Saturday, March 31, 2012

Flying Blind : Book Review



Title : Flying Blind

Series : The Dragon Diaries #1
Pages : 308
Author : Deborah Cooke
Publisher : New American Library
Format : Paperback
Source :  Bought - Owned









My Opinion :


Flying Blind was recommended by Wendy from A Cupcake and a Latte (she's an awesome Canadian blogger, by the way :D)

I haven't read many dragon books. I've only read Firelight, and its sequel, Vanish, by Sophie Jordan, and I REALLY loved them (and I'm waiting patiently impatiently for the second book!). And so, I decided to try this book, because, the plot seemed a little like Sophie Jordan's dragon books, and so I decided to buy myself a pretty copy!

I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this book! The characters where well developed, although sometimes it was easy to guess what was going to happen (like, I knew who was the bad guy as soon as he appeared in the book. But, at least I was rooting for the good characters to find out who he was).

So, the story is about a Wyvern (that's a girl dragon, and there's only one. A Wyvern has to die for another one to be born. Also, they are pretty powerful) girl named Zoë. But, the thing is, she can't unlock her powers (that must be fun, to know you're supposed to be super powerful and not to be able to use your powers!). Well, that's until she confronts one of her best friend's bully. Then, she goes to boot camp, and annual test where you can win stuff (I'm in! Where can I sign up or boot camp? I hope we can win books :D). But there, not everything turns out as exciting as she though it would be. She thought Nick would finally be interested in her. And that she'd discover her powers easily. Nope; not going to happen, missy! A bad guy comes in. She finds love (in a hopeless place! LOL! Couldn't help myself to add that :D). And her friends turn on her (well, that looks fun, doesn't it! Well, finding love really does, not the other two...)

Zoë turned out to be a really good character! Although clumsy (like me!) and a little too shy (well, more of a not-confident-enough), she was a great character for me! I thought she represented well the idea of a Wyvern trying to find herself!

And Jared. Oh, Jared Jared. We didn't get enough of you! *sigh* I hope we'll get more of you in the next book!

Then, there are the boys; Nick (stupid a$$), Liam (D'awww, Carrots! He's a cutie!) and Garrett (if you though Nick was an a$$, well, Garrett is ten time worse!).

I really loved this book!

And, don't you just love the cover? I mean, the contrast of the blue and the girl's green eyes is so beautiful!

Fans of Firelight by Sophie Jordan will find themselves with a new (awesome) dragon series!



4 roses! GREAT AND AMAZING!


Friday, March 30, 2012

Pandemoniun : Book Review

Pandemonium (Delirium, #2)Click for the Summary!
Title : Pandemonium

Series : Delirium #2
Pages : 375
Author : (the freaking awesome) Lauren Oliver
Publisher : HarperTeen
Format : Hardcover
              Source : Bought - Owned









My Opinion :

Pandemonium lived up to Delirium perfectly!


Oh god.(I'm starting with that because that's what I kept thinking while reading the book. I just thought 'Oh my god.... oh god... gosh...' at each pages I flipped)

Delirium was actually my favorite book of 2011. It was just sooo amazing, and I was scared to dive into Pandemonium; I didn't want it to ruin my feelings for Delirium. And it didn't.

Pandemonium is divided into two. There'S the 'then' and the 'now'. The 'then' is when Lena ran from the City into the Wilds. There, she meets Raven, a girl who's a little bit older than her. Raven is nice, although she's serious and doesn't let her emotions get into her 'work' (her work is to be kinda the leader of a group). Raven helps Lena get through Alex's death (*shudder*). The 'now' is when Lena is back into society to spy and help her group back in the Wilds. But, it seems like Raven is hiding something... but Lena sdoesn't have time to investigate. Because she finds love (NOOOOO! I LOVE ALEX! ALTHOUGH I LOVE JULIAN TOO!)

This book was filled with different emotions; this made the book better. I LOVED Pandemonium!


