Reading By Moonlight: 2011

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Review: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Hardcover, 323 pages

Published November 15th 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry

Summary:

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.

Review and Rating: 3.5-4

My heart says 4 but my mind says 3.5. I really enjoyed the main characters. They definitely had some good twists which really added to the plot. I found the main plot predictable (but what plot isn't now?) but the twists in the characters and minor plots definitely helped make up for it. Derting definitely created a new world and interesting characters. I feel it ended too quickly but that may just be because its addictive and therefore got finished fast. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the trilogy to see what happens to our lovely Charlie and others.

Cover:
I really just have to say I love the cover. The contrasting colors definitely catch the eye and with the model its just beautiful. Its definitely a cover well done and when the cover is what catches the eye and raises interest that's a good thing that a lot of books miss out on but this one did great.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Essay Contest for Aspiring Writers of YA/middle grade fiction

Win a literary agent or acclaimed author's feedback on your unpublished manuscript for young adult or middle grade readers. This rare opportunity is being offered to the six winners of an essay contest recently announced by the literacy charity Book Wish Foundation. See http://bookwish.org/contest for full details.

You could win a manuscript critique from:

Laura Langlie, literary agent for Meg Cabot

Nancy Gallt, literary agent for Jeanne DuPrau

Brenda Bowen, literary agent and editor of Karen Hesse's Newbery Medal winner Out of the Dust

Ann M. Martin, winner of the Newbery Honor for A Corner of the Universe

Francisco X. Stork, winner of the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award for The Last Summer of the Death Warriors

Cynthia Voigt, winner of the Newbery Medal for Dicey's Song and the Newbery Honor for A Solitary Blue

All that separates you from this prize is a 500-word essay about a short story in Book Wish Foundation's new anthology, What You Wish For. Essays are due Feb. 1, 2012 and winners will be announced around Mar. 1, 2012. If you win, you will have six months to submit the first 50 pages of your manuscript for critique (which means you can enter the contest even if you haven't finished, or started, your manuscript). You can even enter multiple times, with essays about more than one of the contest stories, for a chance to win up to six critiques.

If you dream of being a published author, this is an opportunity you should not miss. To enter, follow the instructions at http://bookwish.org/contest.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Cover Crazy: The Reason is You

Cover Crazy is hosted by Tawni over at The Book Worms

Ok so first I'll admit the cover is a bit disorienting but its just so beautiful.

I love the color of the dress and well the dress itself too. Its so pretty and definitely stands out. The little flowers are a cute touch and they stand out as well.

I really love the water. I like how shes falling into it and the way it ripples around her.

The scrip for the title is pretty but almost seems too sweet with the fact that shes falling.

There's something beautiful and sweet about it but also something maybe sad or dangerous to it.

I think even with the cover being disorienting it works being turned (In my opinion) the wrong way. It makes it interesting and adds to the beauty of it.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Cover Crazy: The Goddess Test

Cover Crazy is hosted by Tawni over at The Book Worms

Okay so first I notice and love all the green and blue-green. I love how the ferns are full and surround her and some even lay over her. I think the white (and blue) dress was a good choice to make her stand out from all that too.

Second the model is just gorgeous. She has beautiful angled cheeks boned and full berry lips. I also like that shes pale and even paler in places and with the set up you could almost imagine it as the light of a full moon on her.

Third the script for the title is beautiful and has the Greek parts to it. (Or math if your a nerd like myself and know what a sigma is) I also love the light lacing around and through the words.

I haven't gotten to read this yet but I love the summary (and cover 'cause we all secretly look at that) and plan to read it soon.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Review: Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers

Summary:

Luc Cain was born and raised in Hell, but he isn’t feeling as demonic as usual lately—thanks to Frannie Cavanaugh and the unique power she never realized she had. But you can’t desert Hell without consequences, and suddenly Frannie and Luc find themselves targeted by the same demons who used to be Luc’s allies.

Left with few options, Frannie and Luc accept the protection of Heaven and one of its most powerful angels, Gabe. Unfortunately, Luc isn’t the only one affected by Frannie, and it isn’t long before Gabe realizes that being around her is too…tempting. Rather than risk losing his wings, he leaves Frannie and Luc under the protection of her recently-acquired guardian angel.

Which would be fine, but Gabe is barely out the door before an assortment of demons appears—and they’re not leaving without dragging Luc back to Hell with them. Hell won’t give up and Heaven won’t give in. Frannie’s guardian exercises all the power he has to keep them away, but the demons are willing to hurt anyone close to Frannie in order to get what they want. It will take everything she has and then some to stay out of Hell’s grasp.

And not everyone will get out of it alive.

Review and Rating: 3-3.5

First off I love how Desrochers writes. I love that she isn't one of those shy YA writers. She doesn't back down from how teens really act and what life really feels like. I couldn't give this book as high a rating as the first though. I found myself too often annoyed by the characters going around the same internal problems over and over again. That's how people really are though so it made sense. I liked it, its a descent book but I'm personally hoping the third one comes back and steals me like the first.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Cover Crazy: Wicked Lovely

Cover Crazy is hosted by Tawni over at The Book Worms

Okay so this is one of my favorite books. It's a bit older of a book but its still amazing and I would highly recommend it.

