Waiting on Wednesday (#27): The Peculiars

This is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlites upcoming new releases that we're highly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The Peculiars, by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

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Release Date: May 1, 2012

Publisher: Amulet Books

This dark and thrilling adventure, with an unforgettable heroine, will captivate fans of steampunk, fantasy, and romance. On her 18th birthday, Lena Mattacascar decides to search for her father, who disappeared into the northern wilderness of Scree when Lena was young. Scree is inhabited by Peculiars, people whose unusual characteristics make them unacceptable to modern society. Lena wonders if her father is the source of her own extraordinary characteristics and if she, too, is Peculiar. On the train she meets a young librarian, Jimson Quiggley, who is traveling to a town on the edge of Scree to work in the home and library of the inventor Mr. Beasley. The train is stopped by men being chased by the handsome young marshal Thomas Saltre. When Saltre learns who Lena’s father is, he convinces her to spy on Mr. Beasley and the strange folk who disappear into his home, Zephyr House. A daring escape in an aerocopter leads Lena into the wilds of Scree to confront her deepest fears.

What do you guys think?  And what are you waiting on?

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Author: Laini Taylor
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1
Pages: 432
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 5/5

Summery:
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war. 

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?


Review:

Wow.  Just wow.  I can't believe I waited so long to pick this book up. It's amazing.  It is 432 of pure joy to read.

Really the best word to describe every little bit of this book is amazing: amazing writing, amazing story line, amazing characters, amazing idea, amazing action, amazing everything.  This book is just amazing.  The writing was perfect, flowing together effortlessly and it really draws you in.  The story line was really good.  All the events flowed together perfectly and there was great staging.  Even though it was a bit slow at times it is one of the best story lines I have seen in a long time.  I loved the cast of characters because they all contributed to the story so much.  And the way Taylor created this whole new world was amazing.  She explained it in such detail that you felt like it was real.

Like I said, I adored this cast.  I haven't seen a truly strong female character in quiet some time, so I was super excited when Karou became just what I was looking for.  She ranks up there with Yelena and Avry (both from Maria V. Snyder books).  She is strong, kick-ass, and can totally take care of herself.
And, of course, there is the swoon-worthy man in the story: Akiva.  While I do really like him, I don't love him.  I think that of all the characters he is one of the least developed.  We got to know Karou really well but not really Akiva.
I also really liked Brimstone.  He was the father that Karou never had, and he was just so caring and he really took very good care of Karou, which I think is great.

One more thing before I sign off.  I don't usually pay attention to titles when I read books, but this one is amazing.  It goes perfectly with the story.  It really describes it perfectly, and I think everyone will realize that when they read this amazing book.

Teaser Tuesday: (#21)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Anyone can do it. You just have to do is:

(1): Grab your current read.

(2): Open it to a random page.

(3): Share 1 or 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!!

(4): Make sure you also mention the author and title.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor

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#1: "Gone entirely was the quivering madman Akiva had hauled up off the cobbles of the plaza.  Izil was sitting up now, or as near as he could come to it, encumbered as he was by Razgut, who looked back and forth in distress between his human mule and the angel he hoped had come to save him."

#2: "She was a wingspan away, still pacing.  They were prowling on the edges of their mutual compulsion, both afraid to draw nearer together."

What's your teaser this Tuesday?  Link me up!! :)

No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop

Hello everyone!  How are you all?  Today I have decided to participate in this fab giveaway hop hosted by Kathy @ I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.  Make sure you stop by and say hi!

This blog hop is different then most others.  To enter, you don't have to do anything, just give me your email and name.  That's it: no extra entries, nothing (although it is always appreciated if you follow my blog :P).  So it should be really easy to enter and if you feel like it leave comments below! :)

The Rules:

1. There will be one winner. 
2. Giveaway ends on April 22, 2012 @ 11:59 p.m.
3. Must be a GFC follower
4. Must be 13 or older.
5. US/Canada
6. Fill out the form.

