Waiting On Wednesday (15) - Embrace

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

Publication Date: March 6, 2012

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Find on: Goodreads, Amazon, Book Depository

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… 

Another story about Fallen Angels!! We just love reading books about fallen angels, because they're just too cool. "Embrace" sounds like a very intriguing story that we are waiting for to read! We are part of the blog tour, so check our review on march 22cd for this one!

What are you waiting on this wednesday? 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that showcases upcoming releases that we are excited about. 

    

Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand - Juhina

Title: Unearthly (Unearthly #1)
Author: Cynthia Hand

Publication date: January 4th, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen

Challenges: A-Z Title, TBR, Book Blogger Recommendation
Genre(s): Young Adult (Paranormal/Angel)

Source: Own
Format: Paperback

Pages: 464

Add to Goodreads

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees ...

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly, to me, is an angel novel that distinguished itself from all the other angel novels I have read. It wasn't all about angels and the paranormal creatures; there was a contemporary feel to the book. This contemporary addition and the protagonist, Clara, already knowing she's an angel from the beginning of the book was what sold this book to me. It definitely had its cute moments and it wasn't all dark. You all know i'm not the biggest paranormal fan, but this book just proved to me that paranormal books still kick butt! 

We start off the book with Clara starting to get these flashes that only mean that her purpose or calling is nearing. All angels that tread the earth have a task that they must complete, it is the whole reason of their existence. Her family of three (mother, brother and her), move to a new town. Now let me point out that I love when the protagonist moves! This means new fresh faces and more excitement for the readers. The love triangle of the story (this has become a mandatory element in books, but I'm not complaining) includes Christian, the guy who is somehow connected to her purpose, and Tucker, the cowboy that seems to always get under Clara's skin. 

I loved how the love triangle played out. We got to know about both characters and make our decision about them, and yes, I am team Tucker all the way. At the beginning I was team Chritian, but Tucker's charm won me over. The only thing that I wasn't all that happy with was that I was able to predict a supposed shocking discovery at the end of the book. So that made it a tiny bit annoying. Overall Unearthly is a great start to this paranormal angel trilogy, and I can not wait to get my hands on Hallowed to continue on with Clara's journey. 

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In Our Mailbox (18) - thrillers and wolves

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. In this post you just show all the books, and any book related items you have either bought, borrowed, won, or was gifted for the past week.

Books mentioned:

This Is Not A Test - Courtney Summers

Auracle - Gina Rosati

The Venus City - Tabitha Vale

Interrupted: Life beyong words - Rachel Coker

Summer of the Wolves - Lisa Williams Kline

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3) - Suzanne Collins

Harbinger - Sara Wilson Etienne 

Unleashed (Wolf Springs Chronicles, #1) -  Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié 

+ signed SLIDE bookmark

Thanks to NetGalley, Zondervan, Macmillan, Jill Hathaway, and Tabitha Vale

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Co-Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Author: Jennifer E. Smith

Publisher: Poppy

Publication Date: January 2, 2012

Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)

Challenges: YA contemporary, SARC, DAC

Source: Own
Format: Hardback

Pages: 256

Add to Goodreads - Book Depository 

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Farah 

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight can be described in one word: Adorable. As I first started reading it, I knew it would be such a fun read. It's a very short book, with a very cute long name. Just the perfect fun read I was looking for.

Hadley misses her flight to her Dad's wedding by four minutes, so she books another flight which is due to fly after three hours. That's when she meets Oliver. Now thank God, Oliver is not the "bad boy" type. He's british, and I love the way his characteristics was. He was just smooth, and easy. Hadley and Oliver go in the same flight, and oh guess what, they also have seats that are beside each other. Throughout the 7 hour flight to London, the readers experience the awkwardness and cuteness of the whole situation. They talk throughout the trip, someone sleep's on the other's shoulder, and etc. 

The part that kind of made this book lose a music note, is how there wasn't much Oliver in the book. After Hadley reaches to London and goes to her father's wedding, it mostly revolves around her family. How Hadley is coping with her dad's marriage, and how she misses her family as a whole. Judging by the cover and all, I just guessed there would be more interaction with Oliver. Overall it was a great book, though I still do wish I could have seen more of Oliver because he's just so irresistible! Even though I expected it to be better, it was still a great contemporary!

