Cover Reveal x 9 (Sequels!)

Sever by Lauren Destefano

Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Fragments by Dan Wells

Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

Boundless by Cynthia Hand

Lullaby Amanda Hocking

The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Rise by Andrea Cremer

I love ALL of the covers! Do you?

Follow Friday (37)

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: 

Birthday Wishes -- Blow out the candles and imagine what character could pop out of your cake...who is it and what book are they from?

Hmm… Wes from The Truth about Forever and Kayla fromThe Oracle of Dating and The Oracle Rebounds. 

Leave a link to your own post! 

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

Source: Library

Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Release Date: September 06, 2005
Format: Paperback
Page: 393

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.
 
The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.

***

Dark Lover is the first book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It’s about the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Wrath and Beth, a half breed. It’s was my first paranormal romance book I’ve ever read, and it was good.

Dark Lover is a great book, and I did like it. However, I didn’t love it. It was just a good book for me. I didn’t like the insta-love in this book. I found it to be a deal breaker. It was an adult book, and I didn’t expected insta-love right the seconds they meet. However, the relationship between Beth and Wrath is great, and the romance is hot. Also, the relationship between the “brothers” is great.

The action in this book is fast paced and great. That’s the only thing I really loved about the book. I read all 400 in one day. Overall, Dark Lover is a great book. I’ll be continuing with the series. I really liked the relationship with the “brothers”, so I’m looking forward to learning about their story as well.

Rating: 3/5

Waiting on Wednesday (28)

Meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

This week I’m waiting on …  

Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans

January 15, 2013

Simon & Schuster  Books for Young Readers

Since her untimely death the day before her eighteenth birthday, Felicia Ward has been trapped in Level 2, a stark white afterlife located between our world and the next. Along with her fellow prisoners, Felicia passes the endless hours downloading memories and mourning what she’s lost—family, friends, and the boy she loved, Neil.

Then a girl in a neighboring chamber disappears, and nobody but Felicia seems to recall she existed in the first place. Something is obviously very wrong. When Julian—a dangerously charming guy Felicia knew in life—comes to offer Felicia a way out, she learns the truth: a rebellion is brewing to overthrow the Morati, the guardians of Level 2.

Felicia is reluctant to trust Julian, but then he promises what she wants the most—to be with Neil again—if only she’ll join the rebels. Suspended between Heaven and Earth, Felicia finds herself in the center of an age-old struggle between good and evil. As memories from her life come back to haunt her, and as the Morati hunt her down, Felicia will discover it’s not just her own redemption at stake… but the salvation of all mankind.

What are you waiting on?

A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

Source: Library

Publisher: Poppy
Release Date: June 05, 2012
Format: Hardcover
Page: 304

Whitley Johnson's dream summer with her divorcé dad has turned into a nightmare. She's just met his new fiancée and her kids. The fiancée'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.

***

Kody Keplinger did it again! She wrote another amazing contemporary that I enjoyed, and I believe everyone is going to enjoy.  A Midsummer’s Nightmare is the second best book I’ve read from Kody, my favorite being The Duff. This book came very close to being a favorite, but not quiet.

Whitley is an outsider. She drinking a lot, parties a lot, and hooks up with guys just for only that night. She’s an interesting yet challenging character I’ve ever read. Things get worse when she learned that her father is getting married, and they won’t be spending their summer alone, just the two of them.  

I felt for Whitley. She’s a gentle, nice person on the inside, but living with her angry mother and not getting to see her father regularly have left her to become the person she is. I wanted her to be happy.  And there is Nate. He’s the guy she slept with at Graduation night, and her soon-to-be step-brother. Er. Yeah! I really liked him though. Sometimes he can be a jerk, but I liked him.

Bailey, Whitley’s soon-to-be step sister, and Harrison (you might know him from The Duff) made this book even more entertaining. I loved Bailey’s flighty and always happy attitude, and Harrison’s fashion advice and sense of humor. I also liked that we get to see Wesley and Bianca in this book, which was a plus. The person I didn’t like in this book is Whitley’s father. He’s selfish, mean, and heartless guy. He’s ridiculous, I didn’t like him whatsoever.

Overall, I truly enjoyed A Midsummer’s Nightmare. I have no doubt that everyone is going to love it as well. I highly recommend you check this book out right away, if not you’ll be missing an amazing book from an amazing author. 

Rating: 4.5/5

In My Mailbox (35)

Meme created by The Story Siren

I’m too lazy to take a picture of the physical copies this week. Instead I have a picture of the book covers.

For Review: 

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Purchased: 

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

Rumors by Anna Godbersen

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Library: 

  

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

A Midsummer’s Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

What did you get in my mailbox?

