In My Mailbox!

Hey readers! It's that time of the week again! In My Mailbox, hosted by The Story Siren, this week I got...

For Review:

Fated -- Alyson Noel (ARC won from The Library Thing)

Second Skin -- Judith Graves (Sent from Leap Books )

Lethally Blonde -- Patrice Lyle (Sent from Leap Books)

Dark Kiss -- Michelle Rowan (e-book, from Netgalley) 

The Shapeshifter's Secret -- Heather Ostler (e-book from Netgalley)

From Library:

Balthazar -- Claudia Gray

Fracture -- Megan Miranda

Bought, sort of:

Glimpse -- Stacey Wallace Benefiel (e-book, free on Amazon!)

Overprotected -- Jennifer Laurens (e-book, free on Amazon!)

That's all the books that I got this week. As most of you can tell, I went a little over board with all these e-books, now that I actually have an e-reader, it can be a bit addicting. Be sure to leave a link and let me know what you got in your mailbox! :)

Review: Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

                                      E-book: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
                                      Pages: 536
                                      Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                      Source: Netgalley

Short Synopsis: Allie, a newly turned vampire, must learn how to be a vampire, and cope with the differences of human vs monster. She stumbles upon a group of humans who take her in as they travel to a place called Eden. 

My Thoughts: Though the vampire genre has been played over and over again, Kagawa puts a new spin on the genre, and I couldn't get enough.
There are two types of humans. Registered, and Unregistered. Allie is an unregistered fringer. Which means that she must look out for herself. She joined a group of other unregistered, and together, they fight for their survival, in a world run by greedy vampires who only view humans as pets or food.
While scavenging for food in a different territory, Allie finds a basement full of food and tells her group. Together, they head down and try to retrieve as much food as they can. However, on their way back, Allie and her friends are attacked by rabids, a group of monsters far worse than vampires. Allie witnesses her friend getting torn apart. To save one of her closest friends, Allie draws the attention of the rabids onto herself.
As a result, Allie is horribly attacked, and on the verge of dying. A vampire crossing Allie's path, finds her and gives her the option of dying as a human, or turning into a vampire. Allie does not want to die and chooses to be a vampire.
As Allie goes through these changes, she learns what it means to be a vampire, through her sire, Kanin.
But Allie and Kanin get separated one day, when Kanin's enemies come after him. All alone now, while traveling, Allie comes across a group of humans who take her in. They claim to be traveling to a place called Eden. A place free of vampire and rabids to work on a cure for the rabids. Allie must find a way to get her new group of friends to Eden, and find a way to reconnect with her sire, Kanin. But can she do all this without meeting more vampire enemies, and keep her hunger at bay?

A very interesting take on the vampire genre. I absolutely love reading about vampires, and though it has been a bit over done, I still couldn't wait to read Kagawa's version. I enjoyed reading Allie's world, and how vampires are viewed through human eyes, and then again, as how vampires are viewed, when she actually is one. Kagawa has created a whole new world, where vampires rule the world, and humans are treated as servants.
I enjoyed reading about the easy going relationship between Allie and Kanin, and how Kanin took Allie under his wing to teach her everything he knew. I also felt like they had a bit of chemistry going, and was disappointed when Kanin left the story. But I also enjoyed the chemistry between Allie and Zeke.
It was interesting to read how Allie struggled between the differences of being a vampire and human, and how she still wished to protect her old friend. It was also appealing to read how no matter what Allie was dealing with, she wanted to hold onto her humanity as much as she could.
I was fascinated with the world that Kagawa has developed, vampires vs rabids, vs humans. I devoured this novel, and loved every aspect. The only thing I wasn't too fond of was the ending. After Allie's entire journey, I could remember thinking, "That was it?" Over all, a very entertaining read, with awesome characters, and hopefully a book that will continue on as a great series.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4/5.

Follow Friday!

Hey fellow readers! It's another posting of Follow Friday. Hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee's View, this week's question is...


Q: Do you read one book at a time or do you switch back and forth between two or more?


A. Well, it really depends on my schedule and how backed up I am. If I have a huge TBR pile, I will have to read two books at a time and switch back and forth. But I usually like to focus on on book at a time so I don't miss all the juicy details.

