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Wednesday 31 October 2012

Waiting On Wednesday (33)

APOLLYON (Covenant #4)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout


Apollyon (Covenant, #4)

April 9th 2013
~ Spencer Hill Press ~

Alex is now 18... and nothing will ever be the same again. War is coming, and when the gods are involved, no one is safe. Official (longer) summary to come.
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Eeeep. You guys know how much I love and obsessed with Jennifer L. Armentrout, right?? Well.  I am DYING for the 4th Covenant book, Apollyon. I already read Deity and Elixir (Aiden's novella) and lemme tell you guys. They're phenomenal. Like, seriously. Anyway. The only bad thing is that they both ended in cliffhangers, and I am NOT a patient person. At all. If you haven't read her Covenant series or her Lux series yet, THEN BUY THEM NOW. Trust me.

Cover Thoughts: 
 
Isn't this cover gorgeous?? I like that they kept the fire-y flowers theme throughout the series. Though I do admit this might be my least favourite of them all. My favourite is still Deity. :)  But I guess this will look even better in person so my opinion might change. 

Tuesday 30 October 2012

Review: Charade - Nyrae Dawn

Title: Charade (The Games #1)
Author: Nyrae Dawn
Release Date: October 22nd 2012
Publisher: Self-pub
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Pages: 245
Type: e-book 
Source: Bought
 

Nineteen-year-old Cheyenne tries to portray the perfect life to mask the memories of her past. Walking in on her boyfriend with another woman her freshman year in college threatens that picture of perfection.

Twenty-one-year-old Colt never wanted college and never expected to amount to anything, but when his mom's dying wish is for him to get his degree, he has no choice but to pretend it's what he wants too.

Cheyenne needs a fake boyfriend to get back at her ex and Colt needs cash to take care of his mom, so they strike a deal that helps them both. But what if Cheyenne’s past isn’t what she thought? Soon they’re trading one charade for another—losing themselves in each other to forget about their pain. The more they play their game, the more it becomes the only thing they have that feels real.

Both Cheyenne and Colt know life is never easy, but neither of them expect the tragedy that threatens to end their charade and rip them apart forever.


When I first heard about Charade, I was immediately hooked. Besides the sexy sexy cover, the summary just sounded so impressive and fun. Little did I know that this book was so much more. 

This was my first ever book I read by Nyrae Dawn. (I know, I know, don't kill me!) but dear God I kinda want to read ALL of her books now. I was so touched by her writing! Also, I read this in one sitting, so you know it's better than good.

The plot may seem simple and boring to others, but I found it really fascinating and addicting. My favourite love stories are when the two characters pretend to be together, and then actually falling in love whether they wanted to or not. Colt and Cheyenne shouldn't have fallen in love, but they did. Also,  I should probably mention that this is not just a love story. There was a lot of issues and stuff going on and I found myself never bored with the story- Colt's mum, Cheyenne's past, her stupid ex-boyfriend, and so on.


As this is a New Adult book, there were a lot more descriptive sexy scenes. And oh boy did I love them. Colt and Cheyenne have AH-MAZING chemistry together. They're now one of my favourite couples ever.

Colt. Colt. Colt. Sigh. Colt is seriously my newest book boyfriend. This book was told in two POV's - his and Cheyenne's. I gotta say I loved his POV better. And no, it's not just 'cause he's smexy. It's because he's so cocky, charming, kind, yet so vulnerable and there's so many layers to him. I wanna have his babies, please. 

Cheyenne was also a great female protagonist. I just want to be her friend. She was just so real and reletable, and you can't help but feel sorry for her what has happened to her in the past. I kinda want to punch her mum in the face. Grrr. Like Colt, her character development was just amazing and really unforgettable.

You guys know I RARELY cry when reading a book. Come to think of it, I think the only time I cried was because of Tabitha Suzuma's Forbidden. Yep. But this. THIS just tore me apart. I was so emotional and shed a tear or two near the end. Ahhh. That moment was just SO sad and beautiful at the same time. 

