Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing This Year

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

 

This week I'm talking about my top ten books I wouldn't mind Santa bringing me this year!

 

1. The Sorcerer Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

 

 

This book came out 2 months ago, and I have yet to get my hands on it.

 

2. Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes

 

 

I WANT THIS BOOK SO BAD! Why must I be broke?

 

3. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

 

 

I read and loved this book over the summer, and I desperately need a copy of it.

 

4. The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

 

I read and loved this book too, but again, I have yet to get a copy of it.

 

5. Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee

 

Yes, I want this book based purely on the cover. I have no shame admitting that.

 

6. This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner

 

 

THESE BROKEN STARS was absolutely fantastic; I can't wait to read this one!

 

7. Fairest by Marissa Meyer

 

Yeah, this book isn't out until January, but if it could just magically appear under the tree, I wouldn't be disappointed.

 

8. Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

 

Yes, this is another one of those that I want because the cover is gorgeous. 

 

9. The Perilous Sea by Sherry Thomas

 

See the caption for SNOW LIKE ASHES

 

10. The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

 

Again, I know this book isn't out yet, but I would LOVE if this book would just happen to be under the tree on December 25th. :)

 

What is your top ten?



In the Afterlight (The Darkest Minds #3) by Alexandra Bracken: Review

RATING: 5/5

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Source: Bought

Release date: October 28, 2014

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 

Ruby can't look back. Fractured by an unbearable loss, she and the kids who survived the government's attack on Los Angeles travel north to regroup. With them is a prisoner: Clancy Gray, son of the president, and one of the few people Ruby has encountered with abilities like hers. Only Ruby has any power over him, and just one slip could lead to Clancy wreaking havoc on their minds.

They are armed only with a volatile secret: proof of a government conspiracy to cover up the real cause of IAAN, the disease that has killed most of America's children and left Ruby and others like her with powers the government will kill to keep contained. But internal strife may destroy their only chance to free the "rehabilitation camps" housing thousands of other Psi kids.

Meanwhile, reunited with Liam, the boy she would-and did-sacrifice everything for to keep alive, Ruby must face the painful repercussions of having tampered with his memories of her. She turns to Cole, his older brother, to provide the intense training she knows she will need to take down Gray and the government. But Cole has demons of his own, and one fatal mistake may be the spark that sets the world on fire.

 

REVIEW:

 

Let me start out by saying that THE DARKEST MINDS is one of my most favorite books of all time. NEVER FADE was even better, and IN THE AFTERLIGHT was one of my most anticipated books of 2014.

 

While I still loved this book, I didn't think that it was quite as good as the first two. There were so many times when all of the characters were doing was sitting around and talking, and it was so frustrating. There were so many times when I was so frustrated with Ruby and Cole and Liam, that I had to put the book down and walk away. But once the book finally picked up, it was absolutely AMAZING!! It brought on so many emotions, and I was in tears by the end.

 

In short, this is a fantastic trilogy. If you have not read this series, I highly suggest you do so!

 

CONTENT: Kissing, and implied sex scene, heavy swearing, and moderate violence.

The Young Elites (The Young Elites #1) by Marie Lu: Review

 

RATING: 4/5 stars!

 

Author: Marie Lu

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Source: Bought

Release date: October 7, 2014

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY(from Goodreads):

 

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

 

REVIEW:

 



When I first head his book was coming out, I was ecstatic. I loved Marie Lu's Legend series, and I was so pumped for this book to come out.

Did it live up to my expectations? Not exactly.

I'm really sorry to say that this book was definitely not as good as Legend. The main problem for me was the main character, Adelina. She annoyed me SO MUCH! She wouldn't tell anyone anything, and all she did was second guess herself almost the whole time. Girl, get it together! Find some resolve, and then kick some ass!

Other than that, I thought the book was great. The supporting characters were awesome, and the world building, while a little lacking, was still pretty good. So if you want to give the book a try, you should totally go for it!

