Early Review: Alienated - Melissa Landers

Title: Alienated (Alienated #1)

Author: Melissa Landers

Release Date: February 4th 2013

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Genres: YA, Sci-Fi, Romance

Pages: 352

Source: For review

Interplanetary relations have never been more exciting! The first in a funny, romantic YA sci-fi series.

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

As soon as I heard about ALIENATED, I was dying to get my hands on it. Since reading JLA's Lux series, I've been a massive fan of aliens and think there should be more of them in YA. Hurray for Alienated! This hilarious, light-hearted sci-fi story with passionate romance is definitely going on my Favorites list. It's got everything that you'd want in a story and the only thing that's not so great is that the release date won't be until February next year and I already need the sequel really bad. 

The world building and description of the planet L'eihr was phenomenal. It's beautifully done and with the author's amazing storytelling skills, you can clearly picture the planet in your head even though we're in Earth most of the time. The whole exchange program thing was fun and very clever indeed. But what I really did like about this was how realistic the author portrayed both the humans and the L'eihrs. What do you think would really happen when you create this exhange program? Obviously not everyone will be happy with it. Everyone's reactions was very realistic and you could see where everyone was coming from. There was a few mysteries and suprising twists scattered which was a brilliant touch. 

Cara and Aelyx are the main characters that you wouldn't just get enough of. We have dual POV (yay!!!) which enables us to be able to learn about them individually. Cara wasn't some annoying, whiny brat - no, she was clever, actually thinks before she acts and just an all round interesting character. Guys, we have a new sexy alien in the house. AELYX. Oh, Aelyx. He's one of my top book boyfriends and when you read Alienated, you'll know why. At first, he's a bit mysterious and bland, but as we and Cara gets to know him throughout the book, oh he's just the swooniest character ever. He's HOTTTTT. The romance between them was kept at a slow pace, making the swoony scenes between them extra special. And oh boy, we don't get that much kissing, but when we do, it makes up for it. It's honestly one of the sexiest kissing scenes I've ever read in YA. 

If you're like me, and want believable and hot off the charts romance, Alienated is a must-read. (By the way, I love this book title - very clever and bold) Anyway, Alienated will sure be a hit next year when it releases. Be sure to buy it then! :) 

Hello to Bloglovin

Hi guys!

As most of you already know, Google Reader will be shut down tomorrow. I didn't actually know this (right?) until a few days ago when I came across a blog post and once I asked my fellow bloggers on twitter which one's the best alternative, I signed up to BLOGLOVIN. 

I don't know much about it, but apparently it's basically just the same as Google reader. When you look on the left side of this blog, you'll see that you can now follow me on BLOGLOVIN. I was actually surprised that I already had 110 followers yesterday when I added the button on this blog. I was actually expecting it to be 0. Lol so not going to complain, but if you fabulous people wants to follow me on BLOGLOVIN, just pretty please click the button on the left. :) 

June 2013 Wrap Up and Books of the Month

BOOKS READ IN JUNE 2013 ~ 14 books

 

66. Crown of Midnight - Sarah J. Maas
67. Faking It - Cora Carmack
68. Rule - Jay Crownover
69. Forever Too Far - Abbi Glines
70. Alienated - Melissa Landers
71. Officer Off Limits - Tessa Bailey
72. His Risk To Take - Tessa Bailey
73. Subject To Change - Alessandra Thomas
74. Extraodinary Graphics - Poppy Evans
75. These Broken Stars - Amie Kaufman and Maegan Spooner
76. One Tiny Lie - K.A Tucker
77. Wilde Nights in Paradise - Tonya Burrows
78. Star Cursed - Jessica Spotswood
79. The Apollo Academy - Kimberly Chase 

 (So this means that I've read 79 books this year in total)

 

  

~ 4 Goddess Rating ~
The Hazards of Skinny Dipping by Alyssa Rose Ivy

REVIEWS POSTED ON THE BLOG THIS MONTH ~ 7

~ 5 Goddess Ratings ~

Of Triton by Anna Banks

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas 
Alienated by Melissa Landers

~4 Goddess Ratings ~

Faking It by Cora Carmack

Subject To Change by Alessandra Thomas

~ 3 Goddess Ratings ~ 

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Maegan Spooner

 ~ 2 Goddess Ratings ~

Forever Too Far by Abbi Glines

BOOKS OF THE MONTH

Instead of doing only a TOP THREE, I'm going to list all the books I loved because I'm a badass. :P 

In no particular order (just in order of reading) This is actually a lot of books, which further proves that June was an amazing month for me, book-wise! :)

 

 

 

This book's cover will actually be revealed on Tuesday so check back here to see the beautiful cover!

