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Monday, July 29, 2013

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Read: 
A Really Awesome Mess by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin
Invisibility by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan
Just Between Us by J.H. Trumble

Currently reading:
No clue!

Up next:
Good question.

Man, I didn't expect to read so much this week, now I have no idea what to do next. So many options. I think I'll have better luck deciding what I'm in the mood to read next when it isn't 2 AM.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Quote Impressions: The Romantique Edition




 “As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.” - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green





“'And I'm suppose to sit by while you date boys and fall in love with someone else, get married...?'" His voice tightened. "'And meanwhile, I'll die a little bit more every day, watching.'” - City of Glass by Cassandra Clare





“On a sigh he brought up his hand and used one long finger to brush a dark curl away from my face. With the saddest look in his eyes, he said, 'A girl needs to be held right now, and comforted, and told that everything is going to be okay. I'm sorry I can't do that for you. I don't have any of that left.'

'I have a little,' I said, 'and I'll lend it to you.'” - Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols

Enjoy the various degrees of swoon. Also, clicking on the book covers will take you to the respective book's goodreads page. 

Friday, July 26, 2013

Book Review: A Really Awesome Mess by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin

A Really Awesome Mess by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin
Series: Standalone
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: July 23, 2013
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Format: eARC
Pages: 288
Source: Received from publisher for review via NetGalley
A hint of Recovery Road, a sample of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, and a cut of Juno. A Really Awesome Mess is a laugh-out-loud, gut-wrenching/heart-warming story of two teenagers struggling to find love and themselves.

Two teenagers. Two very bumpy roads taken that lead to Heartland Academy.
Justin was just having fun, but when his dad walked in on him with a girl in a very compromising position, Justin's summer took a quick turn for the worse. His parents' divorce put Justin on rocky mental ground, and after a handful of Tylenol lands him in the hospital, he has really hit rock bottom.

Emmy never felt like part of her family. She was adopted from China. Her parents and sister tower over her and look like they came out of a Ralph Lauren catalog-- and Emmy definitely doesn't. After a scandalous photo of Emmy leads to vicious rumors around school, she threatens the boy who started it all on Facebook.

Justin and Emmy arrive at Heartland Academy, a reform school that will force them to deal with their issues, damaged souls with little patience for authority. But along the way they will find a ragtag group of teens who are just as broken, stubborn, and full of sarcasm as themselves. In the end, they might even call each other friends.

A funny, sad, and remarkable story, A Really Awesome Mess is a journey of friendship and self-discovery that teen readers will surely sign up for. (Summary from Goodreads.com)
A Really Awesome Mess was a reading experience that I did not expect. I'm fairly certain that, had I not been highly looking forward to something completely different, I would have enjoyed this book much more than I already did. That being said, I did find this to be a fun and quick read.

The best part of this novel, in my opinion, is the group dynamic between Emmy, Justin, "Mohammed," Diana, Jenny, and Chip. There is humor, affection, and various screwed-upedness. I loved the transition from not knowing/liking each other to becoming partners in crime, looking out for each other, and challenging each other to face their aforementioned screwed up-edness. Together they are an interesting bunch. Individually, however, I can't say I particularly adore any of the characters. My favorite story belongs to Diana (but I won't give anything away). My least favorite is probably Jenny's, though her illness is very interesting and not something one will find in a lot of books.

Emmy, one of the narrators, really bothered me, though. For various reasons. For one, she refuses to accept her painfully obvious eating disorder. Please refer to this hilariously awesome review that just so happens to perfectly describe how annoying Emmy could be at times. Another thing is the way body image defines her life and the lives of those around her. I know that she has an eating disorder, so body image is a prominent thought in her mind. That does not stop me from being infuriated. At one point she says something along the lines of, "That girl is overweight so she must hate herself." Get the fucking fuck out.

Probably the most major flaw in this novel, though, is the lack of depth. Seeing as the setting is a mental illness rehabilitation center, this book features a vast range of mental illnesses. I did not feel like any of them were touched on as deeply as they could have been, which really hindered the emotional connection. All the feels were right there, a breath away from surface, but they never made it for me. Why do authors refuse to give me the feels? I love to see the characters suffer!