Juhina 

This book was adorable! I must admit I went into reading it with some expectations. I hoped it would be the next Anna and the french kiss for me. I mean the premise had it all. A 24 hour setting, a girl meeting the perfect british *squeel* guy, named Oliver (how adorable is that name?) at THE AIRPORT (perfect setting or what?). They end up sitting next to each other the whole ride to london (for her father's wedding), which means close proximity. Some people feared that insta-love will make an appearance in this book, but I'm glad to say, it did not. However it wasn't exactly up to my expectations. 

There was a bit too much drama for a book that was around 200 pages. I felt a high ratio of the book was spent on Hadley's problems with her dad leaving her and her mom, and also marrying another woman two years later. Throughout many parts in the book all I was thinking was "enough with the daddy issues, I want Oliver time!". However I did enjoy the father-daughter dynamic, if only it was cut a few pages short. Jennifer's writing was fun fun!, I especially loved the beginning bit with the "What Ifs..". Overal, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (wanna say that fast out loud?) was a cute, fun, and fast read. I would definitely recommend it to all contemporary lovers!

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New cover reveal of Golden Blood by Melissa Pearl

I'm here to reveal to you guys the new gorgeous cover of Golden Blood by Melissa Pearl! The whole trilogy is getting a new makeover! boy am I happy for that! I will be with you guys for the revealing of all three books, the second and third being Black Blood and Pure Blood, in the upcoming weeks, so be on the lookout for that!

Isn't it gorgeous?! I am SO HAPPY with this new design! Definitely gives off the feeling of the paranormal/time travel theme and the model reminds me of Spencer from Pretty Little Liars, which is a good thing since she's my favorite character! 

The old one doesn't give the story any justice but I'm really excited for the new one!

Be sure to check out this trilogy, they are all out in ebook format however the paperbacks are coming out in the upcoming months!

Goodreads | Smashwords | B&N | Amazon

Review: Legend by Marie Lu - Juhina

Title: Legend

Author: Marie Lu

Publication date: November 29, 2011

Publisher: Razorbill

Genre(s): Young Adult (Dystopian)

Challenges: A-Z Title, TBR, Dystopian 

Source: Own
Format: paperback

Pages: 304

Add to Goodreads \ Book Depository

The United States is gone, along with its flooded coasts. North America's two warring nations, the western Republic and the eastern Colonies, have reached a breaking point. In the midst of this broken continent and dark new world are two teenagers who will go down in history....

Born into the slums of Los Angeles, fifteen-year old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. A mysterious boy with no recorded image or fingerprints. A boy who should no longer exist. A boy who watches over his family until one evening, when the plague patrols mark his family's door with an X--the sign of plague infection. A death sentence for any family too poor to afford the antidote. Desperate, Day has no choice; he must steal it.

Born to an elite family in Los Angeles' wealthy Ruby sector, fifteen-year old June is the Republic's most promising prodigy. A superintelligent girl destined for great things in the country's highest military circles. Obedient, passionate, and committed to her country--until the day her brother Metias is murdered while on patrol during a break-in at the plague hospital.

Only one person could be responsible.
Day.
And now it's June's mission to hunt him down.
The truth they'll uncover will become legend.

Imagine yourself hopping on a motorcycle, getting all excited since it is your first test drive on that baby, and then the speed, the wind, and the adrenaline rush. That was exactly how I felt throughout Legend by Marie Lu. I was giddy with excitement when I got my hands on the book and couldn't wait to start reading it. We have two protagonists here, Day and June. Day, a wanted 'criminal' by the republic, and June the republic's prodigy. June and Day are such unique names, definitely reminding me of Four (you all know who I'm referring to). I love how dystopian novels have the weirdest, awesomest names for their characters!. 

