Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Review: Grave Mercy (My Fair Assassin #1)

Title:  Grave Mercy (My Fair Assassin #1)
Author: Robin LaFevers
Pages: 549 pgs, Hardcover
Expected Pub Date: April 3, 2012

Favorite Quote:
“When one consorts with assassins, one must expect to dance along the edge of a knife once or twice.” 
― R.L. LaFeversGrave Mercy

Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

SO HIT OR MISS

I want to start off by saying that this is an excellent read and will be enjoyable to many different types of people. The characters are dynamic, the heroine (Ismae) is a well written character and it is easy to fall into her life story. You feel for her and want her to concur all the pain that surrounds her early on in the novel. When Ismae is rescued from her cruel husband, you can totally tell why she embraces the convent and the sisters of St. Mortain, and jumps whole heartily into becoming an assassin. There are various noteworthy characters too, but they were seen inconsistently and never stayed long enough for me to really care about them.

However I'm not to fond of the pace of the story. Through out the middle it just seemed to drag to me. Although the story didn't become any-less enjoyable, I just couldn't get into all of the politics with in the story. (not my cup of tea)

Although I enjoyed reading the novel, I also hated at times. Like in the whole development of Ismae love interest in Duval. It turned out to be one of those head over moon instant romances that I hate to read. It's like, wait how are you really that in love already, especially with your past. Duval was also a little to hands on with Ismae, especially with her being a previously abused bad ass assassin. It just didn't make sense that he would be the one she falls in love with, even though he was a hotly written character.

Overall I am way too conflicted about this book. I do recommend this book; Others will probably love what I was too picky to like.

But it's going to be...
MISS

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Review: Portrait of a Starter: An Unhidden Story

Title: Portrait of a Starter: An Unhidden Story (starters 0.5)

Author: Lissa Price

Pages: 30 pages, e-book

Published: February 14th 2012



Summary:

See how it all starts for Callie and Michael in Portrait of a Starter, an exclusive e-book original  story by debut author Lissa Price.



SO HIT OR MISS

This was a very short read but still very intriguing. We are introduced to Lissa's writing style, which I love. I also like that the main character is a male. I rarely find male voices that I like but this one I love. Michael who is an artist introduces us into his world were parents are all gone. Only the young children and the elder adults have survived. Children are poor, except for the lucky few who are claimed by elder relatives.

The plot is good for such a short story. I can't wait to see how this story continues. It is a nice introduction to how awesome Starters is going to be!

HIT

Monday, March 26, 2012

Review: Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Title: Drink, Slay, Love


Author:  

September 13th 2011 


Pages: 385 pages, hardcover


Favorite Quote:


“I hope I haven't hurt your feelings,' he said. 
'I don't have feelings, at least not the inconvenient ones.” 
― Sarah Beth DurstDrink, Slay, Love 



Summary: 


Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire... fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil... until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops. 

Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don't exist), and they're shocked she survived. They're even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl's family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King's feast -- as the entrees. 

The only problem? Pearl's starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends—especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache—to be slaughtered? Then again, she's definitely dead if she lets down her family. What's a sunlight-loving vamp to do?



SO HIT OR MISS?

This book was a different experience for me. I rarely read supernatural or paranormal YA books, but after seeing all the great reviews I decided to try this book out. Overall I found this to be an good read.

It was dark but strangely I wasn't turned off from the book at all. Pearl is a very interesting character. After the whole unicorn incident, (which was very hilarious) she becomes the perfect vampire to help her family with their feast for the Vampire King.

But giving up your friends for the slaughter isn't so easy. Pearl gains a conscious; she doesn't want to betray her new friends and have them killed. She did fight with herself on that issue a lot, whether to do what she know is right or do what is best for her family.

I love the characters in this novel! Evan is one of those nice guys, the ones who always follows the rules and he's definitely O.C.D. I found his character enjoyable and when Pearl starts to crush its kind of cute.

Pearl is also an awesome character, she's sarcastic and snarky and written as a sexy strong willed Protagonist. Deep inside she is so sweet and her dynamics change, which I loved reading.


HIT

Review: Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

Title: Embrace ( The Violet Eden Chapters #1)
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Pages: 367, Hardcover
Pub Date: March 6th 2012 by Sourcebooks Fire


Favorite Quote: 


“Did you ever think we would be anything other than unbelievable?” 
― Jessica ShirvingtonEmbrace 


Summary:

It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…” 

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before. 

