Review: The List - Siobhan Vivian

Title: The List

Author: Siobhan Vivian

Release Date: April 1st 2012

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Publisher: Push

Pages: 332

Source: Netgalley

An intense look at the rules of high school attraction -- and the price that's paid for them.

It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest. Nobody knows who makes the list. It almost doesn't matter. The damage is done the minute it goes up.

This is the story of eight girls, freshman to senior, "pretty" and "ugly." And it's also the story of how we see ourselves, and how other people see us, and the tangled connection of the two.

When I first heard of this book earlier this year, I knew I had to read it. I could totally imagine my school having one of these pathetic and ridiculous lists every year. The summary alone was just so interesting and different. I don't think I've ever read anything like this before. While it fell short of my expectations, I don't regret reading this.

The first problem with this is that I didn't like any of the characters. With such a whole lot of narrators, you would think that I'd like at least one of them. Nuh uh. I feel like the writer was trying to make us sympathize with some of them (especially the ones where they'd been voted as the ugliest in their year) but nope. Sorry. Just didn't do it for me. And the ones who were voted the prettiest needs some major shit growing up to do. Argh. I kinda wanted to slap some of them during certain parts of the book.

Since this alternated chapters between the 8 girls, you would think I would have some trouble keeping track. Yes, you are so right. I always have to check at the start of the book (with the girl's name and their year no. next to them) to remember the girl's situation. This is one of the reasons why I didn't like this, because there was so many lead characters and it's hard to keep track of them.  

But one good thing that I did like about this was that I kept reading. I couldn't stop. I think it was because I wanted to find out who writes the controversial list, or maybe because I want to find out what happens at the end. 

Overall, I do think every teenage girl should read THE LIST since it imposes some really great topics, and some of it is really relevant to the society today.

Review: The Lost Prince - Julie Kagawa

Title: The Lost Prince (Call of the Forgotten #1)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Release Date: October 23rd 2012

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy/Paranormal

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 379

Source: Netgalley

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’s dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myths and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

My name is Ethan Chase. And I may not live to see my eighteenth birthday.

I really think you should read the Iron Fey series before this otherwise you might get confused. This takes place 12 years after the original series, and when I first heard that it's going to be about Ethan, I was like YAY!! I was so excited to see where Julie was going to take his story.

I guess this is better than the Iron King since Meghan annoyed me so much. I really liked Ethan. He's one of those broken, hiding-as-a-jerk guys that you can't help but fall for. I was also immersed with his narration. I'm still a bit undecided about Kenzie though. I've lost count how many times she called Ethan 'tough guy'. *Gag* Yes. We get it.

What made this a three star was probably the writing. I just couldn't get into it and it kinda ruined the book for me. Hmm I know a lot of peeps enjoy Julie's writing, but I unfortunately don't. :( Which was why it took me so effing long to read this. The beginning hooked me, then after a couple of chapters, I just couldn't get into it. But with others saying they really loved this, I knew I had to give this another chance.

Though I loved the whole idea of the Forgotten. It's a very creative idea! I don't read a lot of faery books but I thoroughly enjoy this series. 

My favourite characters by far was Keirran and Annwyl. They were just so sweet and adorable. Love them both. I want Julie to write more about them :P. And since I pretty much forgot what happened in the Iron Fey series (I know, my memory's crap!), I didn't see THAT revelation coming. But I'm really scared to read about the sequel - if you've read the title, you'll see why). 

Grimalkin and Puck. Enough said.  :D

Overall, I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. Not one of my favourites of 2012, but it was an enjoyable read.

Waiting On Wednesday (24)

TOUCH OF DEATH by Kelly Hashway

January 15th 2012

~ Spencer Hill Press ~

Jodi Marshall isn’t sure how she went from normal teenager to walking disaster. One minute she’s in her junior year of high school, spending time with her amazing boyfriend and her best friend. The next she’s being stalked by some guy no one seems to know.

After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.

Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn’t difficult enough, Jodi discovers she’s the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can’t figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct..

Add to Goodreads

I'm already on the ARC list for this one so I'm just now waiting for it. And the fact that the main character is born under the 13th zodiac? Win! And umm did I just read 'Medusa'? I don't think I've read a YA book or heard of one that is about a descendant of Medusa! I can't freaking wait for this!! I just know it'll be amazing! And there's Hades aswell, yay!! :D

Cover Thoughts: I do like this cover but what IS that thing around her neck? lol All in all, it's a pretty nice cover and I like the green eyes. :)

So, I now want to know about YOU. What are you waiting for this week? :)

Review: Demons of the Sun - Cindi Madsen

Title: Demons of the Sun

Author: Cindi Madsen

Release Date: September 4th 2012

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Greek Mythology

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press

Pages: Unknown

Source: ARC (provided by the author - thank you!!)

Persephone didn’t ask to be the guardian of Hades Dagger, an artifact Hades forged to turn demons into daywalkers. She didn’t ask for the demon blood running through her veins that allows her to touch the thing, either.And she definitely didn’t ask for Jax, a cocky Warrior, to barge into her life and proclaim himself her bodyguard now that Hades wants his dagger back.

Forced to deal with this reality, along with an increase in demon attacks, and the fact members of the Order of Zeus keep turning up dead, Persephone finds her hands full.

When demons tell Persephone that she’s one of them she’s appalled... And a little intoxicated by the power she feels when they call her their queen. Telling Jax about her demon side might turn him away from her forever...

Something bad is brewing, and if Persephone doesn’t figure out a solution, and soon she’ll be responsible for unleashing Hell on Earth..

Before I start gushing about this SPPECCTACULLARR book, let me just say thank you to author Cindi Madsen for providing me a review copy. Yay! I was looking forward to this book and I couldn't believe my luck when she said she can provide a review copy for me. Thank you thank you thank you!! :D (Totally made my day, guys!)

Anyway, I had some pretty big expectations for DEMONS OF THE SUN. You all know how I'm so obsessed with greek mythology and romance and kick-butt heroines. And luckily, this debut book by Cindi certainly didn't disappoint. In fact, it exceeded it and more! This had everything I love in a book. Woot wooot!!

I loved Persephone. Such a kick ass character and what I most loved about her is her stubbornness. Yeah, sometimes you just want to kick some sense into her, but you understand her actions and damn you feel so sorry for all that she had lost. This girl has some major flaws: she can be downright mean and bitchy. But I guess that made her more interesting, in my opinion. Well to be honest, if I was her (protecting something like that), I'd probably end up a whole lot worse.So I can't really blame her :P Oh and before I forget, I just can't get over the fact that P plays some sport. Seriously. YES YES YES. Finally a girl who plays football/soccer in a YA book!!

Jax is defnitely my new book boyfriend. This sexy warrior is just SO cocky. And sweet and caring and snarky. Basically, my dream guy. At the end of the book, he is nothing like what the guy we met at the beginning. His character growth and development (along with Persephone) was amazing. Obviously, I have to mention the other characters. Well, Dean and Danielle (Persephone's best friends) added some very much light tone to the story. Which I thought was good. And I really loved them too as her friends. 

Now, this book is heavy on the romance. And you guys KNOW how much I love 'em type of books. The chemistry between Persephone and Jax was WHOA. Seriously, it was freaking sizzling. Their fighting and banter was my favourite, and OMG I just love them so much as a couple. Need more Persephone and Jax, please!

The plot, while slow at parts especially the near the end, still contains the perfect amount of action and romance. I couldn't stop reading this; couldn't put it down for the life of me. I don't really want to say anything about the story (since it'll be full of spoilers) but what I can tell you is that you wouldn't see some stuff coming. Why some are predictable (especially who someone really is), this book overall definitely surprised me. In a very good way! :)  

Overall, I would highly highly recommend this to greek myth lovers (like moi), peeps who love snarky characters and umm a whole lot of chemistry. I can't wait to read more of Cindi's work and definitely will read anything she writes. 