The Prize:

One winner will receive a paperback edition of the book below.  If you have any questions or comments, don't be shy, comment below :)

Evermore, by Alyson Noel

Fill out the Rafflecopter below and you're done:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thanks so much for entering and may the odds be ever in your favor!


P.S. For a complete list of all the blogs participating in this amazing hop click HERE.

Taste by Kate Evangelista Reveal

Hello everyone!  Today Kate Evangelista has asked me to be a part of a fantabulous book reveal!  Below is a cover, book trailer, and exclusive book excerpt, so make sure you stick around and read it because it looks soooo good! :)

~About the Author~

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today, she has four completed Young Adult novels.

Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Website

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And now on to the good stuff... ;)

~Cover~

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~Blurb~

At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.

When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

~Official Book Trailer~

~Book Excerpt~

In my Mailbox: (#18)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where we spotlight the books that we've received for review, swapped, or purchased that week.

FOR REVIEW:

Shattered Dreams, by Ellie James (Thank you so much Ellie James for sending me a finished copy!)

Broken Illusions, by Ellie James (Thanks again Ellie James for sending me an ARC!)

The Unnaturalists, by Tiffany Trent (Thank you Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for sending me an ARC!)

Thank again to Ellie James and Simon & Schuster for making my amazing school-free week even better.  You guys are great! <3

Spectral Blog Tour: Author Interview

To see the official tour site click here.

Hey everyone!  So, Shannon Duffy asked me to be a part of this fab blog tour and since her book looks amazing I agreed.  I have so many books I have to read and review so today I'm just doing a quick author interview.  I hope you enjoy! :)

~About the Author~

Shannon Duffy writes young adult and middle grade fiction. She grew up on the beautiful east coast of Canada and now lives in Ontario, Canada. She is the mom of one boy, Gabriel, her angel. She loves writing, reading, working out, soccer, and the sport of champions-shopping. She is the author of the young adult paranormal romance, SPECTRAL. Her upcoming middle grade fantasy novel, GABRIEL STONE AND THE DIVINITY OF VALTA is scheduled for a January 2013 release.

Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

____________________________________________________

 ~Author Interview~

1. Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m originally from Newfoundland which is a province on the east coast of Canada. Right now I live in Ontario, close to Toronto. When I’m not tapping away at my keyboard, or flipping through some delicious novel, you’d find me hanging out with my husband and son, at a gym, or strolling some mall debating on which pair of shoes I can buy next.

2. Why did you decide to become a writer?

I decided to become a writer because it’s a real passion of mine. I was originally a nurse before taking on writing fulltime. What really got me started was that I wanted to write a book for my son. That story, GABRIEL STONE AND THE DIVINITY OF VALTA is a middle grade fantasy that comes out next January. After I finished that novel, I really wanted to write a young adult and SPECTRAL was born.

3. Who were your biggest influences?

My biggest influences would be: 1. My mom for everything she did for me, all the books she bought me, and because she has the kindest heart of anyone I know. Also, 2. My high school English teacher, Mr. Rowsell. Little did he know that when he read some of my writing assignments in class, he planted a seed that would grow into something much bigger.

4. Any special talents (besides writing)?

Hmmm talents? Well, I’ve been told many times that I should have been an interior decorator. I do like decorating, it’s lots of fun. =)

5. What's your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is The Notebook. No matter how many times I watch it, I still love it. Noah and Allie=True love forever. Sigh. Can I just say that I also love Ace Ventura Pet Detective? No movie has ever made me laugh so hard since.

6. Favorite book?

Favorite book? Whoa, that’s a tough one. I can’t pick just one. I loved The Twilight Series, The Hunger Games Series, and just recently really enjoyed the Hush Hush series. My critique partner’s books rock too. My SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY by Rachel Harris comes out from Entangled next Sept, and DESTINY’S FIRE by Trisha Wolfe is out now. Both awesome reads.

7. Favorite season?

My favorite season is definitely summer. Outside café’s, boating, jet-skiing, swimming, cottage, and warm evening walks with the dogs. Gotta love it.

