World After by Susan Ee

World After by Susan Ee
My rating: 5 of 5 genies
Published: November 19, 2013
Genre: Paranormal, YA, Apocalyptic, Romance, Dystopian
Publisher: Skyscape
Source: Purchased
Pages: 438
Format: eBook
Purchase At: Amazon.com or The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary

In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

My Review

There are no words for this book. The funny thing is that I went in expecting nothing but perfection. Ee floored me with Angelfall and I just couldn't conceive of a world where the book following such excellence was lacking in any way. I needed World After to be as good, if not better than Angelfall. Spoiler Alert: It was.



The curse of the second is pretty much something I implicate when going into sequels, simply said, they tend to be less enthralling than their predecessors. But the curse? It didn't exist for this book. Ee is an author after my own heart, this is why her books are my kryptonite, I feel like she writes for me. So thank-you for this, Ee, it was superb.

World After follows the events of Angelfall and Penryn is slowly recovering from the scorpion sting that left her paralysed. She's with her family, Paige is finally returned, but the experimentations done on her have altered Penryn's baby sister in ways that go much deeper than the physical. Her pain was palpable, and finding the sister she lost in the "Low Demon" now in her stead was a struggle for Penryn. Her mother, craziness aside, latches onto her daughter and encourages Penryn to look in Paige's eyes because those haven't changed; she is the same sister and daughter they know and lost. Surprisingly, Penryn has difficulty with this, and if things aren't hard enough, they still don't know what to feed Paige. It isn't until one incident at their base refugee camp that the gory answer is arrived at.

Paige needs meat. Raw meat, most readily available in human beings. There is an uproar, and the rest of the survivors try to capture her and she flees the camp, leaving Penryn and her mother to find Paige yet again. Clara, an unexpected survivor who Penryn saves from being sucked dry by the scorpions/"locusts" comes along for the ride, and together they embark on the quest to save Paige from the unpredictable angels, herself, and from hurting anyone else.


Yeah, not so much.

I was taken rapture, by the incredible storytelling and the characters brimming with anguish and determination to survive. I think more than anything, this series is a chronicle of survival and persistence even at the worst of times.

Penryn grew, into the kind of Heroine one cannot forget about simply by closing the book. She stays with you, making you question her actions as well as what you might do in her place. If your world was turned upside down, the man you loved apart from you, and your family ravaged...what would you do? I'd hope I would act as Penryn did and kick some serious ass! Can I get a "what-what" for her skills with Pookie Bear!?



I was very pleased, and excited that more of Raffe's past was revealed through his sword and also that some insight as to what Paige went through was provided. I think I would have hated it if her whole experience with the angels was glossed over, and Ee gave just enough detail about her abduction that satisfied but did not completely satiate my curiosity. As always, I am hungry for more and the next book is something I absolutely must have.

World After was full of action and entertained me to the very end. Much is revealed about the Angels as well as their purpose on Earth. Uriah's motives are despicable, but then again was any less expected? Things are more complicated than they appear and I am glad there will be 5 books to unravel the mystery of this new world and its many conspiracies.

Did I mention, I am hella pleased to have more Raffe and Penryn coming my way? I NEED this two to happen, damnation aside. Their chemistry is crackling and my tummy warmed at their reunion. I'm shipping this so hard, it hurts. Raffe did not disappoint me and the fact that he recognized Penryn right away made the romantic in me swoon for days! I'm in love. World After is the kind of book that satisfies and I am so happy.



This book was everything I needed it to be, the perfect sequel with an ending that makes me ever loyal to Ee and this series. So beautifully written...All I want is the next book!

5 FLAMING GENIES!

Review: Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins
My rating: 3.5 of 5 genies
Published: April 30, 2013
Series: N/A
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal/Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Purchased
Pages: 371
Format: Paperback
Purchase At: Amazon.com or The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things.

