Tempt Me Thursday (1)

Yes! Another new meme. So this is sort of Teaser Tuesday on steroids and has more to do with sexy YA quotes, and then a synopsis of my current read.

My tempting quote this week is from my last read, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.

"...He was very close now, and my heart was suddenly hammering in my chest. 'I'm sorry it took me so long to see you, Alina. But I see you now."
     He lowered his head, and I felt his lips on mine. The world seemed to go silent and all I knew was the feel of his hand in mine as he drew me closer, and the warm press of his mouth."









If you don't want to read this now, I don't know what to tell you. I just finished it last night and it was all I'd hoped it'd be. That review will be up after a few others.

For my current read, I decided on a total whim to start reading Dearly, Departed. It just looks so good and I'm waiting for a book to come in the mail for an ARC tour, so I figured I needed to read this. Here's what it's about:

Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

 What do you guys think about the quote? Are you excited for Shadow and Bone? How does Dearly, Departed sound? Let me know in the comments!

Arise (Hereafter #2) by Tara Hudson: review

Goodreads rating: 4.26

Hardcover, 404 pages

Expected publication: June 5th 2012 by Harper Collins

Series: Hereafter #2

Source: ARC tour

Amelia—still caught between life and death—must fight for every moment of her relationship with the human boy Joshua. They can hardly even kiss without Amelia accidentally dematerializing. Looking for answers, they go to visit some of Joshua’s Seer relatives in New Orleans. But even in a city so famously steeped in the supernatural, Amelia ends up with more questions than answers…and becomes increasingly convinced that she and Joshua can never have a future together.Wandering through the French Quarter, Amelia meets other in-between ghosts, and begins to seriously consider joining them. And then she meets Gabrielle. Somehow, against impossible odds, Gaby has found a way to live a sort of half-life...a half-life for which Amelia would pay any price. Torn between two worlds, Amelia must choose carefully, before the evil spirits of the netherworld choose for her.  

One of this things I liked most about this book: the change of scenery. I feel like the places where the story begins can really wear out it's welcome. And I love that Hudson took us to one of coolest places (so I've heard) in the US: the French Quarter in Louisiana. Here, we find more about the strange things that are happening to Amelia. But Amelia find something here that she never thought existed--something she can never unlearn now that she knows. This book was so full of mystery! I know the first one was as well, but this was on a whole other level of awesomeness.

I love the romance between Amelia and Joshua, although I wish there had been more of it... and that they could kiss a little deeper before she mistakenly disappears. But Amelia is sent a message by Eli before she leaves for the French Quarter. Yes, that Eli. The one that tried to take her soul to hell basically. He warns her that the people that want her soul aren't going to stop until they get it. There's something special about her, and they'll do anything--hurt everyone she loves--to get her. Needless to say, this dampens things on the romance department for most of the book. I kept waiting for Amelia to tell Joshua what's going on. But even though she's a ghost, she still has the mind of teenager. A teenage girl specifically, which means she makes stupid mistakes on her own. And they don't all turn out well.

Like I said, the mystery was great. We're introduced to a couple new characters, and while the bad guy was predictable, I liked how we got there. It's that thing where you know a character is bad, but you're not sure how and what their motives are. I have to say that, at least, was a twist. I wish I could say more, but that would ruin the mystery that is the essence of this entire book. I cannot wait to see where Hudson takes her readers in the final (?) Hereafter novel.

Angel Eyes Blog Tour: Review of Angel Eyes (Angel Eyes Trilogy #1) by Shannon Dittemore

Goodreads rating: 4.01

Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Expected publication: May 29th 2012 by Thomas Nelson

Series: Angel Eyes Trilogy #1

Source: Blog tour

Once you’ve seen, you can’t unsee. Everything changes when you’ve looked at the world through . . .

ANGEL EYES

Brielle’s a ballerina who went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She’s come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and the incredible, numbing cold she can’t seem to shake.

Jake’s the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption.

Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what’s going to happen. And a beauty brighter than Jake or Brielle has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices start.

A realm that only angels and demons—and Brielle—can perceive.