Be sure to leave your link so I can stop by and read your answer too. Happy Friday :)

Technical Difficulties...

Hey fellow readers, as posted in the title, I am having frustrating technical difficulties with my internet. I've been using AT&T and their service sucks. My internet was working fine, but really slow today, and then all of the sudden it just stopped. They claim that it's not within their networks, but who knows...? I don't want to bore you all with the frustrating details, but I don't know when it'll be fixed, and due to this unfortunate incident, my posts will be less. I am currently posting from my cell phone, so if worse comes to worse, I will have to use the cell phone. Please bear with me until I get this mess sorted out. Until then, I'll be catching up on my reading. Hope you all have a better day than I did.

Waiting On Wednesday!

Hey readers! It's that time again. Waiting On Wednesday, hosted by Breaking The Spine, this week's pre-publication is...



Dark Kiss
by Michelle Rowen
Expected Publication Date: May 22, 2012

I don't do dangerious,
Smart, ü ber-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back.

Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me....

NIGHTWATCHERS

When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...

--From Goodreads


Okay, first of all, the cover is gorgeous. And that summery sounds mysterious and cryptic. There isn't much to go on from the summery, but if it's a Michelle Rowen book, I'm bound to pick it up. I love the fact that there seems to have a romance going on, and can't wait to read all about it. Be sure to leave a link and let me know what pre-publication you are waiting on. 

Review: Fever by Lauren DeStefano

                                                  Book: Fever by Lauren DeStefano
                                                  Pages: 341
                                                  Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
                                                  Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Rhine and Gabriel have finally escaped the mansion. But their freedom doesn't last long, when they get trapped in a different kind of hell. They must work together to get out, and to try to find Rhine's brother.

My Thoughts: I loved it and I disliked it, but it certainly kept me interested. DeStefano delivers yet another must read.

Rhine and Gabriel have finally escaped the retched Mansion. But their freedom is short lived, when Gabriel notices lights in the distance. They decide to check it out and have stumbled into a different hell.
The so called Circus which is actually a brothel, is run by a woman with a French accent, called Madame. The circus has many girls, all renamed as different colors, who are sold for prostitution. Rhine is immediately thrust into this world. Madame notices that Rhine is different than all the others. She tries to sell Rhine to a Gatherer but things go horribly wrong. All the while, Gabriel is given huge amounts of Angel's Blood, a drug that makes people crazy and delirious. A plan is forged to get Rhine and Gabriel out. Upon escaping, Rhine and Gabriel now must care for a young child named Maddie, who used to belong to one of the girls at the circus.
Rhine's new plan now, is to get as close to New York as possible, to find her brother, Rowan. Along the way, Rhine comes across Maddie's mother's family members, who have graciously decide to take them in. But as Rhine starts to get comfortable, she also starts getting ill.
Vaughn, Linden's father, manages to track down Rhine, and tells her that she has been experimented on, and that returning home is the only cure for her. Rhine must survive this illness, get away from Vaughn as soon as she can, and is still determined to find her brother. Can Rhine make it all the way to find her brother, before anything worse happens?

Hm. What to say? At first I wasn't a big fan of the different direction DeStefano took with this series, but the more I read on, I felt like I couldn't get enough. Rhine is a strong, independent character, who doesn't always have a plan, but is very determined to get to what she wants.

I really didn't enjoy the part where Rhine was pulled into the brothel. DeStefano does an excellent job of disliking the paranoid Madame. There were so many characters that were back stabbing, and scheming and evil. I also felt that Vaughn and Cecily belonged in that group. Actually, I felt that Vaughn was the ultimate evil, doing experiments on people, for his own needs. But Vaughn also mirrors the society that DeStefano has built, when President Guiltree announced that the labs would be reopened to do experiments to cure the age disease. 

I also felt that Cecily was a backstabber, claiming to have Rhine's best interest but in fact she was helping Vaughn keep Rhine. Everyone in this novel seems to have their own agenda, and their own secrets. 