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

My Review

This book could have been better. I say this because Sweet Evil was the book that I pimped everywhere. I can't say that I will be doing the same with Sweet Peril because Wendy Higgin's second instalment wasn't as strong as her debut.

Sweet Peril takes off where its predecessor left and we're back with Anna and her daily Nephlim grind. She's got to work to keep her dad off of the other Duke's radar, turning the human population towards alcohol and drugs, but her heart isn't in it. Partly because she's half angel, and also because Anna's predominantly occupied with thoughts of Kaidan, missing him. They are still trying to take down the Dukes and gather allies, but it felt like all that really mattered was how much Anna missed "Kai." The fate of the world rests in her hands, and all Anna really wanted to do was see the boy.

To be fair, she does take the responsibility of saving Neph and Humankind seriously, but the teen swoony romance could have been dialled down. They are in love, I get that, but it felt like their romance dominated most of the book. I was looking forward to reading more of Kaidan and Anna, but with the way it was handled in Sweet Peril, I began to tire of their romance. It was like her life basically revolved around him, and one can only read about how smouldering a guy is before it gets to be enough. There are issues with Kopano, as can be expected, as well as an interesting revelation that has to do with Neph and their badges, but in all honesty Sweet Peril had more to do with Kaidan and Anna not being together than anything else.

I expected more substance, and even though we meet more of the other Neph, discovering additional information in regards to the prophecy, I wasn't as enamoured this time around. The series is still fantastic, I love you Wendy, but I'm hoping that Sweet Reckoning will more than make up for where this book fell short.

3.5/5 genies: Sweet Peril is compelling, and while it picks up nicely from where the former left off, this book fails to deliver as emotional an impact as the first.

Cover Reveal: Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi (Warner Will Dominate)

Service Announcement: Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask you to lock away your prized book editions, hold on to your fangirl seats, and get ready to be blown away because the cover for Ignite Me is out, and boy is it a LOOKER! 


Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
Release Date: February 4, 2014

Goodreads Summary

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love"

Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew-about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam-was wrong.

In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.

Praise for the Shatter Me series:

"Dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense. I dare you to stop reading."-Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures series

"Tahereh Mafi's bold, inventive prose crackles with raw emotion. A thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love, the Shatter Me series is a must-read for fans of dystopian young adult literature-or any literature!"-Ransom Riggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

"Addictive, intense, and oozing with romance. I'm envious. I couldn't put it down."-Lauren Kate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fallen series

My Initial Reaction: Pretty much that Warner is going to kick Adam's hiney come this book's release, because let's face it, my boy is MUCH stronger than that wuss, Adam. I will settle for no less than Warner ending up with Juliette, and them being happy as they settle down, (with possible kids), together. You here that, Mafi? No sacrifices, no sudden deaths, nothing short of him being happy. Capiche? Adam can go find a hole :P 

So you've heard my thoughts on this cover. What do you make of this upcoming release? Do you agree or disagree with me in regards to the outcome of this tormenting love triangle? Either way I'm psyched to read anything by Mafi, love you girl! What about you?

Thanks for reading. Take care!

XX

Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 genies
Published: February 26, 2013
Series: N/A
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Source: Library Loan
Pages: 325
Format: Hardcover
Purchase At: Amazon.com or TheBookDepository

Goodreads Summary

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

My Thoughts

Eleanor & Park is such a profound book. I went in thinking that this would be one of those over-hyped reads that everyone loves for no particular reason. I am so happy to say that this book is definitely not that. I'm so in love with Eleanor, with Park and this story...Rainbow Rowell pretty much catapulted herself to the very top of my "love" list with this book. She's amazing.

Plot: I like that the story progresses from them disliking each other to a lovely kind of love which first grew from friendship. You really get the sense that these two, Eleanor and Park, are from entirely different households. They shouldn't even be bumping shoulders, but they do because she's got nowhere else to sit on the bus, and Park being the grudging gentleman offers his much coveted empty spot. She sits, they don't talk, pretty much the end of story. Except...there's just something about Eleanor, and that Park...

