger tempts Zayn to become the first female member of the heretical Assassins, the chance to seek her revenge lures her in. She trains to harness her supernatural strength and agility, and then enters the King of Jerusalem's court in disguise with the assignment to assassinate Guy de Molay, her mother’s condemner. 

But once there, she discovers Earic Goodwin, the childhood friend who still holds her heart, among the knights—and his ocean-blue eyes don’t miss a thing. Will vengeance be worth the life of the one love she has left? 

Find Rima Online:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

About the Book

Title: Donna of the Dead

Author: Alison Kemper

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pub. Date: March 4, 2014

 Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBookstore

Donna Pierce might hear voices, but that doesn’t mean she’s crazy. Probably.

The voices do serve their purpose, though—whenever Donna hears them, she knows she’s in danger. So when they start yelling at the top of their proverbial lungs, it’s no surprise she and her best friend, Deke, end up narrowly escaping a zombie horde. Alone without their families, they take refuge at their high school with the super-helpful nerds, the bossy class president, and—best of all?—Liam, hottie extraordinaire and Donna’s long-time crush. When Liam is around, it’s easy to forget about the moaning zombies, her dad’s plight to reach them, and how weird Deke is suddenly acting toward her.

But as the teens’ numbers dwindle and their escape plans fall apart, Donna has to listen to the secrets those voices in her head have been hiding. It seems not all the zombies are shuffling idiots, and the half-undead aren’t really down with kids like Donna…

Find Alison Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Donna of the Dead

Elusion by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam

Elusion by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam
Genre: YA Dystopia
Expected Publication: March 18th
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Page Count: 400
Goodreads
Amazon

Soon, Elusion® will change the world and life as we know it.

A new technology called Elusion is sweeping the country. An app, visor and wristband will virtually transport you to an exotic destination where adventure can be pursued without the complications—or consequences—of real life.

Regan is an Elusion insider. Or at least she used to be. Her father invented the program, and her best friend, Patrick, heir to the tech giant Orexis, is about to release it nationwide. But ever since her father’s unexpected death, Regan can’t bear to Escape, especially since waking up from the dream means crashing back to her grim reality.

Still, when there are rumors of trouble in Elusion—accusations that it’s addictive and dangerous— Regan is determined to defend it. But the critics of Elusion come from surprising sources, including Josh, the handsome skeptic with his own personal stakes. As Regan investigates the claims, she discovers a disturbing web of secrets. She will soon have to choose between love and loyalty…a decision that will affect the lives of millions.

Suspense, thrills, and romance fuel this near-future story about the seductive nature of a perfect virtual world, and how far one girl will go to uncover the truth behind the illusions.

*A review copy was provided by the publisher*

Ever since I discovered this book, I knew that I absolutely had to read it. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and the idea of the book really just drags you in. I jumped into the book as fast as I could and I didn't want to put it down at all. For 400 pages, the plot moves quickly and didn't drag at all. You just end up being sucked into this dangerous and striking futuristic world that, after reading a few duds, really brightened my mood.

Right off the bat, there is some amazing character development going on. The characters just felt so real. Regan and Patrick, Josh and Regan's mother . . . they all just came to life almost immediately. I loved Regan's determination and how she really strove to gather information before she acted out. It was kind of nice to see more of a reserved personality when it came to making decisions rather than the popular rash decision making going around. 

The thing that stuck out most about this novel was the imagery. It was like taking a deep, refreshing breath once I opened up the book and soaking in all the goodness of it. The world of Elusion was so enchanting and magical. Everything about it had such a dreamlike quality that it's not hard to imagine a piece of technology like this being popular. Even out of the world of Elusion, the world building was just so vivid. I can see a world like the one depicted in Elusion being a possible future that it was almost scary to read about.

The one thing that I didn't like was the romance. I've been finding this to be a problem lately with the books I've read and I'm finding less and less of a tolerance for it. Maybe I'm just being too picky with the book, but I didn't find the romance to be convincing. Regan's relationship with her best friend Patrick and her dad and her mother just felt so authentic, but when it came to the romance, I wasn't buying it. Maybe this also had to do with the fact that I wasn't that particularly drawn towards the love interest either. Hopefully in the next book (since we're left with such a crazy cliffhanger, of course there's another book) this romance will better develop itself.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a new, original, and exciting read. It was such a roller coaster of a plot and completely unpredictable for the most part. I'm so excited to see where things go next with this series. It's such a twisted and thrilling idea that it stands out so much in my mind compared to the other books I've read so far this year.