Would I recommend this book? Yeah, I would. It's entertaining, quick, and provides a bit more substance while still being a generally light read. It's not super original, but it does have aspects I've never read about before, which makes it a trillion times cooler and more memorable. Though this wasn't the reading experience I was hoping for, it is one I am happy I had.

Oh, and there's a really comical situation with a pig. Quite a few pig-related comical situations actually.
My true rating falls somewhere between 3.5 and 4 crowns, but it leans more toward 4. 


Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday: words/topics that make me NOT want to read a book

created by The Broke and the Bookish
Top Ten (seven) Topics That Make Me Not Want To Read A Book

Okay, I'm going to cheat on this a little. I try to be open to all books, give them a chance even if they have elements I'm not entirely interested in. So, instead of things that turn me off before I crack open a book, I'm going to list the things that make me not like a book while reading it (besides the painfully obvious ones like insta-love, unoriginal plot, stilted dialogue, etc.).

1) Moving to a new school/town for generic reasons. 
Find a different way for your MC to meet a new cast of characters. Or, if you are going to have such a cliche inciting incident, at least add your own twist to it, make the cliche something something un-cliche.

2) Evil popular girl.
Especially if she's perfect and gorgeous and a cheerleader. It just grinds my gears. I don't even have words. Sometimes a  person can be beautiful, talented, a cheerleader, and "perfect" and just be genuinely sweet. And, okay, this is kind of a completely different issue, but just because a girl is really feminine/preppy doesn't mean she's stupid or an awful human being in general.

3) The electric charge. 
You know, that moment when the MC and his/her meant-to-be make physical contact and a pulse of electricity races through him/her.

4) LGBT Shaming.
I don't think I've ever run into a serious case of this, but if I were to--HOLD MY HOOPS, GIRL. I will not stand for it.

5) Making light of suicide. 
Suicide is a tragedy, and it is all too common in our society. It's not something to be joked about. Ever.

6) All the insecurities. 
I get that teenage girls have insecurities, obviously. But I'd like to see more girls loving themselves. It hasn't been easy, but I love myself despite all the things others may deem unlovable. Maybe, for once, the girl can be good enough for the smokin' hot guy. Maybe, for once, the girl can be beautiful even if her body isn't the traditional definition of perfect. Maybe, for once, her looks and her mistakes won't define her. And this actually applies to guys too, even though I said "girl" the entire time.

7) Over dramaticness. 
If you're going to be shunned by an entire school, or whatever, at least make it something believable. LIKE OH NOEZ YOU STOLE YOUR BFF'S BF? WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT. No thanks. Oh, and an MC that cries all the frackin time--or better yet, feints? I'll pass. Every now and then, okay whatevz. I once read a book where the MC cried at least every other page. Too much.


Monday, July 22, 2013

Book Review: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Series: The 5th Wave #1
Genre: YA Post-Apocalyptic
 Publication Date: May 1, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.
This book was so good! The plot, the characters, the pacing, the writing, all of it! 

I was hooked from the start, from the moment I stepped into this world the action was raging. Not even 20 pages in and you're shown how Cassie's world has been turned upside down - literally - and how instinct has torn her heart apart in a frenzy for survival.

Cassie (short for Cassiopia) is on a lonely stretch of highway, running from the haunting past she has endured with no one to trust. The 4th wave is upon her, smothering her chances of survival while the 5th wave is unknown, but it's coming.

This story was just ghdfyjfhrhtfhj!!!!! It's an alien story, yes, but is it a typical alien tale? No. Hell to the no. This has been so intricately planned and written, it is unique and enthralling. It does remind me (slightly-ish-not-majorly) of another book out on the market but it'd be a spoiler to say which! 