So, that's the whole month of June reading wise. It's better than last month's , but July I will be so busy with writing personal statements, university open days and work experience and whatnot, so I doubt I'd get much reading done. Fingers crossed, though. :)

Random: Behind the scenes (covers) part 2

Hey guys!

So here's part 2 (you kind part 1 in the blog archive sidebar on the left) for behind the scenes YA covers. Last week I found 5 YA books, but this week I only found 3. Booo. 

THE IRON KNIGHT by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Release Date: October 26th 2011

Publisher:Harlequin Teen

ADD TO GOODREADS

My name—my True Name—is Ashallayn’darkmyr Tallyn. I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her. My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…To cold faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl—smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the unwelcome company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end—a quest to find a way to honor his vow to stand by Meghan's side.

To survive in the Iron Realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. And along the way Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

THE SELECTION by Kiera Cass

Title: The Selection (Selection #1)

Author: Kiera Cass

Release Date: April 24th 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

ADD TO GOODREADS

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

 ENDLESS KNIGHT by Kresley Cole

Title: Endless Knight (The Arcana Chronicles #2)

Author: Kresley Cole

Release Date:October 1st 2013

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

ADD TO GOODREADS

In the second book of the Arcana Chronicles Evie has now fully come into her powers as the tarot Empress. And Jackson was there to see it all. In the aftermath of killing Arthur, the tarot Alchemist, Evie realizes that a war is brewing between the other teens that, following the apocalypse, have been given powers and its kill or be killed.

Things get even more complicated when Evie meets Death, the mysterious, sexy Endless Knight. Somehow the Empress and Death share a romantic history - one that Evie can't remember, but Death can't forget. She is drawn to the Endless Knight, but is in love with Jack. Determined to discover why she's been granted these powers, Evie struggles to accept her place in a prophecy that will either save the world, or completely destroy it.

 Hope you enjoyed this Behind The Scenes for YA book covers posts! If you haven't already, there's PART 1  which includes Level 2, Fever, Rift, Embrace and Blameless behind the scenes.

Cover Reveal: My Unexpected Forever - Heidi McLaughlin

ebook

Expected publication: 

September 2, 2013

I expected a life of music.
I expected to raise my son.

It took one look to make everything change.
I never expected happiness.
I never expected to find her.
I never expected to feel desire.
I never expected I’d be a family man.
I never expected to be loved.
I never expected to fall in love.
They say you should expect the unexpected. I didn’t realize my unexpected would be the forever kind.

Get the countdown widget below

http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/countdown-pro/my-unexpected-forever

Heidi McLaughling is offering My Unexpected Forever up for pre-buy for those attending the Naughty Mafia Rocks Vegas 2013. Pre-buy: http://bit.ly/11JRWEP

Pre-buy My Unexpected Forever for August delivery: http://heidimclaughlin.com/buy-books/

Heidi is the author of USA Today, Digital Book World, Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bestselling novel, Forever My Girl.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting court-side during either daughter's basketball games.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumblr | Facebook | Blog 

Waiting On Wednesday (44)

February 11th 2014

~ HarperTeen~

Emrys—a fiery, red-headed Fae—always embraced her life in the Highlands, far from the city’s draining technology, until she’s sent to London to rejoin the Faery Guard. But this isn’t any normal assignment—she’s sent to guard Prince Richard: Britain’s notorious, partying bad boy and soon-to-be King. The prince’s careless ways and royal blood make him the irresistible for the dark spirits that feed on mortals. Sweet, disheveled, and alive with adventure—Richard is one charge who will put Emrys’s magic and heart to the test.

When an ancient force begins preying on the monarchy, Emrys must hunt through the London’s magical underworld, facing down Banshees, Black Dogs and Green Women to find the one who threatens Richard’s life. In this chaos of dark magic, palace murders and paparazzi, Emrys finds herself facing an impossible choice. For despite all her powers, Emrys has discovered a force that burns brighter than magic: love.

Add to Goodreads

I've been waiting for this book for ages! I've first heard about it last year and was like OMG I NEED THIS BOOK IN MY HANDS RIGHT NOW. Recently we just got the cover reveal and the whole summary and *flails some more* Yeah. I can't get enough of Fae stories and the fact that she's a Faery Guard going to protect Prince Richard. Who's a bad boy and you guys know I just can't resist them! February next year just can't come soon enough.

 

Cover Thoughts:

 

What can I say? I'm a sucker for pretty covers and this is just like that. It's very girly (very me!), that font style is just BEAUTIFUL I can't even, the colours and the model just screams MAGICAL. Love it.

Review: Subject To Change - Alessandra Thomas

Title: Subject To Change (Picture Perfect #2)

Author: Alessandra Thomas

Release Date: June 25th 2013

Publisher: self-pubbed

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Pages: 300

Source: For review

Joey made her dad a deathbed promise that she would become a doctor, and dedicate herself to fighting the very cancer that took his life. There’s just one problem -three years into her pre-med classes, she's struggling to stay on top of the curve, let alone prove she's dazzling enough to earn a spot in an Ivy League medical school. In a Hail Mary move, she throws a basic Business 101 class into her semester schedule, banking on a perfect score to boost her GPA.