4.5 Splashes

Waiting on Wednesday (29)

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

This week's pick:

Hungry by H.A Swain

Expected Publication: June 3rd, 2014

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Goodreads

Amazon

In the future, food is no longer necessary—until Thalia begins to feel something unfamiliar and uncomfortable. She’s hungry.
In Thalia’s world, there is no need for food—everyone takes medication (or “inocs”) to ward off hunger. It should mean there is no more famine, no more obesity, no more food-related illnesses, and no more war. At least that's what her parents, who work for the company that developed the inocs, say. But when Thalia meets a boy who is part of an underground movement to bring food back, she realizes that most people live a life much different from hers. Worse, Thalia is starting to feel hunger, and so is he—the inocs aren’t working. Together they set out to find the only thing that will quell their hunger: real food.
H. A. Swain delivers an adventure that is both epic and fast-paced. Get ready to be Hungry.

Doesn't this sound interesting? It's a different concept and I can't even imagine what it's like to live without eating food. I'm curious to see what this book is all about.

What is everyone else waiting for this Wednesday?

Death Sworn by Leah Cypess

Death Sworn by Leah Cypess
Genre: YA Fantasy
Expected Publication: March 4th, 2014
Publisher: Greenwillow
Page Count: 352
Goodreads
Amazon

When Ileni lost her magic, she lost everything: her place in society, her purpose in life, and the man she had expected to spend her life with. So when the Elders sent her to be magic tutor to a secret sect of assassins, she went willingly, even though the last two tutors had died under mysterious circumstances.
But beneath the assassins’ caves, Ileni will discover a new place and a new purpose… and a new and dangerous love. She will struggle to keep her lost magic a secret while teaching it to her deadly students, and to find out what happened to the two tutors who preceded her. But what she discovers will change not only her future, but the future of her people, the assassins… and possibly the entire world.

*A review copy was provided by the publisher*

I've never read any of Cypress's books before, but this one really caught my eye. Just look at that cover! It screams everything that I live for in fantasy. I was excited to read this book. Even the premise of the story sounds interesting. Except . . . after reading it, I have no idea what to think of it. There were certain things that made me enjoy the novel . . . and then there were other things that made me literally cringe.

To begin with, while I didn't feel as close to Ileni as I could, I liked her. Her flaw was that she made stupid decisions because she thinks very rashly, but that's okay. I could deal with that. You know, I've got to give her some kudos, though. She walks into this assassin mountain hovel and isn't as afraid as to be expected by others. I'm pretty sure, in her situation, without magic, a home, and stuck with a bunch of killers, I'd be a catatonic ball of hair and clothing on the floor while a pool of tears surrounds me. Also, she doesn't let other people push her around. She sticks to her ideas (however, dangerous and ill-planned) and follows them through.

While her stubbornness is a great quality for a character to have, sometimes I was left thinking 'Are you kidding me? Come onnnn.' Throughout the novel, her rash thinking and other various actions left to some mild annoyance on my side and had me not caring occasionally.

The biggest problem that I had with the novel was its romance. Alright, so I can deal with a forbidden and dangerous love fest between an assassin and a former sorceress. Sweet deal, if you ask me. However, the hot and cold feelings between the two of them was giving me mental whiplash. Sometimes, you could tell that there was some attraction, and within about .2 seconds (not even joking!) they're heatedly fighting with each other and hate one another, and I'm wondering how they could possibly end up liking one another because this didn't even look like a healthy relationship even to YA standards (and there are some pretty unhealthy relationships there). So obviously, there's this side of me that wants them to get all smoochy-smoochy and then in the next, I'm rolling my eyes.

Another thing that irked me (that mostly involves said romantic relationship) was the inconsistent characterization. I don't expect an assassin to have a really mushy and gentle side at the turn of a switch, so when he did, I was literally cringing at the book. Ileni also had some inconsistent characterization towards the end of the book that came out of nowhere and left me a little confused, but I won't divulge that here.