I loved the relationship between Gabriel and Rhine, and disliked the fact that he disappeared through out the majority of the end. I also kind of felt it odd that it wasn't addressed between the two, when Rhine called Gabriel, Linden's name. I know if I called my significant other someone else's name, that they'd be furious and vice versa. I could go on and on about this book, but overall, I felt that that it was brilliant. This was a novel that I was actually satisfied with how it ended, and can't wait to read the conclusion.

Would I recommend this book: Yes!

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5. 

Review: Take A Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

                                                 ARC: Take A Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg
                                                 Pages: 277
                                                 Genre: Young Adult
                                                 Source: Sent from Scholastic                                                          

Short Synopsis: Four classmates, Sophie, Emme, Ethan, and Carter, all attend a performing arts high school, CPA. To be the best, each must struggle to make it to the top, and live their dreams on stage. 

My Thoughts: Usually I'm not one for how the story is told in multiple different points of view, but I really enjoyed reading this unique setting with its unique characters.

Sophie, a struggling vocalist, is very competitive, and will do just about anything, to make it as a singer and to live in the spotlight on stage. Emme, a guitarist for her band, and a songwriter, is very talented. She's just usually not one to always be the center of attention. Then there's Ethan. A beautiful lead singer in Emme's band, but struggles with reality as he drinks himself in despair, over his on again, off again girlfriend. And finally, Carter. Child movie star prodigy, turned theater major, suddenly finds himself despising the acting world, finds comfort within the world of art.
As these four students struggle to make it through senior year at CPA, no one had any clue how hard it would really be. Each student stresses over their final senior showcase, along with all the drama of struggling friendships, relationships, and the overall stress that is riding on them to become the best of the best. Can Sophie make it to the top as a singer, without ruining her friendship with Emme in the process? Can Emme, finally have her time in the spotlight and have her chance to shine for once? Can Ethan, change who he has become, into the person he wants to become? And can Carter finally quit the life he's always known, and make things happen in the art world? Being a senior at CPA for these four students, may in fact be a change, in the rest of their lives. 

A very interesting take on students who strive to become the best of the best in the performing arts genre. We get to witness four different views. Sophie, with her singing, Emme, who does just about anything and everything, Ethan, who struggles with his inner demons, and Carter, a famous actor, who wants to do something different with his life. 

In this novel, we as readers get to experience the pressures and trials that each student must go through with fame, fortune, and your name in the spotlight. Eulberg does an excellent job of disliking the character, Sophie, who takes everything for granted, and not really appreciating what others do for her. I also despised what she did to Carter, only using him for his fame. I guess that every novel has to have an enemy, and Sophie was it for me. 

I was also rooting all the way for Ethan to confess his feelings for Emme. But felt that it was odd that Emme was the go to girl for everyone. I enjoyed reading the easy going friendship of the band, and felt such sympathy towards Emme, when she had to end her friendship with Sophie. In general, a cute, fast paced read, about doing what's right, and getting your chance in the spotlight. 

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4/5. 

In My Mailbox!

Hey fellow book lovers! it's another posting of In My Mailbox. Hosted by The Story Siren, this week I got...

For Review:

First Date -- Krista McGee ( e-book from NetGalley)

The Immortal Rules -- Julie Kagawa (e-book from NetGalley)

From Library:

Fever -- Lauren DeStefano

Fallen In Love -- Lauren Kate

Hourglass -- Myra McEntire.

That's all the books that I got this week. Be sure to leave a link and let me know what you got in your mailbox. 

Review: First Date by Krista McGee

                                                  E-book: First Date by Krista McGee
                                                  Pages: 336
                                                  Genre: Young Adult, Romance
                                                  Source: Netgalley
                                                 *may contain spoilers

Short Synopsis: Addy has never been one for the spotlight. So it's a complete unwanted surprise when Addy gets chosen to be one of the girls competing for a chance to be the president's son's prom date. 

My Thoughts: I'm not usually one for religious reads, but it was a cute entertaining read about believing in what you think is the right thing to do, and finding yourself in the process.