8. When and how did you get the idea for Spectral?

I got the idea for Spectral in December of 2010. It was one of those nights where I couldn’t sleep. I really wanted to write a witch story, and then the idea just tumbled into my brain. Of course, it was the basic idea, but I was so excited about it that I kept talking about it for days. The story took on a life of its own in my mind, and I had to write it.

9. Will there be a sequal and if so what can we expect?

As far as a sequel, I’m not planning on it. I do have some thoughts on where I could go and am not ruling out the possibility, but if I told you my idea…well you know how it goes. ;)

____________________________________________

Well that's all for today.  I hope you guys enjoyed it because I certainly did!  If you have anything you would like to say feel free to leave a comment below!! :)

Review: Fever

Author: Lauren DeStefano
Series: The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2
Pages: 341
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 5/5

Summery:
Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind. 

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness. 

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.


Review:

I must admit, I didn't come into this book thinking I would like it.  I read Wither a while ago and it was okay for me, but this book...this book is something special.

I loved it.  Loved loved loved it.  The writing, the story line, the characters, everything, it was all perfect.  Although it was boring at some times, I still really loved the series of events that lead to the climax, which is what should happen in any book.  The adventure was great, and the writing topped everything off and really made this book wonderful.

In the first book I wasn't really a big fan of Gabriel.  Well, I am now.  Love love love love him.  He's so sweet and caring and sexy and just PERFECT!  Why oh why can't he be real!?
I also really really liked Rhine.  She was such a strong character, one of the strongest I've ever read about.  She was smart, kick-ass, and strong.
And, of course, I have to mention the little cute baby in this book, Maddie.  I really liked her.  Although she couldn't speak she had personality, and I think DeStefano did a great job developing her.

Before I sign off I have to say one more thing.  I hate this cover.  It looks like she drugged out.  After the amazing cover that was Wither this one really disappoints.  But, that isn't a big enough thing to make me hate this amazing book! :p

Waiting on Wednesday (#26): Innocent Darkness

This is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlites upcoming new releases that we're highly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Innocent Darkness, by Suzanne Lazear

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Wish. Love. Desire. Live.

Sixteen-year-old Noli Braddock's hoyden ways land her in an abusive reform school far from home. On mid-summer's eve she wishes to be anyplace but that dreadful school. A mysterious man from the Realm of Faerie rescues her and brings her to the Otherworld, only to reveal that she must be sacrificed, otherwise, the entire Otherworld civilization will perish.

Release Date: August 8, 2012



Teaser Tuesday: (#20)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Anyone can do it. You just have to do is:

(1): Grab your current read.

(2): Open it to a random page.

(3): Share 1 or 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!!

(4): Make sure you also mention the author and title.

Fever, by Lauren DeStefano

Add on Goodreads



1. "Gabriel stares back back at me, his eyes glassy, skin marbled and pale.  And suddenly I miss him so much that it hurts.  I miss his soft, unassuming warmth.  His hands around my face when he brought me in for our first kiss.  I know that I'm the one who took him from his element without preparing him first.  He opens his mouth to speak, and I'm filled with hope that his words will be something familiar, something warm."

2. "And farther down is the entryway to another tent that is veiled off by silk scarves trailing sickly sweet perfume, and something else.  Decay and sweat.  When Rose was dying, she concealed herself in powders and blush, but Jenna didn't, and as I cared for Jenna during those final days, I could see her sallow skin beginning to bruise, and then the bruises would sink down to the bones and fester.  It was a smell that haunted my dreams.  my sister wife rotting from the inside out."

 What is your teaser this Tuesday? Link me up!! :)

In my Mailbox: (#17)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where we spotlight the books that we've received for review, swapped, or purchased that week.

FOR REVIEW:

While He Was Away, by Karen Schreck (Thanks Sourcebooks Fire!!)

The Lost Code, by Kevin Emerson (Thanks HarperCollins Children's Books!!)