CONTENT: Heavy on the sexual content. There is no actual sex described, but a few of the characters are "consorts" and have different partners every night. There is also heavy making out, moderate language, and a decent amount of violence, some of it graphic.

Stacking the Shelves (7): The "Wow it's been three months since I've done one of these" edition

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

 

 

What? It's been over three months since I've done "Stacking the Shelves"?

 

Whoops.

 

Since it has been so long, I can't remember all of the books I've acquired, so I gathered up all the ones I could, and voila! Here are the books:

 



BOUGHT:

 

• Slaves of the Mastery by William Nicholson
• The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey
• The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
• The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
• Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan
• Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead
• Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White
• The Young Elites by Marie Lu
• Talon by Julie Kagawa
• In the Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken
• The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan
• Deliverance by CJ Redwine
• The Revenge of Seven by Pittacus Lore

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling (UK edition)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling (UK edition)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (UK edition)
• Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

WON:

• Arson by Estevan Vega (signed!)
• Ashes by Estevan Vega (signed!)
• Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini (ARC)
• The Savage Blue by Zoraida Cordova (signed!)
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman (signed!)
• Sanctum by Madeleine Roux

GIFTS:

The Secret Book or Treat Buddy Exchange hosted by What a Nerd Girl Says happened this month, and I got some pretty awesome stuff from it!

That is all I got in the past few months. What did you all get?



Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas: Review

 

RATING: 10/5 stars!!

 

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Source: Bought

Release date: September 2, 2014

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

 

REVIEW:

Another cliffhanger?

 

 

YOU CAN"T KEEP LEAVING IT LIKE THIS!!!! GAH!

Even though that cliffhanger was awful, I still loved this book SO MUCH!! I highly recommend reading this series!!

CONTENT: Kissing, implied sex, lots of violence, and I can't recall much swearing, but I may be wrong.

 



 



Unmade (The Lynburn Legacy #3) by Sarah Rees Brennan: Review

 

RATING: 4/5 stars!

 

Author: Sarah Rees Brennan

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Source: Bought

Release date: September 23, 2014

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 

Powerful love comes with a price. Who will be the sacrifice?

Kami has lost the boy she loves, is tied to a boy she does not, and faces an enemy more powerful than ever before. With Jared missing for months and presumed dead, Kami must rely on her new magical link with Ash for the strength to face the evil spreading through her town.

Rob Lynburn is now the master of Sorry-in-the-Vale, and he demands a death. Kami will use every tool at her disposal to stop him. Together with Rusty, Angela, and Holly, she uncovers a secret that might be the key to saving the town. But with knowledge comes responsibility—and a painful choice. A choice that will risk not only Kami’s life, but also the lives of those she loves most.

This final book in the Lynburn Legacy is a wild, entertaining ride from beginning to shocking end.

 

REVIEW:

 

As with all trilogy conclusions, I will keep my review brief to avoid spoilers.

 

I, sadly, did not like this book as much as the first two. Kami kind of annoyed me, Ash annoyed me even more, and the way it ended was....weird. I didn't quite understand it.

 

But overall, UNMADE was still a solid conclusion to the trilogy. I higly recommend starting this series if you have not done so already!

 

CONTENT: Some steamy kissing, and some pretty disturbing scenes regarding violence. I honestly can't remember what kind of swearing there was. Sorry!



Waiting on Wednesday (15): Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

 

 

"Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

 

This week's "waiting on" is....

 

Blue Lily, Lily Blue

by Maggie Stiefvater!

 

Publication date: October 28, 2014
Publisher: Scholastic Press

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

There is danger in dreaming. But there is even more danger in waking up.

Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.

The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost.

Friends can betray.
Mothers can disappear.
Visions can mislead.
Certainties can unravel.

I ADORE anything Maggie Stiefvater writes. I cannot wait for this book!

 

What is your "waiting on"?

Blog Tour: Between the Stars and Sky by David James: Review + GIVEAWAY!!

