Volunteer anyone? Anyone?

I’m ashamed to say that I did not read The Hunger Games let alone the whole series. I know, bad. Why, you ask. Why am I participating in the Hunger Games Read-Along? First, it’s because my sister and I really want to read the book before the movie comes out, and second, it’s because I already read half of the Hunger Games, so I know a little about it. And that’s why I chose chapter two to do this post. Anyway, let’s get to this post.

Couple of days ago Louisa at Words I Write Crazy did a post for chapter one. You can check it here.

What are the Hunger Games? It’s a punishment for the uprising of the districts, a lottery is held each year in which a boy and girl from each district is chosen to be a tribute. Each tribute is taken to the Capitol, where they are imprisoned in a gigantic arena and must, over a long period of time, fight to the death… meaning the last tribute standing wins.

So I have one question for you:

Would you volunteer to take your sisters (brothers or any one of your family members or your loved ones) place to represent your district in the Hunger Games? Why?

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The winner is ...

It’s time to announce the winner of the Life on the Edge Swag giveaway! I used random.org with the entries. So, the winners is ... (Drumroll Please)

CONGRATS to The Lovely Books and Dina Dimovska. You are the lucky winners! You've won Life on the Edge Swag! You have 48 hours to reply the author's email and redeem your prize! Thanks to everyone who entered! Check back soon for other giveaways!

ARC Review: Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Source:  Publisher

Publisher:  G.P. Putnam's Sons
Release Date:  February 02, 2012
Format:  Paperback
Pages:320

 

Girl, Interrupted meets Beautiful Creatures in this fast-paced thriller

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast.

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too.

Rich, compelling writing will keep the pages turning in this riveting and tautly told psychological thriller.

*** 

This book seriously surprised me. I don’t know how to describe it. It’s really suspenseful, creepy, and fascinating. I’ve never read a book with this kind of plot—it is unique. The first few chapters weren’t that great; I got confused and I didn’t know what to expect for the rest of the book. But after a while it picked up and I rushed through it. I’m lost for words to express my feeling for this book; it’s a good thing because there aren’t a lot of  books out there that left me baffled—but Harbinger sure did.

Faye’s parent’s thought they were doing the right thing when they send Faye to Holbrook Academy; they want her to get better. Faye has been struggling with visions and nightmares for a long time, and when she arrives at the Academy, she thought she didn’t belong there. Trying to find a way out of the academy, she discovered things she didn’t know about herself; things that will affect the future.

Faye is a unique character. She’s very strong, and … let me tell you, she’s like a beast. You’ll know what I mean when you read this book. Yet, I really like her. She’s been neglected by her parents, and I felt for her. I also liked the other characters. However, I didn’t really care a lot about Kel, and his relationship with Faye. That’s the only thing I didn’t like about this book. The romance in the book didn’t impress me.

Overall, I really liked this book. This novel delivered far much more than I had anticipated. Harbinger has a definite creepy (in a good way) factor.  I think that is one quality I love about this book. It definitely surpasses many of the other fantasy/supernatural fiction books in YA genre. It’s well-written, and well researched. Sara Wilson Etienne (I love her last name by the way) did an amazing job with this book. Everyone, especially fantasy/supernatural fan, should check this book out. (And I love the cover of this book; it’s gorgeous, isn’t it?)

Rating: 3.5/5

The winner is ...

It’s time to announce the winner of the Article 5 giveaway! I used random.org with the entries. So, the winners is ... (Drumroll Please)

CONGRATS to The Unidentified Theorist . You are the lucky winner! You've won ARC copy of Article 5! You have 48 hours to reply my email and redeem your prize! Thanks to everyone who entered! Check back soon for other giveaways!