Usually in alien apocalypse books/movies, aliens come down to earth in huge spaceships with large machines buried deep beneath the earth and the aliens are butt ugly baboons BUT The 5th wave puts an end to this. There is literally no confrontation (until the 4th wave - which you learn more about later in the book). Instead, the 1st wave consists of an electromagnetic pulse taking out all electricity/battery operated appliances etc. The 2nd wave is a tsunami, killing thousands and herding survivors. The 3rd wave sends out the pestilence (a deadly disease spread via birds because birds know no boundaries). The 4th wave brings Silencers, forcing survivors to stand alone. And the 5th wave? No one knows, but it's coming.

This fast-paced, action-packed plot is accompanied by some remarkable characters. There's Cassie (our protagonist) who is a head-strong, brave survivor of this otherworldly apocalypse - she's such a legitimate character, all of her actions and emotions are realistic, she's so human. 

Another character is Evan Walker BUT I can't really say anything about him (or any other characters) without slipping out a few spoilers. 

One thing I did love about this book was how you were never quite sure yourself who to trust or where others held their loyalties. You were in Cassie's shoes right up until the moment of truth.

I should have also mentioned that this book is written with alternating POVs between characters - who I cannot say. ;)

I definitely did love this book! It's a must read for everyone - particularly apocalypse/dystopian fans! I will certainly be picking up the sequel!

OH! And a little p.s.

The aliens in this book are called 'The Others'. I only figured this out after misreading the first couple sentences a million times. Oh and make sure you read the page titled "Intrusion 1995" before chapter 1. :)
Check out this awesome book trailer by penguin illustrating all 4 waves, it got me uber hyped up for the book!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Book Review: Amongst the Ruins by Saewod Tice

Series: The Chronicles of 2020 #1
Genre: YA Dystopian
Publication Date: September 12, 2011
Publisher: Noble Young Adult
Pages: 321 pages
Source: Received for review from the author
In the year 2220, only about 15% of Earth's population have survived and thrived after the Nuclear Disaster of 2020.

With the collapse of modern society, the population has regressed into eight clans.

Amongst these clans, an unusual girl grows from child to adult.

Raised on the run and in hiding, Shilo wants to be free of the expectations of women. But in a ruined world where anyone could be an enemy, only the radiation-twisted mutants are clearly identifiable. A fertile female is a precious treasure, and any lapse in caution can mean a loss of the freedom she longs for.

Training as hard as a soldier would, in order to free herself from social constraints, she finds herself faced with an offer from a new clan--an offer that provides her with what she desires. But her recently found independence brings discovery, and discovery brings two very different men from her past—and each of them is determined to claim her.

One is obsessed with owning her, the other desires her as the only person who can make him love again. (Summary from Goodreads.com)

So, uhhh, I read this like really amazing book, it's called "Amongst the ruins" and if you don't read it then, uhhh, I guess it's your loss.

This books was truly amazing! I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. It's the first novel in the promising 2020 chronicles. When I finished reading "Amongst the ruins" I completely fangirled to the author and she hasn't replied yet so I think I scared her? Maybe the part where I told her I "loved" her did it?

Ok, so onto the more serious part of the review... Heck, this is going to be so hard to write! I'm still so hyper about the book!

I genuinely don't know where to start or what to say to prove how phenomenal this novel was. It's hard to sum up awesomeness in a few paragraphs.

Unlike most dystopian novels, whose plots sound promising but fail to deliver, this story really struck me and is now one of favourites of all time.

The plot was basic yet seemed so complex at the same time. There were so many twists and unpredictable turns. In the future the remaining 15% of the population live in clans due to the collapse in society after a nuclear disaster devastated mankind. The 'Nigredo" are savage, radiation-twisted mutants, almost human-like if it weren't for their lack of empathy, who threaten to ruin the life mankind has salvaged from their past failures; but they're not all that endanger Shilo's life, freedom and future.

Shilo's transformation from a young girl in hiding to a young woman who will stand her ground is compelling and dangerous. Everything she does is to survive. Nothing else matters but survival in this world, but for Shilo, survival isn't enough. She wants freedom from the  trap she's fallen into, from the expectations of women in this monster of a world.