 



NOW AVAILABLE

BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY is a vivid contemporary novel from Young Adult author David James.  Lyrical and romantic, BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY is a heart-stopping, contemporary read for fans of Maggie Stiefvater and David Levithan. 

SYNOPSIS: "In the small, lakeside town of Huntington, the Firelight Festival marks the end of summer. A time to laugh, to live, to love. And for Jackson Grant, it is a chance to begin again. 

 But there is a darker side to the Firelight Festival, a deadly tradition known as the Firelight Fall. A secret game. A legendary lie. A test of bravery. Those who fall risk everything, and Jackson is on the edge. Until he meets a girl who pushes him over. 

 For Jackson, falling for Sarah Blake might be as dangerous as jumping in the Firelight Fall. As summer burns away, Jackson and Sarah ignite an unstoppable love game. For her, his heart is on fire. And soon, Sarah shows him life, saves him from loss, and opens his heart to an infinite and wild love found between the stars and sky."

MY RATING: 5/5 emotionally crippling stars!!

Author: David James

Publisher: Ingram

Source: eARC

Release date: September 30, 2014

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

REVIEW:

First off, I need to say that I am not the biggest fan of contemporary novels. I don't really like stuff that deals with real-life situations, and most of the time, I find them extremely boring.

But then BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY came along.

I loved this book. LOVED IT! It was like a fresh drink of water in the land of contemporary novels.

The prose was absolutely gorgeous! It was lyrical and, for lack of a better word, heartbreakingly beautiful, that I just couldn't stop reading. David James, you are the master of metaphors.

The relationship between Sarah and Jackson was great, the dialogue between the characters was great, and that ending though....FEELS. SO. MANY. FEELS.

In short, everything about this book was AMAZING!!! I highly recommend reading it if you have not done so already!! And scroll down to the bottom and enter the super fantastic giveaway!!!

CONTENT: Kissing, one sex scene, mostly implied; several f-bombs dropped, and hardly any violence whatsoever.

 

BUY LINKS
Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Kobo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David James writes books about stars and kisses and curses. He is the author of the YA novel, LIGHT OF THE MOON, the first book in the Legend of the Dreamer duet, as well as the companion novellas, THE WITCH'S CURSE and THE WARRIOR’S CODE. A Legend of the Dreamer anthology, SHADES OF THE STARS, was released July 2013, and includes the exclusive novella, THE ENCHANTER'S FIRE. The final book in the duet, SHADOW OF THE SUN, will be released in 2015. Living in Michigan, he is addicted to coffee, gummy things, and sarcastic comments. David enjoys bad movies, goofy moments, and shivery nights. Visit David’s blog at djamesauthor.blogspot.com and facebook at facebook.com/djamesauthor to learn more about his novels.

STALK LINKS

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Infinite Sea (The 5th Wave #2) by Rick Yancey: Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

 

Author: Rick Yancey

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Source: Bought

Release date: September 16, 2014

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (From Goodreads):

 

How do you rid the Earth of seven billion humans? Rid the humans of their humanity.

Surviving the first four waves was nearly impossible. Now Cassie Sullivan finds herself in a new world, a world in which the fundamental trust that binds us together is gone. As the 5th Wave rolls across the landscape, Cassie, Ben, and Ringer are forced to confront the Others’ ultimate goal: the extermination of the human race.

Cassie and her friends haven’t seen the depths to which the Others will sink, nor have the Others seen the heights to which humanity will rise, in the ultimate battle between life and death, hope and despair, love and hate.

 

REVIEW:

 

When the reviews for this book started coming in, I was getting really nervous. A lot of them were not positive, and I started to get really worried that this book was going to be terrible.

 

Once it finally came in the mail, I was even more disappointed; the book was so short!! Only 300 pages!! So I started worrying again. I absolutely LOVED the first book (My review), and I so wanted this one to be just as amazing.