Lena was going through a lot, especially in the 'then' parts of the book. She's dealing with the lost of Alex (*sob*). I kept cheering for her; that she could do anything, that she was awesome and she should keep going on. I was really attached to her, mainly because her grief and confusion over many subjects was just... overwhelming and so well written. She wasn't whiny. She was just at lost, and that's what I appreciated (because, some characters can be at lost but be sooooo whiny! And that'S just pain annoying, unless the winnyness (is that a word?) is well written (which doesn't happen a lot))

Then, there is Julian. A new love interest (*growls*). I want Lena to be happy, but I also want her to end up with Alex  (because I love(d) him). But, I have to say, Julian isn't bad. At all. He actually made Lena happy, and to me, since Lena is a character I've grown to care so much about, I think he'S great just for that!

Raven. Raven. (*kwak! kwak!* (I'm trying to do a raven sound.. obviously it's not working)) I really loved her. She actually helped Lena get back together (but not entirely together, though *sad face*), and I really liked her, although she didn't tell Lena the whole truth.

I just loved loved loved loved loved loved loved this book! The writing was just... WOW. It was just so full of emotions, and yet as soft as cotton candy as it melts in your mouth (I know, weird comparison!)

Lauren Oliver is officially one of the best authors living!

READ THIS BOOK!


5 roses!



Wednesday, March 28, 2012

WWW(W) Wednesday (3) : The ' I have to many good books to read I don't know which to start with' Edition

             


Alright, so I decided to mix one of my favorite memes (Waiting on Wednesday) and a new and cool-looking meme called WWW Wednesday. It's basically three questions(always the same), but I'll be adding mine : what are you waiting for? So, let's get on with it!


What are you currently reading?
Spell Bound (Hex Hall, #3)
 Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins and it's REALLY great!





What did you recently finish?

Flying Blind (The Dragon Diari... Flying Blind by Deborah Cooke! It was really GREAT!







What do you think you'll be reading next?
I am not answering this question! I HAVE TOO MANY GOOD BOOKS TO READ!

Added question: What are you waiting for?
Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin... Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers ! Oh god, I got it on Netgalley, but didn't have the time to read it. I. CAN'T. WAIT. And, the cover is GORGEOUS!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

A Million Suns : Book Review


A Million Suns (Across the Universe, #2)

Click for the Summary!
Title : A Million Suns

Series : Across the Universe #2
Pages : 386
Author : Beth Revis
Publisher : Razorbill
Format : Old ARC
Source :  Gifted from Evie at Bookish (Thank you!)











My Opinion :


A Million Suns is an AWESOME and thrilling sequel to another AWESOME and thrilling book!


A Millions Suns is the sequel to Across the Universe, which was an incredible debut (that you need to read!). I actually think that A Million Suns is even better; with its twists that you absolutely don't see coming, and there's some awesome character drama (which, as you may have noticed, I love dramatic books), and great romance you don't want to miss.

Now, if you haven't read Across the Universe, what are you waiting for? It's a great science fiction book! And, if you think you don't like sci-fi, it'S more of a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, romance and dystopian!

When I started reading A Million Suns, it felt like I was coming home from a trip; I felt at home, and the characters and the writing was comfortable, and it brought back good memories of Across the Universe. I felt so comfortable with this book, and I just loved it so much (as if the last paragraphs didn't tell you that)!

Basically, it continues three months after the end of Across the Universe, and everything is starting to get out of hand. Rebellion, Luthor (ugh, sick bastard)... well, everything. Then... Amy finds clues from Orion. And, everything changes.

I just love all the characters, even the ones I hate (now, I know, confusing, but let me explain). What I mean, is that everycharacters get the story moving, that everyone of them is well-written.

Also, the ending wasn't that much of a cliffhanger, but it did made me want to know the rest NOW!

And so, that'S why, Beth Revis, I bow to you, oh grand queen of writing! You are an amazing author, dedicated to your fans (as seen on Twitter and your blog)

And so, I can't wait to finish this aeries (not because I'm tired of it, but because I want to know the ending!). I've been on the Across the Universe journey since it got out, and I can't wait to find out what will happen, because I have become attached to the characters :D


4.5 stars :D I LOVED IT!


Monday, March 26, 2012

Wildwing : Book Review


Title : Wilwing

Series : -
Pages : 359
Author : Emily Whitman
Publisher : Greenwillow Books
Format : Hardcover
Source :  Library









My Opinion :

A good book! 