The characters are what make the story. The characterisation was beautiful and ever so real. The heartless mean fueled me with adrenaline and her friends and family enveloped me in warmth. I felt everything she experienced as if I were her, but at the same time I felt as though I was sat on the side line, unable to help her when my heart was screaming at me to do so.

The relationships between characters, whether they were enemies, friends, family or lovers were indecisive, believable and emotional. The feelings characters developed towards one another and the words they wished they'd had a chance to say make you realise just how precious life is.

I really can't strain enough how prodigious this novel was. The plot was simple yet layered, the characters all too human and beautiful.

A compelling read. An admirable protagonist. Her story will consume you.

*Recommended for 15+ due to mature content*
(Also available at Amazon US and from the publisher.)

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Interview with Lea Nolan

Guys, I am so excited to have the fantabulous author Lea Nolan on the blog today! Miss Nolan is the author of Conjure, book one in the Hoodoo Apprentice trilogy. Lea rocks my socks off with awesomesauce writing and a fun, unique story.

Welcome, Lea! 

Thanks so much for having me, Gabbi! I'm thrilled to be here!

1) What are four adjectives that describe CONJURE?
Magical
Adventurous
Curse-ridden
Swoonworthy

2) Before reading your book, I had never heard of hoodoo. How did you come across it? 
I had already decided the book would have a pirate and would somehow feature the Gullah, but it had been years since I researched either back in college. In the midst of refreshing my knowledge about the South Carolina Lowcountry and the Gullah, I stumbled upon hoodoo and nearly jumped for joy! It felt like the universe had handed me this perfect combination of elements to write about. And bonus--no other YA books featured hoodoo at that time (this was waaayyy before Katie Crouch's The Magnolia League and its sequel, The White Glove War came out) so I knew I had to write about it.

3) What are three songs you feel best sum up CONJURE? 
Without a doubt, Colbie Caillat's Bubbly perfectly sums up Emma Guthrie's feelings for Cooper Beaumont. I listened to that song about a million times when I was writing CONJURE just to make sure I knew exactly how he makes her feel. He's just about the perfect guy and boyfriend, so it totally makes sense that Emma would feel (as Colbie sings)...

I get the tingles in a silly place
It starts in my toes
And I crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go

~Bubbly, Colbie Caillat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWGqoCNbsvM

Whenever I thought about the flashbacks that feature Bloody Bill Ransom, the 18th century pirate that committed the crimes that caused the heinous curses in the first place, I listened to The Rolling Stones' Sympathy for the Devil. There's something about that rhythm and Mick Jagger's snarling vocal that made me think of a lusty and very naughty pirate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRXGsPBUV5g

And for the final climax, I listened to Elton John's Someone Saved My Life Tonight. I love this song so much. I'm listening to it as I write this now. There's something so beautiful about this anthem that fits perfectly with the emotion I tried to instill in that scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiuCk6_yEPw


4) What do you love most about Emma, Cooper, and Jack?
I love, love, love Emma's strength and determination to save those she loves. She risks everything for her brother, Jack and for Cooper, too and I can't imagine anything more heroic or admirable. And she's a kick-a$$ hoodoo apprentice, which is pretty dang cool.

I adore Cooper's pure heart. He's so good, and his destiny is so unspeakably horrible, you want Emma to do everything possible to save him from it. I know I'm rooting for her! And Cooper's rock hard abs and massive biceps don't hurt either.

Jack. Ah, my cocky, pain-in-the-butt, Jack. I know some folks get frustrated with him in this story, but I've got to be honest, I really love him. But that's because I understand what's happening to him throughout the novel so I cut him some slack. And I know that deep down inside that crusty, sometimes jerky exterior, he really loves Emma. He just doesn't have to show it as effusively because they're twins and he knows she'll always be there for him. Plus, he makes me laugh. I promise, you'll see a different side of Jack in CONJURE's sequel ALLURE which comes out in October 2013.