Addy Davidson is horrified when she discovers that she has been selected to compete for a chance to win a date with the president's son. She is focused on getting a scholarship for college, and to get into an Ivy league school. And being on a reality TV show is not on her list of things to do.
But Addy can't turn down the opportunity, when her principal explains that the school's numbers have been dropping. And if Addy could make it on the show, it will give her school a chance to shine.
Addy reluctantly agrees to go, but has no idea what she's gotten herself into. Along with 99 other girls, Addy and these vicious girls compete in different challenges, for a chance to go to the Prom with Jonathon Jackson.
As the competitions get riskier, Addy struggles with the fact that she might in fact be falling for the president's son. But she also has a secret of her own. She hasn't told anyone on the show that she is a Christian, and isn't sure how anyone will take it, especially Jonathon. Can Addy stay on the show long enough to discover her real feelings for Jonathon, and tell him her secret too?

A cute, fast paced read, about finding yourself and acceptance. I enjoyed reading how reluctant the main character, Addy was of the situation she was in, but she slowly starts to realize that she might very well be falling for Jonathon. 

I tend to not read religion based novels, but I had to sympathize with Addy when the reader discovers about her parent's journeys, especially about Addy's mother, and what she had to struggle through.

McGee does an excellent job of disliking the characters, Hank and Lila. And though Hank does redeem himself, I felt that Lila should have at least apologized to Addy for the way that she had treated her. I also felt that even though Lila bought her way to the top, she should not have gotten to be the date in the end. If not Addy as the winner, than it should have at least been Kara. 

I also enjoyed the fact that McGee also emphasizes that not all first impressions are correct, and that just because you've had one bad experience with a person, doesn't mean that the group as a whole, act the same way. Though a very educating read, McGee also puts her own spin, making this novel an interesting, and entertaining read, with a mix of romance.

Would I recommend this book: Yes.

Rating: I give this book a 4/5. 

Follow Friday!

Hey readers! It's another posting of Follow Friday! Hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee's View, this week's question is...

Q: What is the longest book you've read? What are your favorite 600+ page reads?

A. I think the longest book I read, that I can think of at the moment is, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. 

    

784 pages. I'm sure I've read longer books, but this is the only one I can think of at the moment. And though I really enjoyed this novel, A Discovery of Witches came in with a close second, 592. Be sure to leave your link to let me know what was the longest book you've read was. 

Review: Tomorrow Land by Mari Mancusi

                                                 E-book: Tomorrow Land by Mari Mancusi
                                                 Pages: 290
                                                 Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                                 Source: NetGalley
                                                *Minor sexual content 

Short Synopsis: Peyton Anderson lives in a world where humans no longer have diseases due to one simple vaccine. But what happens when that vaccine goes horribly wrong killing off most of the human population, turning them into killer zombies, otherwise known as The Others?

My Thoughts: I'm usually not a big fan of the zombie genre, but I absolutely enjoyed this novel and couldn't get enough of it! 

Peyton Anderson and Chris Parker both live in a world, disease free, thanks to a new vaccine shot, where the teens have nicknamed, LTF. Otherwise known as License to... And though it is intentionally supposed to rid humans of diseases, especially aids, it also allows teen to become sexually active.
Most everyone that Peyton knows, has already gotten this shot. Peyton is one of few in her class to yet receive hers.
But things start to go horribly wrong, as fellow neighbors start to get sick, no one knows why. Peyton's father knows that the government is hiding something, and is probably behind the whole mess, as he constantly talks about the world coming to an end.
As Peyton and her classmate Chris, start to investigate, things also start to get worse with their fellow friends and neighbors. Peyton and Chris figure out that the so called vaccine that everyone has injected, is in fact the cause for all the sickness. But that's not even the worse part. The sickness has turned these humans into rabid zombies, and one bite from a zombie can turn a normal human into one of the Others. Peyton knows that she must do something to put a stop to this mess. Can Peyton and her father put a stop to this horrible mess, and can Peyton and Chris' relationship survive the whole ordeal?

A seriously awesome read. I am not usually one for zombies because I don't like how they are typically described as, but this novel was really well done. I loved the fact that there was mystery, action, and love, all in one great read. The main characters, Chris and Peyton, both had an innocence to them and I enjoyed reading the fact that a real horrible situation was discovered through innocent eyes.