Seeing their friendship develop was the best thing. They bond over music (rock and roll of course) and comic books. This is where Park warms my heart, he gives her things like his music player, a device her lousy step-dad, (responsible for kicking her out of the house for a year), and mousy mom, (who did not retrieve her daughter for a year), could never provide. He lets her pretend, that she doesn't have to go home to sharing everything at least three ways. He's her little piece of escape, and I was just as lost (in him) as Eleanor.

This book captures them pretty much at that weird phase in high-school, where you're uncomfortable in everything and all the world seemingly has a magnifying glass trained to watch you fail. This sense of awkwardness helped the story. You could tell that Eleanor was uncomfortable with her body, that everyone else wanted her to feel uncomfortable, but that Park just couldn't get enough of who she was. He likes her, even though the other kids call her Big Red, (assholes), and she's not from the best home. He likes her, and I loved him.

Setting: The setting was a throwback to the 80's, Bon Jovi you forever have my heart. All the big hair, Walkman's and leg warmers...really it was rad. There's a fair amount of cussing in this so be warned going in, the language is coarse at times. Eleanor & Park takes place in a town of disparity. You have some families like Park's who are pretty well off, they aren't rich, but compared to Eleanor's brood, there isn't much to complain about. She's living in tight quarters and hand-me-downs are a way of life, necessities.

Most books have this huge border between the rich and poor, like poor people must be segregated, but Eleanor & Park was more realistic. Sure the divide exists, but it is not hardly as huge. He can make it to her house by foot, no need for hitch-hikes or bus tickets, and the two exist somewhere inbetween.


Aw. Call me sentimental!

The placing of the story was both chosen and written well, if it were any different I don't think I would have lost myself as entirely in the novel.

Characters: This is the big one. Characters like these feel like precious marbles rolling about. You want to pick them up, dust them down and describe them all, but that isn't very efficient. Eleanor & Park is made up of an ensemble of very real almost-people. Almost because they are fictional, keepin' it real y'all, but they're endowed with enough problems and failings of their own that you almost forget they're fictional. There's a list of characters with issues: Eleanor has home problems, she's being bullied by some pervert writing nasty things in her notebook, and her stepfather is the crown regent of all douches. Park has a little bit of identity issues going on, he's half Korean and doesn't fully know what that means. His parents love each other, but he is feeling a little out of place with himself. There's also the matter of women still being primarily dependent on men; Rowell brings to mind the struggle many mothers and wives faced, trying to strike a balance between being a home-maker and independent.

This is why I say that everyone has something going on. Even the mean girl has problems, hell hairspray is not the answer to everything!


I speak the truth.

Eleanor was my favourite. She is sarcastic, opinionated and awkward. She is the kind of heroine I should have grown up reading; curvy and real, Eleanor truly does feel like a person. I'm kind of sick of YA/NA novels having model thin girls alone ending up with the great guys, like being big immediately disqualifies you from happiness or something. The cute guys are going to want even cuter girls, YA/NA says, and I am happy to report, Rowell pretty much slapped that idea upside the head.

For many people life is struggle. They don't live picturesque realities marred solely by one event! Life is like being tossed down a hill (you know the more dangerous version of the kind kids roll themselves down on). If by the end of it you're somehow unscathed, everyone knows you were wearing shin pads. Eleanor was rolled down that hill. She didn't make it out without bruises, but she's inspirational to me; I know she is going to inspire somebody else as well.

Overall: This book is not perfect. It ends pretty sadly and I did consider briefly pulling out a blue light in case Rowell had written the actual conclusion in invisible pen. Alas, this was not so and it really does end like that. It was realistic, true to what usually comes of life and young love. It doesn't mean that I liked it. I would have preferred a better resolution to things, but there is no use crying over spilt gin. At least I think that is how the saying goes? I see the glimmer of hope there on the final page, the idea of Eleanor and Park is still there, but truthfully I would have liked more. These two belong together.