5) Do you have any writing rituals or must-haves to make the magic flow?
As sad as it sounds, I need to kick myself off the internet because I. CAN'T. RESIST. THE. INTERWEBS. Pathetic, I know. I had to buy the Freedom program (http://macfreedom.com) which is an "Internet blocking productivity software." Best ten bucks I ever spent. I also participate in #1k1hr writing sprints on Twitter to pound out words when I'm drafting a book. How do I get on Twitter when I've turned on the Freedom program, you ask? Simple, I log in on my iPhone! Hahaha! So I don't completely stay away from the Internet, but it's not nearly as easy as when I use my lap top. Finally, I need my Panera ice tea, otherwise known as my elixir of life.  

6) Curses play a huge role in Conjure. If you could curse your arch nemesis, what kind of curse would you put on him/her? 
Ooh, this is a diabolical question--I LOVE it! Um, let me think...uh, I've got nothing. Here's the thing. I don't think I actually have the stones to curse someone for real, thought there are a couple people I might make an exception for. *strokes chin menacingly like Uncle Olaf*

Seriously I think the worst thing that could ever happen is for someone to never know true love and contentment in their life. And for the most part, I think most people who suffer that fate usually bring it on themselves, which is more tragic than anything I could ever wish on them. So, I guess what I'm saying is that I tend to follow the motto of "live and let live" which sometimes also means "live and let people screw up their own lives."

7) Who are some authors that inspire you to write? 
I love to read great prose. And by that I mean, reading, then re-reading and savoring specific lines and phrases, then feeling sick to my stomach because I know I'll never be as good. Two writers who do that to me are Maggie Stiefvater and Markus Zusak. I'm also madly in love with Meg Cabot, Tera Lynn Childs, Alyson Noel, and so many others I can't recall at this moment because you've put me on the spot.

8) Any words of wisdom for aspiring writers?
READ!!! There's no better teacher than a professionally edited book written by a fantastic writer. It will teach you the basics about mechanics but also how to structure a story, how to tap into emotions, how to create character and story arcs, etc. It's important to read widely within a genre and read lots of different things, too. Also, I highly recommend joining writer's organizations like the Romance Writers of America (RWA), Savvy Authors, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and their local affiliates and online special interest chapters. This is where you'll interface with a writing community, meet other writers, gain access to classes, critique partners and other workshops to further your writing craft and knowledge of the publishing business. And of course, WRITE!!! Don't let knuckleheads tell you that you can't. If your writing needs work, work at it, learn the tricks of the trade and you'll improve. But don't let anyone crush your dreams.

Thanks so much for having me! This was a blast!

Lea Nolan couldn’t read until the third grade. After a lot of hard work she finally got the hang of it and quickly learned the best way to get out of doing chores was to tell her parents she was reading. Soon she was hooked, devouring books by Roald Dahl, E.B. White, Judy Blume, C.S. Lewis, and anything with a shiny Newberry Award sticker on the cover. Books provided a portal to enchanted lands where anything was possible and characters relied on their wits to wiggle out of sticky situations. Today, even though she’s all grown up, Lea writes the kinds of stories she sought as a teen--smart paranormals with bright heroines, crazy-hot heroes, diabolical plot twists, plus a dose of magic, a draft of romance, and a sprinkle of history. She holds degrees in history and women’s studies concentrating in public policy and spent fifteen years as a health policy analyst and researcher. She lives in Maryland with her heroically supportive husband and three clever children, who’ve figured out how to get out of doing their chores.
Series: The Hoodoo Apprentice #1
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publication Date: October 23, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Pages: 314
Be careful what you search for...

Emma Guthrie expects this summer to be like any other in the South Carolina Lowcountry--hot and steamy with plenty of beach time alongside her best friend and secret crush, Cooper Beaumont, and Emma’s ever-present twin brother, Jack. But then a mysterious eighteenth-century message in a bottle surfaces, revealing a hidden pirate bounty. Lured by the adventure, the trio discovers the treasure and unwittingly unleashes an ancient Gullah curse that attacks Jack with the wicked flesh-eating Creep and promises to steal Cooper’s soul on his approaching sixteenth birthday.

