Practically Peeing: The Series Continuation Edition

I know, what a weird post title! But there's a lot of times when I'm excited for a book I say I'm peeing my pants for it. So "Practically Peeing" is a feature sort of like Waiting on Wednesday or On My Wishlist or Books  To Pine For where I showcase books that I realllllllly want to read. They might already be released, they might be a year away, they might be coming out next month! Either way, I can guarantee, I really want to read them.

Gabbi - 

Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade

Series: The Ghost and the Goth #2
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publication Date: May 31, 2011
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 266

After being sent back from the light, Alona Dare - former homecoming queen, current Queen of the Dead - finds herself doing something she never expected: working. Instead of spending days perfecting her tan by the pool (her typical summer routine when she was, you know, alive), Alona must now cater to the needs of other lost spirits. By her side for all of this - ugh - “helping of others” is Will Killian: social outcast, seer of the dead, and someone Alona cares about more than she’d like.

Before Alona can make a final ruling on Will’s “friend” or “more” status, though, she discovers trouble at home. Her mom is tossing out Alona’s most valuable possessions, and her dad is expecting a new daughter with his wicked wife. Is it possible her family is already moving on? Hello! She’s only been dead for two months! Thankfully, Alona knows just the guy who can put a stop to this mess.

Unfortunately for Alona, Will has other stuff on his mind, and Mina, a young (and beautiful) seer, is at the top of the list. She’s the first ghost-talker Will’s ever met—aside from his father—and she may hold answers to Will’s troubled past. But can she be trusted? Alona immediately puts a check mark in the “clearly not” column. But Will is - ahem - willing to find out, even if it means leaving a hurt and angry Alona to her own devices, which is never a good idea.

Packed with romance, lovable characters, and a killer cliffhanger, Queen of the Dead is the out-of-this-world sequel to The Ghost and the Goth. (Summary from Goodreads)

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

Series: Bloodlines #4
Genre: YA Paranormal

Publication Date: November 19, 2013

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 416

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe. (Summary from Goodreads)

Charlotte - 
Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent #3
Genre: YA Dystopian
Publication Date: October 22, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Pages: 496

One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The explosive conclusion to Veronica Roth’s #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent. (Summary from Goodreads)

Raging Star by Moira Young

Series: Dust Lands #3

Genre: YA Dystopian

Publication Date: April 15, 2014

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Pages: 448

When the star reader, Auriel Tai, challenged Saba to seize her destiny and defeat DeMalo and the Tonton, Saba was so confident in her purpose. Then she met DeMalo and he confounded all expectations with his seductive vision of a healed earth, a New Eden. DeMalo and Saba had an intense and passionate encounter - physical, emotional and psychic - that changed her life, and now he wants Saba to join him, in life and work, to create and build a healthy, stable, sustainable world…for the chosen few.

Jack’s choice is clear: to fight DeMalo and try to stop his dangerous New Eden project. Still uncertain, her connection with DeMalo a secret, Saba commits herself to the fight. Joined by her brother Lugh, anxious for the land in New Eden, Saba leads an inexperienced guerilla band against the powerfully charismatic DeMalo, in command of his settlers and the Tonton militia.

What chance do they have? Saba must act. And be willing to pay the price. (Summary from Goodreads)

Quote Impressions

“You don't think I can fight." Tessa said, drawing back and matching his
silvery gaze with her own. "Because I'm a girl."

"I don't think you can fight because you're wearing a wedding dress", said Jem. "For what it's worth, I don't think Will could fight in that dress either."

"Perhaps not," said Will, who had ears like a bat's. "But I would make a radiant bride.” -- Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

 “When I was little, I used to go to the local ice-skating rink. In my mind, I always felt like I could twirl and jump, but when I got out onto the ice, I could barely keep my blades straight. When I got older, that's how it was with people: In my mind, I am bold and forthright, but what comes out always seems to be so meek and polite. Even with Evan, my boyfriend for junior and most of senior year, I never quite managed to be that skating, twirling, leaping person I suspected I could be. But today, apparently, I can skate.” -- Just One Day by Gayle Forman

“I want to be the friend you fall hopelessly in love with. The one you take into your arms and into your bed and into the private world you keep trapped in your head. I want to be that kind of friend. The one who will memorize the things you say as well as the shape of your lips when you say them. I want to know every curve, every freckle, every shiver of your body.

I want to know where to touch you, I want to know how to touch you. I want to know convince you to design a smile just for me. Yes, I do want to be your friend. I want to be your best friend in the entire world.” -- Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

"Why are you such an ass?" The words came out before I could think twice.