Wildwing is a historical fiction (which I don't read enough of). I actually only picked up the book because of its great cover (like I normally do). I was pretty happy to get into some historical fiction, even more since it's historical fiction plus time travel to another place and time (isn't that awesome!?!)

So, the main character, Addy really hates the time she's in (which would be the 1910s). She's treated like scum from her fellow students, and then she's sent to be a maid for a couple, but it turns out okay. Then... she finds a 'time machine' (oh, how would I like that!) and goes back in time! Then, she finds a swoon-whorty boy there *swoons too*. I love him! Oh, Will! *giggles*

But, since she's playing the role of a soon-to-be-married lady, then she can't afford to love him... but still, that doesn't stop her! Also, there are the enemies coming in! Oh well, that seems like a lovely time she's having (*cough* Right!)!

The writing was pretty good, but I thought there weren't enough old world! There were some, but not enough for the feel the author was trying to write about, because sometimes, you'd read an old word, but then you wouldn't hear of another for pages!

Overall, the plot was really imaginative. I enjoyed the story, and I have to admit, it made me want to read more historical fiction (with romance) books!

 
4 roses! :D

Sunday, March 25, 2012

On My Shelf (IMM) #18 : The ' PRETTIES!!!!' Edition


                     Photobucket


On My Shelf


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren (an AWESOME blogger) and is a post for bloggers to share what books they've received to review, bought, won, borrowed or were gifted during the week.

But I call it: On My Shelf! Because... well... I don't receive many books In My Mailbox, so... yeah :D

So, this week I got 15 books! YAY! I bought 8, got 4 from the library, won 2 from giveaways (and got some swag) and got 1 for review!

At first, I was going to post a vlog. I did it at my friend's house, and she participated in it (it was my guest from last week), but the video just... went sh*t. No, really, the audio wouldn't go with the image! So, instead, I took some pictures of my books!

From the Library :
Fury by Elizabeth Miles
* I've read it and The Second Summer is GREAT!*
Fang by James Patterson
*I've read it... and OH GOSH, I love Fang!*
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrians

Won in a Giveaway :

Partials by Dan Wells, thanks to Miss Vain's Paranormal Fantasy
Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers, thanks to the author

For Review:
*EEEEEEEP! PRETTY!*
Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins, thanks to Hachette Book Group Canada

Bought : 
Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
*I'm currently reading it, and it ROCKS!* update: *read and LOVED*
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
Flying Blind by Deborah Cooke
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
*I reread it; it's AWESOME!*

*Such. Pretty. COVERS!*

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
update : *currently reading*
Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
Starters by Lissa Price
doesn't appear on the picture because I lent it to my friend: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout 
*READ & REVIEWED & LOVED*

(JUST ADDED)

Here's my video :D



Leave a meaningful comment with your IMM link, and I'll be sure to check it :D

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Obsidian : Book Review / Letter to the Author



Title : Obsidian

Series : Lux #1
Pages : 268
Author : Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher : Entangled Publishing
Format : Paperback
Source :  Bought - Owned









My Opinion


Obsidian is just... wow.


I loved Obsidian; I don't know if it's the writing, the plot, or maybe the characters? Wait, oh, I know. ALL OF THAT!  (Well, duh, why didn't I think of that before)

The book involves Katy, a witty-commenter who has great comebacks (no, really, I wish I was like that). She even has a book blog, which, in my opinion, helped me relate to her a whole lot better, even though blogging wasn't too much in the book, it did make me happy and feel special that an author cares enough about book bloggers to write about one. The 'blog moments' just  made the book seem more real and alive! Well, anyways, she meets these aliens, Dee ( a girl, who becomes her best friend) and Daemon, who was an ass, but turned out to be less of an ass (My first reaction to Daemon : stupid f-ing ba$t***), and she's really attracted to this Daemon, although he's really a jerk. And so does he, but he tries not to show it. And, since she 'hangs out' with them, she's in danger from other aliens. (Yeah for stupid, dangerous, vengeful and cold-hearted aliens!)