When a strange girl appears, bent on revenge; demon dogs become a threat; and Jack turns into a walking skeleton; Emma has no choice but to learn hoodoo magic to undo the hex, all before summer—and her friends--are lost forever. (Summary from Goodreads.com)

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Blog Tour: Identified: The Maya Price Story - Faith A. Rice-Mills

Identified: The Maya Price Story by Faith A. Rice-Mills
Series: The Maya Price Story series, #1
Publication date: December 3rd 2012
Genre: YA Paranormal/Fantasy
 Maya Price is a typical eighteen-year-old girl without many worries. Her biggest problems include getting ready to leave her hometown for college, figuring out how to avoid her ever-so-strange stepmother and trying to muddle though her feelings for her best friend, Pete. Yet, one of her last nights in her hometown, she and Pete are in a car accident. A stranger pulls Maya from the accident, leaving Pete behind, and takes her out of this world and into another dimension. Maya soon discovers that she has been taken to a dimension called Leets by a group of people that call themselves shifters. Shifters are of mixed human and onyx blood and have various abilities. These shifters are able to travel between dimensions, control the four elements (fire, earth, wind, water) and the five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch and taste). Their leader, Victoria, informs Maya that she, too, is a shifter and that she must choose to join them or risk being sought out by their greatest enemy, a shifter named Leonas. Maya joins Victoria and her ragtag group of rebel shifters at a training camp called Level One. he is teamed up with a group of seven other shifters, including a streetsmart girl named Luz, who is especially adept at controlling fire, her twin sister Espy, and a nervous boy named Lamar, who can manipulate sound better than any other shifter. Together, Maya’s team trains for the battles that will soon be inevitable. However, Maya soon learns that her purpose is not to just move the earth or send water flying into the air. There are rumors of a hidden prophecy and that the prophecy mentions Maya by name. Supposedly, the prophecy says that Maya will one day have to choose a side and will be essential in bringing her chosen ally to power...

Faith A. Rice-Mills is the author of Identified: The Maya Price Story and a handful of short stories. She moonlights as a Spanish teacher, but has wanted to be a writer since she wrote the poem “The Jackowhipp’s Wail” as an eight-year-old. Her writer’s spirit resides somewhere between Narnia and Mount Doom, but her physical body lives in Texas with her family. Besides writing, she loves reading (and will take recommendations!), yoga, coloring with her daughter, and watching Parks and Recreation with her husband. She dislikes snakes, the word “literally,” and teaching double object pronouns in Spanish. She is currently working on Burdened, the second book in The Maya Price Story series and is writing whatever short story she has to get out of her brain.
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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Book Review: Wait For You by J. Lynn

Series: Wait For You #1
Genre: NA Contemporary
Publication Date: September 3, 2013
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Format: eARC
Pages: 384
Source: Received for review from publisher via Edelweiss
Some things are worth waiting for...

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago--an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe--please God--make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn't need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she's building for herself.

Some things are worth experiencing...

Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that's just so... so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.

Some things should never be kept quiet...

But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she's has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?

And some things are worth fighting for...(Summary grom Goodreads)
 I'm not going to lie, I read Wait For You months ago, and I've long since forgotten tons of details about the book. I do, however, remember reading this book in one sitting and becoming completely invested in the story line. This was my first Armentrout experience and it has definitely prompted me to have more Armentrout experiences.

Wait For You has the factors you can find in just about every New Adult book these days: A tragic event happens in the MC's past and she has to deal with it before she can accept new love into her life. Suffice it to say, the plot is not really this book's strongest point. So what is the strong point? The writing. Even now, I can distinctly remember the tension that was in every sentence. Armentrout has a serious knack for manipulating emotions.

It seems minor, but I have one main complaint about this book. I hate how Cam makes it abundantly clear that he is interested in her, but she insists that a guy like that couldn't possibly like a girl like her. Ugh. I get insecurities, I do. I'm a teenage girl. And I guess I understand why she would be insecure after everything she has been through. Still, it’s a pet peeve of mine in novels, probably because I see it so often.

I know that, for the most part, I did enjoy the characters and I was certainly rooting for their happily-ever-afters. They did not, however, make a lasting impression on me. I don’t remember much about them, though I do know that Cam and Avery (whose name I had to look up while writing this review) both experienced significant growth.