After June's brother, Metias is killed, June swears to hunt down the killer, Day. Personally I found June irritating. She was smart, detailed, and solves anything in front of her, however she was blind when it came to the truth, about Day and the Republic itself. I hated how all she did was follow orders like a robot when she was known to be a troublemaker to begin with. I also hated how she was in denial, never questioning what was in front of her. I felt sorry for her because of Metias, but later on, I grew to resent and hate her. Three quarters into the book, I would clench my fist and just yell at her to SNAP OUT OF IT. I just feel like it took her too long for that to happen, and she is the first ever female protagonist in a dystopian that I do not like. 

Day, he was caring, loved his family and did everything for them. There were plagues that emerge every single year, mostly towards the poor sectors, and unfortunately Eden, Day's younger brother contracted it. Even though Day was in hiding, and has been ever since his 'death' five years ago after he failed his Trial test, he still did all he could to save his family. Day was basically the Robin Hood of that world. He would steal from the rich and give to the poor and would destruct and put in flames anything precious to the republics that he can get his hands on. 

I loved the fast pacing of the story, the two POVs and the slow unveiling of the corruption that the Republic has been creating and hiding behind closed doors. This book definitely reminded me of why I love Dystopians so much.  

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Waiting On Wednesday (14) - The Thing About The Truth

The Thing About The Truth by Lauren Barnholdt

Publication Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Find on: Goodreads, Amazon, Book Depository

In this humorous love story from the author of Two-Way Street, an unlikely romance is the best sort of surprise—but the wrong secret can ruin everything. Kelsey’s not going to let one mistake ruin her life. Sure, she got kicked out of prep school and all her old friends are shutting her out. But Kelsey’s focused on her future, and she’s determined to get back on track at Concordia High.

Isaac’s been kicked out of more schools than he can count. Since his father’s a state senator, Isaac’s life is under constant scrutiny—but Concordia High’s his last stop before boarding school, so Isaac’s hoping to fly under the radar and try to stay put for a change.

When Kelsey and Isaac meet, it’s anything but love at first sight. She thinks he’s an entitled brat, and he thinks she’s a stuck-up snob. So it surprises them both when they start to fall for each other. Kelsey’s happy for the first time in months, and Isaac’s never felt this way about anyone before...But nothing’s ever completely perfect. Everyone has secrets, and Isaac and Kelsey are no exceptions. These two may have fallen hard, but there’s one thing that can ruin it all: the truth.

An amazing love story, that will include this awesome awkwardness for sure!! Secrets, and truths? We definitely can't wait to pick up Lauren's new title!

What are you waiting on this wednesday? 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that showcases upcoming releases that we are excited about. 

    

Review: On The Bright Side by S.R. Johannes - Farah

Title: On The Bright Side
Author: S.R. Johannes

Publication date: February, 2012
Publisher: Coleman & Scott

Genre(s): Tween (Paranormal)

Challenges: A-Z title

Source: Author
Format: E-book

Pages: 293

Add to Goodreads

As if the devil’s food cake at her wake and the white fat pants she’s stuck wearing for eternity weren’t bad enough, fourteen year-old Gabby is quick to discover that Cirrus, the main rung of Heaven, is a far cry from the Pearly Gates. Here, SkyFones and InnerNets are all the rage. At her first Bright ceremony, G.O.D., the automated assignment system, spits out Angela Black, Gabby’s arch nemesis and longtime fencing rival. As a Bright, Gabby has to protect Angela, her assigned mortal, in order to move up through the training levels of heaven.

Back on earth, Angela starts hitting on Michael, Gabby’s crush and should-have-been boyfriend. Gabby’s pranks to quell the love are harmless at first until the school dance sabotage gets completely out of control. Then, Celestial Sky Agent, Lawrence, who happens to have anger management issues of his own, steps into reveal that Angela has big problems, and what she really needs is Gabby’s help.

Determined to right her wrong and ease her mother’s grief, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to earth for just one day. But if Gabby’s not careful, her well-meaning mission just might shift the very foundation of Heaven, Earth, and every place in between, causing the danger of the dark side to roam free. 

On The Bright Side is such a different story, that had me laughing most of the time. The story is about Gabby, the main protagonist, who suddenly dies and goes to "heaven", which is called Cirrus.

In Cirrus, Gabby is a Bright in training, therefore she has an assigned mortal she has to protect. She gets assigned to her enemy, Angela. As Gabby goes to earth, she has to protect Angela. Since no one can see her, Gabby pulls a few strings and actually makes Angela's life kind of miserable which actually got me laughing at the pranks.