I have read more religious books in the first half of this year than I have ever have in my life (though that's not counting The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis). Yes, this book has religion, but it surprisingly doesn't get that religious, and only until the end. I guess the problem I have with making angels actually heavenly and to have them be close to god is just that. Girls want the bad boys, and let's face it: angels aren't nearly as attractive if they're not fallen or are being temped to fall. I would have read this book no matter what, but it would be nice to know how much religion is involved with a book. This is really my only big complaint. At the end, Elle has a sort of epiphany, and I would have liked the author to maybe wait a little farther along in the trilogy to do so.

Besides that, I enjoyed this book. It has that element of not being up to par with most of the books from the big six, but I like the way Dittemore's writing flowed and I like the story she's created. Brielle is back in her old hometown from the big city. In the Midwest people call it a podunk town, where everything is just really slow and no one's in a rush to go anywhere or do anything because there really isn't anywhere to go or anything to do. But Brielle is back by choice. I wish I could tell you why she's decided to come back, but it takes away part of the mystery at the beginning of the book that I loved so much. Brielle used to be a dancer as well, but when she gets back home she doesn't really get back into it. I'm not sure about this one thing: either she doesn't want to or she actually physically can't do it. Either way, Elle has given up dancing. And she's depressed all the time. That is, until she meets Jake.

I loved the story between these two. It isn't really love at first sight. And by the end of the book, they're close but they're not saying they love each other. Those of you who read my reviews know that I HATE this about a good chunk of YA books out there, and I'm glad Dittemore didn't give in to any impulses she might have had of having them profess their love in the first book. So, kudos. Jake is there to watch over Brielle (I'm not sure if he's Nephilim or an angel or what), but as the book goes on it turns out that the two of their fates are more entwined than they ever realized. And they begin to depend on each other and open up to each other. And I ate up every second I got of them, and I cannot wait to see more!

I definitely recommend this book to anyone that's into the YA angel phenomena or if you're looking for a book with a slight twist of religion to it. Like I said, it's not that overbearing, and even at the end it's mostly brief. 

Building My Bookshelf (15)

This is a meme I've created here at The Reader's Antidote, which was inspired by the meme Dusty Reads from Giselle at .Xpresso Reads and the meme Books to Pine For from Kristi at The Story Siren. Here's what to do:

~ Feature two books I have on my shelf but haven't read yet. These are likely books that I would want to read if I had more free time.

~Feature two books that are on my wish list, one that is already released and another that will be released within the next year.

On my shelf:

The Iron Witch (The Iron Witch #1) by Karen Mahoney

PUBLISHED: February 8th, 2011

 Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

  

My thoughts: This novel doesn't have the best ratings and I've had my share of badly written YA witch books, but I'm hoping this won't be too disappointing.

The Mockingbirds (The Mockingbirds #1) by Daisy Whitney

PUBLISHED: November 2nd, 2010

 Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.

Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way--the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.

In this honest, page-turning account of a teen girl's struggle to stand up for herself, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that if you love something or someone--especially yourself--you fight for it.

 

My thoughts: Honestly this sounds really, really weird. But it's gotten some great reviews so I may reading this soon...ish.

On my wish list:

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

PUBLISHED: April 24th, 2012

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she’s opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, Janelle knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

But her reincarnation, and Ben’s possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI-agent father’s files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what’s right in front of her: Everything that’s happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben’s sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she’s going to need to uncover Ben’s secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl’s fight to save herself, her world, and the one boy she never saw coming.

My thoughts: I've heard really great things about this book and it sounds amazing! I can't wait to get a copy of it, somehow.

Hidden (Firelight #3) by Sophie Jordan

PUBLISHED: September 11th, 2012

Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning....

Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy.

My thoughts: I cannot wait to see what happens in the end of this series. This is one of the few series where I don't totally hate the other love interest. Believe me, that's rare. September is way too far away!

What do you guys think? Have you read any of these books? Let me know in the comments!

This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers: review

Goodreads rating: 4.29

Paperback, 320 pages

Expected publication: June 19th 2012 by St. Martin's Griffin

Source: ARC tour

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

  

I'm not sure why I subject myself to reading books with zombies. I hate zombies. Like seriously, I hate them. They are the most likely paranormal epidemic to happen and it scares the crap out of me. But as much as I hate zombies, they seem to always be awesome in books, and this was far beyond my expectations. I think that's why I'll continue to read zombie books, because they always find a way to surprise me. This is not a test is basically a contemporary with zombies. Can you say awesome? And it's not like it's been a while since the zombie apocalypse; it happens in the very first scene of the book. I never found myself growing bored and I read it in one sitting, staying to 3 in the morning. Yeah, I liked it.