There was a bit right before the ending that had me going 'OMG NO!!!!!!' My heart was beating so fast and I just kept on wishing that everything would be fine. The ending itself was very satisfying and I love that this is a stand-alone (with a companion out next year). I'm actually really glad that this is only a stand-alone; I think both Colt and Cheyenne have been through so much! :)

I am SO frigging happy that Nyrae decided to write a companion novel to this, called Facade and it'll be about Colt's best friend Adrian! Woot! Can't wait to read that! :D

 

Monday 29 October 2012

Review: Uses For Boys - Erica Lorraine Scheidt

Uses for BoysTitle: Uses For Boys 
Author: Erica Lorraine Scheidt
Release Date: January 13th 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 240
Source: Netgalley
 


Anna remembers a time before boys, when she was little and everything made sense. When she and her mom were a family, just the two of them against the world. But now her mom is gone most of the time, chasing the next marriage, bringing home the next stepfather. Anna is left on her own—until she discovers that she can make boys her family. From Desmond to Joey, Todd to Sam, Anna learns that if you give boys what they want, you can get what you need. But the price is high—the other kids make fun of her; the girls call her a slut. Anna's new friend, Toy, seems to have found a way around the loneliness, but Toy has her own secrets that even Anna can't know.

Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical,  Uses for Boys  is a story of breaking down and growing up.


I honestly don't know how to start this review. So I'm just going to go and say it: I didn't like this book.

Okay. I know teenagers make stupid mistakes (I should know, I *am* one), but I don't make that kind of really immature and just fucked up mistakes. And I think by now I know what's right and wrong, and considering she's sixteen (same age as me), I would think she's mature and smart enough to know that. I didn't like her at ALL. I kinda want to punch her in the face. I don't really want to go slut-shaming and all that. But seriously.

Yes, I admit I felt sorry for Anna and it opened my eyes to the fact that neglected parents can make such a difference and negative impact on the children. But still. I DON'T LIKE HER AND NEVER WILL. *shakes head*
 
I think the only good thing about this book in my opinion, is that I wanted to know what happens in the end. I read this in one sitting, but in the end I was still left very dissatisfied and wanted to throw my kindle at the wall. Argh. This book makes me so freaking mad. 

Oh wait, and also, I must applaud how real and shocking it is. Obviously, this sort of stuff happens a lot with young people. This author has guts. 

The ending was just so confusing and abrupt. I felt like nothing has changed, and there was no character growth. I don't really get the point of this book, to be honest.

It's quite graphic, and I was surprised since this is YA, I would think it would be more NA. 

Sigh. I was expecting to like this book *pouts* and I'm really sad that I didn't. Oh well. 

More like a 1.5 rating.

Sunday 28 October 2012

Showcase Sunday (19)

 
 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:

The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer, #2)Tempting the Player (Gamble Brothers, #2)Finale (Hush, Hush, #4)

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
(Read already. Review coming soon. Not as good as Unbecoming, but close.)
Tempting The Player by Jennifer L. Armentrout/J. Lynn
(Holy Hell. This book was just amazeballs. Read my review here!)
Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick
(Will read soon. I'm kinda hesistant to read this since I loved the series so much and I want it to be perfect.)

    
FOR REVIEW:

Luminosity (The Raven Chronicles, #1)Dualed (Dualed, #1)Laced in Malice (Laced #1)


Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas
(Been so eargerly anticipating this..Got 5 chapters in, so far so good. Thank you, Entangled and Shane (Itching for Books) for the review copy for blog tour)
Dualed by Elsie Chapman
(GUYS. I've been waiting for this book for AGES. I requested it loads from Netgalley, keep getting rejected, but then few days ago this landed on my inbox. Woot!)
Laced In Malice by Riley Gray
(Thank you to Riley Gray for the review copy. I've heard awesome things about this so yay!) 
Renegade by JA Souders
(Eeep! Was so surprised to see this! Thank you to blogger Nikki Wang and Tor for the review copy for blog tour!)
Passion Blue by Victoria Strauss
(Big thank you to author Victoria Strauss for the review copy! It's set in Reinassance Italy so yay!)    
 