What kind of annoyed me is that Gabby liked Michael, and now she's dead, so obviously there will be NO ROMANCE between them! That was very disappointing for me, because I had to watch Angela cling to him. Even though Michael liked her as well, I wish there was at least a part where they could have been together when she was 'alive'. 

Overall, I liked the imaginative world that S.R. Johannes has created. It was very fun and different. The writing style was simple, and easy to understand. Every chapter contained different ideas, and never left me bored. It was a great book to read! 

3.5 music notes - I enjoyed it!

Cover Reveal: Hidden by Sophie Jordan

The cover of the final book in the Firelight trilogy is finally out! The title of the book is "Hidden" and the cover is definitely eye catching! look at all the red! 

Coming September 11, 2012 from HarperTeen
The final installment in the Firelight trilogy

acinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride.
But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse,
a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue
her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself,
though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control.
As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian
can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be
only the beginning....

Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy.

What do you guys think of the cover? are you all excited for this release? I need to get the first two books in this trilogy and start reading them right now!

 

Amazon || B&N

Co-Review: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Wither (The Chemical Garden #1)
Author: Lauren DeStefano

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Publication date: May 22, 2011
Challenges: Dystopian, TBR

Genre(s): Young Adult (Dystopian)

Source: Own
Format: Hardback

Pages: 358

Add to Goodreads \ Book Depository

By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.

When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can't bring herself to hate him as much as she'd like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband's strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?

Juhina 

From the first time I laid eyes on Wither's cover and found out it is a dystopian novel, I couldn't wait to read it. The story was also different from the usual dystopian novel, girls die at the age of 20 and boys at the age of 25. This is why kidnapping girls off the street and forcing them into polygamous marriages is a normal act done by the richer, upper class. You can’t help but hope that criminal justice will be served.The main protagonist, Rhine has always stuck by her twin brother, ever since their parents died. Once Rhine enters the mansion that became her 'home' all thoughts occupying her head were of escape. Rhine was a perfect protagonist, never losing sight to what's dear for her and also never losing hope. She calculates, manipulates, and cleverly uses things to her advantage, she also has an eye for detail and, lets just say, Gabriel, one of her husband, Linden's house servants. 

Throughout the book, while I was rooting for Rhine and Gabriel to escape, I couldn't help but feel sympathetic towards Linden. You'll come to see that he's also a prisoner in his own house; by his father, who is feared by the whole household. There were times where I was hoping that somehow Rhine would convince Linden to runaway with them. I also felt sorry for Rhine's sister wives, while they did not have the same motivation or will to escape, they each lost someone or something for this marriage, whether it was a childhood, or siblings. Lauren DeStefano delivered a story that is breathtaking, heartbreaking, and full of hope all packaged with the most beautiful cover i've seen in 2011. I am eagerly awaiting to see what happens in Fever, the second book in the Chemical Gardens Trilogy.

Farah

Wither was a book that was very high on my TBR list for a while.The cover was just gorgeous, and the synopsis was just so intriguing. Girls die at the age of 20, and boys die at the age of 25. Girls are taken away from their homes and are forced to get married in order to get pregnant, which results in the human race to not get extinct. 

Rhine, the main protagonist, is very different from most of the characters I read about. Rhine was always by her twin brother's side after her parents death. After she gets kidnapped, and gets forced into marriage, she tries to escape to get back to her brother whom she is strongly attached to. She conducts a plan, with the help of one of her her husband's servants, Gabriel.

The story evolves as Rhine gets to know Gabriel in the little time she sees him every time he comes to serve her food. Rhine also gets to know her two "sisters", Cecily and Jenna, who also share the same husband. Rhine tries to get close to Linden, her husband, so she can gain his trust. Even though I felt kind of sorry for Linden sometimes, I did want Rhine and Gabriel to escape and get their freedom.

I don't want to spoil anything, but I'm very excited as to what will happen in the next book, Fever. The ending just left me hanging, and wanting more. Wither is definitely a new spice of dystopian that I would love to see more of! 

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