Saturday, October 22, 2011

In My Mailbox 60

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For Review
Article 5 by Kristen Simmons (looks great!)
The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison (Netgalley)

Bought (printed books)
Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Bought & Freebie (kindle books)
Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri
Jenny Pox by JL Bryan
From Erin Underwood
Damned Book Tour poster signed by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

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Thanks so much to Tor Teen, Netgalley, Egmont USA, Erin Underwood + Nancy & Debbie! :)

What did you get this week?


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Thursday, October 20, 2011

YA Halloween Sale

Tawny Stokes has asked me share this news:

10 spooky paranormals for $10!

Curl up on a dark night with these bewitching offerings from 10 traditionally published authors whose credits include Kindle Bestsellers, Romantic Times Top Picks, and Rita and Eppie award winners! We've served up a variety of Halloween treats, each for only $0.99 from October 15th through the 31st!
 
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DEMON WHISPERER by Tawny Stokes
Zombierific action adventure!
 
BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS 
by P. T. Michelle
Seeing your entire next day has its advantages...and dangers. A dark paranormal YA full of mystery, adventure, horror and romance!
 
IMMORTAL FAITH by Shelley Adina
A spooky tale of vampires and unholy love
 
NINE HOROSCOPE-IN-CATSUP STORIES (WICKED GOOD) 
by Phoebe Matthews
Tales of fortunetelling, a love potion, a zombie, a sorcerer, an unintentional stalker, a shapechanger, a vampire and a smash wizard. And then there's the dog.

MELODY'S FOLLIES by Flo Fitzpatrick
Sheet music, a doll and an eccentric witch throw Melody Flynn through time to the Ziegfeld Follies and a mysterious Egyptian cult.

WRAITH by Edie Claire
Kali thought that seeing dead people was a curse. Until, while spending her spring break on a sunny beach in Hawaii, she sees him...
 
DEMON HIGH by Lori Devoti
Dark and edgy urban fantasy with a heart-tugging romance.
 
DARK BEFORE DAWN by Stacy Juba
Psychic chills and thrills in a deserted New England beach town.
 
THE DEEPEST CUT (a MacKinnon Curse novel, Book 1)
by J. A. Templeton
A haunting dark paranormal romance with a twist of spine-tingling horror
 
BLOOD ANGEL by Kelly McClymer
Some decisions haunt you forever


I'm definitely intrigued by a few of these, they sound great to read for the holiday...be sure to check them all out, especially while they're still available for only .99 cents each! :)

Thank you Tawny, for letting me know!


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Image from PT Michelle's website

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (times two!)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

The Alchemy of Forever
By: Avery Williams
Release: January 3rd, 2012
Seraphina’s first love made her immortal…her second might get her killed. 

After spending six hundred years on earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world’s riches, but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to swap bodies with other humans, jumping from one vessel to the next, taking the human’s life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she’s done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again.

Then sixteen-year-old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body. For the first time, Sera finds herself enjoying the life of the person she’s inhabiting—and falls for the human boy who lives next door. But Cyrus will stop at nothing until she’s his again, and every moment she stays, she’s putting herself and the people she’s grown to care for in great danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that’s eluded her for centuries: true love?
I am so intrigued by the summary, it sounds pretty unique...

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Revived
By: Cat Patrick
Release: May 8th, 2012
As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life. 

A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency’s true goals, she realizes she’s at the center of something much larger — and more sinister — than she ever imagined.
Cool cover + interesting summary = must have!!!

What are you waiting on this week?


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Monday, October 17, 2011

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone
By: Laini Taylor
Release: September 27th, 2011
Pages: 420 (hardcover)
Publisher: Little, Brown, & Company
Source: Vine Program + Bought
Summary:
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....read more at Goodreads.
Undeniably enthralling, Daughter of Smoke and Bone is the standout story of the year. And how could it not be, with blue-haired, artsy Karou and the mystery of her past at the heart of the story? With a beaded necklace capable of granting wishes and more talents than she can reasonably account for, Karou fascinated  me as a lead character right from the first page. Whether it's the enchanting (and real) characters in she draws in her sketchbook or Karou's amusing antics against her scumbag ex-boyfriend, every aspect of Karou's unusual life will make you even more curious to continue reading.