That is, until she’s paired for a final project with Hawk, the bartending, motorbike-riding, gorgeously bedheaded loser who falls asleep in class and communicates in one-word sentences.

Hawk does whatever he wants, whenever he wants, which sets Joey on edge – in every possible way. As they get to know each other, her urge to scream at him is curbed only by her fantasies of tearing his clothes off. Soon those fantasies become reality, and Joey realizes Hawk makes her feel more fully herself than any of the rich boys her mother and sorority sisters approve of.

But the promise to her father hangs over her head, and the harder Joey tries to succeed in her chosen career, the faster everything falls into a hopeless tailspin of bad grades, broken promises and guilt. It doesn't help to have Hawk sitting like a devil on her shoulder, insisting she should be free to live however she wants to live - like he does.

The only thing Joey knows is that her neatly organized life is crushing her - and Hawk's bad attitude might be the only thing that can save her.

SUBJECT TO CHANGE by Alessandra Thomas is a perfect, worthy addition to the New Adult genre. After falling in love with the author's fabulour writing and lovable characters in her debut book PICTURE PERFECT, I jumped at the chance to review her second. Guys, this book did not disappoint and I'll read whatever this author writes next. I'm THAT impressed.

Let's start with Joey. This girl is just the best. She's so dedicated, intelligent and caring. It's highly unlikely that you won't like her. She's very relateable and while you're reading, you can really feel for her as she deals with broken promises, guilt and all that. You can see how hard it was for her to try to fulfil what she promised her dad all those years ago.

Hawk may seem like your typical bad boy jerk, but in fact, he's more than that. You'll find out his reasons and his past (which is very heartbreaking) and it made my cry a little. My heart breaks for him. But anyway, Hawk is just awesome. He really doesn't give a shit about what anyone says and I like that about him. Plus, you can't forget his swoon-worthiness. ;)

The relationship between Joey and Hawk moved at the right pace, so no insta-love there (hurray) and their banter is just hilarious. I love how they can be truly themselves with each other. They're not without flaws, but that's what makes it so great to read.

You know when you read a book, and you just didn't expect you'd like it that much? Yeah, SUBJECT TO CHANGE is one of those books, and dare I say it, it's even better than the first book. It's everything a companion should be and more. This series is one of the best in NA and I just can't wait for everything this author writes.

Cover Reveal: Fire & Flood - Victoria Scott

 

FIRE & FLOOD

Victoria Scott

 

In a perilous race across the world, having the best Pandora can be the difference between life and death.

Sixteen-year-old Tella Holloway isn’t happy. Her mother rushed them out of Boston and into a craptastic house nestled in Middle of Nowhere, Montana. To make matters worse, Tella’s brother is sick, and though a dozen doctors can’t determine the cause, her mother is sure Montana’s “fresh air” will help. Now Tella spends her days being homeschooled, and uses her imagination as entertainment.

But when a small blue box appears on her bed, Tella’s world is rocked. Inside the strange package she finds a white ear bud—and after she fits it into place and touches its blinking button—an unknown voice fills her head. Tella is invited to join the Brimstone Bleed, a race across four ecosystems: desert, sea, mountains, jungle. The voice in Tella’s ear explains she has 48 hours to retrieve her Pandora, an animal genetically designed to help her win.

Tella has never been the sporty type; she’s more a cheerleader than an athlete. But despite her mother’s warnings, she’s determined to compete in the race. And she’ll do anything to win, because if Tella is the Brimstone Bleed victor, she'll be granted a specific gift—the cure to save her brother’s life.
FIRE & FLOOD is a teen thriller set in modern day.

 

March 2014 from Scholastic!

 

GUYS. Finally we have the FIRE & FLOOD cover reveal today! Victoria Scott is one of my most fav authors and I'm super duper excited for this one! I'm sure it'll be a massive bestseller and from the character introductions (Hellooo, Guy Chambers!) to the teasers and now this BEAUTIFUL cover, we'll there's no doubt I'll love this one to pieces. Just like I devoured The Collector, V's debut (which you all should read, by the way!) :)

 

So what do you guys think of the cover? I personally LOVE it. I love how simple it is, yet effective and very eye-catching. I love feathers and I love how the overall cover can appeal to all ages and both genders.

My Kindle turns 2! And why you should get one too!

Yep. You've read that right. MY BABY TURNED TWO. Actually my Kindle turned 2 years exactly eight days ago but I kinda forgot until now. Ooops. Anyway, you're probably wondering why I'm making a blog post on my kindle turning 2. It's not just that!

