Cover Talk (12)

Cover Talk was inspired by Kristi's Books to Pine For and Steph Su's Cover Lust. I started Cover Talk as a way to show and talk about the cool/pretty/new covers I find while looking for new books (mostly on Goodreads).

Until I Die by Amy Plum

Timepiece by Myra McEntire

The Language of Impossible Dreams by Sarah Ockler

The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols

First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

In Honor by Jessi Kirby

Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen

The Savage Grace by Bree Despain

In My Mailbox (45)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and is a fun way for book bloggers to share the books they bought, borrowed, or received for review. This week I got:

Bought:

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Faithful by Janet Fox

NetGalley:

The Lifeguard by Deborah Blumenthal

Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould

Fracture by Megan Miranda 

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Title: The Faerie Ring
Author: Kiki Hamilton

Published: September 27, 2011 by Tor Teen
Pages: 352/Hardcover
Series: The Faerie Ring #1
Challenge: 2011 Debut Author Challenge, 2011 YA Historical Fiction Challenge
Source: bought

Summary: The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

Review: How can I even start a review about The Faerie Ring? By telling you how awesome it was? Because it was awesome, oh how it was awesome. 

Starting off I knew something paranormal/strange was going to happen, but in the moment Tiki seemed like just a normal girl who was doing what she had to to survive. And that helped me to get in her head and understand her. She was a strong girl who didn't give up, especially when it came to the ones she loved. 

I could tell that Hamilton was trying to show that Tiki didn't really trust Rieker and Tiki herself even convinced me a few times that he wasn't to be trusted, but throughout the whole book I just couldn't see him as an untrustworthy guy. He just seemed so good. Maybe that's just me.

There wasn't any real mystery to the book because it was in third person so I pretty much knew what was going on with all of the characters even if they didn't know. What got me was the suspense. I knew what the characters were doing but would it work out? Would they save everyone? Would the faeries get the ring? All of these questions had me flipping the pages faster and faster until I got to the end.

Oh the ending. It really was quite nice. It wrapped up the story nicely and I know there's a sequel planned, but even if there wasn't the ending left it in a nice place to simply be a stand alone novel.

The Faerie Ring was a fantastic book! It had faeries and history and romance and thieves and just utter greatness. Go and read it! I'm begging you!

Waiting on Wednesday (47)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme started and hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. WoW is a way for bloggers to post about a book or books they're excited or "waiting" for. This week my WoW is: 

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

May 1, 2012

I couldn't find a summary for the book, but come on you guys, it's BITTERBLUE! I've only been waiting for forever for this book to come out. I love Kristin Cashore and her previous books, Graceling and Fire. I literally CAN NOT WAIT for this book!

Top Ten Books That Whose Titles or Covers Made Me Buy It.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. For more info go here. 

Top Ten Books That Whose Titles Or Covers Made Me Buy It

Since this week is all about covers and titles I'm just going to put the book cover and title. Not much of an explanation is needed I think!

Chime by Franny Billingsley

By the Time You Read This, I'll be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl

Hold Still by Nina LaCour

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Split by Swati Avasthi

Then I Met My Sister by Christine Hurley Deriso

Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Cover War: Virtuosity

Cover War is something I decided to start doing after seeing different covers for the same book. I realized that I liked some covers better than others. For example one book might have a different cover for its US and UK copies. I thought making this "Cover War" feature would be a fun way of showing the different covers and why I like one more than the other.

I probably won't have a Cover War for each book that has a different cover. This will most likely only be a sporadic post for "special" covers or books.

---

Today's Cover War is between the Hardcover and the Paperback version of Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez. The Hardcover is to the left and the Paperback is to the right.

It seems obvious to me, but the winner of this Cover War is the Hardcover. I like that it has brighter colors and more contrast in it. I also like that the title isn't in a fancy loopy font like the paperback. Plus, the model on the paperback looks to posed and her expression just seems...strange.

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

Title: Virtuosity
Author: Jessica Martinez
Published: October 18, 2011 by Simon Pulse
Pages: 304/Hardcover
Challenge: 2011 Debut Author Challenge
Source: Simon & Schuster Galley Grab


Summary: Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better? 

Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected. 

Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall....


Review: Virtuosity is really unlike anything I've ever read. I loved reading about classical music. I wouldn't say I'm a fan of classical music but I enjoy it on occasion. After reading this book I have a whole new look on classical music. 


Virtuosity takes readers into the darker side of classical music where everything is a way  to claw your way to the top. People aren't always what they seem and motives aren't always clear. I can honestly say that I was shocked by what happened, but after reading about all of the characters I could definitely see it as being believable. 


Carmen was up and down for me. I don't have a problem with her, she just seemed flat and didn't hold much interest for me. Jeremy was about the same, but I still loved reading about them both. At first I didn't understand the relationship between the two because they're suppose to be enemies, but I guess it was equal parts attraction and wanting to scope out the competition. 


A lot of the book I could see as believable. I don't have a hard time believing that Carmen's mom would do anything to make sure Carmen won, despite what Carmen wanted. The one thing I didn't see as very believable was how easy it was for Carmen to get off her meds. Obviously she was willing to do it, but I don't think overcoming an addiction is as easy as Carmen made it seem.


Obviously this book is centered on music, but it still surprised me how music-centered it was. I liked reading about Carmen practicing and listening to Jeremy play. It got to the point where I felt like I could here the music alongside Carmen.


Virtuosity takes a step away from the typical contemporary YA. The focus on classical music provided some much appreciated originality and although the characters could have used more life it was still a great book that I think would benefit many to read.

In My Mailbox (44)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and is a fun way for book bloggers to share the books they bought, borrowed, or received for review. This week I got:

Bought:

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton 

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Title: Sweetly
Author: Jackson Pearce
Published: August 23, 2011 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 
Pages: 310/Hardcover
Series: Fairytale Retellings #2
Source: bought


Summary: As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch-like monster in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

When their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out as teens, they stumble upon a sleepy Southern town and are invited to stay with Sophia Kelly at her sweet shop. Sophia molds candied magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel finally start to forget their haunted past - until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel, who gives Gretchen a reason to fear Sophia: girls have been vanishing at Sophia's annual chocolate festival, taken by the insatiable 'witch' of Gretchen's nightmares. Can Gretchen save herself, the girls of Live Oak,and Sophia?

Of one thing, Gretchen is certain: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.

Review: After reading Sisters Red I was excited to read another retelling/modernization of a classic tale by Jackson Pearce. That being said it wasn't that I was disappointed with Sweetly because I wasn't, it just wasn't what I was expecting.

I thought this was going to focus more on retelling Hansel and Gretel as far as the witch in a candy shop goes. There was the candy shop in the woods and talk of a "witch", but I didn't expect it to be a continuation of the Fenris from Sisters Red. But hey, I'm FINE with that because Sisters Red was awesome and more Fenris equals more awesome. I was just thrown for a loop for a few chapters.

I loved Gretchen and Ansel. They just seemed so real. I could tell that Gretchen was trying to move on while Ansel already had. Gretchen wanted answers while Ansel wanted happiness. I loved them both throughout the book no doubt about it. Sophia was a different story. I never really trusted her and always found her kind of sketchy. Samuel, oh Samuel. I believe I saw some relation to Silas in him. After all his last name was Reynolds and he came from Ellis, Georgia (if you've read Sisters Red you'll understand).

I hate to make comparisons between Sweetly and Sisters Red but I feel it's impossible. I loved both, but the mystery in Sweetly was much more mysterious than in Sisters Red. I honestly didn't know how everything was going to tie together until the end. I felt like I didn't know Samuel, unlike in Sisters Red where I felt I knew Silas.

Comparisons aside Sweetly was a great book. It was a wonderful addition to retellings everywhere and should be read by everyone!

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Title: Sisters Red
Author: Jackson Pearce
Published: June 27, 2010 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 324/Hardcover
Series: Fairytale Retellings #1
Source: bought


Summary: Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

Review: I think this was one of my favorite books of 2010. Everything about it was great! The characters, the writing, the story...fabulous!