Kowalski Family series by Shannon Stacey

Exclusively Yours (Kowalski Family, # 1)

I read the second book before reading this one. I was hooked with this series that I needed to read the first and third book immediately. Lucky for me, my sister bought the first and third right away after I finished the second book. I really liked it. I couldn't put it down even for a moment. When Joe heard that his high school sweetheart and the only girl who broke his heart move back into town to interview him, he wanted to see if they can finish what they started in high school because he’s not still over her.  So, he proposed a plan that will help them to figure out if there is still attraction between them.  I really liked both Joe and Keri. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a really good romantic book, and this one is definitely worth reading.

Rating: 3/5

Undeniably Yours (Kowalski Family, #2)

Words can’t describe how much I love this book. I devoured it in one day. It’s beautiful story, written perfectly. Kevin is the nicest, patient guy I’ve ever read about; Kevin, who owns his own sport bar, and also gets the women.  He gets cell phones from any girl walked in his bar; but not from Beth Hansen, and bummer for him because he actually likes her. After one night stand with Beth, she found out she was pregnant. Beth, who is independent, lost her job when Kevin stuck his nose where it didn’t belong.  I had love/hate relationship with Beth. I’m not patient like Kevin, and I hated that she only cared about herself and her baby and not think about Kevin. I loved how independent she was throughout the book, and throughout the hard times. But also, I wanted to scream at her to stop being stubborn. Undeniably Yourscontains everything you want from adult romance book. This is my favorite out of the Kowalski Family series.

Rating: 4.5/5

Yours to Keep (Kowalski Family, #3)

I really enjoyed reading this series, and Shannon did it again. Sean Kowalski just return from the army; he doesn’t know what is next for him. But he doesn’t have to think hard because Emma has it figured it out for him. Well, at least for a month. Sean’s thought Emma was crazy when she knock on his door to ask him to be her fake fiancée. This book was a quick read. It was fun to read about Sean’s and Emma’s relationship develops throughout the book. I found the plot really cute, and romantic; what started out fake and awkward turn into real romance.

Rating: 4/5

Overall, the storyline and characters in the Kowalski Family series are quick, wonderful and witty and an enjoyable romance. I loved the Kowalski family. I love how caring, close and loving they are. I wanted to be a part of the family throughout the book. Reading Shannon’s books were like watching romantic movie than reading, and I loved that about it. I love the way she wrote the Kowalski’s characters. If you are a fan of adult romance, I recommend this one for you. 

Follow Friday (21)

Follow my blog Friday is hosted at Parajunkee and AlisonCanRead. It’s a weekly meme where bloggers meet and follow one another.

This week’s question:

Which book genre do you avoid at all costs and why?

I read variety of genres but I have four ones that I’m either not comfortable with or just don’t care for.

Memoirs – I found it hard to read memoirs after trying to read Tweak by Nic Sheff. I’ll probably read it but I will be reading it slowly and between books.

Biography – hate it. I tried but not for me

Science fiction – I don’t know why but I’m not into sci-fi books. However, I’m planning to read Across the Universe.

Religion – no, no, no, no, no, no

Leave a link to your own FF, please!

Cover Reveal: A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

I loved Kody’s debut novel, The Duff, and I really liked Shut Out. I’m really excited for this one; it sounds really good.  I like the cover, I don’t love it but I like it.

 A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

Release date: June 5th, 2012

Whitley Johnson's dream summer with her divorce dad has turned into a nightmare. She's just met his new fiancee and her kids. The fiancee's son? Whitley's one-night stand from graduation night. Just freakin' great. 

Worse, she totally doesn't fit in with her dad's perfect new country-club family. So Whitley acts out. She parties. Hard. So hard she doesn't even notice the good things right under her nose: a sweet little future stepsister who is just about the only person she's ever liked, a best friend (even though Whitley swears she doesn't "do" friends), and a smoking-hot guy who isn't her stepbrother...at least, not yet. It will take all three of them to help Whitley get through her anger and begin to put the pieces of her family together. 

Filled with authenticity and raw emotion, Whitley is Kody Keplinger's most compelling character to date: a cynical Holden Caulfield-esque girl you will wholly care about.

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What do you think?