The writing was so... special; it was funny, but not to funny to make this seem like a book committed to jokes. I   just loved it; the book was incredible. I just loved it, and any person who haven't read this should get to it RIGHT NOW (like, I mean it, stop reading this review- no wait- finish reading it, then go buy it)

The plot was just great. I haven't read many books about aliens (only I am Number Four and The Host, and The Host is my favorite book EVER), but, I just loved this one. The idea of a book about aliens is just so fresh; what I mean is that you don't find many books about aliens that have come out, and are good. And so, I was REALLY glad to have bought it and read it!

I felt like I really could relate to Katy, as I mentioned before, but I could relate top her because she lost her dad, and I lost my grand-ma, and I know it hurts.

I just love this book so much. Read. It. NOW!! (right, like I haven't been clear about that before *sigh* No, really, NOW!)

Also, this review contains a rant (or letter to the author) on how I NEEEEEEEEED Onyx (the second book in the series. Yes, there's a second book to this FREAKIN amazingable book)


5 roses! I LOVED!
_____________________________________________________________
Dear (freakishly awesome author) Jennifer L. Armentrout,


First and foremost, let me introduce myself; my name is Cathee (as you maybe notice, my name kinda sounds like your main character's name) and I am a raving fan of your (great! fantastic! amafubuextracool!) book called Obsidian (yes, I know you know the name of your book, I am only writing it because I loved it and I love saying/writing its name. Don't judge me). I am also the NUMBER ONE fan of Daemon.

I am writing to you, because, I have caught Daemon fever (yes, it exists) (well, not really,b ut it does... in my head), which means severl boxes of Kleenexes where used in the different states of Daemon fever. Here are the states:

Number One : Imagination of Daemon. Symptoms : closing your eyes and extending your lips to try and kiss the imaginable Daemon. Effects : lips hurting from trying to reach Daemon, people thinking you are crazy.

Number Two : Realization that the Daemon you are trying to kiss doesn't exist. (cue the Kleenexes). Symptoms : Eyes open up, lips go back in place. Effects : Use of too much Kleenexes, explaining to people that it's because of allergies (but it's actually because Daemon doesn't exist), over-cryness (it's a word... in my head)

Number Three : Wanting to find the real Daemon. Symptoms : Googling Daemon over and over again. Trying to find a way to email Daemon. Refreshing the page again and again to see if, by any chance, he found you. Effects : Eyes tiring from staring at the screen, tiredness from staying up all night.

Final state : Realization that there is no Daemon. At all. Symptoms : shrieking, scremaing, crying, because of the realization. Effects : Kleenex overuse, red eyes from too much bawling, and, maybe, eventually, going to state five.

Number Five (optional, only in dramatic cases) : Trying to turn into Katy to attract an alien (preferably Daemon, although he doesn't exist) . Symptoms : Trying to look like a doll, dressing up in red (Daemon's favorite color :D), trying to look like Katy. Effects : Too much doll-buying. And red coloring pencil buying.

And so, I am writing to you to PLEASE make Daemon real. Also, I NEED ONYX! I NEED TO SEE DAEMON AGAIN! *cries*

Thank you,

An Obsidian, Daemon raving fan. 


P.S. : I will be reading Half-Blood this year. For sure.

_____________________________________________________________

Now, what are you still doing here? GO. BUY. OBSIDIAN!

Friday, March 23, 2012

EMBRACE Blog Tour Stop/ Review



Embrace (Embrace, #1)

*scroll down for the guest post by Jessica Shirvington*

 
Title : 
Embrace

Series : The Violet Eden Chapters #1
Pages : 366 (my ARC)
Author : Jessica Shirvington
Publisher : Sourcebooks Fire/Raincoast Books
Format : ARC
Source :  
**Thanks to Raincoast Books for providing me with an ARC to review**




My Opinion :


Embrace, Jessica Shirvington's debut, is like a fresh breeze; new and perfect.

Violet (mmh, I like that name) Eden is a normal teenager. Wait, no she isn't, except she thought she was. But she couldn't be more wrong. She's actually part angel. And she learns that on her seventeenth birthday. You thought the gift from your grandma sucked? Well, nope, not compared to getting your normal life ripped from your hands.Oh, and also, her crush, Lincoln, is lik her, and icing on the cake, he lied to her! Happy Birthday Violet (*trows confettis*)!

