Waiting On Wednesday!

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




Crimson Frost (Mythos Academy #4)
by Jennifer Estep
Expected Publication Date: December 24th, 2012

For a moment, a face flashed before my eyes — the most hideous face I’d ever seen. No matter how hard I tried to forget what had happened, I saw him everywhere I went. It was Loki — the evil god that I’d helped set free against my will.

I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we’d gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I’d have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn’t see that one coming. I’ve been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison — and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I’m guilty. If I’m going to get out of this mess alive, I’ll have to do it myself

--From Goodreads


First of all, I love all the covers to this series. How much more beautiful can they get? I've followed this series from the beginning and am addicted to Estep's writing style and the romance between Gwen and Logan. I definitely can't wait for this one. Be sure to leave your link so I can see what pre-publication you are waiting on. 

Books Ripping Off Other Books

Hey fellow readers, just wanted to rant about something that's been on my mind for awhile now. As you all probably know, I am a huge fan of the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. Than a blogger pointed out its similarities between the Twilight series. I thought, "Well sure, it might have similar qualities, but 50 Shades actually seems like Twilight for the naughty." At least the author made it more of her own style.
After reading 50 Shades, I loved the story behind it, and wanted to read similar novels, and decided to pick up a new novel called Bared To You, by Sylvia Day. But as I started reading this novel, I couldn't help but notice major similarities between this and 50 Shades. It literally felt like reading the same book, with different names. In 50 Shades, Christian has a body guard/security guy named Taylor. In Bared to You, Eva, a.k.a., Copycat Ana has a gay roommate with the last name of Taylor as well. Both main guys, Christian vs. Gideon, are super rich, handsome and steamy hot, but all they want from their "significant others" is sex. Both girls, Ana vs Eva, have strong attractions to the main male character, but are reluctant to start a relationship. And both series are a trilogy. And both series include a bar scene where the main male character swoops in to save the "damsel in distress" from other men. Even the covers have a similar feel to it.
I haven't finished Bared To You yet, but the writing feels sub par compared to 50 Shades. Nonetheless, I will continue to give it a shot, or until I can't take it any more.
But my real complaint is that, why can't authors come up with a more original plot? Just because 50 Shades was a success, doesn't mean that your novel will be. I'm about 40 some odd pages in, and it feels like the exact same story, so technically I bought the same book. There's even a review quote on the from page that states, "Bared To You Has an emotional feel similar to 50 Shades. If I were to recommend any book to a reader who enjoyed reading 50 Shades and were looking for another book like it this would be the first one I would offer." And another quote states, "While it is true that Bared To You has much in common with 50 Shades..."
I felt like screaming at these people who quote this, because it is the same book! And though apparently you can't steal ideas, I just get so frustrated and disappointed that authors couldn't make a story more original. So, for those of you who have stayed this long to read my post, I was just curious if any of you readers ever had the same experience, and what you thought about very similar ideas in books.

Review: League of Strays by L.B. Schulman

                                             E-book: League of Strays by L. B. Schulman
                                             Pages: 145
                                             Genre: Young Adult
                                             Source: NetGalley

Short Synopsis: Charlotte has always been a bit of a loner. But when she receives a mysterious note, Charlotte can't help but be curious and join in on the fun.

My Thoughts: An interesting read about making friends, fueling your revenge, just not quite what I had expected.

Charlotte hasn't always had it easy when it comes to making friends. As Charlotte and her parents move to a new place, her past follows with her as her enemy, Tiffany Miller moves to the same place. Charlotte has always been a goody two shoes, doing whatever her parents say, and with her love of the violin, Charlotte hasn't always had much time for friends.
But things get interesting one day when Charlotte receives a note to meet at a park, at night. Curious, Charlotte agrees to go to see what all the fuss is about. Once there, she notices that she is not alone, as a small number of kids are invited as well. Then comes a boy named Kade, the leader.
Kade announces that the reason they are all here, is to gain revenge on those who have wronged them. The group takes turns revealing how their enemies have scorned them.
Kade announces that they will come up with certain plans to take down their enemies and no one will get caught, as they will be smarter, with each thought out plan. But when one plan goes awry, will Charlotte follow along with Kade's plans, or will Charlotte follow her own heart?