By the time I read this I was getting tired of werewolf books, but this one put a completely different spin on werewolves and on the "Little Red Riding Hood" story.

I love Scarlett and Rosie, but for completely different reasons. Scarlett was tough and did what she had to do while Rosie was more reserved and questioned why she was doing some of the things she did. They were as sisters because they showed that yes they're opposites, but they're sisters none the less. Silas was another great character! He had been friends with Scarlett and Rosie since they were little, and I think that's why I felt like I really knew him. The romance between him and Rosie was sweet, if not a little fast.

I thought the big mystery was a bit obvious, and even thought their were a few twists they weren't quite enough to leave me guessing. 

Sisters Red is a fun and fast story with realistic and believable characters, and puts a fun and modern twist on the old tale of "Little Red Riding Hood!"

Cover War: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Cover War is something I decided to start doing after seeing different covers for the same book. I realized that I liked some covers better than others. For example one book might have a different cover for its US and UK copies. I thought making this "Cover War" feature would be a fun way of showing the different covers and why I like one more than the other.

I probably won't have a Cover War for each book that has a different cover. This will most likely only be a sporadic post for "special" covers or books.

---

Today's Cover War is between what I believe is the original US Hardcover and the final US Hardcover of Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. The cover that I think was the original US cover may just be the cover for a country other than the US, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong! The original US Hardcover is to the left and the final US Hardcover is to the right.

Both covers actually do hold significance in the story, but there is a clear winner in my eyes. The winner of this Cover War is the final US Hardcover. I'll admit that the original does hold more significance than the final cover, but the final cover is so much more appealing.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Published: September 27, 2011 by Little, Brown and Company
Pages: 420/Hardcover
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1
Source: bought


Summary: Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky. 

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Review: I've only ever read about chimaera in books that were mythology based, and even then they were only talked about in passing. So to have an entire book about them and finally get to learn what exactly they were was very interesting and fun.


I started out loving Daughter of Smoke and Bone. The setting was fresh and amazing, and I love Karou and her friends. They were real and intriguing. Getting to know Brimstone and his art (even though you don't really know what he does) was also fascinating. That's another thing. This book is one big surprise by the end. There's really know way to guess what's going on with the teeth or the chimaera unless you've read similar stories about them. 


I liked Akiva, but when he came into the story was where my interest lagged. I didn't like how he and Karou had that "insta-love" connection. I did like them together, I just think it happened too fast with not a lot of development. But once they were together and things started picking up my interest was rekindled!


My favorite part had to be the last part where we learn about Madrigal's history and Akiva's history and pretty much all of the history of angels and chimaera that's pertinent to the story. You find out everything in this part. What the teeth mean, what the title means (Yes it is relevant! HUZZAH!), and so much more!


Daughter of Smoke and Bone immediately caught my attention with its beautiful setting and fascinating characters. Unfortunately my interest waned with a bit of cheesy love but was revived with the history of both the characters and different paranormal races. This book is intriguing, fast paced, and an overall breath of fresh air to the fantasy/paranormal genre!


More Books by Laini Taylor
Lips Tough: Three Times
Blackbringer
Silksinger 

Waiting on Wednesday (46)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme started and hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. WoW is a way for bloggers to post about a book or books they're excited or "waiting" for. This week my WoW is: 

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

January 3, 2012

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

--

This sounds like my kind of book! Plus it's got a BEAUTIFUL cover and it's a 2012 debut.

Top Ten Books I Wish I Could Read Again For the First Time

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. For more info go here.

Top Ten Books I Wish I Could Read Again For the First Time

1. All of the Harry Potter books: I love love love Harry Potter! And I remember reading those books and constantly wondering what would happen next and wanting to know how it would really go down between Harry and Voldemort. Now that I've read the series and the movies are over I miss that feeling of anticipation and not knowing what's going to happen next with Harry.
2. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: Okay just hear me out on this one. I read Twilight when I was in the seventh or eighth grade. It was the first time I had ever read a book about vampires. I want to have that feeling of reading about something new again. You can find a book about vampires just about everywhere now, but to me Twilight will always be the original.
3. Any book by Sarah Dessen: Her books are always packed with emotion and when I'm reading her books I feel like I'm right there with the characters helping them solve their problems.