One of the things that I like most about this book is the way that the sexytimez are handled. I mean, they’re sexy all right. Like I said: Armentrout infuses so much tension into her writing, and that includes tension of the sexual variety. But the more mature scenes are done in a way that is classy, not trashy or obscene or disgusting. And that’s saying something because there are certain, uh, things in this book that are considered taboo and could have turned into an uncomfortable reading experience. Instead, Armentrout crafted something full of discovery, new feelings, and handling hormones.

In summary, I’m confident enough in the feelings that have lingered with me for this long to recommend Wait For You. It has a lot of depth and emotion. If you’re a NA lover, this is not one you want to miss out on. If you’re looking to make your first foray into the NA world, this might be a good one to start with.

Monday, July 8, 2013

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Read: 
Nothing. Cool!

Currently Reading: 
Tumble and Fall by Alexandra Coutts
Invisibility by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan

Up Next: 

Well, this looks very similar to my Monday post last week, only with less books read. 

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Behind the Blog: Top 3 Things I Need To Survive

Behind the Blog is a feature I've created to allow my readers to learn more about us outside of the blogging and book world. My hope is to connect with readers outside of books, make friends beyond the blog. As far as I know, the title of this feature came from my own mind. I don't recall seeing it on a blog before, so if you have a feature with the same name, no copy intended.

Top 3 Things I Need To Get Through An Entire Day
1) Caffeine - Yes, I have a physical addiction to caffeine. Aside from that, though, I would be a total zombie without it. Or witch--trust me when I say you do not want to talk to me before my coffee.

2) Chap stick - I feel like I hold some sort of record for how often lips can become chapped. And, despite the endless tubes of chap stick I buy, I always seem to be missing some when I need it the most.

3) Wallet - It's like my safety net...especially now that I have a job again. I don't feel right leaving the house without some cash and my debit card. Knowing my luck, I must be prepared for emergencies!
1) My phone! My life is contained within this hand-held device, I swear! I can keep in touch with my friends, family, boyfriend and all things bloggish on the go. :)

2) Jacket. Yes, I know. I sound weird. I tend to always carry a jacket/hoodie with me - more of a comfort/lack of confidence thing I guess.

3) Book. I always pack a book in my bag just in case I have a spare few minutes as I often can't wait to get back home to continue reading.

What do you need to survive an entire day?

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Book Review: Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Series: Falling Kingdoms #1
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: December 11, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Purchased
In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword. . . .

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed? (Summary from Goodreads.com)
"Choose your side. Kingdoms will fall."


Falling Kingdoms falls under an unfamiliar genre to me, unlike anything I've read before - it was fresh and I loved it.

My comfort zone, genre-wise, lies with dystopian novels but I was determined to give Falling Kingdoms a go as it fitted all criteria when I searched for a novel based on my love for programmes such as Pillars Of The Earth, World Without End and Merlin. I can honestly say that I wasn't disappointed, quite the opposite actually.

Falling Kingdoms is a story built around the solidity of 3 Kingdoms but is mainly the workmanship of the characters - each strong and distinct - as well as their varying beliefs.

As a whole, I'm not a fan of 3rd person (which this novel is written in) but I was so absorbed in this enthralling story that I hardly noticed it at all.

Another concern I had, which this book quickly overcame, was that I would become overwhelmed and confused with the load of characters. This certainly was not a problem; after being a few chapters in you know who is who and what they do like the back of your hand - BUT if any confusion does arise, there's a handy cast list and map for all 3 kingdoms located at the start of the novel.

The narrative (though in 3rd person) flips between the 3 kingdoms, following the perspectives of differing characters (mainly those of the princess, rebel and sorceress mentioned in the blurb). I found myself enjoying every element and perspective of this novel, never once was I bored or wishing for the plot to hurry on.

Rhodes created an outstanding world - one so vivid in my imagination with an array of strong-headed and unique characters. The plot never failed to keep you engaged.

I surprisingly loves this book and would definitely recommend it. I can't wait for the sequel.