SWAG:





Lux (Jennifer L. Armentrout) Obsidian necklace and Quote Bookmark
(Not really a swag but I bought it from HebelDesign. The necklace is what Daemon got Katy -Obsidian- and the quote says 'You bookish people love teasers, don't you?' )
The Collector (Victoria Scott) signed bookmarks 
(For completing the VMafia task/favors!) And take a look at my new purple badge!)
The Shadow of Blackbirds (Cat Winters) swag pack
(Won this so thank you!! Aren't they pretty?? Can't wait for this book next year!)
     

So, what did YOU guys get this week? Let me know what you think of my weekly haul and leave your links down below, I'll try to go and check them out! :)

Weekly Roundup!
ReviewDeity by Jennifer L. Armentrout (here)
The Collector - fan art, new badge and trailer (here)
Giveaway - winner of Opal/Deity and best answers (here)
Cover Reveal - Shadow of the Mark by Leigh Fallon (here)
Review - Elixir by Jennifer L. Armentrout (here)
Waiting on Wednesday - Invisibility by Andrea Cremer (here)
Review - Tempting The Player by J. Lynn/Jennifer L. Armentrout (here)
       Blog Tour - Conjure by Lea Nolan: Guest Post (here)
Cover Reveal - Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins (here)
Review - The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (here)  
 

Saturday 27 October 2012

Review: The Evolution of Mara Dyer - Michelle Hodkin

The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer, #2)Title: The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2)
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Release Date: October 23rd 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery/Thriller, Paranormal
Pages: 544
Source: Bought
 


Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.

She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.

They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.

She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was my most anticipated book in 2011, and when I read it, I was so blown away. My mind was like fucked up from reading that book. Seriously. And after reading it's magnificent sequel, The Evolution of Mara Dyer, well, I can say that book has nothing on this one. Prepare yourself for more WTFuckery.  

I'm still on the fence about the plot. On one hand, it's very different and crazy and just awesome, but on the other, I felt like some parts of it was very cliche and I was like 'is that it??' and was left kinda disappointed (but not much). The story has so much depth and layered that it's impossible to not be lost in their world.

Mara and Noah have such great chemistry together, but in this book I wasn't very impressed with them. I feel like after so much they've gone through, they shouldn't keep secrets from each other. That really annoyed me. Anyway, they're still one of my favourite YA couples and I loved their banter together. 

This series has the best family ever. I LOVED Mara's family. Unlike the majority of YA - where either the MC's parents were dead, not really there, or just didn't really care about their children - the Dyer family was actually heavily involved with the story and I really admired that. The best character in this series is Mara's older brother, Daniel. I want a brother like him! Also, Joseph is such a cutie, and both their parents (especially her mum) was very well developed and interesting. I would love to read more about them in the next book! 

I loved Michelle's writing. The short chapters were so addictive, and I love how each chapter ended and you're like 'WANT TO READ MORE'. Just couldn't stop reading. I finished this in less than a day (with school) and considering that it's 544 pages, I think that's saying a lot. 

I think what brought this down to a 4 goddess rating was the ending. I felt like it was too abrupt and I still had so many fucking questions, and it's such a pain because I now have to wait for next year for the third and last book, AND I still feel like we didn't really found out anything. I was just as confused in the beginning.  

Though I personally don't think it's as powerful as the first book, I think most fans of Mara Dyer would be very pleased and satisfied with this sequel.


Friday 26 October 2012

Cover Reveal: Sweet Peril - Wendy Higgins



SWEET PERIL (Sweet #2)
Anna Whitt, daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a claim. She’d been naive about a lot of things. Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?


April 30th 2013 from HarperTeen

About the author ~ Wendy Higgins ~
Wendy Higgins was born in Alaska, grew up an Army brat, and lived all over the United States before settling in the Washington, DC area. She attended George Mason University for her undergrad degree in creative writing, and Radford University for her masters in curriculum and instruction. Wendy taught 9th and 12th grade English in a rural school before becoming a mother and author. She now lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, daughter, and son. Sweet Peril is her second novel.

Book 3 of The Sweet Trilogy, Sweet Reckoning, is slated for spring/summer 2014.


Wendy Higgins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wendy_Higgins
Character Kaidan Rowe on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaidanRowe

Book 1 - Sweet Evil
Sweet Evil (The Sweet Trilogy, #1)
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