I also enjoyed the fact that the characters were complete opposites. Peyton, a beautiful popular teen, and Chris, a school nerd, get together in the most unlikely circumstances, and it was interesting to learn how both had changed after the zombie apocalypse.

A lot of original content involved in this piece, and I liked how realistic the situation seemed. One thing I wasn't a fan of was the constant back and forth of the past and present, without really any, captions, but as soon as I was used to the style, I couldn't get enough. I kept waiting for the back story for Peyton's parents, and though we know what happened with her father, I was still wondering what had happened to her mother. Overall, a great story line, interesting characters, and a story I wouldn't mind reading more of.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5.

Waiting On Wednesday!

Hey readers! It's that time of the week! Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Breaking The Spine. This week's pre-publication is...



The Rise of Nine
by Pittacus Lore
Expected Publication Date: August 21st, 2012

No Summary was found on either Goodreads, or Amazon, but I really liked this series. I enjoy this author's writing style, and can't wait for the next one in this series. I loved I Am Number Four, but wasn't much of a fan of The Power of Six. And hopefully in this third installment, we get to find out more about the other individuals involved, and to elaborate a bit more about the war that started. Be sure to leave your link and let me know what pre-publication you are waiting for. 

Review: The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

    Book: The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
    Pages: 356
    Genre: Young Adult
    Source: Library
   *may contain spoilers

Short Synopsis: It's 1996 and Emma has just received her first computer. As soon as she logs on, she is sent to a website called Facebook. Emma figures out that this website might in fact be a link to her future and the future of everyone else she knows.

My Thoughts: A very gripping page turner. Definitely not one to miss. 

Emma, a high school student in the year 1996, is about to receive her very first computer, a gift from her father. Bored one day, Emma decides to set up her computer. As soon as she is logged on, a website pops up known as Facebook.
Emma has no clue what Facebook is, and is shocked to find a picture of herself, fifteen years into the future. Scared, Emma calls on a close friend, even though they are no longer on speaking terms, a boy named Josh. Together, they figure out that Facebook may in fact be a link to their future.
Emma is at first curious, wanting to see her closest friends and family, and where they would be, and what they would be doing, fifteen years later. But as things progress, Emma discovers her life and relationship is not a very happy one, and tries everything in her power, to no longer be in that current state. As Emma meddles with fate and the ripples of time, Josh becomes furious at Emma for changing the future, and the consequences that may be involved.
Emma becomes obsessed with Facebook and her future, and no matter what Emma does, her future doesn't seem too appealing. And though Josh is happy with his outcome, he still tries to warn Emma of what can happen, if she continues to mess with her future. Can Emma find happiness in her future, or will her friendship with Josh suffer as a result?

A very different take on what life could be like in the future. I was skeptical at first because I really don't like reading books that are set in the past, but this one was completely different. I loved reading about the relationship between the main characters, Josh and Emma.
Set in a two person point of view between Josh and Emma, this novel describes how people can become obsessed with their future, if given glimpses of what your life could be like. I practically read this novel in one setting, and couldn't get enough.
But there were a couple questions that weren't really answered though. One major question was, if other students from Emma's school had a computer, how come Emma was the only one with Facebook? And if Emma became so obsessed with it, and Facebook kept wanting to delete her account, why let her see the website in the first place? Overall, a very fast paced, entertaining read, that will have you devouring the novel, and wanting more. An awesome collaboration between two great authors.

Would I recommend this book: Definitely!

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5.

Review: Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

                                                 Book: Embrace by Jessica Shirvington
                                                 Pages: 367
                                                 Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                                 Source: Sent from Sourcebooks

Short Synopsis: Violet's life is about to change forever on her 17th birthday. As she deals with the loss of her mother 17 years ago, she finds out what who her mother really is, and what Violet's destiny is supposed to be.

My Thoughts: A really fast paced, great read. I couldn't get enough!