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her. 

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden… 


SO HIT OR MISS 

I definitely picked up this book because of it's cover.  Yes, I know you should never judge a book by it's cover but can anyone really blame me. As it stands, this book is as awesome as it's cover! This is the first Angel story I have read and enjoyed in along time. A new look on who Angels are and what Angels do. 
Ms. Shirvington has made this my favorite Angel plot EVER! I mean hot ANGELS!! Yes please.

Though the beginning is slow, it is also intriguing. Right away I wanted to know more about Violet and her hot friend Lincoln. The strange happenings around Violet and the love interest in Lincoln really kept me interested in the beginning. The action comes at the perfect point, right when you want it.

When Violet finds out she is a half angel. Her world suddenly becomes very complicated. At this point I could not stop reading. Violet's emotions were so well written that I didn't want to put the book down. She is hurt, especially after finding out that Lincoln has been lying to her. Her life is changing around her and she doesn't know what to do.

The love triangle is one of my favorite aspects of this novel. As a college student, I see love triangles in various forms everyday, it feels like. This love triangle felt so real. It is an intense and authentic love triangle that I rarely see in YA books. Not only does it help the plot it also helps the characters to develop.  There is no cheesy or over written love mess here people!

My favorite character in this book is Phoenix. I absolutely whole hardly love him. He is officially my book boyfriend. (As such all future boyfriends have a lot to stand up to! ) Phoenix is introduce in a way that immediately sparks interest. As we see more and more of him, we just have to love him. He is technically a bad (more neutral) guy, and his interest in Violet comes into question several times. But gosh, I can't just not love his character. 

The Phoenix/Violet/Lincoln love triangle is one that will keep me reading this series!
HIT



Cover Reveal:Water by Shauna Granger

Title:Water (Elemental #3)


Author: Shauna Granger


Expected Pub Date: June 19, 2012


Genre:YA urban fantasy



Book Description:

Shayna's first surfing session of the summer is interrupted by the screams of a mother who has lost her little boy in the water. Without regard to her own safety, Shayna swims out, rescues the boy, but must escape the clutches of something far worse than she could have ever imagined – mermaids.
Compelled to answer the sirens' call, the boys of Shayna's town are drawn to the sea, but when they return are afflicted by an unknown illness, a sickness which is draining them of their life force. Unable to tell anyone about the mermaids, Shayna and her friends are forced to solve the mystery before it's too late, and in doing so, Shayna will finally have to face the full force of her powers. Whether she’s ready or not, she will have to face her true nature.

Elemental #2
Elemental #1
SO HIT OR MISS 
I have to say, this has got to be my favorite cover in the Elemental series. The Cover Designer Stephanie Mooney did such a good job. The element is incorporated so well. I love the ethereal water goddess feel.Even the Font face for the title is lovely. The scene-scape is very detailed and really takes you to an underwater place. My absolute favorite image in this cover is the eyes. The eyes are breath taking. The slight point in the models ear hints at a underwater creature and ties in well with the book description. 

HIT

Where to find the author:

Shauna Granger's Blog

Facebook: Shauna Granger

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Top TUESDAY #2

Welcome to my meme! Every Tuesday I will show you my top picks in various categories!

THIS WEEK: 

COVERS

 




TRAILERS

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)

Partials (Partials #1)

                                                 by 




WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE??? 

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Introducing: Top TUESDAY'S


Hello All! Welcome to my Meme's TOP TUESDAY's! Obviously it will be my top Hit's or Miss's in various topics.

This Week:


TRAILERS


Embrace (The Violet Eden Chapters #1)

by 




Glitch (Glitch #1)




The Nightmare Garden (Iron Codex #2)








WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE???























Sunday, March 11, 2012

In My Mailbox #1

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to spotlight what books we've received for the week.


Hello Everyone!


Welcome to my FIRST MEME!!!!!!


At the suggestion of some formspring friends, I will be starting some weekly meme's. SO BE ON THE LOOK OUT.


THIS WEEK

Embrace (The Violet Eden Chapters #1)

by 


Purchased from BJ's
I am already reading this wonderful book. Review to come soon!


