Highlights / Lowlights: FURY by Elizabeth Miles

Title: Fury
Author: Elizabeth Miles
Release: August 2011
Series: The Fury #1
Genre: YA paranormal
Publisher: Simon Pulse
POV: 3rd person, dual
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Source: Won from Paper Lantern Lit
Rating: Tea Party

In this chilling start to a trilogy rife with revenge, two teens learn the hard way: Sometimes sorry isn’t enough.

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better—the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay. Em and Chase have been chosen.

Highlights: Miles pushes the Gothic elements in Fury enough to put readers into an uneasy mood and to give the story a rich, descriptive vibe. Fury is a delight to read, in a twisted sort of way. The Gothic elements added the right touch of eeriness to the story, and caused Fury to become a difficult novel to set aside. It was especially fascinating to read a novel where both main characters - Em and Chase - are utterly unlikable characters who make terrible decisions and then try to deal with the consequences. This is an easy story to lose yourself in for a few hours, which was exactly what I needed.

Lowlights: There's too much focus on social drama, appearances, and not enough on the Furies themselves. I wish the Fury mythology had been included more (as well as more of the Furies in general), but perhaps Miles will delve deeper into that in the next novel.

Rating: Tea Party (very high 3 out of 5). I genuinely liked Fury, enough that I want a copy in the palace even if it doesn't earn a spot in the royal library. It's a likable story, with some issues, but it proved itself to be highly entertaining.

In My Mailbox 59

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NetgalleyThe Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams ChimaCinder by Marissa MeyerBetween the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore
From Elizabeth Milessigned 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?

In My Mailbox 52

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For Review:

The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum

Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Wisdom's Kiss by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (e-book)

Fury by Elizabeth Miles (e-book)

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann (e-book)

Bought (Kindle e-books):

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

Other (check back for a giveaway this week):

UnRequired Reading Water Bottle

UnRequired Reading deck of cards

Won:

Starcrossed GelaSkin

My Kindle is actually pretty now ;)

Thanks to Leigh, Netgalley, Josephine/Kismet/Cynthia, and Disney Hyperion/Jaime.

What did you get this week?

Waiting on Wednesday (Times Two!)

Hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine

Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Release: August 8, 2011

Summary:

Sometimes sorry isn't enough....

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems... 

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend. 

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed. 

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay. 

Em and Chase have been chosen.

Do I really need to say anything? This book just sounds amazing.

Twisted by Sara Shepard

Release: July 5th, 2011

Summary: 

It’s been a year since the torturous notes from A stopped and the mystery of Alison DiLaurentis’s disappearance was finally put to rest. Now seniors in high school, Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily are older, but they’re not any wiser. The pretty little liars have more secrets than ever—twisted secrets that could destroy the perfect lives they’ve worked so hard to rebuild.

Aria’s jealous of her boyfriend’s new exchange student. Spencer’s getting a little too cozy with her soon-to-be-stepbrother. Hanna’s one scandalous photo away from ruining her dad’s Senate campaign. And Emily will do anything to get a swim scholarship.

Worst of all: Last spring break in Jamaica, they did something unforgivable. The girls are desperate to forget that fateful night, but they should know better than anyone that all secrets wash ashore . . . eventually.

Honestly, I was pretty upset when I found out Shepard was writing another PLL book. I liked where the last one left off, and I wanted the series to be over. But, even I can't pretend I'm not interested in Twisted. I'm curious to see what the hell these girls could have possibly done to get themselves in trouble (again), so I'll be anticipating the release :)

What are you waiting on this week?