 

I should not have worried, because ohmysweetgoodness I loved this book. It was SO PERFECT!! I absolutely love Ringer, Cassie is as great as she has always been, and Evan is as gorgeous an alien as he has always been. The plot just keeps getting thicker, and there were some definite twists that Idid not see coming.

 

I also really liked how each part of the book is from a different characters point of view, but Rick never really tells you who it is. You have to read it and make deductions for yourself, and I thought it was so cool!

 

Overall, this book was a fantastic addition to THE 5TH WAVE series! I cannot wait for the third book!!

 

CONTENT: Kissing, one sex scene, but it's mostly implied; swearing is heavy, with plenty of f-words dropped; and violence is about the same as the first book. 

Waiting On Wednesday (14): The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

 

This week's "waiting on" is...

 

The Retribution of Mara Dyer

by Michelle Hodkin!

 

Publication date: November 4, 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

SUMMARY:

Mara Dyer wants to believe there's more to the lies she’s been told.
There is.

She doesn’t stop to think about where her quest for the truth might lead.
She should.

She never had to imagine how far she would go for vengeance.
She will now.

Loyalties are betrayed, guilt and innocence tangle, and fate and chance collide in this shocking conclusion to Mara Dyer’s story.
Retribution has arrived.

Oh my goodness, ya'll have no idea how much I want this book. THE EVOLUTION OF MARA DYER absolutely blew my mind. I cannot wait to see how it ends!

 

What is your "waiting on"?

The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2) by Michelle Hodkin: Review

 

RATING: 5/5 I don't even know what just happened stars!!

 

Author: Michelle Hodkin

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Source: Library

Release date: October 23, 2012

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.
She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.
They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.
She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

 

REVIEW:

 

Wait.

 

It can't end like this.

 

IT JUST CAN'T!!!!!!

 

I don't even know anymore. I just don't know.

 

I honestly don't know what just happened. I cannot wrap my mind enough about the events that happened to even write a coherent review. So I will leave you with this:

 

This book was so flipping amazing. It is thrilling, intriguing, and emotionally exhausting. I cannot recommend this series enough!!!

 

CONTENT: Some steamy kissing, lots of f-bombs dropped, and lots of violence.



Asylum (Asylum #1) by Madeleine Roux: Review

RATING: 5/5 I don't even know what just happened stars!

 

Author: Madeline Roux

Publisher: Harper Teen

Source: Library

Release date: August 20, 2013

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 

Asylum is a thrilling and creepy photo-novel perfect for fans of the New York Times bestseller Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.

As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Featuring found photos of unsettling history and real abandoned asylums and filled with chilling mystery and page-turning suspense, Madeleine Roux's teen debut, Asylum, is a horror story that treads the line between genius and insanity.

 

REVIEW:

 

This book was absolutely insane. So insane, that I read it in one 4-hour sitting.

 

I can't even form a proper, coherent thought about what exactly I liked about this book. I did not see anything coming, and the ENDING OMG THAT IS NOT EVEN FUNNY IT IS SO CREEPY! I can't even handle it.

 

If you do decide to read it, DO NOT read it at night. I made that mistake, and it's safe to say that I will be reading the sequel in the daytime.
 

Overall, ASYLUM is a fantastic, thrilling novel. I highly recommend it!

CONTENT: Kissing, I honestly don't remember a lot of swearing, but I may be wrong. As for violence, this book is plenty scary, and I would not suggest you read it if you have a weak stomach.

Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss #1) by Stephanie Perkins: Review

RATING: 4/5 adorable stars!

 



Author: Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Source: Library

Release date: December 2, 2010

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

 

REVIEW:

 

This book was absolutely ADORABLE. Seriously, though, Anna and St. Clair are one of the cutest couples ever. They had their ups and downs like every couple, but even when they fought, they were SO CUTE!

 

The only thing I didn't like was how everything got so emotional near the end. I won't say much, because I don't want to give anything away, but it seemed like every other page had someone crying or fighting. It got so annoying that I could barely stand it. But the ending more than enough made up for it.