"Everyone has to excel at something, right?"

"Well, you're doing a great job." -- Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

"Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth." -- Cinder by Marissa Meyer

"I guess it's true that love makes you blind."

"No," my mom said. "It doesn't make you blind. You're very, very aware of everything about the one you truly love, whether you know it from what your eyes tell you or your heart. So no, love doesn't make you blind. It paralyzes you until you can't breathe or run away from it." -- Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

"But there are much worse games to play." -- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

"You kept the door to that heart of yers locked up tight an hid the key away. Looks like she found it."

"Keys ain't her style. She kicked the door down." -- Rebel Heart by Moira Young

"I might be in love with you." He smiles a little. "I'm waiting until I'm sure to tell you, though." -- Divergent by Veronica Roth

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Boyfriends

I think a universal fact about book junkies is this: We connect to characters. We dive head first into their (most of the time) screwed up world, read their thoughts, hang on to their feelings. Sometimes we laugh with them, sometimes we cry for them. There are some characters we can't wait to see again, others we hope get their head crushed by a pirate riding a unicorn (which are totally okay thoughts to have about fictional characters). Most importantly, those characters steal a little piece of our souls whether we say it's okay or not.

I could prattle on about fictional characters for the rest of my lifehours. Especially fictional characters of the male variety. So this was a deliciously tortuous topic for me. Picking between my fave YA hotties is like trying to pick a favorite song or food and I'm like "OMG THERE ARE SO MANY I LOVE." I did my best, guys. I swear.  ~Gabbi

1) Link from the Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - Link is the kind of guy, that if he went to my high school, I would become his best friend and secretly pine for him, maybe without even realizing it. He has such a laid back, go-with-the-flow personality. He is a great friend and has a huge heart. Not to mention the goofiest sense of humor. 

2) Alex Sheathes from the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver - Alex will literally do anything for love. He's just so...beautiful. A lot of guys are sexy and funny and awesome, but Alex is just beautiful. 

3) Noah Hutchins from Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - OMG OMG OMG Noah. I don't even know what to say. He both fits the stereotypical badboy and yet completely obliteratres it. He's got so many issues and he just needs a hug. Maybe some kisses. I could give him some kisses...ya know, if that's what he needs....

4) Dexter Jones from This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen - Dex is just the sweetest and the goofiest and one persistent little turdnugget. Not to mention he is in a band that writes song about potatoes! 

5) Dimitri Belikov from the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead - Dimitri is the kind of guy that I would probably literally swoon over. He's a badass in a fight, and yet he has the gentlest touch. He can sweep you off your feet with a gaze and deliver a harsh truth in a beautiful and wise way. He is a model citizen for upstanding morals, but sometimes he has to make decisions that seemingly fight those morals. I just love him, okay. I'm sighing just thinking about him. 

6) William Herondale from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare - I honestly don't think I have words for William Herondale. My heart clenches when I think about him. He's just so perfectly imperfect. 

7) Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Augustus is another one of those guys I can just see going to my high school and me developing a ginormicus crush on. He is smart and funny and the weirdest sort of wonderful. So full of life and passion. 

8) Magnus Bane from The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare - Glitter. Rainbow leather pants. Cat eyes. Bisexual. Immortal warlock. Come on now. 

9) Adrian Ivashkov from the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead - He doesn't need an explanation. He just doesn't. But I'll give you this because I am in a generous mood: 

“Yeah? Can you draw a skeleton riding a motorcycle with flames coming out of it? And I want a pirate hat on the skeleton. And a parrot on his shoulder. A skeleton parrot. Or maybe a ninja skeleton parrot? No, that would be overkill. But it'd be cool if the biker skeleton could be shooting some ninja throwing stars. That are on fire.”

10) Adam Wilde from If I Stay and its companion Where She Went by Gayle Forman - Nomalicious musician. Need I say more? 

RUNNER UPS: 

Because I am an awful person and could not stop at ten. 

~ Jace Herondale from Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instrument series

~ Simon Lewis from Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instrument series

~ Jase from Huntley Fitzpatrick's My Life Next Door

~ Archer Cross from Rachel Hawkin's Hex Hall series

1) Finnick Odair (The Hunger Games) - I'm slightly obsessed... I even have a Finnick necklace!!

2) Joshua (The Other Life) - He's perfect. He's brave, he's warm, caring, he's flawed. (My boyfriend, I called dibbs.)