I'm sure somebody could find faults with this book, that is why it isn't perfect, but I certainly couldn't fault Rowell or Eleanor & Park for anything. I liked the story, loved the characters and fell for the romance. It got me hard and my permanent copy is on its way in the mail now. This is why lending books from the library is pretty much pointless; when the novels are as good as Eleanor & Park, I end up buying them anyway.

5/5 genies: 5 million bajillion genies, again and again, this book is incredible! By far the best read of 2013 :)

Tour Stop: You Are Mine by Janeal Falor

You Are Mine (Mine #1) by Janeal Falor
Release Date: May 6, 2013
Series: Mine #1
Pages: 273
Genre: Fantasy, YA, Romance

Goodreads Summary:

Serena knows a few simple things. She will always be owned by a warlock. She will never have freedom. She will always do what her warlock wishes, regardless of how inane, frivolous, or cruel it is. And if she doesn’t follow the rules, she will be tarnished. Spelled to be bald, inked, and barren for the rest of her life—worth less than the shadow she casts. Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly.

Purchase: Barnes & Noble / Amazon / Kobo

This Book is on Sale Now for $.99!! 

Advanced Praise for You Are Mine:

“I was blown away by the beautiful writing, haunting themes, and chilling visuals.” ~Becca at Nawanda Files 

“There were times when I had to fight back my tears and the emotion that this book drew from me made me feel so connected to what was going on as if I was actually there. You Are Mine should be on everyones to-read list and I cannot wait to see what Janeal Falor comes up with next.” ~Danielle at Coffee and Characters

“May I kiss you now?”

 No. Kisses leave me feeling sick. “I suppose it would be for the best.”

 He leans closer. I want to pull away. Thomas's kisses were callous. Painful even. The thought of more of that makes me feel queasy. But giving my permission somehow makes it harder to pull away.

His hand reaches up and brushes my face. Flecks of gold are mixed with the green of his eyes. Suddenly, he scoops me into his arms and plops me on his lap. I yelp. “Sorry, I guess I should have warned you first.” 

After straightening my skirt with quivering fingers, I hold myself stiff. His nose nuzzles against the side of my neck. Warm lips brush my jaw and sweep along my cheek until they reach the corner of my mouth. My breath comes in shallow gasps. He smells lightly of citrus.

I don't move. His fingers tangle in my hair. His lips hover over mine. A nervous flutter grows in my chest. The creak of the door opening spurs him into action.

His lips touch mine. Flowing and sunny. They grow firmer. It feels so much better than I thought it could. His fingers run through my hair, the tendrils falling out of their confinement. Heat grows between us. He pulls me closer to him. Not only do I manage to refrain from fighting him, but I want to draw even closer.

Janeal Falor lives in Utah where she’s finally managed to live in the same house for more than five years without moving. In her spare time she reads books like they’re nuts covered in caramel and chocolate, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and enjoys the outdoors. Her husband and three children try to keep up with her overactive imagination. Usually they settle for having dinner on the table, even if she’s still going on about the voices in her head.

Author Connect: Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Website

***GIVEAWAY*** 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Saved By The Music by Selene Castrovilla

Saved By The Music by Selene Castrovilla
My rating: 2.5 of 5 genies
Published: May 13, 2013
Series: N/A
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Westside Books
Source: Review Copy
Pages: 280
Format: eBook
Purchase At: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

Goodreads Summary
The last place fifteen-year-old Willow wants to spend her summer is on a run-down former coffee barge, which her aunt is converting into a floating concert hall. In Saved by the Music, Willow thinks she’s alone until she meets Axel, an older teen who lives isolated from the world on the sailboat docked nearby. An unlikely romance sparks as the two grapple with their darkest secrets and bond through shared pain and laughter. It is a summer where music must do more than just soothe the soul.