More Books I Want to Read Again For the First Time Include:

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin 

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

In My Mailbox (43)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and is a fun way for book bloggers to share the books they bought, borrowed, or received for review. This week I got:

For Review:
Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler

NetGalley:

Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

Galley Grab:

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Bought:

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson 

A big thank you this week to Simon Pulse, Ann Redisch Stampler, NetGalley, and Galley Grab!

Giveaway: The Fallen Star by Jessica Sorensen

Win a copy of The Fallen Star by Jessica Sorensen! Book #1 in the Fallen Star Series!

For eighteen year-old Gemma, life has never been normal. Up until recently, she has been incapable of feeling emotion. And when she's around Alex, the gorgeous new guy at school, she can feel electricity that makes her skin buzz. Not to mention the monsters that haunt her nightmares have crossed over into real-life. But with Alex seeming to hate her and secrets popping up everywhere, Gemma's life is turning into a chaotic mess. Things that shouldn't be real suddenly seem to exist. And as her world falls apart, figuring out the secrets of her past becomes a matter of life and death.

To enter:

• fill out the form below 
• you must be 13 years of age or older
• Contest deadline is November 1, 2011
• US ONLY
• only one entry per person

The Fallen Star by Jessica Sorensen

Title: The Fallen Star
Author: Jessica Soresen
Published: April 9, 2011 by Createspace
Pages: 449/Paperback
Series: Fallen Star #1
Source: author


Summary: For eighteen year-old Gemma, life has never been normal. Up until recently, she has been incapable of feeling emotion. And when she's around Alex, the gorgeous new guy at school, she can feel electricity that makes her skin buzz. Not to mention the monsters that haunt her nightmares have crossed over into real-life. But with Alex seeming to hate her and secrets popping up everywhere, Gemma's life is turning into a chaotic mess. Things that shouldn't be real suddenly seem to exist. And as her world falls apart, figuring out the secrets of her past becomes a matter of life and death.


Review: I really can't get over how cool this book was! It had a mix of everything in it and the originality of the plot was quite amazing.


First of all this book is about a girl who has the energy/power of a fallen star INSIDE OF HER. How many book have you read with that story line? I'm guessing not very many. That in and of itself drew me into this book. Along with fallen stars there are faeries, death walkers, magic, time travel/visions. Pretty much it's just a book filled with my favorite paranormal beings.


The characters and the way Sorenses wrote them was another wonderful point in the book. Gemma talked like a normal person. She sounded like a teenage girl and reacted like a teenage girl would without being overly dramatic or annoying. Alex was the mysterious guy that you can't help but love but don't fully trust. And then by the end I just wanted to yell at him, but hey, that just means there'll be more of him in the sequel.


The Fallen Star was a great book! It had a few errors grammatically, but nothing big enough to detract from the story...which was awesome! Great characters, a great and original plot, and some very nice romance is what you're in for.

Cover War: A Beautiful Dark

Cover War is something I decided to start doing after seeing different covers for the same book. I realized that I liked some covers better than others. For example one book might have a different cover for its US and UK copies. I thought making this "Cover War" feature would be a fun way of showing the different covers and why I like one more than the other.

I probably won't have a Cover War for each book that has a different cover. This will most likely only be a sporadic post for "special" covers or books.

---

Today's Cover War is between the Hardcover and Kindle/ebook Edition of A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies. There's not much difference between the two. In fact the only real difference is the background cover, but I thought that was enough to warrant a Cover War. The Hardcover is to the left and the Kindle Edition is to the right.

Now like I said there's no real difference between the two besides the background color and the color of the type. However I still prefer one over the other. And with that being said, the winner of this Cover War is the Hardcover! I like that it has a dark background because it has more contrast with the white dress on the girl. And also i think it shows that there's a bit of a darker side to the book.