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: January 03, 2012
Format: Hardcover
Page: 378

Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life... and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last…

***

After hearing a lot of hype reviews on Bittersweet, and great things about Sarah Ockler, I thought I would check it out. I’m really glad I bought and read it. It was a great book, one that everyone would enjoy.

Hudson, our main character, is a very enjoyable character. While she might be annoying and selfish at times, she’s still likable. Her determination and confident is very astounding. I’ve never met a character like Hudson. She knows what she wants, and how to achieve it. Hudson character is well developed and well written. I also enjoyed her sense of humor.

I also liked the side characters Dani and Hudson’s little brother. Dani is a funny, sweet, and caring friend. I really loved Dani and Hudson’s dialogue. They are entertaining. I loved Hudson’s little brother. He knows so much and he’s not even eight years old. He was adorable.

And don’t forget about the hot hockey players. Oh yes! The main ones are the captain, Will and co-captain, Josh. I really liked both of them. Will is kind of a jerk, only thinking about what he wants. However, he made the story more interesting. Josh is nice yet reserved. I liked his relationship with Hudson.  

Then, there are the cupcakes! How can you dislike this book? I was excited every time I turned to a new chapter to find out about a new cupcake recipe. I loved it. Overall, Bittersweet is a book for ALL.

Rating: 4/5

Follow Friday (36)

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: 

If you could "unread" a book, which one would it be? Is it because you want to start over and experience it again for the first time? Or because it was THAT bad?

The Book Thief, Perfect Chemistry series, Sarah Dessen books, Stephanie Perkins books, because I want to start over and experience them again for the first time. 

Leave a link to your own post! 

Cover Reveal x 2

Breaking Point (Article 5 #2) by Kristen Simmons

Publisher: Tor Teen

Release Date: February 05, 2012


No synopsis provided. 

***

I like the cover! Its looks darker than Article 5, but I still like it. Aside from the cover, I loved Article 5. It was the first dystopian I’ve read. I can’t wait to read this one. 

Everbound (Everneath #2) by Brodi Ashton

Publisher: Balzer + Bray (HarperCollins)

Release Date: January 22, 2013

Two months ago, the Tunnels of the underworld came for Nikki Beckett. That night, Nikki's boyfriend, Jack, made the ultimate sacrifice. All Nikki wants is to save Jack before it's too late. All Cole wants is to find his queen - and he thinks Nikki is the one. Both determined, both desperate, Nikki and Cole form a tense alliance, leading them on a dangerous journey to The Heart of The Everneath.

***

I’ve yet to read Everneath, the first book in this series, but I just have to share this stunning cover. I love, love this cover. It’s coming out in 2013, so I have a long time to read Everneath, which I’m planning to do.

What do you think of the covers? Yay or nay?

Wicked Wildfire Read-A-Thon

Goal:

This is my first ever time participating in a read-a-thon. I’m very excited! I’m planning to read 4 books. I’ll post all my updates on the blog and also on twitter @MesaSagacityq. 

Books to read:

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Updates:

Day 1 (06/20):

* started and finished - Dark Lover by J. R. Ward

* # of pages read - 401
* total # of books read - 1

Day 2 (06/21):
* started - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
* # of pages read - 46
* total # of books read - 1


Day 3 (06/22):
* continued - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowlin
* # of pages read - 117
* total # of books read - 1


Day 4 (06/23):

Waiting on Wednesday (27)

Meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

This week I’m waiting on …  

Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

November 13, 2012

Delacorte

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

***

Meant to Be just looks super cute. You know how much I love my contemporaries, and this one sounds like it would be one great contemporary. Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!

 What about you? What are you waiting on?

Over You by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus

Source: Edelweiss

Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: August 21, 2012
Format: eBook
Page: 304

After the grand explosion of her relationship, seventeen-year-old Max Scott developed what every girl in the history of the world has been waiting for: a way to get over being dumped. Now Max is the go-to guru for heartbroken high-school girls all over NYC. But when her ex unexpectedly shows up in her neighborhood, Max’s carefully controlled world starts to unravel. With her clients’ hearts hanging in the balance, Max will have to do the seemingly impossible: get over him once and for all.

***

Ever since I saw this book on HarperTeen’s website, I’ve been dying to read it. So when I finally got it and read it right away, I’m sad to say it was a disappointment.

I really wanted to enjoy this book. The plot of this book is great, it was the main thing that appealed to me in the first place, but it’s kind of a disappointment when it was the only thing that was good in the whole 300 pages. The other thing I liked other than the plot was Taylor and Bridget’s relationship. I found it cute and sweet.