Smokeless Fire (Fire Spirits #1)

by 


For the last two years Ari’s life has been anything but normal and on her 18th birthday, when her friends surprise her with a gimmick genie claiming to grant wishes, Ari discovers the truth. The tragic and strange occurrences surrounding her 16th birthday were not coincidental and her life is never going to be the same again.

Ari’s real parents are not normal. They are not loving. They are not human.

They are myth.

They are Smokeless Fire.

They are Jinn.
Paperback358 pages
Published October 21st 2011 by CreateSpace

Purchased via Kindle Store
Very interested in reading about Jinn (Genie)! Any other novels out there featuring Y.A. Genies???

by 
Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf? 






Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Review: Ten things we did (and probably shouldn't have)

Title: Ten things we did (and probably shouldn't have)

Author: Sarah Mlynowski

Pages: 368 pgs, Harcover

Pub. Date: June 7, 2011

Favorite Quote:

"Dad? Um, listen. I have kind of a crazy story for you...."
   ― Sarah MlynowskiTen Things We Did

Summary:

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house – parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.
If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.
In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time.
So Hit or Miss
Before I talk about how much an enjoyable book this was. I want to talk about what an important book this is for teenagers.
Unlike some, I am a full support of sex and sexual situations in Y.A. books, or any books really. There are a lot of teens out there who could learn a lot from this book. There are numerous young adults who still do not practice safe sexual practices for the sheer fact that like April. They don't think about consequences. This book told a story that I think teens should be exposed too.
That aside this was a really fun and enjoyable read. I also love the moral lessons through out the book. Although she had a lot of fun she did a lot of bad things. But, she learned from her mistakes and even confesses... abet much later. 
I like how April finds herself throughout this novel. She is growing in front of our eyes. Her roommate Vi, is a very captivating character just because of her personality. Though wild she is also very responsible (that is mostly because she grew up having to be the responsible one.).
I hate Noah... that's all I can say without spoiling the book.
Male characters were hot in abundance. Actually all the character interactions were well written and entertaining.
I also love how the dynamics of relationships are played in this story. (don't want to spoil)
Moving on, Here are ten reasons you should read this!
  1. Hot tub time
  2. Fake emails to parents
  3. No party here officer
  4. Male Body Competition
  5. Drunkenness in the form of mermaids
  6. Yes Hun, here's $1000 a month
  7. No parent's house of madness!
  8. Hot guys 
  9. What Dad? You'll be here in 15 minutes?!!!
  10. It's a HIT in my books

HIT

Review: Article 5 by Kristen Simmons



Title: Article 5


Pages: 364 pages, Hardcover

Published: Jan. 31st 2012

Favorite Quote:

“He put a hand on his throat, as though trying to stop the words, but they came anyway. 

"You're home. To me.” 
― Kristen SimmonsArticle 5

Summary: New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned. 

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes. 

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back. 

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different. 

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. 

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.

So Hit or Miss

I wanted to know what Article 5 was. That was the reason I picked this book up in B&N. I didn't care much about what the rest of the story would turn out to be at all. I just wanted know what Article 5 was. Plain and Simple. But then I did something. I read the first chapter.

....

...

..

.

Too late, I was hooked! I loved every word in Article 5. I was immediately thrown into the mist of the story. Once I found out about the Article 5 violations I couldn't just stop reading. I was to involved in the adventure that was starting. I was too distraught because of the injustice of this new world. 

I was angry, fearful, sad, every emotion you could think of. I could see the adrenaline just pouring into these pages as Ember embarked further into her adventure.

I completely swooned over Chase. He is the type of character I can appreciate. Dynamic, strong, engaging and hot! His interactions with Ember are both sweet and heart wrenching on occasion. I mean what would you do if the only thing you had left was locked away? Go get her of course. He's trying so hard to protect in the only way he can, but of course he's a guy and well he should have spent a little more time explaining instead of doing.

Ember is at sometimes singularly focused though with good reason. Her character really grows by the end of the novel. I feel for her. She has to deal with so much and she just wants her mom and her old chase. It takes her awhile to realize everything isn't going to be the same. I loved how determined she was. She has all the good qualities of a heroine. She related to me alot. Especially if I had been in that same situation. 

Overall.... Wow! I loved the concept of this dystopian novel. This is honestly a book I would re-read, which rarely happens