Imagine you're trapped inside your high school (I know, it sounds horrible already) while zombies are outside dying to eat you (ha! Dying...) with five other people your age that you don't really know all that well. And on top of that, you don't even want to be alive in the first place. Well, Sloane, our main character, has this problem. Her sister left her with their abusive father as soon as she turned 18, and Sloane has wanted to die ever since. This girl has so much baggage you can't help feeling sorry for her. But the other teens trapped with her have their own issues and it's all they can do not to butt heads constantly. Oh, and of course the zombies are still there, so there's that. Summers developed her characters so well in this book. Every single one. Even the absent sister. I could connect with all of them. Honestly, you can truly feel their constant pain and panic and loss.

This is more of a story about survival, not just through the zombie apocalypse, but also through death and loss and deep-seeded problems. There is some romance, which I was waiting for and it was so sweet when we got there. But it's not all unicorns and rainbows. As much as you don't want it to be true, not every one of them survives. The zombies don't go away when they all decide to get along. This story was beyond heartbreaking, but it was beautiful. If you've ever considered killing yourself seriously, read this book. I myself have not, but I know people that have. There's always a reason to live, even when it seems completely hopeless. This is one of the most heart-shattering books I've read in a long time and I highly recommend it.

Cover and Title Poison: Carnival of Souls, Dearly Beloved, and The Grisha series

First up is what I think is the start to a new YA series from bestselling author Melissa Marr:

Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

RELEASE DATE: September 4th

In a city of daimons, the Carnival of Souls hosts a deadly competition. Once in a generation, every citizen can fight to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures—if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live.

In our own world, Mallory knows that her father—and every other witch—fled the daimons’ city long ago. She trains to be lethal because it’s only a matter of time until the daimons catch up with them.

While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans there for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence that is the Carnival of Souls.

From Melissa Marr, bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series, comes a brand-new tale of secrets, love, and the struggle to forge one’s own destiny.

My thoughts: I absolutely love the cover, and this totally sounds like a book Melissa Marr would write. But I wasn't all that impressed with her Wicked Lovely series at time, so I'm hoping this will be better.

Then it's the second book in the Gone With the Respiration series:

Dearly, Beloved (Gone With the Respiration #2) by Lia Habel

RELEASE DATE: September 25th

NO SYNOPSIS AT THIS TIME

My thoughts: I actually liked the first cover better. I feel like here we're way to close for comfort. On another note, I really need to read the first one in the series. It's calling to me from my bookshelf!

Finally is the nest two books in the Grisha series (Shadow and Bone) by Leigh Bardugo:

Siege and Storm

Ruin and Rising

My thoughts: I love these titles and they totally fit with the first one! I wonder what these two covers are going to look like...

What do you guys think of these covers? Have you read any of these authors' previous books? Let me know in the comments!

Interview with Alyson Noel, author of the Immortals series and Fated

Today I have a great interview with Alyson Noel, the author of The Immortals series, and her newest release, Fated. Here's more about that:

The first book in a magnificent new series about a girl who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead by #1 New York Times bestselling author Alyson Noël.

Lately strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, and glowing people appear out of nowhere. Worried that Daire is having a nervous breakdown, her mother packs her off to stay in the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico with a grandmother she’s never met.

There she crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes who she’s encountered before...but only in her dreams. And she’ll get to know her grandmother—a woman who recognizes Daire’s bizarre episodes for what they are. A call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, one who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead. Her grandmother immediately begins teaching her to harness her powers—but it’s an art that must be mastered quickly. Because Dace’s brother is an evil shape-shifter who’s out to steal her powers. Now Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and find out if Dace is one guy she’s meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she’s destined to destroy.

It definitely sounds awesome! It's next on my reading list after I finish a different book for a tour. That review will be up on June 1st.

Want to know more about the author? Well you're in luck!

How did you come up with the idea for Fated?

The inspiration for FATED grew directly out of the research I did for THE IMMORTALS series. I’m really big on research—I like to make my fantasy worlds as grounded in the truth as I possibly can. So after reading a ton of metaphysical books, taking a three-day psychic development class with world renowned medium James Van Praagh, and undergoing several sessions of past-life hypnosis, I was struck by how often mentions of Shamanism appeared. It wasn’t long before I became so intrigued by the concept, I knew it was the next idea I wanted to write about, and thus the idea for THE SOUL SEEKERS was born!

