Wishlist Wednesday - Number Seventy-Eight

So I read Pretty Crooked a while ago thanks to NetGalley and I was left wanting much more! I’m hoping that this sequel brings more of the Robin Hood and more answers to the mysteries which were left totally unsolved.

Sadly, I’m going to have to wait until next spring for this novel. Maybe I’ll get lucky and Katherine Tegen Books will put this one onto NetGalley too! However, until then I can be super happy that the cover for Pretty Sly matches the cover for Pretty Crooked – no sudden cover changes here! And what a cover it is, too!

A Cottage Weekend

I'm leaving soon for a weekend at a friend's cottage for the long weekend, and I won't be online. I plan on getting slightly sunburned, totaly exhausted, and completely caught up in my reading!

So for the next few days it'll all be about rest and relaxation! See you all Wednesday!

Photo Credit

Return to the Underworld

Goddess Interrupted

Written by: Aimee Carter

Released: March 27, 2012 by HarlequinTeen

Summary: KATE WINTERS HAS WON IMMORTALITY.  

BUT IF SHE WANTS A LIFE WITH HENRY IN THE UNDERWORLD, SHE'LL HAVE TO FIGHT FOR IT. 

Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.  

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.  

Henry's first wife, Persephone.

Even though this ended in a wicked cliff-hanger, I’m giving this 8/10 and my stamp of approval! If you’re like me and waiting for book three, try reading The Goddess Legacy which is an in-between books two and three. My review for it will be up soon!

Many thanks to Harlequin Teen and NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel early in exchange for an honest review.

Wishlist Wednesday - Number Seventy-Seven

Let’s start off August on a good foot with the start of me posting regularly again! So, since it’s Wednesday, I’m going to share one of the latest books that I’ve set my eye on.

Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

A sweeping Gothic thriller based on the spine-chilling "Bluebeard" fairytale.

17-year-old Sophia Petheram has been sheltered by her doting family all her life, until the day her father dies. It's 1855, and with no money and few options, she goes to live with her guardian, the mysterious Bernard de Cressac, at the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey in Mississippi.

Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it's as if thread by thread, a silken net is woven around her. And when she begins glimpsing the ghosts of his former wives (all with hair as red as her own) in the forgotten corners and dark hallways of the Abbey, Sophie knows she's in de Cressac's trap.

With enchanting romance, chilling suspense, and dashes of the supernatural, Strands of Bronze and Gold is a compulsively-readable debut

 

Yeah, I was all in as soon as I read “fairytale” and the fact that it’s Bluebeard – a fairy tale that I can’t recall a retelling of – makes me super excited. Sadly, this one will make me wait until March 12 of next year. But even if it wasn’t a fairytale retelling (an automatic addition onto my reading list) the cover alone would make me want to read it!

And now, for an overdose of cuteness, I bring you a photo of Sophie and her Cone of Shame! Poor Sophie just came home from the vet and she’s not very happy.

The Books of New York - Part One

Ok, so I have been a very bad blogger in actually writing posts since BEA. Can I just say that I've been super busy? Yeah, so not an excuse. Anyway, If you're interested in viewing MORE of my book hauls from NYC and BEA, visit my YouTube here. It's where I have the ARCs video and whatnot.

Now, here's my video for books! Duh, obviously, from the post title. hahha. I'm going to blame this post on it being late and me watching old episodes of Toddler's and Tiaras on YouTube... There's an episode with pets in the pageant. One kid has a pet turkey.

Until next time (which should be much sooner than recent weeks has dictated)!!!

Stay tuned for part two which will be books from The Strand. Yes, they warranted their own separate video. I went a little crazy... but only a little. ;)

 

Thanks for watching!

NYC 2012 - Days Before BEA

Ok, so I’m going to attempt to put my goldfish-like memory to the test and relay everything from the past week. Last year I was so on top of things and wrote a post every night but this year... yeah, not so much. Oh well, here goes – The beginning!

So Saturday morning started off early and getting up to get to the airport and, before that, taking poor Sophie over to the neighbours to puppysit for the week. Is it weird that I so just want to get home so that I can watch Pretty Little Liars season two (which I just bought) and snuggle with her?