But in all, the plot interested me. Death Sworn has such a good idea for it and I am left wondering what will happen next. However, there were plenty of things that bothered me to no end. I was tired of the romance and the characters. At the end of the book, I just wanted some answers. Yet, I can't help thinking about this book. And this where I come full circle and once again state that I have no idea what to think of this book in the end. I can see that others have deeply enjoyed this novel and hope that others will too.

A confused and hesitant 2.5 Splashes

Panic by Lauren Oliver

Panic by Lauren Oliver
Genre: YA Contemporary
Expected Publication: March 4th, 2014
Publisher: HarperCollins
Page Count: 416
Goodreads
Amazon

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.
Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.
Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.
For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.

 *A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher*

I've only ever read two of Lauren Oliver's books (Delirium and Pandemonium) and I truly did enjoy her writing. If there's one thing that stands out with her books, it is her writing. Seeing that she wrote this book, I was pretty excited to start reading it, thinking that I would just as thoroughly enjoy it as I have her other books, but sadly, Panic didn't reach my expectations.

The book is told in the points of view of Heather and Dodge, two newly high school graduates that decide to join in the dangerous game of Panic for their own secretive reasons. For a while, I didn't care about either of them. I'd say it wasn't until about half way through that I found myself interested in Heather's story. For some reason, they didn't connect with me. I found Dodge to be very one-sided and I only found Heather to be interesting once a lot of her character growth had gone by. At first, I thought Heather to be very . . . immature in some aspects, and her decisions would annoy me (like joining Panic).

I was very confused by the first few chapters of the book for some reason. I don't know, maybe I read through them too fast and missed something, but it was difficult at first to keep track with what was going on. Heather was going to do the Jump for some reason and some person's thoughts were running through her head and a bit of the rules of Panic were kind of mentioned. It was all very jumbled and everywhere, in my opinion, and I think all that mess slowed down the plot at first.

Speaking of plot, another thing that really bogged it down was Lauren Oliver's writing, I think. I remember reading Delirium and just finding these passages of pure brilliance. Her writing truly is something lovely. However, she's got Panic, this high-stakes game where kids could die and there are illegal happenings, and I felt as if her beautiful writing didn't fit with the story. And especially with Dodge, I didn't feel as if it would be part of his character to go off on these long internal dialogues of the beauty or the ugliness of the world. 

My last qualm with Panic was Panic itself. Yes, this sounded like such a cool idea. I read the Panic events and was very into what was happening, but a game like this just didn't seem likely to happen with a bunch of teenagers in today's kind of setting. From what I read, I don't believe it was dystopian, so I'm just going to go with a present day setting for this book. I found it very unlikely that a bunch of teenagers running this game each and every summer wouldn't have been caught and the game shut down by now. Where were the angry parents? Also, with some of these events, they were too cruel and dangerous (and illegal) for a bunch of teenagers to come up with and play.

Panic seems like such a good premise for a book. I see that other people really enjoyed this book, but I couldn't get into it as much as other people did. The events that happened in the game just seemed too unlikely and I would just get plain old bored during some parts of the book. I didn't care for the characters as much as I would have liked, either. Sadly, this book wasn't for me. In the end, this book just earned itself three stars.

3 Splashes

I Can Explain

So, if you haven't noticed yet, I haven't posted in just about a month on here. Isn't that just terrible??? I've been a terrible blogger! I mean, I guess I could say I've been busy with school work and I picked up the Harry Potter books for the first time in forever (yes, I know. I am ashamed of this fact) and those are the reasons why I haven't been blogging, but I still feel bad anyway. I love blogging!

Anyway, hopefully that'll change because I want to go back to blogging whether it kills me or not. I miss talking with all you book and twitter friends! Hopefully soon my blog will be busy with posts and memes.

Love you all,
Millie

The Well's End by Seth Fishman

The Well's End by Seth Fishman
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Expected Publication: February 25th, 2014
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Page Count: 352
Goodreads
Amazon

A deadly virus and an impossible discovery unite in one enthralling can’t-miss read...

Sixteen-year-old Mia Kish has always been afraid of the dark. After all, she’s baby Mia, the one who fell down a well. That was years ago, though the darkness still haunts her. But when her classmates and teachers at ritzy Westbrook Academy start dying of old age from a bizarre and frightening virus that ages its victims years in a matter of hours, Mia becomes haunted by a lot more than the dark. Their deaths are gruesome and Mia worries she and her friends may be next. In order to survive, Mia and her small crew must break quarantine and outrun armed soldiers in hazmat suits who shoot first and ask questions later.