Recently one of my blogging friends was thinking if she wants to get a Kindle and which one.
So here I am now giving you reasons why YOU should definitely get an e-reader.


1. You can hide what you're reading. God knows how many times I've been thankful when I'm reading something with half-naked people on the cover (yeah I'm talking about you, NA and Adult covers) and so with an e-reader, you can pretty much save your embarassment and save having to explain to whoever why you're reading that. Very helpful.

2. You don't need to re-charge it every few days. Normally I only charge mine every few weeks, probably a month to be honest. Perfect for holidays and when you're just feeling a tab bit lazy like me. :P

3. The books are cheaper. I don't buy that many e-books so I'm not 100% sure, but I think e-books are way less cheaper than paperbacks/hardcovers. So more books, the better!

4. My Kindle (which is the one on the picture with the baloon) is very small and so I can actually carry it around with me wherever. Very convenient and so cute.

5. Perfect for when you're reading while lying on your bed. Saves you having to have both your hands on your book which you do if you're reading a paperback/hardcover (hardcovers especially sucks when you're reading them while lying).

6. When your three bookshelves run out space, your e-book can be pretty handy with keeping all your books on a tiny little e-reader.

7. You can lend books to other Kindle users.

8. My bestfriend in the beach. I love reading while I'm sunbathing so whenever I'm off to the beach, I always make sure I have my kindle with me. There's no glare from the annoying sun.

9. Normally, when I have to go away for a few days/weeks, I always bring my Kindle with me because seriously how can you expect me to choose what paperbacks I should bring? Whereas with your Kindle you can pretty much bring your whole library/collection.

10. You can highlight your favourite quotes! If you're like me and obsessed with quotes, then I doubt you'll complain about this.


Hmm...I'm sure there's more but that's the reasons I can think of for now. So tell me, do you own an e-reader? If I want to buy a new e-reader, which one would you recommend?

Showcase Sunday (38)

Hosted by the lovely Books, Biscuits and Tea, the aim of Showcase Sunday is to highlight our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto e-readers each week.

~ BOUGHT ~

 

So this week was actually a very quiet week lol, in terms of books. I've only bought 2 hardcopies and the rests are e-books.

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood

Yes! Finally! Born Wicked was awesome and this series is my fav series with witches. I'm currently reading this so look out for my review soon! :)

Triangles by Kimberly Ann Miller

I've read some mixed reviews but still wanted to buy it as I was looking forward to it for ages.

Wilde Nights In Paradise by Tonya Burrows

Guys, you know me and my obsession with Entangled's Brazen line.

PODs by Michelle Pickett

Can't wait to read this soon!

Playing The Part by Robin Covington

I'm in the mood for some adult romances lately

How To Do Everything With Adobe InDesign CS

I know this doesn't have anything to do with what I love reading and such, but it's for school so yeah I had to go and buy it...

 

 

What did you get? And what do you think of my haul? :) Also, leave your link and maybe I'll go and check yours out :)

WEEKLY UPDATE

Monday

~ 3 Chapter Reveal and Promo Material - FRIGID

Wednesday

~ Waiting On Wednesday - Frigid

~ Random: Behind the Scenes (YA Book Covers) - Part 1

Friday

~ Review: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Mini Review: These Broken Stars - Amie Kaufman and Maegan Spooner

Title: These Broken Stars (Starbound #1)

Author: Amie Kaufman, Maegan Spooner

Release Date: December 10th, 2013

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Genres: YA, Sci-Fi

Pages: 384

Source: For review

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.

Mini early review:

While These Broken Stars fell short on my expectations and didn't turn out to be what I hoped, it was still an enjoyable sci-fi read with one of the best romantic pairings. If you're a massive sci-fi fan, then you'd love this!

I loved the concept. Titanic in space? HELL YEAH. Richest girl falls in love with the poor soldier? YES PLEASE. Before reading this book, I was soooo certain that I'd end up loving it, and while I love the storyline, I had a massive issue with the writing. I just didn't connect. The writing felt dragging and some parts were just not needed. I think that's what let this book down for me.

Both Tarver and Lilac were superbly developed characters. What's great was we got Dual POV, so we get to know them both pretty well. These are not just typical rich-girl and poor-boy characters. They are so much more than that and you realise that as you go along. And there really wasn't any insta-love in this, I love how it was slow and realistic.

There were some very suprising and WTF twists in this book. So beware. Lol I was so not expecting something to happen at around 75% and when it did, I was like WHOA. Though I should add that I'm still undecided about that, I'm not sure whether I liked that...

Even though These Broken Stars won't end up in my End Of Year best lists, I don't regret reading it and I'd say if you love action, sci-fi, survival stories and all that, I'd say pick up These Broken Stars when it hit the shelves on December! :)