3) Denver Beck (The Demon Trappers) - Ooffft. He's so damaged but yet still so gawjjjjj! <3

4) Cole (The Wolves Of Mercy Falls) - He's a rogue. Hot, funny, kind, a typical lad but also part wolf, could you ask for more?

5) Liam (The Forsaken) - Gahhhhh, he's so beautiful :') *mouth waters*

6) Four (Divergent) - He's Four, I don't need to explain.

7) Alex (Hunting Lila) - He's just hot... Sexy, protective and again hot... The perfect 'You're my brother's best friend and I really shouldn't kiss you but I juuuuust might have to.'

8) Chris (Star-crossed) - He's your worst enemy but still your Romeo. <3

9) Jack (Blood Red Road) - He's just... Jack. He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders but still manages that damn sexy attitude.

10) Rafa (Shadows) - He just has that... way about him that lures you in!

RUNNER UP:

Patch from Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Kay people, not gonna lie, I have a thing for Bad Boys. I don't know, it's just me. I find scars, tattoos and an arrogant personality kind of hot, and it gives me a reason to hit the guy. :P If you haven't noticed, almost all guys are bad boys. It's just kind of how I roll. They're all really dark, mysterious and have a reason to pull you in. They've also got amazing stories in their past that sometimes, you just can't expect. I can't give you an individual explanation because they're all so close together, even though some of their true personalities are miles apart.

1) Wolf - Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

2) Daniel - Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

3) Daemon - Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

4) Warner - Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

5) Damen - Evermore by Alyson Noel

6) Travis - Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

7) Noah - Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

8) Four - Divergent by Veronica Roth

9) Jace - The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

10) Ryan - Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Top Ten Tuesday: Books We Recommend Most

I haven't actually asked, but I think I speak for all of us when I say that this was an extremely difficult decision. If I could have, I would have done my top ten recommendations for each genre, but that would be a long list, so I, personally, selected the books I would shove in anybody's hands, whether they enjoy its particular genre or not. - Gabbi

(In no particular order)

1. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
3. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
4. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
5. Don't Let Me Go by J.H. Trumble
6. Scarlet A.C. Gaughen
7. Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
8. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
9. Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
10. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

(In no particular order)

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth

2. Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

3. Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

4. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

5. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

6. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

7. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia/Margaret Stohl

8. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

9. The Summoning by Kelly Armstrong

10. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

(In no particular order)

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Divergent by Veronica Roth
3. Blood Red Road by Moira Young
4. Star-Crossed by Rachael Wing
5. The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker
6. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
7. Forsaken by Jana Oliver
8. Amongst The Ruins by Saewod Tice
9. Slated by Teri Terry
10. Candor by Pam Bachorz
11. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Cover Gush!

So, many of you have probably seen this, and I am just going about my day like, LALALALALALA, totally out of the loop.

But today, I saw for the first time the cover of INSURGENT by Veronica Roth.

It is SOOOO beautiful! I wasn't that big of a fan of DIVERGENT's cover, but this.....

I LOVE IT!

What do you guys think? Better than the first one? Worse? I want to hear your opinion...because I think it is gorgeous!

.....I used a lot of exclamation points in this post.



Divergent by Veronica Roth (REVIEW)

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her. (Amazon.com)

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First of all, I want to say that I am tired of everyone comparing every single dystopian book with The Hunger Games. I understand that Suzanne Collins is the Stephenie Meyer of dystopia (only better!), but that doesn't mean that she is the only author with an idea.

I have read reviews for Divergent and somebody said that the only reason this book was written was because Veronica Roth wanted it to be like The Hunger Games. You know how angry that makes me? Because apparently she can't write a really book that she loves. She wrote it because she wanted it to be like The Hunger Games. It's like saying that Richelle Mead only wrote the Vampire Academy series because she wanted it to be like Twilight even though the two books are COMPLETELY different. Honestly, I feel like anybody who has that state of mind should not be reviewing books.

Despite the genre and the action Divergent isn't much like The Hunger Games at all. In my opinion, the people who think it is don't know what dystopian means. Because dystopian means an oppressive society that poses as the good guys. Basically. Therefore, all dystopian books are going to have that element in common, but that is mostly where the similarities halt.

Now, the rant is over and I will move on to my actual thoughts with the book.

-------

Lately, I've been watching the show Greek a lot. And I know that this is going to be a terrible analogy and I should probably be shot just for thinking it, but certain aspects remind me of pledging and rushing and hazing. The initiation, for example, is sort of like really harsh pledging. I'm not going to elaborate any further, because I'd really rather people not think I'm a lunatic.