My Thoughts

The most unique thing about this book is its setting. The barge, or where fifteen year old Willow ends up spending the summer is cool because her aunt plans to make it a concert hall of sorts, an intimate setting for people looking to enjoy music to come together and relax, truly appreciating the music. Willow ends up getting wrapped up in the repair and restoration of the weathered boat and as she works to reconstruct it she discovers more about herself. It is also a tale of self-discovery and heart, the importance of family and how the influence of these all-important people in our lives can either help grow or break us.

Furthermore this book reminded me of just how beautiful the sea is. I thought the docks with the barge and fishermen was the right setting for Saved by the Music. It was realistic with its portrayal of wealth disparity, some parts of the docks being wealthier than others, and everyone seemed like real people with failings and insecurities of their own. The characters have multiple issues to work through and Willow escapes to the barge to avoid a particularly difficult home situation. She's the kind of character with an opinion and mouth of her own, pretty much saying what she felt and she and Axel were a good foil with him being more reserved and sombre. I liked that there is give and take in their relationship, that they both bring something to the table and neither assumes that they're perfect.

As the title suggests, Willow is eventually "Saved by the Music" and music offers reprieve to many of the book's characters, its importance in their lives made more than evident. Music transforms the barge into something beautiful and saves Willow's life, I think reading about her struggles might very well resonate with readers, and if not save their life, at least make it easier.


Saved By The Music: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

2.5/5 genies: A contemporary novel with emotion and promise, a read that could appeal to you!

Tour Stop: Selene Castrovilla's Saved By The Music Character Interview & GIVEAWAY

Saved By The Music by Selene Castrovilla
Published: May 13, 2013
Series: N/A
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Westside Books
Pages: 280
Format: eBook
Purchase At: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

Goodreads Summary
The last place fifteen-year-old Willow wants to spend her summer is on a run-down former coffee barge, which her aunt is converting into a floating concert hall. In Saved by the Music, Willow thinks she’s alone until she meets Axel, an older teen who lives isolated from the world on the sailboat docked nearby. An unlikely romance sparks as the two grapple with their darkest secrets and bond through shared pain and laughter. It is a summer where music must do more than just soothe the soul.

ABOUT SELENE CASTROVILLA

Selene Castrovilla is an award-winning teen and children’s author who believes that through all trends, humanity remains at the core of literature. She is the author of Saved By the Music and The Girl Next Door, teen novels originally published by WestSide Books and now available digitally through ASD Publishing. Her third children’s book with Calkins Creek Books, Revolutionary Friends, was released in April. Selene holds an MFA in creative writing from New School University and a BA in English from New York University. She lives on Long Island with her two sons. Visit her website www.SeleneCastrovilla.com for book excerpts and more information!

Author links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

(Featuring Willow from Saved by the Music!)

Q. How important is music to you?

Willow: Music literally saved my life. First, Jim Morrison’s voice calmed me and helped me through all the loneliness at home. Jim became my best friend! Then I met Axel – who looked like Jim Morrison but played the cello so beautifully he nearly brought me to tears. Listening to him play made me appreciate the healing qualities of music, and I felt calmed. Life became manageable – maybe even bright? That’s when I opened up to listening to Aunt Agatha play, as well. My whole world turned around, thanks to music.

Q. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why? If you could, who would you take along?

Willow: I would like to visit Jim Morrison’s grave in France. I would bring Axel with me to France because it’s so beautiful there I would want to share it with him. I know we would enjoy holding hands along the Seine. But I would not take him to the grave because it would upset him. I would take a train to see Monet’s gardens in nearby Giverny, but I wouldn’t take Axel there because he can’t take being around plants. We could head to England, to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace – because Shakepeare is Axel’s god, and I would love to watch him bask in his Promised Land.

Q. Willow, what do you think of Jim Morrison, and what role does his music play in your life?

Willow: Finding out about Jim Morrison came at such a crucial stage in my life, it was like he was my guardian angel. He was a poet, and he had a tortured soul. Learning about him made me feel like I had an ally in the cruel world. His music is like my tranquilizer – an instant relief. I think he was a tragic figure, and I’m sorry for what he when through. That it was largely self-inflicted makes it even sadder. When I hear his music it’s like he’s telling me his story, sharing his sad soul with mine. When I listen I am reminded that we are all responsible for our own happiness, and I must make sure to find mine.