How different is this series from your Immortals books?

Whereas THE IMMORTALS was set in glitzy, sun-drenched Laguna Beach, CA, THE SOUL SEEKERS is set in the dark, mysterious, fictional town of Enchantment, New Mexico—a place brimming with magick, mysticism, and vortexes that link the spirit worlds between the living and dead. THE SOUL SEEKERS also deals with a whole new mythology that includes themes of Shamanism and Native American lore.And the protagonist, Daire Santos, is a very different narrator from THE IMMORTAL’s Ever Bloom. Raised by a single mother who works as a Hollywood make-up artist, Daire has spent her entire life surrounded by celebrities, moving from movie-set to movie-set. It’s a life that seems glamorous on the surface, and there’s no doubt it’s made her very self-assured and fiercely independent, but it’s also left her terribly lonely and longing for stability.  It’s only when she moves to Enchantment, to live with the grandmother she’s never met, that she learns the true value of home, family, and her true destiny as a Seeker. But in order to succeed, she’ll have to undergo a brutal initiation and allow herself to become vulnerable in ways she always sought to avoid . . .What the two series do have in common is plenty of magick, mystery, suspense, and a smokin’ hot romance!

Was it difficult starting a new series after so many books in the Immortals series?

I always say that my favorite book (of my own) is the next one I’m scheduled to write! There’s something so irresistible about a shiny new idea that’s yet to be explored. So as much as I missed spending time with Ever and Damen, I was equally eager to create the brand new world of THE SOUL SEEKERSand its whole new cast of characters!

What was the hardest part about writing Fated?

The hardest part about writing any book is the attempt to translate the movie I see in my head into words that live on the page.

How much freedom as an author do you have over the presentation of your book?

I feel really fortunate to work with such an amazing team at St. Martin’s Press—I’ve been with them for my entire career. From my debut novel in 2005—FAKING 19—to my 18^th novel in 2012—FATED—they’ve given me loads of input on covers, trailers, format, marketing, etc. They are truly the best!

Was there any research involved with writing Fated?

Research is my favorite part of the process, and as far as I’m concerned, the more hands-on, the better! Since I knew from the start that I wanted the series to take place in New Mexico, I traveled to Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, and numerous small towns in between, to soak up the atmosphere, eat lots of blue corn pancakes (!), and interview local teens and Native Americans about what it’s like to grow up both in town and on the reservation. In addition, I read a lot of books on Shamanism, Native American lore, took a three-day “Introduction to Shamanism” class, and had a private session with a Shamanic healer. I try to learn as much as I can about the world I’m creating, so I know how to tweak it to fit the world of the story I’m telling.

What are you working on right now?

I just finished writing ECHO, book 2 in THE SOUL SEEKERS series (in stores 11.13.12), and have started writing MYSTIC, book 3, (Spring 2013). The series will conclude with HORIZON in Fall 2013 . . . then I’ll dig through my “idea file” and see what comes next!

Love triangle or one true love?

One true love that is only realized after undergoing a daunting series of trials, tribulations, challenges, and risks—where nagging doubts, and the siren song of temptation lurk at every corner . . . Only when those obstacles are properly overcome and the lovers have proved themselves worthy, should they be allowed their Happy Ever After!

Thanks for the interview!

Thanks so much for the great answers Alyson! I definitely learned something. I've actually met her a couple times (and the OC isn't that far from me), and she's very sweet.

What did you guys think of the interview? Is Fated on your summer reading list? Let me know in the comments!

Cover and Title Poison: Days of Blood and Starlight, Enticed, & the third Unearthly novel

First, I have for you the cover (which most of you have already seen) for the sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor:

Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2) by Laini Taylor

PUBLISHED: November 6th

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed "Daughter of Smoke and Bone," Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.

My thoughts: While I didn't totally fall in love with the first book, I have to admit I love these covers and the titles are I think the most provocative I've ever seen. Definitely excited for this one!

