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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Review: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary:
"I'm pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame. 


Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite." 


WOW!!!!! An exclamation mark for each star! This book totally took me by surprise! Usually I expect a second book of a series to be mediocre compared the the first (which is the attention-grabber) but Pandemonium just took everything to a different level! I never thought I would say this, but book #2 was better than #1... My expectations for #3 is pretty high now!

Once again, Lauren Oliver outdid herself with her writings. Her words become so heart-felt, poetic, and beautiful. Loss is an occurrence that some people have to endure, I being one of them feel like Ms. Oliver hit my thoughts and feelings so close to my heart. Usually I don't like books that bring those feelings to light, but in her darkest hours, Lena finds hope in a place that should have torn her to shreds. She gathers strength and a renewed determination to fight for herself and those she loves.

In some places I could predict what would happen, but the flow of the plot and the characters kept me guessing, taking turns left and right. My heart was pounding in different places with anticipation, wanting to jump into the action myself.

I was truly surprised by this series. I don't think these 2 books were given enough credit, reviews or advertisement. I don't know what took me so long to dive into them, but I am so glad I did!

This book was pretty clean, a few kissing scenes and sexual tension. There is violence and some disturbing situations.

Definitely one of my favorites this year!

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Sunday, July 29, 2012

A thank-you!

Jennifer L. Armentrout, author of the books Obsidian (Lux Series), Half-blood (Covenant Series), wrote a wonderful thank you out to all of the book bloggers out there.  
I know I am not as big as some, but this post has inspired me and given me a little more incentive to post more reviews, and share the excitement I feel toward reading!  

I will quote a few things from her post, but if you want to read it, here is the link

"Now I'm going to give you the Jennifer definition of a book blogger from the Armentroutopedia
Book Blogger-- a person who, for the love of reading, reads and review books on a public platform with little to no financial support. It's not a job. There are really no rules. It's a passion that the share with other people who have a love of reading and/or writing. It's even an obsession, just like writing is an obsession to authors. Book Bloggers take their websites seriously, their reviews, and their promotions."

Jennifer is so right about this.  The reason I started this blog is for that reason only.  I LOVE BOOKS!  I love to read and sometimes I get so excited over a book that I want to share it with everyone!!!  I am sure some of you have talked to me in real life and know that I can get a little carried away about certain books I have just read, but it has become a passion for me now.  Obviously, the writing bug has hit me as well or I wouldn't have this blog.

" Let's talk about books:
Sure, bloggers get a lot of books for free. They also buy books that they get ARCs of. They also are on first name basis with their local book store. They also buy multiple copies for contests. They probably spend more money on books then a country does to feed a small army. And keep in mind, they don't get paid to blog or review, so all of this is coming out of their pockets. Why? Because they love books."

Yes, Yes and YES!  Just ask my husband!  I have spent a lot of money on books, audiobooks, ebooks.  I only have had one giveaway so far, but I have one that I am planning on soon!  BUT... I LOVE sharing books!  I love letting friends borrow my books, letting them feel and see what I see when I am in that fantasy world I live in!  

Thanks Jennifer Armentrout for acknowledging and supporting all of us Book Bloggers, whether big or small.  We love your books, and love having that world to escape to!   

Here is the link to one of her books I blogged about :  Obsidian 

Friday, July 27, 2012

Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

 

Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary by Goodreads:   Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?


First of all, the cover. What first grabbed my attention was the red dress, indicating the time frame the story takes place, but the crossbow made me want to snatch it up and read it immediately. It seems I am reading more and more historical fiction/fantasy books, such as this one. The idea of reading some historical facts, but also getting the fantasy boost brings in the "not reality" feeling I love.

Isme's character suffers much in her young life. Abuse by her father, selling her off to a nasty old man at the age of 14, she is saved by a priest who takes her to a convent. There she is taught the ways of an assassin, serving her God, St. Mortain, the God of death. Isme has so many bad feelings toward men, that learning these skills is a pleasure for her. When she is sent out on her last mission before she takes her vows to the Convent, she learns what love really feels like. She grows so much, watching and learning how real families interact, how men can be more than just brutal.

Isme has to make some difficult decisions, including defying her convent or taking out those who she is commanded to kill. Knowing who to trust becomes harder and harder the longer she is at Court. She find new plots and schemes, betrayal and treason at every corner. She also finds love after hating men most of her life.

Obviously, this is a dark plot, considering the whole assassin thing, but with action and romance. I would consider this a mature Young Adult book because of the violence and adult situations.

Book Trailer




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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Lisa Mangum

Lisa Mangum, author of The Hourglass Door trilogy, is one of my favorite authors.  Her new book, After Hello, will be out in September 2012!  This book is on the top of my "To Read" list.

Here is an interview with Lisa Mangum... Sounds sooo great!


Sunday, July 15, 2012

Review: Soulbound by Heather Brewer


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary on Goodreads:  Tril is a world where Barrons and Healers are Bound to each other: Barrons fight and Healers cure their Barrons' wounds in the ongoing war with the evil Graplar King. Seventeen-year-old Kaya was born a Healer, but she wants to fight. In Tril, and at Shadow Academy, where she is sent to learn to heal, it is against Protocol for Healers to fight. So Kaya must learn in secret. Enter two young men: One charming, rule-following Barron who becomes Bound to Kaya and whose life she must protect at all costs. And one with a mysterious past who seems bent on making Kaya's life as difficult as possible. Kaya asks both to train her, but only one will, and the consequences will change their lives forever.

This book was KICK-BUTT! It had me at the Cover and never let me down after that. I am a sucker for a book with lots of action, romance and a few hot guys!

My only problem with it was that it wasn't long enough! I felt it was a little lacking with details of Trayton (awesome name b.t.w.)and Kaya's more intimate moments. I didn't feel like they had bonded like the story indicated. So now I really don't know if I am on Traytons team or not. He sounds gorgeous, strong, protective, and a great guy, but not sure I am feeling the love.

The book didn't lack action. I felt like I was right in the middle of the fighting, wanting to grab my own Katara and join the battle. Graplers, nasty human-hunting creaters, gave me the willies.

Loved the story!!! As far as the writing goes, I felt I needed a few more details of her world... i.e. Her appearance, modern technology? (one place indicated no running faucet, and later had electricity) I know they seem just little minute things, but I am a stickler for details. I like to have a complete visual to my world when I am diving into a new book.

Even thought I thought the writing could have been a little more, I gave it 5 stars anyway because the story-line was so awesome! It was a clean book, but used fake words that sounded similar to bad language. Because of that I would suggest it be a book intended for mid-teens on up.



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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Cool Cover Reveal!!



Sha-Bang! What a beautiful cover to the 3rd book of the Infernal Devices!  
This is one of the books I have been awaiting and this gorgeous cover only adds to my ever growing anxiety!   I can't wait to see how it will end and how this series will link into the next series (The Mortal Instruments). 

Cassandra Clare, YOU ROCK!

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