An interesting novel that had me curious for more. Charlotte, the main character, is sucked into a world so unlike her own, and is extremely infatuated with Kade. What was meant to be a way to connect with people at her school and make new friends, became something entirely different, and out of hand, way too fast. 

Charlotte at first seems like a love struck puppy, always doing what Kade tells her to, even though it goes against her gut instinct. As a reader, we get to witness how Charlotte grows from a shy, innocent individual, to a strong, caring, and independent girl who speaks her mind, when things don't go the way she'd imagined. 

And maybe it's just me, but the character Kade seemed rather annoying, as he had a cocky attitude that nothing bad will happen to him, and that they could get away with anything. I disliked the fact that Kade felt he could take advantage of the group for his own personal amusement, and when things were getting worse, he still wouldn't take matters into his own hands. In general, this novel was an interesting read, but I was a bit disappointed with the ending.

Would I recommend this book: Sure

Rating: I give this book a 3/5. 

In My Mailbox!

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

Bookish Swag:

An awesome Thank you note from Lisa Becker for reviewing her novel Click, Two Hunger Games tattoos and a signed bookmark of Venom by Fiona Paul won from Hannah S. Taylor. (Can't quite remember your blog, but I received your awesome swag! Thank you!)

Gifted R.A.K.:

E-book of The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead (Thank you Keri Reed!)

Gifted:

A Want So Wicked --Suzanne Young (Thanks to the awesome Anna @ Literary Exploration!)

For Review:

A Signed copy of Harmony -- Sonya Bria 

From Library:

Torn -- Stephanie Guerra 

Clean -- Amy Lynn Reed. 

That's all the bookish things I got this week. Be sure to leave your link so I can see your bookish stack. :)

Review: 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James

                                      Book: 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James
                                      Pages: 514
                                      Genre: Fiction, Erotica
                                      Source: Bought
                                      *Contains strong sexual content, mature language

Short Synopsis: When literature student Anastasia Steele interviews entrepreneur Christian Grey, she has no idea what's in store, and is way in for more than she bargained for.

My Thoughts: Intended for mature audiences only, but very addicting! I couldn't put this book down! 

Anastasia Steele is roped into an interview, due to her roommate, Kate's unexpected illness. Ana travels to Seattle, to interview Christian Grey, one of the most wealthiest men in the world, for the University's newspaper.
As Ana meets Mr. Grey, a handsome, intimidating man, she is deeply unprepared for the interview, and is flustered by him. After the interview, Ana is relieved that she no longer has to be in his presence. But fate, or Mr. Grey's infatuation and with Ana, continues to thrust the two characters together.
Ana can't seem to stop thinking about Christian Grey, and Christian seems to be rather protective and obsessed with Ana.
Christian proposes an interesting proposition to Ana. The only way Christian can be in a relationship is if they agree on a BDSM. Ana is floored when she does the research, and has insecurities about how far she is willing to go. But she cannot deny her attraction to Christian and tries to compromise. But as she learns more about Christian and the world he comes from, Ana must decide if her feelings for Christian are far more than what she is able to take. 

What can I say about this novel that probably already hasn't been said before? I loved the love story between Ana and Christian. It's been a long while since a book has made me grin from beginning to end. Being the first novel I've read about BDSM, I was so surprised with all the emotions that I felt, while connecting with the characters. 

Ana is an extremely shy and innocent character, that felt really relatable. I enjoyed reading the playful banter the two had, and the fact that the two had such great chemistry together, is putting it rather mildly. Ana and Christian have an up and down roller coaster of a relationship, as the two at times, push their limits, finding new discoveries, and exploring new bounds.