Q. Is there anything you regret, a point in time you wish you could rewind and do again differently? If so, why?

Willow: I would not get involved in any way with Craig Culligan. He changed my life in a very bad, irrevocable way.

Q. Willow, describe yourself in 5 words?

Willow: Loving, honest, deep, sarcastic, real.

Q. If you could have anything in the world, regardless of value, what would it be?

Willow: I don’t really care about the monetary value of things. I would want a limitless supply of unconditional love. Thanks for inviting me to stop by! It’s great making new friends!

Q: Thanks Willow! It was great having you, thank-you for dropping by :)

Ms. Castrovilla has been generous enough to include a fabulous, crazy giveaway! If you liked the Interview and Review, be sure to check out the below Giveaway for your chance to win a copy of this book! The winner gets their choice of either iPod Nano or Kindle Fire (or Paperwhite) PLUS Saved by the Music ebook (US ONLY)

10 Second Prize winners stand a chance to receive ebook copies of Saved by the Music (INTERNATIONAL). Enter quick!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Other Stops on the Tour:

July 1  - A Book and a Latte (Kick-off interview)

July 2 - The Fake Steph Dot Com (Guest Post)

July 3 - Cuzinlogic (Review)

July 4 - Ja čitam, a ti? (Character Review)

July 5 - OtherwhereCo (Guest Post)

July 8 - alwaysjoart (Review & Guest Post)

July 9 - Katie's Books (Review)

July 10 - Judith's Choice Reads (Review & Character Interview)

July 11 - Ladybug Storytime (Review)

July 12 - Reader Girls (Review & Guest Post)

Be sure to check them out and as always, don't leave without telling me what you think of both the book and the review ;) LOVE YOU LOTS!!

XX

Cover Reveal: Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

*Drum roll please*

Thank-you, Ned.

I can hardly contain myself, but I might as well let it out, there is finally a cover for the upcoming final book in Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky series, of which I am a very big fan. I was kind of scrolling through the newly released books of the month when I chanced upon this little beauty; it took my breath away.

So no Spongebob, didn't do it, take my breath away that is. I like him, but no. Look below him. Keep scrolling...


And...VOILA!

Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3) by Veronica Rossi
Release Date: January 28, 2014

My Thoughts  

I have but one question and that is, can this book release already?! I really do want to devour it NOW. It's so stunning and pretty :) Mostly I like that Aria and Perry are together in this one, they look pretty serious and shiz on the cover. As they walk towards us, it makes me speculate all the wonderful things Rossi has in store for the final instalment in the Under the Never Sky series! The colour tones of the new cover are balanced and fit perfectly with the series, I think, I'm loving it. While I happened upon this one by chance, I need it like yesterday. The cover  is gorgeous and I'm excited to share it with all of you!

What are your thoughts on this? Share in the comments below, what do you think of this stunning cover, and are you as excited as I am? Let me know!

Take care, love you lots!

XX

Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
My rating: 5 of 5 genies
Published: January 10, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Dutton Books
Source: Purchased
Pages: 313
Format: Hardcover
Purchase At: Amazon.com or The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind

My Thoughts

This is the way I look at it:

This whole book deserves to be one giant quote all on its own. I look at it and think how The Fault in our Stars as a work actually proves that literature can touch lives, a complete testament to John Green's brilliance. The Stars have it - 5 out of 5 - and I kind of have no words right now to explain how truly impressed I am with this novel.



But really I do, have words that is, or else this wouldn't be a very good review. The thing is, I don't know what to say of this book that hasn't been said already:

You should read it! It will blow your mind! Read it now smart ass, what are you waiting for!?