And there’s only one place to go—the Cave, aka Fenton Electronics. Mia knows it’s somehow connected and hopes her dad, Director of Fenton Electronics, who has always been strangely secretive about his work, has the answers she needs, and more importantly a cure to save everyone before the whole town succumbs to the mysterious virus. Unfortunately, it’s not answers Mia discovers, but something far more treacherous and impossible than even the virus itself.

A high-stakes, fast-paced adventure with imagination and heart.

*An advanced copy was provided for this review*

I think I had somehow caught wind of this novel months ago--August, maybe--and then I had this urge to just want to read it. It is only after I felt the feeling of desire did I discover that this baby wouldn't be coming out onto shelves for another seven months or so. Can you imagine my disappointment? I believe you can. So, it was quite the coincidence when I looked at my holy New York Comic Con schedule and saw that Seth Fishman, author of said coveted book, would be signing advanced copies while I was free on time. I can assure you I made sure I was there at that signing.

Starting off the review, I will say that I thought Mia was pretty cool. Her single relationship status didn't come across as pathetic (which is good because it should not ever be conveyed as something pathetic) and she was a true leader. Mind you, she wasn't always confident, and who would be considering that her entire school is on this militant quarantine and people around her are being infected left and right with this unknown and deadly virus. But I loved that she always followed her gut instinct, no matter what others thought of her. I really loved how she kicked all female teenage archetypes in the ass, because--shocker--she does have fears, she can't solve everything, and she is actually a teenager and not a mutant warrior. She also has fantastic character growth, so yay her.

Ooooh, boy, does this plot just suck you in. I don't think I've read much of this kind of stuff, neither does it usually hold my attention because sometimes they all sound the same, but this one knocked me for a doozy. Call me stupid, but for the most part, I am terrible at predicting accurately future events or outcomes of a story. So, no matter how hard I reflected and tried to figure out the mystery of this beauty, I couldn't. And I needed to keep reading. Because I needed to know. Now. I tried to hold in my surprise and play it off as 'Nah, I had a slight inkling that this would happen.' But I couldn't really convince myself this time. And the novel itself is at such a quick and action-packed pace that you can just fly through the pages.

Also, what really made me enjoy this novel was the fact that anyone can be a hero. That's fact, right? But when do you ever see that really happen equally in a story? All praise and attention is usually on the one hero/ine and that's it, maybe with a few great sidekick moments. But in The Well's End, every one of Mia's friends and peers showed both great strengths and weaknesses. Everyone had some type of attribute that would help them throughout their mystery solving and due praise and attention was given to them; not all of it was put on Mia. And this is just great because it creates dynamic characters, besides the main ones!

Alright, so positive ranty rant time is over. Would I suggest you to read this novel? Yes. It's fresh and unpredictable. I felt like I was in the Antarctic, snow-covered, mystery-riddled town along with Mia and Gang. Fishman is great at creating dynamics and symbology, so kudos to him. Also, with an ending like that, I'll be making sure I keep an eye out on this new author.

4.5 Splashes

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
Genre: YA Fairytale Spinoff
Expected Publication: January 28th, 2014
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Page Count: 352
Goodreads
Amazon

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

I've been wondering when someone would come out with a Beauty and the Beast spinoff!And then this beauty shows its cover (which is gorgeous)! I think I will automatically put any book that is a fairytale spinoff as a must read. It's just a must. And Cruel Beauty was a must.

Automatically, I liked Nyx. She was tough, but all she wanted was to be loved by her father. By anyone, actually. She was bitter and sad, somehow a very real and relatable character. And she had determination and a burning hatred for the demon lord in the castle. She's been destined since childhood to be the savior of their kingdom and kill Ignifex, so it's kind of understandable why she's so bitter and angry.

The main reason why I loved this book so much was the writing. Such beautiful sentences were crafted and I loved every bit of the writing. It was descriptive and unique, not a generic style of writing. The world that Hodge created was magical and dark, like, really dark. And I loved being able to read through her explorations of the house because it was so fascinating to read about.