Violet's life has always been normal. With a best friend whom she shares everything with, to a father who looses himself in his work, and to a potential boyfriend, Violet couldn't expect anything more. But all that's about to change, when Violet turns seventeen.
Violet receives a strange and mysterious letter from her mother, written years ago. Upon receiving the letter, Violet finds out that she is part of an angel race, called the Grigori. The Grigori are a group of angels who watch the humans and keep them safe. Violet also learns that there is another group of angels that are bent on destroying the Grigori. And if things weren't bad enough, the group of angels that are bent on destroying the Grigori have teamed up with angels who have been exiled and are destroying the Grigori together.
Violet, who is a new born Grigori, also has power that attract the angels to her. She must learn to control her new found powers, and learn what it means to be a Grigori, before it's too late, or worse. Can Violet trust an exiled angel named Pheonix, who has been there for her time and time again, all the while, fearing the loss of the friendship of her fellow Grigori partner, Lincoln. Violet must try to find a way to survive the attacks and a way to stop the war once and for all.

An interesting take on the angel genre. Awesome characters, where everyone has secrets, and the readers have no idea what their motivations are. I loved reading about the struggles that Violet was going through.
I enjoyed reading the easy going relationship between Violet and Lincoln, until it turned toward the angel aspect. I felt that Violet should have known that something or someone was messing with her powers along with her feelings for Lincoln. I also enjoyed reading the romance between Violet and Pheonix and thought they actually made a better couple, but was disappointed that Pheonix had an ulterior motive. I also felt that Violet was a bit too free with her emotions all over the place, while kissing Pheonix and and kissing Lincoln. It was frustrating to read that Violet kept wanting to be in a relationship with Lincoln, but Lincoln could do nothing, as it is forbidden to have a relationship with Grigori partners. I also like reading about Violet's powers and what she could do, and kind of wished that Shirvington elaborated a little bit more about what Violet is able to do as a Grigori.
The only thing that I wasn't too fond of was the angel vocabulary and the explanation. I felt that it was a bit confusing for the reader on the various angel groups and what their special abilities were, and if they were the "good" or bad" angels. All in all, a very enjoyable novel, and I can't wait for the next one in the series.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5.

In My Mailbox!

Hey fellow readers! It's another posting of In My Mailbox! Hosted by The Story Siren, this week I got...

For Review:

Spellcaster -- Cara Lynn Schultz (e-book, thanks to Negalley)

Tomorrow Land -- Mari Mancusi (e-book, thanks to netgalley) 

Bonds Of Fenris -- S. J. Bell (e-book)

Take A Bow -- Elizabeth Eulberg (Thanks to Scholastic!)

From Library: 

Instructions For A Broken Heart -- Kim Culbertson 

The Future of Us -- Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

And Last but not least, the most exciting thing this week...

I was so happy when my new ipad3 came in the mail on Friday. I wanted to do a video recording but my camera on my laptop was all wonky, which I'm guessing is a sign to get a new one! lol. One bad thing about the ipad 3 is that it doesn't work very well with blogger. It's also supposed to be in HD, but I can never tell the difference. Other than that, it's been completely awesome. I totally love it. My first e-reader :) 

Anyway, that all the things that I got this week. Be sure to leave your link so I can stop by your mailbox. Hope you all had a great week :)

Follow Friday!

Hey fellow book lovers! It's another posting of Follow Friday! Hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read, this week's question is...

Q: What is the best book you've read in the last month? What is the worst book you've read in the last month?.

A. Hm. There weren't as many great books that I read last month. One that really stuck with me was: 

The Duff -- Kody Keplinger.

I know this book has been out for a while, but I just recently got around to it, and now I love everything by Kody Keplinger.

Some of the worst books last month were:

Bloodrose -- Adrea Cremer

Hallowed -- Cynthia Hand.

Don't know why exactly. I loved the first book to both series, but as I continued on, I couldn't get through either of them. 

Be sure to leave your link so I can stop by your Follow Friday post as well :)

Review: Instructions For A Broken Heart by Kim Culbertson

    Book: Instructions For A Broken Heart by Kim Culbertson
    Pages: 291
    Genre: Young Adult, Romance
    Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Jessa catches her boyfriend Sean, with another girl, and is devastated. But there is no way that Sean's actions are going to turn Jessa away from going to Italy. 