Max is the inventor of Ex. Inc., which is a company that help girls get over their ex quickly. My first problem from this book started from her. I found Max to be annoying, immature. I could not relate/connect with her whatsoever, and for me, it really hard to like the book if I don’t like the main character.

I like multiple POVs, and this book was written in third person with three POV (Max, Ben and Taylor).  However, with this book I was easily confused when there was a change in the POV. I had to reread a paragraph to figure out whose POV it was, which brought down the rating down even more.

All in all, the writing, the characters, and everything about this book except the plot were flat for me. I just wasn’t connected with the book at all. I wish I did, but I didn’t. 

Rating: 2/5

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Release Date: June 19, 2012
Format: eBook
Page: 224

When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

***

I was going to give this book 3 stars when I finished it, but the more I think about it, the more I think it deserves 4 shiny stars. I loved it. It was short, yet it was worth the read.

Travis is a marine who came home for a month before going back to finish his duty for three years.  While he was on duty, he saw his friend die, and the nightmares are keeping him awake. I felt for him from the first page.

Travis returned home looking for normal, but he didn’t find it at his home, he found it from Harper, when he started to spend more time with her. Harper is a confident, forgiving, and likable character.  I really liked her. Travis and Harper’s relationship is real. I rooted for them from the first time I’ve read their past history together.

I truly enjoyed reading this book. I love how this book was written from a guy POV. I loved Travis’s voice and what he represented in this book. This book gave me a glimpse in the life of people in a military – and the things they go through after they return home. 

The reason why I gave this book 4 was because the book felt incomplete for me. I’d have loved for more explanation on what happened to Travis parents, to Travis and Harper, to Travis and Ryan’s relationship.  It was just too short of a book, especially when you have such an amazing plot/storyline.

Overall, Trish Doller did a wonderful job with her debut novel.  Something Like Normal is a book that everyone will enjoy and be able to relate/empathize with. I’ll look forward to her other works in the future. 

Rating: 4/5

All These Lives by Sarah Wylie

Source: Publisher

Publisher: FSG (Macmillan)
Release Date: June 05, 2012
Format: Paperback
Page: 245

Sixteen-year-old Dani is convinced she has nine lives. As a child she twice walked away from situations where she should have died. But Dani’s twin, Jena, isn’t so lucky.  She has cancer and might not even be able to keep her one life. Dani’s father is in denial. Her mother is trying to hold it together and prove everything’s normal.  And Jena is wasting away.  To cope, Dani sets out to rid herself of all her extra lives.  Maybe they’ll be released into the universe and someone who wants to live more than she does will get one.  Someone like Jena.  But just when Dani finds herself at the breaking point, she’s faced with a startling realization.  Maybe she doesn’t have nine lives after all.  Maybe she really only ever had one.

***

All These Lives is a very interesting book. I really enjoyed it. Our main character, Dani, is a character that every woman will love. She’s sarcastic, funny, and a loving person (even though she tried to hide it). The author did an amazing job creating such a character.

Dani thinks she has nine lives, and her twin, Jena, is a cancer patient. So Dani thinks she can save her sister by giving her one of her lives. The journey Dani go through to save her sister is dangerous, yet she willed herself to do everything in her power to save Jena.  I liked Dani, sometimes she can be too much, but I liked her. I liked her voice and what she represented. Jena and her parents also played a great role in this book. I enjoyed seeing the family relationship before Jena was diagnosed with cancer and after. 

This book might deal with cancer and cancer patient, but it’s not all the book talks about. It’s about the people around the cancer patient, what they go through when their loved ones are diagnosed with cancer. I really liked that aspect of the book, it gives a glimpse of what people go through when a person they know and love is diagnosed with cancer. 

To be completely honest, I don’t have any clue about the genre of this book. So don’t go into this book thinking it’s only contemporary because it’s not - well at least I don’t think it is. The nine lives theory made this book seem like a part paranormal.

All in all, All These Lives by Sarah Wylie is a great book. I truly enjoyed it, and I recommend it.

Rating: 4/5

In My Mailbox (34)

Meme created by The Story Siren

For Review:

Over You by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

I finished this one yesterday. It was an okay read. I’ll talk about it more on my review, which will be up this week.

Trade: 

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

I’ve wanted to read this book for a while now. I’m really excited to see what that hype is all about.

Thanks Tayte for sending this book!

Won:

Audition & Subtraction by Amy Feliner Dominy

This book sounds super cute! I can’t wait to read it. It also signed, which is a plus.

Thanks to Amy Felinter Dominy for the ARC!

What did you get in my mailbox?