So, I can already see where people will find the romance to be a little too insta for their taste. Don't worry, I felt that way too. But then, things get explained and lets just say that I ended up very much enjoying the romance. Ir was HOT! And confusing . . . and complicated. Well, it's not something that you'll expect. For me, the struggle was real, and I'm pretty sure Nyx felt the same way, so we were in this together.

I seriously can't get this book out of my mind. The novel, woven in with it's writing, was so unique and made for an unforgettable spinoff. Cruel Beauty was magical and dark, unpredictable and sexy, and I can only hope that others will enjoy this novel as much as I did. This novel was not all about the romance, but more about Nyx's character growth that made her such an interesting character to read about.

5 Splashes

Waiting on Wednesday (28)

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.

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead
Genre: YA Paranormal
Expected Publication: July 19th, 2014
Publisher: Razorbill
Page Count:416
Goodreads 
Amazon 

 Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

 Let's just say I recently finished reading The Fiery Heart and all I can think about it this book. I absolutely love this series! And even more so, I love Syndrian! Well, goodbye world, I will return once this book is devoured by me on July 19th.

Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi
Genre: YA Dystopia
Expected Publication: January 28th, 2014
Publisher: HarperCollins
Page Count: 400
Goodreads
Amazon

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Times bestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

*A review copy was provided from the publisher for me to review*

In 2012, Under the Never Sky became one of my favorites of the year. I've said before and I'll say again that I am not the biggest fan of dystopia, but this series piqued my interested in all things dystopia. Since picking up the first book in this series, I have been a loyal fan of the series. So, obviously, with the last novel approaching publication, I am sad to see this fantastic series come to an end.

I've always loved Aria. She's a character that's experienced a lot of character growth throughout the books and her persisting strength and love is something so admirable to read about. And it's always great to see her make mistakes and have weak moments! She's real! Yay! Dimensional characters! And the same applies for all the other characters in this book.

So finally we get some answers about various mysteries that have been sneaking around throughout the series. It was nice to see them answered! Like all the other books in the series, I had a hard time getting away from it to do other things. I just wanted to sit and read it all in one sitting. While I didn't accomplish that, I certainly made sure I finished it pretty quickly. And I've never been so angry over a villain in my life. This guy was complete evil and it was crazy to read about.

I certainly have to slow clap it out for Rossi because I've been so invested in this story, its romance, every element about it since the beginning. This novel definitely didn't turn into a Mockingjay, but it didn't leave me completely happy about its outcome, either, because, let's face it; no dystopia novel is complete without its proportional amounts of heartbreak and death.

Okay, another thing I want to point out is that the romance between Perry and Aria was passionate enough for the setting. I don't think I ever understood why characters are getting it on and I'm left thinking to myself "HOW COULD THIS POSSIBLY HAPPEN WITH ALL THE CRAP THAT'S GOING ON AROUND YOU??" Their relationship was real and there were plenty of ups and downs that made their relationship authentic. I LOVE YOU, PERRY AND ARIA.

If you were wondering (which you probably weren't), yes, I did get a little misty-eyed at the ending. Not that it's boo-hoo sad, but I was just upset to see it end. The Under the Never Sky trilogy will always be a favorite of mine. With epic adventure, a palpable romance, alive characters, and an awesome story, it's bound to suck readers in. I can only hope that if you haven't started this series yet, I hope you do soon.

5 Splashes

Happy New Year!

Yes, I know this post is four days late, but my holiday was busy! I truly hope that everyone has come into the new year with plenty of happiness and plenty of books.

With lots of love,
Millie

Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Uninvited by Sophie Jordan
Genre: YA Dystopia
Expected Publication: January 28th, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 384
Goodreads
Amazon

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

I really, truly did not know what to expect once I jumped into this novel. I've never read any works by Sophie Jordan and the idea itself for this book was pretty original. Like, really? A killer gene? Sign me up for that! So, yeah. As you can probably tell, I was super excited to read this book. Plus, that cover is pretty sweet looking. And look at her hair! They make little DNA strands!

To begin with, while she had an awesome name, Davy didn't evoke much of an emotional response from me. Now thinking on the book, nothing unique stood out from her in my opinion. But, she wasn't intolerable, and I did like her. She goes from riches and spoils to mistreatment and constant fear and her adaptation to her new situation was interesting to watch.