My Thoughts: Not really my type of read, but it's been a while since I read a young adult romance book, and thought that it was a cute read.

Jessa catches her boyfriend, Sean, caught in the act, of making out with another girl. Devastated on the outcome of her relationship, Jessa doesn't want to be anywhere near her ex-boyfriend, or his new girl, Natalie.
And things go even worse, when Jessa, Sean, and Natalie are all on the same school trip to Italy. But just because they are going, isn't going to ruin Jessa's trip. Jessa's thankful that at least one of her friends, Tyler. Jessa is also a bit upset that her other friend Carissa, will not be on the trip.
But as Jessa and Tyler start out the trip to Italy, Tyler gives Jessa a bundle of envelopes. Jessa is instructed to read them at certain times on the trip, and to follow each instruction, given by her friend Carissa. Carissa explains that these envelopes are instructions to forgetting about her ex-boyfriend, and gives her reasons why Sean is not the one for her.
Throughout the entire trip to Italy, due to the envelopes, Jessa has many experiences, and does things that she would normally not do. But can all these distractions and adventures really cure Jessa of a broken heart?

I thought this would be a cute read, and it did keep me interested for the most part. But there was also quite a bit that I didn't like as well. Jessa ends up doing a lot of wild and wacky things in this novel. Some of it is silly, and some of it is really serious.
I loved the easy going friendship that Jessa had with a fellow friend, named Dlyan Thomas. I also just kind of wished that their relationship had developed a bit more. One of the most memorable scenes in the book, is where Jessa actually throws a soda on her ex boyfriend. And I also felt that one of the most disturbing scenes was when Jessa actually kissed her teacher. I felt that this was kind of inappropriate, especially in a young adult romance novel, and the fact that there wasn't any consequences, didn't really help the situation either.
Over all, it was an okay read. There were certainly some memorable moments in the book, but I wasn't a big fan of the writing style. I'm trying to not give away too much of the novel, but there were also a lot of scenes that I wasn't too thrilled with as well.

Would I recommend this book: Eh.

Rating: I give this book a 3/5.

Waiting On Wednesday!

Hey readers! It's a posting of Waiting On Wednesday! Hosted by Breaking The Spine, this week's pre-publication is...

Dark Companion 

by Marta Acosta

Expected Publication Date: July 3, 2012

When foster teen Jane Williams is invited to attend elite Birch Grove Academy for Girls and escape her violent urban neighborhood, she thinks the offer is too good to be true. She's even offered her own living quarters, the groundskeeper's cottage in the center of the birch grove. 

Something's not quite right about the school -- or is it Jane? She thinks she sees things in the birch grove at night. She's also beginning to suspect that the elegant headmistress and her sons are hiding secrets. Lucky is the gorgeous, golden son who is especially attentive to Jane, and Jack is the sardonic puzzling brother. 

The school with its talented teachers and bright students is a dream for a science and math geek like Jane. She also loves her new friends, including hilarious poetry-spouting rich girl, Mary Violet. But the longer Jane stays at Birch Grove, the more questions she has about the disappearance of another scholarship girl and a missing faculty member. 

Jane discovers one secret about Birch Grove, which only leads to more mysteries. What is she willing to sacrifice in order to stay at this school...and be bound to Birch Grove forever?

--From Goodreads

First of all, I LOVE the cover to it. It's so dark, yet really beautiful. Second, it's placed in a school setting, which I've become completely obsessed about. And third, I love that there is a mystery involved. Be sure to leave a link to let me know what pre-publication you are waiting for. 

Review: The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

                                                 Book: The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller
                                                 Pages: 411
                                                 Genre: Young Adult, Reincarnation
                                                 Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Ever since Haven was a little girl, she always felt like she was the reincarnation of a girl named Constance, and that a handsome man named Ethan were destined to be soul mates. 

My Thoughts: it definitely kept me wanting to find out more, but I also kind of felt like there was too much going on.