Christian Grey is a very deeply disturbed individual who grew up with hard background, living a life where BDSM has ruled the majority of his sexual encounters. The two couldn't seem like a more opposite pairing, but turn out to be one hot couple. 

After reading this first novel, one question keeps gnawing at me, however. Why is it that only Christian was involved in this kind of lifestyle? As a reader, we get to meet his protective parents, and his brother and sister that care for him, so why is he the only one affected with this lifestyle? It also seemed rather strange that no one else in his family knew of this situation, when this type of life style seems to affect him so severely. 

I was a bit disappointed on the fact that there wasn't as much of a relationship build up between the two, as the reader still does not know much of the background of either character. Overall, a very fast paced, entertaining read, that has the reader left wanting more. Needless to say, I am intrigued by how the relationship between the two will go, and I enjoyed James' writing style immensely. On a side note, the character Kate, though rather annoying at times, was one of my favorite characters, as she doesn't take crap from Christian, is loyal to Ana. And on another side note, it would be interesting to see who would portray Christian Grey in a movie. 

This novel contains intense sexual content that might not be suitable for the light hearted. 

Would I recommend this book: Yes! (For adults only)

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5. 

Follow Friday!

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



Q: Jumping Genres: Ever pick up a book from a genre you usually don't like and LOVE it? Tell us about it and why you picked it up in the first place.



A: I'd have to say Dystopian. My first dystopian book I think was Divergent by Veronica Roth. I'd put it off for so long, because I wasn't a fan of the cover, but when I heard so many great reviews on it, I knew I couldn't back down from reading it. After Divergent, I fell in love with dystopian, and am always surprised when I find a great read. Be sure to leave your link too so I can read your answer. Happy Friday!

Review: What Kills Me by Wynne Channing

                                      E-book: What Kills Me by Wynne Channing
                                      Pages: 295
                                      Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                      Source: Sent from author

Short Synopsis: Axelia, otherwise known as "Zee" sneaks out of the house one night, to meet up with a mysterious boy. Little did Zee know, it would be a night that changed her life forever.

My Thoughts: An intriguing story about a young girl who gets involved in the world of vampires, and ancient prophecies.

Zee is just an average teen, studying abroad. Zee gets lost one day coming home from a shop, and is met by a handsome boy, who helps her home. The boy persuades Zee to meet him again the next night, and Zee reluctantly agrees.
As the boy leads Zee astray, Zee discovers that he is a monster. A vampire, that only wanted to feed on her blood. Frantic, Zee falls into a sacred well filled with blood, and emerges as a vampire. Zee struggles to make sense of the issue as she is hunted by soldiers, and the vampire monarchy.
She is met by the queen who sentences her to death. Trapped in a cell with the boy, Zee, has no choice as she awaits for the sun.
When Zee finds out that the sun does not harm her, she escapes, and is rescued by a family of vampires.  As the monarchy is on constant search for Zee, Zee discovers an ancient prophecy, that a vampire will be born with no sire, will come to destroy the vampire race forever. Now, Zee and Lucas, her only friend and a fellow vampire that helped save her, is on the run from the monarchy, and must do everything they can to survive.

It took me a bit to get into this novel, but once I got going, I couldn't put this book down. Zee is a fierce loyal character, who will do just about anything for her friends. I loved reading about the crazy adventures that Zee gets mixed up in. It was interesting to read who Zee could trust and who would turn their back on her to help their own agendas. 

I also enjoyed reading the family of vampires and how they were involved with Zee's life. It was curious reading about how the monarchy worked, and regardless of other people's reasoning and what it could mean, the monarchy was only set on thinking what is best for them. 

I loved reading about Lucas and Zee. They had great chemistry, and it was infuriating to read that even though the two had obvious strong feelings for each other, neither did much about it. I was also a bit disappointed when a lot of the characters were killed off. I get that they were fighting for Zee's safety, but I had kind of wished that they had survived. There were a lot of surprising twists in this novel, that I couldn't wait to find out what happens next. The ending was very shocking, and I look forward to reading more of Zee's adventures.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4/5.