I always get fired up over mistreatment of others and inequality, and while reading this novel, I was going crazy. It's so sad--and fascinating--to see how people react to something they don't know and ultimately see it as a danger. Those tested positive of having HTS are discriminated, segregated, stripped of their rights, publicly ridiculed, and much more. It was just crazy and scary to read about, to see human nature at its worst. I was angry! How could people do this to one another? Just completely despicable! And because of this, and an interesting plot, I tore through this book.

There's a lot of dynamic to the characters in this book and it kind of makes you wonder: Who are the real monsters? Those with a killer gene (or an excuse for why people are homicidal, in my opinion) or those who dictate who the monsters are? And a great example of one of those dynamic characters would be Sean, who in reality would scare the ever-living bejesus out of me. Like, was he good, was he bad? I don't know but he sure had a nice bod.

Uninvited was a nice surprise. I think I'll read more from this author because I certainly enjoyed this one. Also, she'll be going on the Dark Days tour and I definitely plan on being there! For fans of dystopia or tales of the oppressed, I think this will make a great read.

Avalon by Mindee Arnett

Avalon by Mindee Arnett
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Expected Publication: January 17th, 2014
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Page Count: 432
Goodreads
Amazon

A ragtag group of teenage mercenaries who crew the spaceship Avalon stumble upon a conspiracy that could threaten the entire galaxy in this fascinating and fast-paced sci-fi adventure from author Mindee Arnett.

Of the various star systems that make up the Confederation, most lie thousands of light-years from First Earth-and out here, no one is free. The agencies that govern the Confederation are as corrupt as the crime bosses who patrol it, and power is held by anyone with enough greed and ruthlessness to claim it. That power is derived from one thing: metatech, the devices that allow people to travel great distances faster than the speed of light.

Jeth Seagrave and his crew of teenage mercenaries have survived in this world by stealing unsecured metatech, and they're damn good at it. Jeth doesn't care about the politics or the law; all he cares about is earning enough money to buy back his parents' ship, Avalon, from his crime-boss employer and getting himself and his sister, Lizzie, the heck out of Dodge. But when Jeth finds himself in possession of information that both the crime bosses and the government are willing to kill for, he is going to have to ask himself how far he'll go to get the freedom he's wanted for so long.

Avalon is the perfect fit for teens new to sci-fi as well as seasoned sci-fi readers looking for more books in the YA space-and a great match for fans of Joss Whedon's cult hit show Firefly.

 *A review copy was provided from the publisher*

So this book just so happened to appear when I needed it most. I absolutely love everything sci-fi. I harbor so much love for anything that involves space. And I've been thinking lately to myself "Where's a new and different sci-fi novel out there?" And then this one was like "Heeeeyyy". So, yes, this novel came at a very convenient time.

I didn't absolutely love Jeb, but he was a pretty cool guy. Even though he was technically some delinquent and thief and stuff, he was a good guy that would do anything for his family, friends, and his ship, Avalon. But still, I didn't connect with him on any level. I also didn't find him to be that much of a dynamic character, but he wasn't intolerable. He was just kind of there as the story was told and I can't help but think that the disconnection was caused by the novel being written in third person.

Another little bone to pick was the insta-romance. Okay, it wasn't more of an instant romance than it was instant random crush. I don't know about you, but I don't randomly start crushing on a person whom I barely know about. I just didn't buy it, especially in the situation that they were all in. Every time said crush feels would be mentioned, I'd just groan internally because I found it to be a wee bit on the rushed side.

But I did enjoy the book a lot! If you don't focus on the characters but stay into the plot and all the shit that's going down, this novel was pretty darn cool! Like, unexplainable things are happening and plots are getting twisty before you even know it and none of it was in the least (in my opinion) that predictable and once you got into that, the book's pages flew by. It is very original, from the repertoire of books I've read, and I was a content reader.

Avalon was the perfect mix of Firefly and total coolness and I recommend that everyone pick up this book sometime. The pace was quick and those four hundred or so pages flew by. I cannot wait to read the next installment! There's so much I want to know about this world still!

4 Splashes

Unhinged by A. G Howard

Unhinged by A. G Howard
Genre: YA Fairytale Spinoff
Expected Publication: January 7th, 2014
Publisher: Amulet
Page Count: 384
Goodreads
Amazon

Alyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she's always dreamed of.