Anyway, once we – my mother and her bf stowed away on the trip with me – were at the airport it was a lot of sitting and waiting. Of course, during our time there I was picked on by security. Oh yes, I was privy to the pat-down (I’ve heard rumours that they can see your underoos in that x-ray machine) and set off the security alarms because I was a dumb-ass and forgot to take off my watch and bracelet. Experienced traveller I apparently am not.

So, after all that and a quick up-down flight from Ottawa to NYC, I was greeted in the city by Jake Gyllenhaal. Ok, that’s a bit of a lie, but I did see him at LaGuardia while making my way out. He was going through security. I did a triple-take at the hotness before I was sure it was him. I wish now that I hadn’t tried to play it cool and just went up and took a picture. But, alas, I tried to be all unaffected while furiously whispering to my mother who that hot guy in the grey t-shirt was. She was unaffected.

After that was a relatively uneventful taxi ride and check-in at the hotel. I was just so happy to be in the city that I dropped everything and demanded food and shopping. TGIFridays it was and we went to buy shitteous pay-as-you-go cell phones at Kmart.

Side note here for fellow Canadians – don’t try and “save money” by buying one of these things. Never in my life have I had more problems with a phone. The entire week I have just been wishing for my purple blackberry and a way of communicating with people that wasn’t twitter or facebook. I effing HATE facebook. Luckily I went out and bought a new iPod touch to replace my seriously dated two gig nano the next day so wifi was at my touch whenever available!

But I’m getting off track.

So Sunday was my attempt to get to the circus in Queens where first I forgot out tickets (thankfully to realize as soon as we were in our first cab and still at the hotel) and then there was some street party thing going on so our amazing cabbie took us the long way around – and had a GPS that must have been a cousin to my phone because it wasn’t working either. Thankfully both he and I had common sense and a good sense of direction so we made it to the park where the circus was being held without a problem.

Let me tell you, if you’re ever able to see the Big Apple Circus make sure that you do! I know I’ve been to a circus before but I don’t remember it and this one was so amazingly good! I will be going back if I ever can. Also, if I ever figure out how to get the photos off my phone I’ll post them.

After the Circus and asking the locals where we could get a bus/subway back to Manhattan (and then walking in the rain to said bus stop) we met with my cousins for dinner. And we went to the Lego store at Rockefeller Center. I don’t remember where we went for dinner, but it was around there and was famous for their burgers. I had boneless chicken wings...

So to sum up, Sunday consisted of a lot of walking and fun times. But the real fun started Monday!

Also, on another side note - it's effing hard to type on a train! And I'll add photos later to go with the post.

This Is Why I Love You

Yay! You’re here for my stop in the 30 Days of Daemon BlogTour! Today’s topic is the many reasons whyI love Daemon!

Ok, so there are many reasons why I love Daemon – first and foremost being because he’s beyond super sexy. Seriously, seriously, he brings the sexy times. It’s enough to give a girl a hot flash! However, there are many other reasons why I love Daemon.

First off, he’s a total ass. But he’s such a loveable ass that it makes it all ok. I know that this makes me sound a little insipid but give me a minute. See, he’s an ass in order to firm a barrier between him and all humans. After all, they say that sarcasm and being a jerk is the best defense and Daemon does that in spades.  But as you get to know his character you find out just how amazing he is!

Next, he tries to always do the best thing for his family and his people – even when it means not giving himself what he really wants. He’s rather selfless that way and you have to give the guy a hand for having that kind of power over his libido.

He’s infuriating! I don’t think that I’ve read a male character who made me as angry as Daemon does!  You think he’s about to do one thing and then he turns around and does the complete opposite!

And finally, he’s one BAMF!!! Seriously, that right there is almost reason enough to love him. He’s the Neville Longbottom of the alien world.

So those are the reasons that I love Daemon Black. I have to say that I am so excited for the Onyx release (I have my copy pre-ordered along with a copy of Shadows) just so that I can own more of Daemon.

If you haven’t checked out this series yet – go now! You can start by reading my review of book one, Obsidian, right here. Trust me, this is one series that you won’t regret reading. And, if you’re a book blogger, you’ll especially love the inner blogger speak!

For the other stop in the tour today, visit Kindle And Me! Also, for more stops in the Daemon tour, you can see the entire list here.

BEA Tips Part Three

From my personal experience last year, here are the last of the tips that I'm sharing with you.

I feel like I'm forgetting so much, too! Let me know if I did!





Also, make sure to let me know if you're going!

For Part One - Click Here

For Part Two - Click Here

BEA Tips Part Two

Here it is - finally, after several attempts at uploading - part two!






Stay tuned for Part Three!

BEA Tips Part One

So this took several parts to get all the video up... so here's Part One!






Stay tuned for Part Two and Part Three!

Stacking the Shelves from My Mailbox - 4

Yay for me! I didn’t buy any books this week! I did, however, receive a bookmark in the mail from 2012 debut YA author Sara Walsh. I participated in a YA Scavenger Hunt a few weeks ago and got this amazing bookmark!!

Just in case you’re wondering, here’s the info for The Dark Light.

Released: August 28, 2012 by Simon Pulse

Summary: Mysterious lights have flickered above Crownsville for as long as Mia can remember. And as far as she’s concerned, that’s about the only interesting thing to happen in her small town.

That is, until Sol arrives. Mia’s not one to fall for just any guy, but she can’t get intense Sol—or the brilliant tattoo on his back—out of her mind.

Then Mia’s brother goes missing, and Mia’s convinced that Sol knows more than he’s sharing. But getting closer to Sol means re-evaluating everything she once believed to be true. Because Sol’s not who Mia thought he was—and neither is she.

I am super excited to read this one! And I can’t wait to put that bookmark to good use.  :)

I also got from NetGalley;

BEA BUZZ BOOKS which has excerpts from 30+ different authors who will be at BEA this year. I so cannot wait to get some of them. I read the excerpts from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (my #1 must have book for BEA this year. I would so bite someone for a copy. ;) ) and Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian already and I really want those two now ASAP. I can't wait to read more of the excerpts on the plane ride Saturday.

Oh, and if you're interested in this book, it was "Read Now" on NetGalley, which was awesome!

So that’s all for me this week! Stay tuned for my BEA info video this week. I was going to film it and have it ready for today... but I’m going to wait for my muscle pain pills to kick in as I watch The Big Bang Theory instead (keep in mind that it’s late Saturday night as I type this post).

Let me know what you got this week!

 Stacking the Shelves via Tynga's Reviews - It's Canadian too!!!

In My Mailbox via The Story Siren

You've Been Hit by a Smooth Criminal

Pretty Crooked

Written by: Elisa Ludwig

Released: March 13, 2012 by Katherine Tegen Books

Summary: Willa’s secret plan seems all too simple: take from the rich kids at Valley Prep and give to the poor ones.

Yet Willa’s turn as Robin Hood at her ultra-exclusive high school is anything but. Bilking her “friends”-known to everyone as the Glitterati-without them suspecting a thing, is far from easy. Learning how to pick pockets and break into lockers is as difficult as she’d thought it’d be. Delivering care packages to the scholarship girls, who are ostracized just for being from the “wrong” side of town, is way more fun than she’d expected.

The complication Willa didn’t expect, though, is Aidan Murphy, Valley Prep’s most notorious (and gorgeous) ace-degenerate. His mere existence is distracting Willa from what matters most to her-evening the social playing field between the have and have-nots. There’s no time for crushes and flirting with boys, especially conceited and obnoxious trust-funders like Aidan.

But when the cops start investigating the string of burglaries at Valley Prep and the Glitterati begin to seek revenge, could he wind up being the person that Willa trusts most?

I liked the modern spin on the Robin Hood story but I hated the loose ends at the end. However, I am really looking forward to the sequel, Pretty Sly, which comes up next March. I’m giving it a 7/10.


I received this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

If Shakespeare Wrote YA

A Midsummer’s Nightmare

Written by: Kody Keplinger

Released: June 5, 2012 by Poppy

Summary: Whitley Johnson's dream summer with her divorcé dad has turned into a nightmare. She's just met his new fiancée and her kids. The fiancée’s son? Whitley's one-night stand from graduation night. Just freakin' great.

Worse, she totally doesn't fit in with her dad's perfect new country-club family. So Whitley acts out. She parties. Hard. So hard she doesn't even notice the good things right under her nose: a sweet little future stepsister who is just about the only person she's ever liked, a best friend (even though Whitley swears she doesn't "do" friends), and a smoking-hot guy who isn't her stepbrother...at least, not yet. It will take all three of them to help Whitley get through her anger and begin to put the pieces of her family together.

Filled with authenticity and raw emotion, Whitley is Kody Keplinger's most compelling character to date: a cynical Holden Caulfield-esque girl you will wholly care about

I don’t think that Keplinger can write something I won’t love. Seriously, her books just seem to be getting better and I have a feeling that this review is going to mostly be gushing – so you’ve officially been warned.

I really enjoyed this book. And by really, I mean I read it in the span of a few hours simply because I could not put it down. The story draws you in and keeps your attention. You suffer the highs and the lows along with the characters and you just feel this insane need to know how it all ends as soon as possible. It’s such a simplistic idea at the very base but with everything that Kody Keplinger has put into it, it becomes this masterful romantic contemporary that leaves you wanting more (in a good way, not a horrible cliff-hanger way).

What really makes this story amazing is the main character Whitley. She is the type of character who you could easily hate – she’s gorgeous, a bitch, and a bit of a slut. Not to mention she whines and has the “oh woe is me” act down pretty good. However, she’s so well written that you can’t help but get to know her so well that you want to be her friend (even though she doesn’t do friends). I raged along with her when her father sprung a new insta-family on her, and I cringed when said family included the hot hook-up from a party. I cried when her dad was a dick, and commiserated over her pushy future step-mother. She had her faults, sure, but she was just so alive that she practically jump off the page.

Then there’s Nathan – the forbidden fruit who gets plucked. Oh the swoon in every scene featuring him and Whitley was enough to make a reader melt. Keplinger definitely knows how to write her sexy times without necessarily having the sex, let me tell you. Hell, I want a Nathan in my life – preferably not in the step-brother realm – but I have a feeling that he’ll be the focus of many readers’ literary crushes.

The supporting characters in this novel are fantastic. From Harrison the forced BFF, to Bailey the new step-sister, and finally Sylvia the not-so-evil stepmother. Each character is finely crafted and fits perfectly into the story. I loved every one of them and have decided that I want a Harrison of my very own. The just add so much more to the story and I honestly couldn’t see where one of them could have been left out on the cutting room floor.

I think that this novel falls into the age-old forbidden love category – and what a forbidden love it is. Move over feuding families, the feud within the family is where it’s at now. I can’t wait to see what Kody Keplinger comes out with next but I know one thing for sure; it will be just as amazing as this novel was! I’m giving it a 9/10!

I received my ARC from Hachette Canada via the Ontario Book Blogger meet-up from last fall.

Welcome to Delcroix

The Candidates

Written by: Inara Scott

Released: August 24, 2012 by Hyperion

Summary: Dancia Lewis has a secret: whenever she sees a person threaten someone she cares about, things "happen." Dancia does all she can to stay under the radar, but when recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix Academy offer her a scholarship, she reluctantly accepts.

I really enjoyed this novel and I’m super sad that my e-galley of the second novel expired before I got around to reading not only this novel but it as well. However, that just means that book two made my To Buy list for NYC.

While the main character was a little young for my reading tastes –she was going into grade 9 so that makes her, like, 14 – I really enjoyed the novel. I liked the whole idea behind the school and the powers that Dancia (I keep wanting to call her Danica) has.

I really want to see where the next novel takes this story since a lot was left unsaid at the end of this novel. I think that (and this isn’t in the video review) this was a great builder novel for the world that the characters live in and that with the second novel we’re hopefully going to see a lot more action and find out more about everything.

I’m giving this novel a 7/10!

Stacking the Shelves from My Mailbox - 3

Not So Bad Touch

Touch of Power

Written by: Maria V. Snyder

Released: December 20, 2011 by Mira

Summary: Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.
Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...

I received this novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I honestly loved it and went out and bought my finished copy ASAP. I give it a 10/10.

Man, I Feel Like a Woman

Scarlet

Written by: A.C. Gaughen

Released: February 14, 2012 by Walker Children’s

Summary: Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance. Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in. It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

First, if you haven’t already read my interview with author A.C. Gaughen, go read it here because she’s hilarious!

Ok, as for this actual review – as you can tell from the video, I loved this novel. Seriously. As soon as I was done reading it from NetGalley I went and pre-ordered a copy on The Book Depository.

This is a fantastic debut novel for this year in the young adult department. It seamlessly tells the story of Robin Hood while simultaneously creating its own story surrounding Robin and his band of Merry Men. Honestly, this is one of the best “reimagining’s” that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

If you’re looking for a great historical-type novel and you love Robin Hood – then this is the book for you! I give it a 10/10!




I received this novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I can honestly say that I loved this novel!

I Wanna Be Your Other Half

Ok, so somehow I uploaded my review of this novel to YouTube but failed to actually write a post about it – so here that post is!

Halflings

Written by: Heather Burch

Released: February 1, 2012 by Zondervan Publishing

Summary: After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with.

A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.

While Halflings wasn’t my favourite novel of the year, I would really like to read the next one. However, that being said, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I didn’t. There were many things about this novel that I both liked and hated – but that can be said for a lot of other books too. To be honest, I’m a little tired of both Angel novels and love-triangles and since this book contained both... yeah.

There was also this horrible lag that the book did when I was reading it. I think that I may have enjoyed it a little more if I had had a paperback version to read from and not an e-galley. However, I don’t want an electronic malfunction to be the reason I don’t finish a novel.

If you’re looking for a nice read that doesn’t involve too much (and you’re not jaded by love triangles and angels) check this one out. I’ll admit that the angel part was done really well and if you enjoyed Embrace by Jessica Shirvington you may like this one as well!

I’m giving it a 5/10 and I would like to see what else this author has to offer.

I received this e-galley via NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.

No Reviews This Week!

Hey everyone!

Sorry for the lack of real posts this week but this is the weekend of the memorial so I'm not going to be at home and even if I was I'll be so extremely busy with everything.

Regular posts will resume next week with an amazing Stacking the Shelves from My Mailbox next Sunday!

Now, I'm off to finish packing!

Wish List Wednesday - Number Seventy-Six

Burn for Burn

Written by: Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Released: September 18, 2012 from Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Summary: The start of a brand-new young adult trilogy about three very different girls who overcome their differences and band together to seek revenge on those who have wronged them, uncovering a supernatural secret about what brought them together and why in the process. Each book will rotate back and forth between the perspectives of all three characters.

I loved Jenny Han’s Summer trilogy and I have a few of Siobhan Vivian’s novels on my To Read list. This one just sounds so good – I just wish that it wasn’t a year between each novel in this new trilogy to come out. Plus, this new trilogy sounds like it’s going to be a little like the television show Revenge and I love that show!

Stacking the Shelves from My Mailbox - 2

If U Can't Dance

dancergirl

Written by: Carol M. Tanzman

Released: November 15, 2011 by Harlequin

Summary: Ever feel like someone's watching you? Me, too. But lately it's been happening in my room. 

When I'm alone. 

A friend posted a video of me dancing online, and now I'm no longer Alicia Ruffino. I'm dancergirl. And suddenly it's like me against the world everyone's got opinions. 

My admirers want more, the haters hate, my best friend Jacy even he's acting weird. And some stalker isn't content to just watch anymore. 

Ali. Dancergirl. Whatever you know me as, however you've seen me online, I've trained my whole life to be the best dancer I can be. But if someone watching has their way, I could lose way more than just my love of dancing. I could lose my life.

This novel really surprised me – in a good way. I think I may be losing my touch because I so could not call who the stalker was until it just about smacked me in the face. This is also the type of novel that makes you sit back and really look at how you are portraying yourself online and makes you realize that over sharing is easy and can end up being dangerous.

After I finished reading this novel I had nightmares. Ok, not necessarily nightmares, but not so nice dreams; I got so sucked into the novel that it transferred into my subconscious. 

A novel to keep your eye out for – especially for you Criminal Minds-type fans – this one is fantastic. I’m giving it a 7/10.

Ps: Jacy = swoon. That there is enough reason to make you read!

Stacking the Shelves from My Mailbox - 86

So I combined In My Mailbox with Stacking the Shelves - a new meme that a fellow Canadian blogger created. I want to support both so this is what I came up with!






Under a Vampire Moon by Lynsay Sands
Seer of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier
The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen
Wrecked by Anna Davies
Ascend by Amanda Hocking
Real Mermaids Don't Hold Their Breath by Helene Boudreau
Last Rite by Lisa Desrochers
Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan

For In My Mailbox visit The Story Siren.
For Stacking the Shelves visit Tynga's Reviews.

Bloggers mentioned - Misty from The Book Rat

Plus, a HUGE thank you to Raincoast Books! You guys are amazing!!

I forgot to add the e-books that I got this week, so they'll be added next week!

Does This Make Her a Queen?

The Girl who Owned a City – the graphic novel

Written by: O.T. Nelson, Illustrated by Joelle Jones

Released: April 21, 2012 by Graphic Universe

Summary: A killing virus has swept the earth, sparing only children through the age of twelve. There is chaos everywhere, even in formerly prosperous mid-America. Gangs and fierce armies of children begin to form almost immediately. It would be the same for the children on Grand Avenue but for Lisa, a ten-year-old girl who becomes their leader.  

Because of Lisa, they have food, even toys, in abundance. And now they can protect themselves from the fierce gangs that roam the neighborhoods. But for how long? Then Lisa conceives the idea of a fortress, a city in which the children could live safely and happily always, and she intends to lead them there.

I would suggest that you read the original novel before you read this graphic novel. Both are geared more towards a more middle grade reader but adults will enjoy the story as well. It’s simply a fantastic story and an interesting concept.

As a reflection on the original novel this was fantastic. The art was spectacular and really captured the multitude of emotions in the novel. I’m giving this graphic novel a 7/10 and a high recommendation for young readers.

It's the New Zombie Electropunk

Dearly, Departed

Written by: Lia Habel

Released: October 18, 2011 by Del Rey

Summary: Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

This novel is the first in the Gone with the Respiration series. It’s about zombies and steampunk-ish technology – but there’s not really steam involved and it’s more electronics like we have now, so I’ve coined the term electropunk. At least, I’ve never heard of someone using this term...

Anyway, this was a pretty great read and though it was five months since I read it (thus forgetting a lot of stuff that happened) I can’t wait for the second novel to come out in the fall.

I’m giving this novel a 7.5/10. It was a great 2011 young adult debut novel that you should check out if you want something different than the norm.

I Spy With My Little Eye

A Spy in the House

Written by: Y.S. Lee

Released: March 9, 2010 by Candlewick

Summary: Introducing an exciting new series! Steeped in Victorian atmosphere and intrigue, this diverting mystery trails a feisty heroine as she takes on a precarious secret assignment.

Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners — and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady’s companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust — or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets — including those of her own past.

In short, this is a fantastic historical novel and I can’t wait to read the next two (which are sitting on my shelf) and any others that follow. The characters, setting, and plot really bond together flawlessly and this was an incredibly well-written novel.

I’m giving it an 8-8.5/10. I will be buying the first three novels in hard cover at The Strand when I’m there for BEA in June.

Let me know if you’re going to be at BEA too – and if you know about registering for the Book Blogger Convention online because it’s giving me problems.

Wish List Wednesday - Number Seventy-Five

so. damn. excited!

Princess of the Silver Woods

Written by: Jessica Day George

Released: November 13th 2012 by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

Summary: When Petunia, the youngest of King Gregor’s twelve dancing daughters, is invited to visit an elderly friend in the neighboring country of Westfalin, she welcomes the change of scenery. But in order to reach Westfalin, Petunia must pass through a forest where strange two-legged wolves are rumored to exist. Wolves intent on redistributing the wealth of the noble citizens who have entered their territory. But the bandit-wolves prove more rakishly handsome than truly dangerous, and it’s not until Petunia reaches her destination that she realizes the kindly grandmother she has been summoned to visit is really an enemy bent on restoring an age-old curse.

The stories of Red Riding Hood and Robin Hood get a twist as Petunia and her many sisters take on bandits, grannies, and the new King Under Stone to end their family curse once and for all.

I love the covers for the first two Princess books (and, of course, the books themselves) and this one is not disappointing at all! As a bonus, it comes out right after my birthday! Happy belated birthday to me! ;) Plus, just how amazing does this book sound? Robin Hood and Little Red Riding Hood? It's two Hoods for one!*

I really hope that some of my favourite characters from the first two novels make appearances in this one too - even if just for a page or two!



*wow, that was a really bad pun...

Top Ten Tuesday (10)

Hmmm, this week poses a very tough decision on my part. After all, there are so many amazing characters whose lives I have stepped into while reading, so how can I only choose ten? Well, if I must I must – so here goes.

1.    Sophie Hatter from Howl’s Moving Castle. Now, if we were going on the movie, it would be Calcifer all the way. But I adore Sophie in the book – so much so that I names my puppy Sophie.*

2.    Fred the Mermaid from the trilogy by MaryJanice Davidson. I think she’s just hilarious AND she’s a freaking mermaid. I sometimes wish that I was a mermaid...

3.    Celaena Sardothien from Throne of Glass. Yes, I realize that this novel has yet to be released by Bloomsbury, but I read it YEARS ago on fictionpress.net and loved her as a character. She’s kick ass and a freaking assassin. Enough said.

4.    Tinkerbell the fairy from Peter Pan. She’s one sassy fairy who swears and gets away with it.

5.    Finley Jayne from The Girl in the Steel Corset. Another kick-ass heroine who has some serious mystery surrounding her.

6.    Cricket from Lola and the Boy Next Door. I want a Cricket in my life. Dear Universe, get on that – would you?

7.    Ella from Ella Enchanted. I wish that I had her finesse with picking up languages!

8.    Alexia Tarabotti from Soulless and following novels. She’s snarky, proper, and just so cool! Plus, she marries a super-swoon worthy werewolf.

9.    Elena Michaels from the Women of the Underworld novels. She’s the world’s only female werewolf and is as tough as nails.

10.  Ariana Osgood from the Private and Privilege novels. She’s a bat-shit crazy psycho killer and I still like her. She’s just an amazing character to read about since you have no idea what she’ll do (or who she’ll kill) next!

So that’s my list. It would be a lot different if this was a list of my top 10 literary boyfriends... but maybe that can be a topic for another week!

 For more Top Ten Tuesday fun – or to join in – visit TheBroke and the Bookish!

*ok, technically my aunt came up with Sophie for a name... but this makes for a better story.

In My Mailbox (85)

Yay for books! I only have a few this week - I was rather good (for the most part).

Where I Fail...

So, these past few days = major blogging fail. BUT!!! I got food poisoning from a well-known fast food restaurant (think Golden arches) and then I had to drive home from London. Now I should be asleep since I work at 9am and then have a wedding reception after work, but I've been finishing reading Auracle by Gina Rosati. It was really good in my opinion.

In short, this has been a SUPER BUSY WEEK!!!


But never fear - I will post my IMM on time! At least, that's the plan. I have some wicked awesome books to share.


For now, I'm leaving you with a super cute picture of Sophie and her boy next door.

Yeah, he's 3x bigger than she is but she still tackles him. 

Top Ten Tuesday (19)

As I re-enter the blogging world, this is a fantastic Top Ten Tuesday to do! I know that new bloggers are sometimes so unsure and they just want to please everyone (and get free books), so here are my top tips for them!

1.       Relax. Especially if you’re still a student, blogging isn’t the beginning and end of your world. Take the time to NOT be a blogger.

2.       Don’t apologize. So you just started blogging and posting a review every day until you suddenly miss a day or two. An explanation isn’t necessary and you don’t have to apologize to anyone for it. Sure, if you want to, go right ahead, but you don’t HAVE to.

3.       Find your rhythm. You may not want/be able to post something every day and you don’t have to. Set a schedule that has days where you don’t have to worry (if that’s what you want).

4.       Shake it up. Sometimes doing the same thing over and over again gets to be stale so don’t feel as though you NEED to stick to any schedule that you make. Swap colours or the day you post certain things. Try doing something different or start participating in memes.

5.       Remember that scheduled posts are your friends. If you can crank out a week or two worth of reviews and other blog posts, do it and just make it so that they are set to release when you want them to. Then you don’t have to worry for a while!

6.       Social media is also your friend. Start off slow or jump onto all of them at the same time. If you can use them to further expand our blog base – have at it. Just don’t be annoying with it and spam your links.

7.       Don’t worry about the numbers. And don’t compare yourself to established blogs. You will get followers in due time and if you’re only blogging for the numbers you need to rethink why you’re here.

8.       Don’t bitch about not receiving ARCs. It can take a long time to establish yourself in order to start receiving them. Instead, try places like NetGalley for digital ones, or you can try e-mailing pubs about specific ones. The worst you’ll get is an e-mail saying ‘no’.

9.       If you’re only doing this for the free stuff – stop. There should be a reason like wanting to share in your love of books for starting a blog. Yes, the free stuff is an amazing perk, but if you’re in this for the right reasons you’ll also make amazing friends.