Next is the sequel to Embrace, which is originally from Australia:

Enticed (The Violet Eden Chapters #2) by Jessica Shirvington

PUBLISHED: September 1st, 2012

Seventeen-year-old Violet Eden’s is back! With a destiny is to protect humans from the vengeance of exiled angels it becomes clear that it won’t be easy as even her partner, Lincoln, is hiding something.  And now she has to learn to live with her feelings for him while they work together to stay alive and stop the exiles from discovering the key to destroy all Grigori.  It isn’t easy. Especially when the electricity between her and  Phoenix ignites and she discovers his hold over her has become more dangerous than ever.  Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme with a race halfway across the world to find the one artifact that could tilt the balance of power between Angels and Exiles. And the ultimate betrayal will be exposed.

My thoughts: I really need to read the first book (it's up there on my TBR pile), so hopefully I'll get to it soon. It sounds so good!

Finally is the title of the third book in the Unearthly series:

Boundless (Unearthly #3) by Cynthia Hand

PUBLISHED: January 2013

My thoughts: I LOVE this title!! I'm not sure what it means but it's going to be awesome either way.

What do you guys think of these covers and title? Let me know in the comments!

Shine (Shade #3) by Jeri Smith-Ready: review

Goodreads rating: 4.54

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published May 1st 2012 by Simon Pulse

Series: Shade #3

Setting: Baltimore, Maryland; Ireland; Scotland

Source: Won/signed hardcover

In this dramatic conclusion to the Shade trilogy, Aura and Zachary’s relationship sizzles as the secrets of the Shift are revealed.

Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past.

As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart.

Shine was a breath-taking conclusion to a beloved series. The only drawback is that the series is over now. I cannot describe how long I have waited for this book, nor can I describe how much I was satisfied and unsatisfied at the same time. Let me explain. Like with the end of most series, there's a bittersweet feeling. Besides the "end" of the Mortal Instruments series (AKA book 3), this is the most disappointed I've ever been that a series is over. Jeri found a way into all of our hearts and found a way to make us either love or hate every single one of her characters. It's funny though because this series is probably the most I've won swag and books from. I have all three books signed by her just by sheer luck. But this is one of my favorite series and I was sad to see it go.

What makes these books is the romance. Yes, Jeri really knows how to write a great action scene with plenty of suspenseful descriptions. But it's been all about Aura and Zachary for a while now. And she knows that. This book was satisfying in so many ways, one major one being the romance heating up between Zachary and Aura. Now that Logan's gone (yes, he is really and truly gone for good this time), nothing is standing in the way of Aura and Zachary being together. Oh, except for maybe the blood-thirsty DMP and just generally crazy people who think they know how to stop the Shift from happening. Needless to say, we don't see a lot of Zachary in the first third of the book. He gets captured by the DMP and he comes out a ghost of the man he once was. And Aura doesn't know what to do.

There was of course some of my favorite: the super sexy scenes. Honestly, these should be illegal, but they're just too good. One thing I like about Jeri's writing is that she's not afraid to swear (which, despite the fact that teens swear A LOT, doesn't show up a lot in YA) and she barely holds back her sexy scenes. And you know I have the pages marked where certain ones are. But when they weren't... proving their love to each other, they were trying to figure out how to end the Shift. And they may have just found a way--when they're attacked by people that aren't DMP that think killing them will end the Shift. Aura and Zachary have some pretty big obstacles to climb over. And it was never a question of will they do it, but how they'll do it and who will get hurt in the process? Let's just say Jeri knows how to end a series.

Again, I'm so sad that this series is over. It's one of my favorites and I hope to read all of them over again one day. If you're debating whether to read this final installment, pick it up NOW! You won't regret it :)

Building My Bookshelf (14)

 

If you want to know more about this meme, please refer to the tab labeled Building My Bookshelf.

This is a meme I've created here at The Reader's Antidote, which was inspired by the meme Dusty Reads from Giselle at .Xpresso Reads and the meme Books to Pine For from Kristi at The Story Siren. Here's what to do:

~ Feature two books I have on my shelf but haven't read yet. These are likely books that I would want to read if I had more free time.

~Feature two books that are on my wish list, one that is already released and another that will be released within the next year.

On my shelf:

Red Glove (Curse Workers #2) by Holly Black

RELEASE DATE: April 5th, 2011

 Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else.

That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she’s human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila’s been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion worker mom. And if Lila’s love is as phony as Cassel’s made-up memories, then he can’t believe anything she says or does.

When Cassel’s oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can’t trust anyone—least of all, himself?

Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.

My thoughts: I thought the first book was okay, and I mostly bought White Cat because I was going to a signing with Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. But this one has gotten good ratings so I might have to give it a try soon.

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

 RELEASE DATE: June 14th, 2011

Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

With palpable drama and delicious craft, Nova Ren Suma bursts onto the YA scene with the story that everyone will be talking about.

My thoughts: At first I thought this book was getting rave reviews, but now it has a horrible Goodreads rating. I'll probably put this one off for a rainy day. Love the cover though!

On my wish list:

The Pledge (The Pledge #1) by Kimberly Derting

RELEASE DATE: November 15th, 2011

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

My thoughts: I've heard mixed reviews of this one, but I love her Body Finder series so I've been really looking forward to this one. Plus, it's a dystopian! Maybe I'll get it when it goes to paperback...

Onyx (Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

RELEASE DATE: August 14th, 2012

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarre connection. I’ve sworn him off even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But against all common sense, I’m falling for him. Hard.

Our relationship issues aren’t out biggest problem…

The Department of Defense is here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we’re linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And when a new boy shows up a school with a secret of his own, things get complicated fast. I need to choose between my own instincts and Daemon’s.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. Daemon’s never going to stop searching until gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies.

My thoughts: I can't even begin to describe what I would to do get my hands on a copy of this book. If anyone out there is reading this and you have a copy, you can seriously be my new best friend and I will love you forever. August is way too far away for more Daemon yumminess...

What do you guys think? Have you read any of these books? Let me know in the comments!

Illuminate (Gilded Wings #1) by Aimee Agresti: review

Goodreads rating: 3.78

514 pages

Published March 6th 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

series

Gilded Wings #1

Source: Borrowed ARC

Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything begins to change when she turns sixteen. Along with her best friend Dante and their quiet and brilliant classmate Lance, she is awarded a prestigious internship in the big city— Chicago—and is sent to live and work at a swanky and stylish hotel under the watchful eyes of a group of gorgeous and shockingly young-looking strangers: powerful and alluring hotel owner Aurelia Brown; her second-in-command, the dashing Lucian Grove; and their stunning but aloof staff of glamazons called The Outfit.
     As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that these beautiful people are not quite what they seem. With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers a network of secret passageways from the hotel’s jazz-age past that leads her to the heart of the evil agenda of Aurelia and company: they’re in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed in wooing Haven to join them in their recruitment efforts, or will she be able to thwart this devilish set’s plans to take the souls of her classmates on prom night at the hotel?
     Illuminate is an exciting saga of a teen’s first taste of independence, her experience in the lap of luxury, and her discovery she may possess strength greater than she ever knew.

Illuminate is a triumphant debut novel full of mystery, suspense, and even unexpected romance. I was surprised by how much I liked Illuminate, only because it hasn't gotten the best reviews. Everyone was saying how slow and boring it was, but I liked that all this mystery was taking place in a confined space. I wish I could tell you more about this book, but that would totally take away some of the appeal of it. You know something's off about Haven and her best friend and this random geek being sent to work at a historic hotel and not having to go to school. That's every kids dream! Okay, maybe only for people like me who are total suckers for mob history, but still. I loved everything about the setting, and I think this story needed a slow buildup. 

The romance in this book was... interesting. From the ending, I'm not sure exactly what's going to happen. It's obvious that Haven falls for Lucian right off the bat. He's a gorgeous guy that's brooding and seems to have some sort of relationship with Aurelia, AKA bog boss lady. It's all kinds of forbidden, but Haven doesn't even know the half of it. But Lucian can't keep who he is secret for long, and as Haven begins to piece things together, she realizes that Lucian is not all he's cracked up to be. But is it too late for her heart? Or is there someone else? You'll have to find out. But the romance aspect itself was predictable once you got past a certain point. It was more like I was waiting for the inevitable, but Lucian continued to surprise me.

This book is pretty dark. Like possibly selling souls dark. But I think that's why I didn't mind the boring stuff. You could feel that something was going to happen, and Agresti wrote in a way that was exciting. I didn't know this was going to be a [insert popular YA genre] book, but I think it's a great one. It gave a whole new perspective on the genre, and I cannot wait to see what happens next. Honestly, I have no idea what's going to happen in the second book. But I think it's safe to say that some of the characters are going to come back with a vengeance, and we still don't know exactly what Haven's powers are. Also, the cover is gorgeous. A special thanks to Anna for letting me borrow her ARC of it (even though it took me forever to read it). Definitely pick this one up. This book wasn't slow for me, but if you feel yourself getting bored, push through. It's worth it!