That would be easier without her mother, freshly released from an asylum, acting overly protective and suspicious. And it would be much simpler if the mysterious Morpheus didn’t show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland—where she (partly) belongs.

As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus’s unsettling presence in her real world with trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he’s forgotten. Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her art and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns that Queen Red won’t be far behind.

If Alyssa stays in the human realm, she could endanger Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves. But if she steps through the rabbit hole again, she'll face a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head.

Hosting a Splintered read-along was probably one of the best decisions I've made this year. I'd been lusting for it, what with the beautiful cover, and I just couldn't wait to read it. And now, after a few months, I've been given the opportunity to be apart of Krazy Book Lady's ARC tour of Unhinged and I am a happy book blogger.

Soooo, Alyssa bothers in the aspect that she's always doubting her childhood friend Morpheus. This also could be due to the fact that I'm Team Morpheus all the way, but Al's manner in the way that she treats Morpheus has always bothered me. However, she is such a dynamic character. Being in her position, I wouldn't know what world I belonged to either. Save a bunch of crazies in this unfamiliar land or save the lives of those you know and consider normal? So, I mean, I have to give her some credit and having half the mind for doubting an inhabitant of Wonderland, but I still think she acted a little poorly.

WOAH. I have to say that this was a great sequel to Splintered. I have to admit that I had no idea where the author could have brought the next book. All I knew was that I wanted another. The plot thickens when Alyssa has to decide which world to save and be a part of. Troubles definitely get more troublesome when some certain characters *ahem* Red *ahem* just won't go away.

So I loved the growing relationships between Alyssa and her mom and Alyssa and Morpheus. We really didn't get to know Alyssa's mom very well in the first book and, in this one, readers get an inside look at the not-crazy mother. And I cannot tell you how much I was swooning over Morpheus in this book. You're perfect, moth boy!

One thing that really distinguishes A. G Howard from other authors out there in the world is her writing. Beautifully vivid and dark. Her original spin on a favorite fairytale of mine and her incredible writing made the perfect recipe for me. I always feel like I'm being transported into Alyssa's story once I open her books. Sometimes I feel like I'm missing that originality in pieces nowadays, sadly.

Unhinged was a great addition to the Splintered series and I absolutely cannot wait for the next one. I am totally flipping out over that ending! And if you've not read Splintered yet, I highly suggest you do. With gorgeously descriptive writing, a dark mood, a fast pace, a twisty plot, and Morpheus, it'll make a great read for anyone. 

5 Splashes

Stacking the Shelves (6)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews where bloggers get to share what pretties they've acquired recently.

So, yeah. I definitely haven't done one of these in a while. And what with me at Comic Con in October, I procured many books. And then I also went on a requesting spree over at Edelweiss, so thanks to them, I'll be kept busy with these many beautiful titles!

For Review:

• Unhinged by A. G Howard (not shown)
• Wanderers  by Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan
• Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi
• Death Sworn by Leigh Cypress
• No One Else Can Have You by Kathleen Hale
• House of Ivy & Sorrow by Natalie Whipple
• Panic by Lauren Oliver
• Elusion by Claudia Gabel Cheryl Klam
• Avalon by Mindee Arnett
• Uninvited by Sophie Jordan
• Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
• Dear Killer by Kathrine Ewell
• The Inventor's Secret by Andrea Cremer (signed)*
• The Well's End by Seth Fishman (signed)*
• Storm by D. J MacHale*
• The Martian by Andy Weir*

 Gifted:

• I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
• The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
• The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore
• Warrior by Ellen Oh (signed and gifted by author)
• The Maze Runner  by James Dashner*
• Captive by A. D Robertson (signed)*

Bought:

• Hereafter by Kate Brian (signed)*
• The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead
• The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore
• Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins
• Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout
• The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
• Shatter Me  by Tahereh Mafi
• Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
• Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
• The Brokenhearted by Amelia Kahaney (signed)*
• Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken (signed)*
• Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
• Dr. Horrible and Other Horrible Stories by Zack Whedon*

[All links lead to Goodreads]

*procured from Comic Con

And that's all! Whew. So, what pretties has everyone else gotten? Link me up!