I heard a lot about this book before reading it. Everybody raved on and on about how good it was and I had never even heard of it! Then, I saw it in my library and I knew that I needed to get it. I think that one reason I had always passed it up is because the cover. Don't get me wrong, it is awesome and extremely relevant to the story, but it is sort of...forgettable.

The book itself, however, was  very UNforgettable. It is a modern twist of dystopia and while there is not a large amount of insight as to why the society has shaped to be the way it is, I get the feeling that readers will get more information in later books. Divergent is fast-paced, with delicious narration and a compelling story line.

It started out kind of slow, but really picks up after the Choosing Ceremony with tons of action and high emotion. This book is really about finding where you fit in in a society where everyone dedicates their life, mind, and heart to one value. I think if I had to pick one virtue to live by...I wouldn't live very long. Especially since each of the virtues are taken to extremes. Abnegation, for example, are so selfless that they can only look in a mirror every three months! Excuse me if I sound vain, but could you imagine not even being allowed to look at yourself? And that's the problem for Beatrice because she can't dedicate all of herself to one virtue either. She has a mind of her own that travels in a bunch of different directions, therefore she has options when it comes to making decisions. Her mind doesn't just follow one path. She tries to force herself to fit in, but she soon realizes that it just isn't possible.

One thing that bothered me, though, is that I think the ending was too simple. Okay, maybe simple isn't the proper word, but I think it was an easy way out for Veronica Roth. I'm not going to spoil it, obviously, but I think that one of the conflicts was solved very predictably (is that a word?).

This book has a lot of surprises. Some of them completely broke my heart and others were quite pleasant. It also has a lot of secrecy and it shows Beatrice struggling with the urge to reveal those secrets. There are hard decisions, of course, as Beatrice tries to deal with her Divergent mind. And there is pain. Lots of it.

All together, Divergent was an excellent book that left me wanting more.

• The action. I kid you not, I literally felt myself cringing during the action scenes. They are not gory or unnecessary, but I could picture each punch or kick in my head. It was horribly wonderful.
• The romance. I've read some reviews that said that the romance between Four and Beatrice was undeveloped, but I completely disagree. Sure, it isn't perfect and full of dreamy gazes. Four can be harsh and cruel but only because he believes in Beatrice's strength. He was there for her since day one and he saw the tough side in her when nobody could see past her old faction and her body stature. And once he let Beatrice see the real him, the reader sees the real him and personally, I just wanted to give him a big old hug!
• The protagonist. I think that a lot of people have this idea about dystopian novels where the protagonist always knows what she wants and she'll do anything to get it, like Katniss. But Beatrice struggles with so many things. She doesn't have a one-track mind, so to speak, and she has this strong desire to prove herself tough. And even though she acts tough it is only out of her insecurities. She has to decide whether it is best to just keep her head down or take the spotlight. She doubts herself a lot and she has to hide how easy it is for her to be hurt.  

WWW Wednesdays

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

WWW Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.

What are you currently reading?

Divergent by Veronica Roth.

I've heard so many wonderful things about it that I had to get it. I'm not very far yet, but it is already really good. I love the factions and if I were to be assigned to one I think I'd either be Erudite or Candor (intelligent or honest).

 

What did you recently finish reading?

Released by Megan Duncan. (REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY!)

This book is about four teenagers trying to find safety during the midst of a demon apocalypse. It was a quick and fun read.

What do you think you'll read next?

You know, I'm not positive considering I have a pretty large TBR pile right now, but I'm guessing it will probably be Trial By Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. It is the sequel to Raised by Wolves, which I loved, and I have been waiting to read it for a while!

What about you? Are you reading anything great right now? Or did you just finish something great? I love great books, therefore I would love to hear your recommendations.

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

TEASER:

"No. I guess not." I think about stepping closer to him, not for any particular reason, but just because I want to see what it would be like to stand that close to him; just because I want to.

Page 239

Booking Through Thursday

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme you can find HERE.

This weeks question:

What’s the last book you were really EXCITED to read?

And, were you excited about it in advance? Or did the excitement bloom while you were reading it?

Are there any books you’re excited about right NOW?

MY ANSWER:

The last book that I was really excited to read was Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer. I'd been excited about that book for about a year when I finished Nightshade. I was also excited to read Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins, and We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han, both of which I was excited to read beforehand.

There are a ton of books that I'm excited to read right now. Divergent by Veronica Roth, I think is the book in my possession that I'm most excited to read.

What about you?