Violet didn't seen like a strong character at first. She seemed a little whiny, and weak. But, I was wrong (*gasp* right?), because she revealed to be a great main-character; one that would sacrifice her humanity for a boy she felt like she didn't love. Also, I've seen some #TeamLinc and #TeamPhoenix going on around... and I'm... (wait for it)

#TEAM LINCOLN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just love him too so much! He's a Grigori (yep, that'S a part-angel person... oh wait, you didn't know that????? Then you should read Embrace, duh!), like Violet, and I love him. He's just so nice, breath-takingly hot (well, in my imagination). I was really struggling to choose a team throughout the book... but then... at the end, I learned something (that I'm not going to tell you; you'll just have to read the book!) about Phoenix... and I wanted to plunge a dagger into his heart!

I loved Jessica Shirvington's debut novel!



4.5 roses!




So, here's the EMBRACE Blog Tour Stop! A cool guest post! Enjoy and Comment!

Where Are You From?
By Jessica Shirvington


Jessica ShirvingtonIn my first draft of EMBRACE (there were eight!), I didn’t set the city. I was in two minds the entire time. I suppose I was drawing on all the places I have been around the world. Although I now live in Sydney, when I started to write EMBRACE, my family and I had just moved back from six years living in London. And prior to that, I’d spent quite a lot of time travelling to many cities around the world – so much so, that when I was writing scenes in EMBRACE, I found myself thinking of different cities around the world and never being able to truly decided which one most suited Violet’s world.

In my second and third and fourth drafts, I chose different cities (I’ll never tell) from around the world and set Violet’s story there. But each time, it felt forced.

I wanted her to live in a city, as opposed to some small town where all these major apocalyptic events just miraculously found her. To be believable she had to be in a metropolitan environment, but which one?

In the end, the answer was … any of them, and none of them. It wasn’t that the cities I chose didn’t work; it  was that in my mind I’d amalgamated them into what I needed for her story to work for me. So I made the decision to give that option to all of my readers and simply called her city, the City.

It isn’t the ‘done thing’ usually, but I believe for this story, it works. I want readers to be able to put this story where they know. If they live in a city, it can be there, if they live in a rural area, then it isn’t a stretch for them to imagine a city nearby. It is an element of control that I wanted to give to the reader.


That said, I like a little control myself … and I discovered that by giving this open setting for Violet’s hometown, it also opened up the possibility to use other locations around the world that would really pop off the page.

In ENTICED (the sequel, out in September!), Violet and her friends find themselves travelling to Jordan – on a quest to the place of Moses’ death – Mount Nebo. In EMBLAZE (book 3, out March 2013) they travel to the island of Santorini in Greece, which is small and stunning, and holds terrors that none of them are prepared for.

Each book, I take the characters somewhere new and as I write the series, I have discovered how very important this is to me. I want my characters to go around the world, to find the problems and be part of the solution, rather than the fight always, and too conveniently, finding themselves.


Thursday, March 22, 2012

Because of Low Giveaway

 Because of Low (Sea Breeze, #2)

Thanks to the hosts!

I actually chose this eBook because, I've heard the character is pretty kick-butt, and I had won a copy that I wanted to give away! Good luck! ;D

Go check out other blogs' giveaways!

International Giveaway!


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

WWW(W) Wednesday (2) : The 'Sorry I Forgot Last Week' Edition




Alright, so I decided to mix one of my favorite memes (Waiting on Wednesday) and a new and cool-looking meme called WWW Wednesday. It's basically three questions(always the same), but I'll be adding mine : what are you waiting for? So, let's get on with it!


What are you currently reading?
The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, #2)  Pretty good so far! I really liked the first!

What did you recently finish?
Stuffed (Library Binding)  This was a school read. Really sucky.Check out my whole review on how I say I really hated this book.

What do you think you'll be reading next?
Bloodlines (Bloodlines, #1)  Because, it's supposed to arrive today. I soooo want to reread it!

Added question: What are you waiting for?

Purity (Kindle Edition) Great cover. Awesome sounding summary. I'M IN!