But it's not until Akiva - smoldering and intense Akiva - appears that Karou's world gets a little more interesting...and complicated. Laini Taylor takes readers through a journey of love, heartbreak, secrets, and revelations in Daughter of Smoke and Bone. The settings for the story don't disappoint either, whether it's Brimstone's shop1, Poison Kitchen in Prague, or the lively streets of Marrakesh, every word makes this story easily visualized. Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a story completely worthy of being on your wishlist - or better yet, on your "favorites" bookshelf. 

Highlights: Utterly unique and completely captivating, Laini Taylor's words keep you glued to the pages. Taylor managed to make her characters 3-dimensional, from Karou, Zuzanna, Brimstone and all the others. But it's the story overall that I loved the most - I was over angels and demons, but Taylor's unique outlook and twist on everything managed to interest me. Even the romance made sense, and I love how it started out.

Lowlights: The latter half was interesting, but felt slightly disjointed from the beginning of the book. The cut-off ending2 about killed me, yet I've read worse cliffhangers. Honestly though, I was surprised that it ended where it did. 
Rating:   

1 Coolest shop ever. Seriously. Even if it's a little twisted and creepy (what with all the teeth and Karou's very unusual adopted family). 
2 Putting in a "To be continued" or cliffhanger seems to be a common theme among series lately, much to my dislike. But I'll give Taylor a pass this time, because otherwise, this story kept me hooked. 

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GoodreadsAmazon / Barnes and Nobles / The Book Depository 

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Technical Difficulties and a Link

There were supposed to be posts this week on YA Book Queen. 

Obviously, that didn't happen. 

I guess Blogger had other plans...but this week, scheduled posts will (hopefully) post as planned, even if I have to watch them like a hawk.

*fingers crossed*
Since you're here, Free Book Friday Teens is giving away 3 autographed copies of Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly, so go enter!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend - and hopefully no blog posting issues like me ;)


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Saturday, October 8, 2011

In My Mailbox 59

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Netgalley
The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

From Elizabeth Miles
signed Fury poster (so pretty!)

Won from Paper Lantern Lit's Writing Challenge
(read the entries at the link, the winner & other runner-up did great!)
Paper Lantern Lit tote bag


Many thanks to Elizabeth Miles, Netgalley and the respective publishers for each book, Kate Lied, and the lovely folks at Paper Lantern Lit for hosting such a fun writing challenge!

What did you get this week?


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Thursday, October 6, 2011

Legend by Marie Lu

Legend (Legend #1)
by Marie Lu
Release: November 29th, 2011
Pages: 336 (hardcover)
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Source: Unsolicited from publisher
Summary:
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death.....read more at Goodreads.
June is the hunter, and Day is the hunted. A military prodigy from the upper ranks, June has known no other life than the one she's had with her brother, Metias. A criminal mastermind from the slums, Day's constantly on the run. When June is charged with the task to capture Day - the only suspect in her brother's murder - she makes it her mission to succeed. But the more June submerses herself into the hunt for Day, the more secrets revolving around the Republic begin to surface...  

Utilizing a dual narrative in Legend, Lu gives readers two opposing extremes of the Republic through the perspectives of Day and June. Day's kindhearted nature and affinity for very dramatic escapes help make him an exciting character. He's no fool, and it's amusing to see how he keeps June on her toes. June's superior attitude is slightly off-putting in the beginning, but more likable aspects of her personality begin to slowly appear as the novel progresses, and I quickly found myself rooting for her as well. The closer Day and June came to finding answers, the harder I found it to set this story aside. Legend can be summed up into three words: thrilling, captivating, and spectacular. 

Highlights: Conspiracies, fight scenes, action, (likely improbable but still awesome) escapes, fast-paced writing, and plenty of twists and surprises to make up for the ones I discovered early on. The setting itself is intriguing, whether it's the slums or the richer districts. Characters came to life with every turn of the page, and a good deal of the relationships that were formed seemed authentic. I loved how much Day cared for his family, it made him even more endearing to me. 

Lowlights: June and Day can, at times, almost seem like the exact same person1 when reading. Also, just a couple moments required a bit of suspension-of-disbelief in order for me to move past it. 
Rating:   

1 If it weren't for the very obvious differences in font/font color, I would've gotten confused during a couple points. There are some personality differences, but also a good deal of similarities too. However, this can be somewhat explained by something important that they have in common.