See? Everything has been said before. Except maybe that last part, that was all me. In truth, the multiple glowing reviews are largely responsible for why I picked the book up in the first place. It was a case of the whole blogosphere raving like mad about John Green, his books, writing, and me being clueless.

bloggers: This book is fantastic! Whooooooooooooo!
Me: Hm. The Fault in Our Stars, never heard of it before.
bloggers: What rock have you been living under?

And before I answer that question, spilling the beans on the locale of my hermit rock and all, 457 Lives in a Hole, Loner Street Toronto, I trust the majority of you get the point. This was the book everyone was dying a little over and I had to read it. Trust me, I am very glad I did. Everything you've heard? Forget it now if you still haven't read the book; those words of praise cannot possibly live up to the total awesomeness that is The Fault in Our Stars. To be frank, you need to read this book yourself and be blown away like the rest of us.

A Quick Overview.

The writing: Superb. Expect it now that when you start reading you will most definitely NOT want to stop.

The characters: Are heart-wrenching, breath-taking and wholly realistic. All of them, every single one of those people in that book touched me. That lasting effect even after the last page is turned, that is what lets me know a book phenomenal.

The subject matter: Was handled to perfection, John Green engaged the topic of cancer and loss with a wit and cleverness that really makes this book shine. If you couldn't tell before, I totes have a crush on this author!

As for the world he created, I absolutely adored Augustus Waters, his antics as well as his patent over-the-top nature. There was just so much to be sad about, what with death being of primary focus, and having the author utilize humour to make the subject matter more manageable made me digest easier the sadness. Cancer is no joke, but certainly no one writes it, the desease acting as a catalyst for the tender romance, like John Green.

The way he wrote them, Hazel and Augustus were beyond cute, the two being perfect example of soul-mates done right. They didn't NEED each other to survive, rather they were their own people in a lot of ways, but I - and apparently all the other fans of this novel - would much rather see them be together. I never realized the toll cancer takes on not only those infected, but their families also; reading The Fault in Our Stars was a huge eye-opener to the realities and harsh struggle families of cancer victims face. At the end I left with a greater respect of all it is that they go through.

I was so emotionally spent by the time I finished reading...I can guarantee that The Fault in Our Stars will find a way to break your heart, and not only will you enjoy it, but you will want more. This book will make a fractured mess of your heart, and I know this because it completely shattered mine.

Yet... I crave a sequel set in an alternate universe, something that does right by Augustus and Hazel by ridding away with the cancers altogether. Takers anyone?

I thought you might see things my way, but alas, this is cannot be! We would all like a different ending, but the pervading sense of realism seen in The Fault in Our Stars is equally responsible for the widespread adoration of this novel. Nothing would make me happier than to elaborate, telling you why the book is realistic, and sure I could if everyone reading this already read the book, but for those of you who haven't had the chance to meet Augustus, Hazel, their parents or even Van Houten, I dare not ruin it for you.

So...hurry up and read it!

5/5 genies: I recommend this book. Hell, I am in love with it! A favourite for sure, I can only hope that you pick it up and enjoy it too. 

********GIVEAWAY*******

Also, check out this giveaway for Shawn Mihalik's The Flute Player and my review too if you haven't. Thanks and take care guys, love you lots!

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The Flute Player: Interview and Giveaway

Shawn Mihalik is the author of the YA novella The Flute Player 

About the Author:

Shawn was born in San-Diego, California, in 1990, where he lived until he was seven.
In high school, he won several awards both as a writer for and editor-in-chief of his student newspaper, The Talon, prompting him to study journalism at Youngstown State University before deciding that his passion for writing was better directed at fiction. He then spent several years in Pittsburgh, learning American Sign Language and working with the deaf and hard of hearing.

Shawn currently lives in Youngstown, Ohio, where he writes novels, poetry, and short stories and explores the characteristics of different varieties of wine. His works include The Final Days of Poetry, a poetry collection; The Flute Player, a novella; and Brand-Changing Day, a novel.
Shawn loves to climb things, especially large things like rocks and cliffs and mountains. He also still reads comic books.