 

Overall, ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS was a fun, light read. I highly recommend it!

 

CONTENT: Some steamy kissing, several uses of the f-word, little to no violence, and several instances of teens getting drunk.

 



The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #1) by Michelle Hodkin: Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

 



Author: Michelle Hodkin

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Source: Library

Release date: September 27, 2011

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 

Mara Dyer believes life can't get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her strangely unharmed.
There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.
She's wrong.

 

REVIEW:

 

This is the second book in a row where my mind has been blown. First with WE WERE LIARS, and now with the UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER.

 

Guy. GUYS. This book was crazy. There were hallucinations, and hot boys, and murders, and SO MUCH CRAZINESS. I loved it so much. Mara was snarky, Noah was completely swoon-worthy, and the whole story was fantastic. I highly recommend starting this series!

 

Now onto THE EVOLUTION!!

 

CONTENT: Kissing, several uses of the f-word, and some pretty good violence (heads exploding, people choking, fistfights, etc.)

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart: Review

 

RATING: 5/5 mind-blowing stars!

 

Author: E. Lockhart

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Source: Library

Release date: May 13, 2014

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 

A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.
Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

 

REVIEW:

 

For most of the book, I had absolutely no idea what was going on. No idea whatsoever. But even though I didn't know what was happening...I loved it. I loved it so much, it is now tied for my favorite book of the year.

 

The writing was so unique; I've never read anything quite like it. It was lyrical, but it was to the point E. Lockhart didn't waste any words in this book. 

 

There was also so much intrigue I could barely stand it. I just had to know what happened! E. Lockhart keeps you in suspense until the very end. And once I finally got to the end, my jaw was on the floor. I DID NOT SEE IT COMING!!

 

I don't want to say much more, because I don't want to spoil anything, so I am going to end this review with this:

 

This book absolutely blew my mind. And you should read it, so yours can be blown too.

 

CONTENT: Kissing, some use of the f-word, and mild violence.

 

Top Ten Books I Want to Read but Don't Own Yet

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

 

This week, in no particular order, I'm talking about my top ten books I want to read but don't own yet!

 

1. In a Handful of Dust by Mindy McGinnis

 

I really liked NOT A DROP TO DRINK, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Release date: September 23, 2014

 

2. Undivided by Neal Shusterman

UNWIND is one of my favorite books of all time, and I can't wait to see how the series ends!

Release date: October 14, 2014

 

3. Talon by Julie Kagawa

 

Julie Kagawa + dragons = awesomeness

Release date: October 28, 2014

 

4. Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

 

Gansey and Blue > life

Release date: October 28, 2014

 

5. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

 

That last cliffhanger was not kind. CHAOLINA IS LIFE <3 align="center" div="">Release date: September 2, 2014

 

6. In the Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken

 

No words for how excited I am.

Release date: October 28, 2014

 

7. The Sorcerer Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

 

 

Cinda Williams Chima is the best.

Release date: October 21, 2014

 

8. Oblivion by Kelly Creagh

3 years is WAY too long to wait between books in a series. I NEEDED THIS BOOK IN, LIKE, 2013!

Release date: July 2015

 

9. Winter by Marissa Meyer

 

No cover for this one yet, but I am beyond excited to read this book, but I'll be in college before this one gets released. :(

Release date: November 10, 2015

10. The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

 

 

ALIENS

Release date: September 16, 2014



 

Mid-year Book Freakout!!

Welcome to my Mid-year Book Freakout survey!! This is hosted by Chami and Ely at A Book So Fathomless, and I really liked it, so I'm going to do it!

 

 

Without further ado...

 

1. Best book you've read so far in 2014:

It's definitely a tie between RUIN AND RISING by Leigh Bardugo and WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart.

 

2. Best Sequel you've read so far in 2014:

RUIN AND RISING OMG THE FEELS!!

 

3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to:

BETWEEN THE SPARK AND THE BURN by April Genevieve Tucholke. BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA was fantastic, and I can't wait to read the next one!

 

4. Most anticipated release for the second part of the year:

IN THE AFTERLIGHT by Alexandra Bracken. I NEED TO KNOW HOW THIS ENDS. RIAM IS LIFE.

 

5. Biggest disappointment:

IF I STAY by Gayle Forman. I was expecting to love it, but I hated it. WHERE SHE WENT was much better, though.

 

6. Biggest Surprise:

WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart. I was not expecting to like this book at all, and it is definitely one of my favorite books EVER now.

 

7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)

Melissa Landers with ALIENATED. I ADORED that book!

 

8. Newest fictional crush:

Ry from THE CHAOS OF STARS by Kiersten White. An attractive, Greek poet. *swoon*

 

9. Newest favorite character:

Tristan from THE VICIOUS DEEP. He's so sassy.

 

10. Book that made you cry:

. Hands down, RUIN AND RISING. SO MANY FEELINGS!

 

11. Book that made you happy:

CRESS by Marissa Meyer. They were happy tears.

 

12. Favorite book to film adaptation you saw this year:

CATCHING FIRE, of course!

 

13. Favorite review you've written this year:

I'm pretty proud of my ALIENATED review.

 

14. Most beautiful book you've bought/received this year:

Again, RUIN AND RISING. It's so pretty! The colors! The phoenix! The fire!

 

15. What book do you need to read by the end of the year:

THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER. I've sat on this one way too long.

 

What was on your list?



Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore: Review

RATING: 4/5 stars!

 

Author: Jaclyn Dolamore

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

Source: Bought



Release date: October 25, 2011
Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alander, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alander band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

REVIEW:

A fun, light read. Perfect for a summer day!

Mermaids are the greatest. Can I just say that now? If the book has to do with mermaids, I will read it. It's so interesting to see all of the different mythologies in the different books. BETWEEN THESEA AND SKY's mythology is one of my favorites. Why? Because of the winged people; people with wings instead of arms. How cool is that? And when a mermaid falls in love with a winged boy, it amounts to one of the best summer reads I have read in a while. The romance was adorable, the writing was great, and the ending was SO SWEET! 

Overall, I highly recommend picking this up if you want a light, fun read. 

CONTENT: Kissing, no swearing, no violence.  

Cold Spell (Fairytale Retellings #4) by Jackson Pearce: Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

 

Author: Jackson Pearce

Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company

Source: Bought

Release date: November 5. 2013

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 

Kai and Ginny grew up together–best friends since they could toddle around their building’s rooftop rose garden. Now they’re seventeen, and their relationship has developed into something sweeter, complete with stolen kisses and plans to someday run away together.

But one night, Kai disappears with a mysterious stranger named Mora–a beautiful girl with a dark past and a heart of ice. Refusing to be cast aside, Ginny goes after them and is thrust into a world she never imagined, one filled with monsters and thieves and the idea that love is not enough.

If Ginny and Kai survive the journey, will she still be the girl he loved–and moreover, will she still be the girl who loved him?

 

REVIEW:

 

COLD SPELL: also known as Elsa Gone Wild.

 

 

COLD SPELL is the fourth book in Jackson Pearce's Fairytale Retelling series, and a retelling of the Snow Queen, which made me think of FROZEN all through reading it. But, unlike FROZEN this book was more true to the actual fairytale. There's no Olaf, no Hans (much to my disappointment), and a lack of funny reindeer.

 

But that doesn't mean that I did not absolutely LOVE this book. The interweaving of the Snow Queen fairytale with the mythology created in the past three books was absolutely flawless. The writing was fantastic, as always, and the Snow Queen was so badass, even though she was evil. (what is it with villains being so compelling?)

 

Actually, this whole books is flawless. There wasn't one thing about it that I didn't like. It was absolutely FANTASTIC! I highly recommend this series if you have not started already!

CONTENT: Kissing, mild swearing, and moderate violence.