Haven Moore is an outcast at her high school in Tennessee, ever since she befriended a boy named Beau. Haven's one dream is to get as far away from her back words grandmother, and to attend The New York Institute of fashion.
But things aren't going to well for Haven when she suddenly starts to have fainting spells, and starts remembering a past life of a girl named Constance who is madly in love with a boy named Ethan. As Haven starts to have more visions of her so called past life, she is painted by the town and even by her own grandmother, as a devil.
Haven decides that she must run away from Tennessee to find Iain Morrow, a famous hollywood actor whom Haven believes is the reincarnation of her long lost soul mate, Ethan. As Haven makes it to New York, she believes that she is being watched, and must be careful. While in New York, Haven also comes in contact with a society called the Ouroboros Society. A group believed to help individuals who believe that they are reincarnations of past lives.
But Haven has no idea who to trust, as Haven finds Iain, but has constantly been lied to, or the supposedly innocent gentleman from the Society. Can Haven get to the bottom of her visions and trust the one she loves?

Not really sure how to start this one off. I liked a lot of what Haven was going through, but there was also a lot that didn't really suit me. The love between Iain and Haven and the fact that Iain was Hollywood royalty, really captured my interest to the story. But this novel was also really religious and had a lot of religious background which I wasn't a fan of. 

I enjoyed reading the mystery behind it, who killed who and who was actually responsible. But this novel also had a lot of the major characters be reincarnated as well, which didn't really make Iain and Haven's reincarnation all that special. 

I felt that Miller was trying a bit too hard to be too mysterious, and that there were too many factors. I was confused about the Adam Rossier situation, how Iain was able to survive the fire, and about the Ouroboros Society in general. Overall, it was interesting and entertaining, but too many factors collided, and not really enough explanations.

Would I recommend this book: Eh.

Rating: I give this book a 3/5. 

Review: Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

                                  Book: Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik
                                  Pages: 295
                                  Genre: Young Adult, Romance
                                  Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Elise Benton moves to a new place with a new school. At Coral Prep, she meets the son of hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards, but doesn't know if she can trust him as he is stand offish, and rude. 

My Thoughts: I practically devoured this novel in one sitting! I loved it! 

Elise Beton and her family just moved to Los Angeles. As Elise and her sisters attend Coral Tree Prep, Elise finds that it's even harder to fit in at a new school. Especially since her mother is the school's principal, and her father is a teacher at the school as well.
Elise manages to catch the eye of one of Hollywood's most famous son's Derek Edwards. But Elise doesn't know if she can trust him as he is incredibly rude, especially to another student named Webster Grant.
Elise's sister, Julianna, manages to attract the attention of Derek's friend, Chase, and the four always seem to be stuck together. As Elise gets to know Derek better, she understands the reason for Derek's attitude. But she still can't help her easy going relationship with Webster, and doesn't get why the two are such enemies.
But as an incident occurs between Webster and one of Elise's sisters, Elise finds out that you can't always trust first appearances, and the plot between Webster and Derek thickens. Who can Elise trust as a friend, and with her heart?

I really enjoyed reading this novel. Very fast paced, and kept me interested through out. It was interesting to read about Elise's trials and triumphs as we get to experience the population at Coral Tree Prep. I also kind of felt that Elise was too free with her trust, and without really hearing the other side of the story, chose to be friends with someone just based on reactions. 

I loved reading the love interests between Elise, Webster and Derek. From the reader's point of view, Derek really seemed like a jerk most of the time, and it was really hard to like him. And I kind of wished that Webster wasn't such a jerk towards the end. 

I also felt like the novel ended rather abruptly, and felt like there should have been a little more to the story. I felt like LaZebnik didn't leave a lot of room for Derek and Elise's relationship to grow. Overall, it was still a pretty entertaining read, and hopefully there will be a sequel to this novel. I can't wait to read more of LaZenik's novels.

Would I recommend this book: Yes! 

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5. 

In My Mailbox!

Hey readers! It's time for In My Mailbox! Hosted by The Story Siren, this week I got...

From Library:

Epic Fail -- Claire LaZebnik (already read and loved!)

The Eternal Ones -- Kirsten Miller

Bought:

Audition -- Stasia Ward Kehoe.

That's all the books I got this week. Be sure to leave your link and let me know what you got. :)