Thank you so much to author Cindi Madsen for providing me a review copy! :) 

Blog Tour: The Dark Light by Sara Walsh (Guest Post)

Clicky here for full blog tour schedule!

ABOUT THE BOOK!

 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 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 reevaluating everything Mia once believed to be true. Because Sol's not who Mia thought he was--and neither is she.

GUEST POST by author Sara Walsh

'TWO COUNTRIES, TWO WORLDS'

Hi, Jana! Thanks so much for letting the tour stop by!

Though The Dark Light is set in the States, what some people might not know is that I’m actually a British writer. I do live in the States, my husband is American, and of course, I have lots of family and friends here, but it was still an incredibly fun challenge to write a story in a different country to the one that I grew up in. So, as The Dark Light is set in two worlds, and I have lived in two counties, I thought it might be fun to talk about some of the quirkydifferences I had to watch out for when writing The Dark Light.

Americans and Brits. We speak the same language, right? Well, not quite. There are actually many variations between American and British English, and I have a huge team of readers who help me make translations as I write and who look out for any slips. Just getting Mia up and dressed for the day can be a huge challenge. 

For example:

As a Brit, Mia’s nail polish would often be called nail varnish, her purse is a handbag, and her wallet is a purse! Sneakers are trainers, and a tank top--like the one Mia’s wearing on The Dark Light’s cover--is a vest!What Americans call a vest is actually a waistcoat in Britain. So what do Brits call a tank top? Well, that’s what Americans would call a sweater vest, and that’s definitely not what Mia is wearing on the cover.

And then there’s Rusty, Mia’s battered old car.In Britain, Rusty’s hood would be the bonnet, and his trunk would be the boot. His blinkers are indicators and his windshield, a windscreen.If Mia were British, she’d leave Rusty in a car park and never a parking lot. And Reggie West’s Motor Repair and Salvage--where Rusty spends most of his life--would simply be the garage and not the ‘shop’ as it is in the townwhere she lives.

Phew!

School can also be tricky as the education systems in the two countries are very different. All of Mia’s experiences at Crownsville High are closely modeled on the experiences of the American teens in my life--their curriculum, the structure of the day, and the activities they’re involved with. Mia is a junior, or in the 11^th grade, which would actually put her in Year 12 in Britain or the lower sixth, if she went to a school with a sixth form. In Britain, Miawould have already completed her GCSEs (qualifications equivalent to the American high school diploma) and would now most likely be studying for A Levels, one- and two-year qualifications that bridge the gap between high school and university (college), a place Mia is desperate to go.

It all seems like a lot, but what doesn’t change between the two countries is the emotional experience of being a teen. The challenges Mia faces at home and at school are the same on both side of the Atlantic. Friendship, studying, her relationship with her family, and definitely that moment when a guy catches your eye, are not so different, and those are the aspects of a character’s life that I like to focus on. And, of course, when there’s plenty of fantasy involved in a story, it’s easier to shift away from those day to day differences and let the imagination run wild!

Thank you so much to author Sara Walsh for stopping here today! And I love the guest post! As I live in England, it was fun to see the differences between American and British English. Trust me not to know some of them LOL. And don't forget to check out and buy Sara's debut THE DARK LIGHT which comes out August 28th (tomorrow!). I'm waiting quite impatiently for my copy to arrive from The Book Depository. Hurry up! :P

Links: 

Website

Blog

Twitter

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Goodreads

Amazon

Next stop on the tour is with Lisa at A Life Bound By Books

Full tour schedule

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sara Walsh is British, but happily lives in Annapolis, Maryland. She graduated college with a degree in psychology, but soon decided that telling stories was much more fun.When not writing, Sara is usually reading, drowning in tea, or frolicking around town with the world's cutest St. Bernard. The Dark Light is her first novel.