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Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday (Times Two!)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

Struck
by Jennifer Bosworth 
Release: May 8th, 2012
Summary:
Mia Price is a lightning addict. 

She’s been struck so many times she’s lost count. She can’t sleep, she’s covered in veiny red “lightning scars,” and repeated strikes have even stopped her heart on occasion. Still, Mia can’t resist a storm. 

That's why Los Angeles, where it never rains, is the perfect place for her to find peace . . . until a massive earthquake devastates the city. 

Now Mia finds herself struggling to hold her family together in a strange and terrifying new version of Los Angeles. The beaches have become massive tent cities populated by millions of homeless. Downtown is a wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the attendees drawn to the destruction by a magnetic force they cannot deny. 

The blind prophet of a doomsday cult called the Church of Light, who predicted the earthquake with frightening accuracy, says a storm is coming to usher in the end of days...read more at Goodreads.
A lightning addict? This sounds like it could be a very interesting story...plus, how cool is that cover?
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The Language of Impossible Dreams 
by Sarah Ockler
Release: August 7th, 2012
Summary:
Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been. 

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life...and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done. 

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last....
Not sure how I feel about the cover (spilled drinks don't really appeal to me, although I like how they integrated the font!), but I always adore Ockler's writing. Besides, it's the story inside that counts :)

What are you waiting on this week?


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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

My Life Undecided Giveaway




"...Brooklyn Pierce, a fifteen year-old girl notorious for making bad decisions, enlists the help of the online blog reading population to vote on how she should live her life. But some things in life simply aren't a choice...like who you fall in love with." 

Thanks to Zeitghost Media, I have one copy of My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody to give away, as well as an great book trailer for you to watch above. 

US + Canada Only
Ends October 13th, 2011
Fill out form below to enter


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Monday, October 3, 2011

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Anna Dressed in Blood
by Kendare Blake
Release: August 30th, 2011
Pages: 316 (hardcover)
Publisher: Tor Teen
Source: Publisher
Summary:
Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill....read more at Goodreads.
Whatever you do, don't call Theseus Cassio "Cas" Lowood a ghostbuster. Ever since his father was murdered by a restless ghost, Cas has taken his father's athame and job killing ghosts - for good (which is totally not ghostbusting1). When Cas gets a tip about a ghost locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas and his mother - plus her slightly evil yet useful cat, Tybalt - move to Thunder Bay. With a fresh voice and an extremely amusing personality, Cas makes this book shine. In addition to Anna - eerie, terrifying, and complex Anna - the two of them have a magnetic pull that kept me coming back for more.

I honestly was not expecting Anna Dressed in Blood to live up to the hype, but I knew I was wrong to have doubts after reading the first chapter. Cas is a complex narrator, and the budding relationships in the story drew me in. Fear, mystery, and great characters successfully drive this story. The plot moves from focusing on Anna to an even more intriguing and downright shocking mystery. You won't be able to guess where this story will take you next, despite a few hints. With eerie scenes, authentic characters, tantalizing mysteries and more, Anna Dressed in Blood takes your typical ghost story to the next level.

Highlights: Blake holds back nothing with her writing - she unabashedly writes gory scenes that will stay in your mind for weeks, presses the eerie feel of the story enough to give you the chills, and slips in quite a few surprises along the way2.  

Lowlights: I would have liked a bit more development with the supporting cast of characters, but I imagine that will happen more in the next novel. 

Notes: There's murder, cursing, witchcraft, gore, blood, creepiness, and whatnot. 
Rating:   
     
1 Who are we kidding, it's totally ghostbusting. But cooler. 
2 Seriously, just go read this book. Give it a chance, because it's awesome. 



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Saturday, October 1, 2011

In My Mailbox 58

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For Review
Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst 
The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver
Tempest by Julie Cross

For Review (Unsolicited)
The Radleys by Matt Haig

Bought for Kindle (freebies + .99 cents)
Bright Young Things w/ bonus material by Anna Godberson
Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle
Straw House by Daniel Nayeri

Won and/or Received (not pictured)
signed Fail Invitation + a colorful/slightly fractured lollipop 
(from Jackson Pearce)
Team Adam button 
(from Gayle Forman)

Many thanks to Sarah Beth Durst, Simon and Schuster, Tor Teen, Jackson Pearce and Gayle Forman! :)
 
What did you get this week? 


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