Forbidden Friday (1) ~ AKA In My Mailbox (39) + My Poison Pile (3)

So here's the deal with this "new meme": I wanted to make an easy title for when I do IMM and my meme My Poison Pile. So I came up with the name of Forbidden Friday, and of course I made up a button (above)! I am not saying the In My Mailbox meme is my own, as it belongs to Kristi of The Story Siren. I have simply put hers and mine together in one post and gave it a general name.

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren, where you create a post of the books you either received in the mail, bought at a bookstore, or borrowed from the library.

NOTE: If you're unfamiliar with how I do things with my IMM, I basically give a little back story to the books I have pictured. Also, if there are ARC's, I'll give a synopsis and date published. This is also my first video IMM! :) Let me know what you guys think of the video. It's really rough and I didn't edit it at all, but hopefully you get the gist of the books!

 
GIFTED

The Lost Code (The Atlanteans #1) by Kevin Emerson

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

ARC TOUR

This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

Arise (Hereafter #2) by Tara Hudson

BOUGHT

Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5) by Cassandra Clare

BLOGGERS MENTIONED

Anna @ Literary Exploration

FOR REVIEW

~Ashen Winter (Ashfall #2) by Mike Mullin: A special thanks to Tanglewood and Netgalley!

RELEASE DATE: October 14

It’s been over six months since the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano. Alex and Darla have been staying with Alex’s relatives, trying to cope with the new reality of the primitive world so vividly portrayed in Ashfall, the first book in this series. It’s also been six months of waiting for Alex’s parents to return from Iowa. Alex and Darla decide they can wait no longer and must retrace their journey into Iowa to find and bring back Alex’s parents to the tenuous safety of Illinois. But the landscape they cross is even more perilous than before, with life-and-death battles for food and power between the remaining communities. When the unthinkable happens, Alex must find new reserves of strength and determination to survive.

 ~Foxfire (Other #3) by Karen Kincy: A special thanks to Flux Books and Netgalley!

RELEASE DATE: October 8

One winter long ago, Tavian Kimura watched his mother--a kitsune, or Japanese fox-spirit--leave him in the snow for the dogs. But that’s a memory buried beneath eleven years, and he has lived most of his life in America with his adoptive family and his girlfriend, Gwen.

Now he’s back. All it took was an invitation to spend New Year’s with his grandparents, and Tavian finds himself in Tokyo with Gwen by his side. It should be a time of celebration, but it becomes a time of nightmares. A faceless ghost haunts Tavian, warning him that “she” is coming. A gang of inugami--fiercely loyal dog-spirits--wants him dead. Why? The inugami believe he strongly resembles one of their most hated enemies, a kitsune named Yukimi.

Is Yukimi the mother who abandoned him? Tavian never knew her true name. He doesn’t even know his own true name, the key to a kitsune’s magic. And soon his untrained magic threatens to kill him, straining his half-human body. Tavian realizes that finding his mother might be the only way to find answers, before it’s too late.

What did you guys get in your mailbox? Let me know in the comments!

 And now, My Poison Pile!

I just finished reading Grave Mercy, which I loved! And I've only read the first chapter of Arise.

~Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1) by Leigh Bardugo: I'm so excited to read this one. I've only heard really good things, and I'll be meeting the author early in June!

~Of Poseidon by Anna Banks: I've been wanting to read this one for a long time but other books have taken priority. Now I'm going to a signing with her and the two authors below this one (among a few others) and so I definitely need to read it now.

~Struck (Struck #1) by Jennifer Bosworth: It sounds weird, but this looks so interesting. Jay Asher talked at the last signing about how he always wanted to write a book about getting struck by lightning but could never do it right. Luckily someone did it, and he said it was better than he could ever do. Definitely excited to read this one.

~Monument 14 (Monument 14 #1) by Emmy Laybourne: I'm not sure about this one. It sounds really good but hasn't gotten the best feedback. But I'm reading it now because I'll be meeting the author in June along with the other three authors above.

What do you guys think of these? Have you read any of them? Let me know in the comments!