1. The world of Drommar is certainly unique. What childhood stories/fairy tales helped provide inspiration for the creative fantasy land?

To be honest, I'd never read a lot of fantasy when I was younger. I've always been more of a sci-fi and literary fiction fan, but Peter Pan has always been one of my favorite books, and it, along with C.S. Lewis's Narnia series, certainly influenced me when I wrote The Flute Player and created Drommar.

2. Do you see yourself writing more of this genre in future? If so, what might you have in mind? 

Maybe. I don't have any plans to write something else like this—that is to say, of all the things I'm currently writing or have ideas for, nothing is in this genre—but I might, someday. I think there's a lot that can be done with fantasy that hasn't been done before.

3. Name the place you write best in and why. 

Nowhere specific. I've written in basements, and I've written in coffee shops, and I've written on balconies, and I've written on a bench beside the Allegheny River. In fact, I like to be able to write anywhere, because I like to write every day, if I can, and I never know where I'll be. That said, I do write best if I'm alone and it's early in the day.

4. If you could have lunch with any novelist, (dead or alive), who would it be? If they are deceased, kindly explain their significance in your life and the reason for their resurrection.

David Foster Wallace. I started to take my writing seriously when I began reading Infinite Jest, and I can measure a significant portion of my growth as a writer, a reader, and a person by my consumption of that novel (when I started reading it, it took me almost a year to read the first half of Infinite Jest, and then I put it down for about nine months and didn't touch it, and then I came back to it and read the second half in two short weeks).

I'm currently reading Wallace's posthumous unfinished novel, The Pale King. I've delayed reading it for a while because I knew that, once I read it, I'd never again have the privilege of experiencing a new work of Wallace's for the first time. I'd love to tell him that.

5. About Oliver and Alexandria's relationship, is there a future for them? If so, how do you see things progressing? 

While the ending of The Flute Player may come across as ambiguous at first, I think a quick reread (and, if necessary, search about the history of Nantes, France) will show that there decidedly isn't a future for their relationship, although I'm sure Alexandria's influence will show up in Oliver's music for the entirety of his career as the flute player.

6. If a traveling peasant were looking to take up work or residence in Drommar, how might you suggest he go about the task? Would having connections to the renown Flute Player of the village make his case more favourable?

If a traveling peasant managed to find his way into Drommar in the first place, I think the residents of the village would be far too concerned with where he came from to worry about giving him work. Of course, they probably wouldn't be able to see him, so the flute player might be the only hope of connection he would have.

7. Would you be friends with Oliver? In what ways are the two  of you alike, or different?

I would definitely be friends with Oliver. I'm not much like Oliver anymore, but he's probably a pretty close representation of the me that I was five or six years ago when I was his age.

8. What other profession might Oliver assume if he weren't the Flute Player of the village? Following his meeting with Alexandria, do you see him taking on his role better? 

He'll definitely take on the role of the flute player better than he did before meeting Alexandria; in fact, I think he's fully embraces it now because of her. If he weren't the flute player, I'm not sure what he'd be. It's an excellent question, though, and I'd love for the readers to think about it.

9. What changes does Oliver undergo throughout the story, and is he a different person at the end? How so?

This is interesting. Oliver wants to be a different person when the story starts. He wants a different life and more freedom and a different role. But by the end of the story, he's still has that role. The difference is that now Oliver has embraced what he didn't want at the beginning; he's recognized its importance and taken ownership of that, of himself.

10. What do you hope readers take away from The Flute Player?

That life is good. That we can be the person we want to be and that what others want us to be doesn't matter.

Find Shawn: Facebook / Twitter / Google+

Shawn Mihalik is an inspiring author with a unique prose and voice. Find my review of the book here and for your chance to WIN an Ebook of his novella, see the Rafflecopter below! The Giveaway is International and open to anyone with an eReader. At the end of the giveaway, one winner will be chosen. Have fun and enter responsibly!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway