Thursday, May 31, 2012

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

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

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!

Sunday, May 27, 2012

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

Saturday, May 26, 2012

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.

Friday, May 25, 2012

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.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

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!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

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.

Friday, May 18, 2012

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!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

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.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

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!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

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!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

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!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

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!