10.   Have fun! Remember that this is something that you want to do. If you don’t want to do it anymore (or can’t – it happens) then you don’t have to. Do this for as long as it makes you happy!

Well, there it is – my top ten words of wisdom for new book bloggers! Happy reading everyone!

For more Top Ten fun, visit The Broke and the Bookish!

In My Mailbox (84)

YAY! BOOKS!!! I was so good and only bought a few of them! Then I got some AMAZING books for review from Raincoast - THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH!!! I don't think I can say 'thank you' enough.

Now, on with the actual IMM!

Hungry Like the Wolf

Trial By Fire

Written by: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Released: June 14th 2011 by EgmontUSA

Summary: There can only be one alpha.

Bryn is finally settling into her position as alpha of the Cedar Ridge Pack—or at least, her own version of what it means to be alpha when you’re a human leading a band of werewolves. Then she finds a teenage boy bleeding on her front porch. Before collapsing, he tells her his name is Lucas, he’s a Were, and Bryn’s protection is his only hope.

But Lucas isn’t part of Bryn’s pack, and she has no right to claim another alpha’s Were. With threats—old and new—looming, and danger closing in from all sides, Bryn will have to accept what her guardian Callum knew all along. To be alpha, she will have to give in to her own animal instincts and become less human. And, she’s going to have to do it alone.

Bryn faces both the costs, and the rewards, of love and loyalty, in this thrilling sequel to Raised by Wolves.

Rating: 9.5/10





Yes, it's another video review! This one was filmed MONTHS ago and I'm just getting around to uploading it. In short, I loved this novel and I can't wait for the third. If you haven't read these books yet, check into putting them on your To Read lists!

The Poison Tides

Queen of Atlantis

Written by: Sarah Rees Brennan

Released: May 2, 2011 by Subterranean Press

Summary: A tale of Beauty & the Beast with a zombie twist.

Read for free online here – it’s a good read.

I can’t remember how I stumbled across this one since I have yet to read a novel by Sarah Rees Brennan (which I need to rectify soon) but I’m sure glad that I did. I just wish that it was longer. I think that I could have read an entire novel about this story.

I’m a sucker for fairy tale retellings and this one didn’t disappoint. I loved the twist on the entire legend and just everything about it. If you’re looking for a good, short read (maybe while in a really boring class when you have your computer with you) look into reading this one.

Got a Secret - Gotta Keep It

The Gathering Storm

Written by: Robin Bridges

Released: January 10, 2012 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Summary: St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

Well folks, I fear that it’s going to be a long set of reviews which have been long overdue and have expired e-books. This, I’m afraid, is one of them.

The Deal:

I read this novel way back at the end of January and I enjoyed it a lot but it wasn’t a book that I thought was amazing. There was a lot that happened in this novel and while it made for an exciting read, at times I just thought that it was a little too much and it made it a little hard to follow. I mean, there were vampires, witchcraft, zombies, ghosts, necromancy, ancient prophecies, secret organizations, and all on top of Russian tradition and the happenings of the upper class. All of this is weaved together amazingly well and paired with a rich cast of characters that makes the novel something special to read.

The Characters:

Katerina is a very strong female character with strong morals and a good sense of right and wrong. She is a bit naive, but she’s the type of girl who wants to just do what’s right. I loved reading her as the MC and witnessing everything that happens to her throughout the book. I loved reading about how much she loved her friends and family, and to what limits she would go to in order to protect them from the knowledge that she was a necromancer. As the story progresses you really see her come into her own and start to question what she’s told. She really starts to think for herself – something that most young ladies of that period had taught out of them. The fact that she also wants to be a woman doctor and go to medical school just made her all the more phenomenal to read. I loved how strongly she wanted to be a doctor even when she was told it was next to impossible.

George was enough to make a girl swoon. The epitome of a jerk, it turns out that he is one – but one with a heart of gold. Plus, he’s Russian royalty and described as very handsome.

Then there are the multitudes of other characters in this novel from the best friend, to the supernatural characters, to unsuspecting soldiers, and finally the large family. At times it was confusing to keep them all straight, but I tried the best I could.

The Final Verdict:

I enjoyed this novel, and I can’t wait for the sequel to find out what happens next. While it probably will never be one of my favourites, it will always be one of those books that I remember when thinking of Anastasia-type Russian novels (I was obsessed with those in elementary school). I’m going to give this a 7/10.