The first thing I love is the frosted Iris and hands. Its just beautiful and if you read the story it makes a lot of sense. I love that its in focus compared to the rest of the cover as well. It draws attention to it and makes it more dramatic.
Second I love the way the title is set up. I love the color choice. It both stands out from the background and blends in at the same time. Also I love the vines twisting out from and below it.
Third I love the girl in the background. Shes slightly out of focus so shes still left to your imagination but she also fits in with the rest of the cover (and the book). Also I love how her lips stand out (again it makes sense when the book is read).
Fourth I just love the general color. The dark blues and purple mixed with the black. I definitely love this cover and the ones in the rest of the series are wonderful as well.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

In My Mailbox 10

Far From The War By Jeffrey David Payne

(Received from Publishers. Thank you Roche Harbor Books.)

Economic ruin and partisan rancor have pushed America to the brink of a new civil war. Esther is caught in the middle, serving as a page in the United States House of Representatives when rogue politicians and military leaders stage a modern day coup d'etat. When the coup turns violent, she abandons Washington, D.C. for home. She must learn to survive on her own as transportation and financial networks fail, as the war disrupts food and water supplies. The result is a cautionary tale about political extremism and the true cost of war.

Soul Thief By Jana Oliver

(Squeak! So excited!)

Riley Blackthorne is beginning to learn that there are worse things than death by demon. And love is just one of them…

Seventeen-year-old Riley has about had it up to here. After the devastating battle at the Tabernacle, trappers are dead and injured, her boyfriend Simon is gravely injured, and now her beloved late father’s been illegally poached from his grave by a very powerful necromancer. As if that’s not enough, there's Ori, one sizzling hot freelance demon hunter who’s made himself Riley’s unofficial body guard, and Beck, a super over-protective “friend” who acts more like a grouchy granddad. With all the hassles, Riley’s almost ready to leave Atlanta altogether.

But as Atlanta’s demon count increases, the Vatican finally sends its own Demon Hunters to take care of the city’s “little” problem, and pandemonium breaks loose. Only Riley knows that she might be the center of Hell’s attention: an extremely powerful Grade 5 demon is stalking her, and her luck can't last forever…

Saturday, August 27, 2011

In My Mailbox 9

Luc Cain was born and raised in Hell, but he isn’t feeling as demonic as usual lately—thanks to Frannie Cavanaugh and the unique power she never realized she had. But you can’t desert Hell without consequences, and suddenly Frannie and Luc find themselves targeted by the same demons who used to be Luc’s allies.Left with few options, Frannie and Luc accept the protection of Heaven and one of its most powerful angels, Gabe. Unfortunately, Luc isn’t the only one affected by Frannie, and it isn’t long before Gabe realizes that being around her is too…tempting. Rather than risk losing his wings, he leaves Frannie and Luc under the protection of her recently-acquired guardian angel.Which would be fine, but Gabe is barely out the door before an assortment of demons appears—and they’re not leaving without dragging Luc back to Hell with them. Hell won’t give up and Heaven won’t give in. Frannie’s guardian exercises all the power he has to keep them away, but the demons are willing to hurt anyone close to Frannie in order to get what they want. It will take everything she has and then some to stay out of Hell’s grasp.And not everyone will get out of it alive.

(SPOILER FOR LAST SACRIFICE)

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone is out for blood.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday 10

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. where we feature upcoming releases that we are highly anticipating.

January 3rd 2012

Summary:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Review: Born At Midnight By C.C. Hunter

Summary:
Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams, Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

Review and Rating: 5!
Born at Midnight is simply addictive.With all the cliche books out there currently Born at Midnight is defiantly different. The writing is smooth and well paced with plenty of funny and witty remarks and a plot built with twists most people wouldn't expect. C.C. Hunter did a wonderful job of building her own magical world and charming characters. Kylie is a confused and baffled realistic teen. All her thoughts and actions are true to a real teen making her an incredible character. Derek is the sweet prince charming character every girl dreams of but Lucas is the sexy bad boy every girl secretly (or not so secretly) loves.Della is the temperamental little teen that you know is way stressed and Miranda is the shy, quiet, and secretly strong girl leaving us wondering if one day the sweet little shy side will snap. All these characters combined makes for one fun ride. You'll love Born at Midnight I know I did!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday 9

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. where we feature upcoming releases that we are highly anticipating.

Words are the most dangerous weapon of all.

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.(Goodreads)

Monday, August 8, 2011

Excitement!

Squeak! Yep that totally just happened lol. Now I'll tell y'all why. Today I got enrolled in my first classes in college and am totally jazzed about it and thought I'd share the news with all of my lovely followers! :)

How many of y'all are in college or are just now starting? How does/did it feel just starting out?

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Award

Thanks to Juliet @ The Attic for nominating me for the Liebster Blog Award! The goal of the award is to spotlight up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers.

The rules of the award are:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.

2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

3. Copy and past the award on your blog.

4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.

5. And most of all- have bloggity-blog fun!

My nominations are: (In no order)

Saturday, August 6, 2011

In My Mailbox 8

Kindle copy from author

Catalyst By Marc Johnson
Thanks Marc :)
Bought
The Line By Teri Hall

Catalyst (The Passage of Hellsfire, Book 1)

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday 8

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. where we feature upcoming releases that we are highly anticipating.

I've never been truly sure what to think of the Blue Bloods series but I cant stop reading them.

Summary:

After their beautiful yet brief bonding ceremony in Italy, Schuyler Van Alen and Jack Force are forced to separate. To fulfill the Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler travels to Alexandria to search for Catherine of Siena and the Gate of Promise. But Schuyler quickly discovers that everything she believed about the Gate to be wrong. Meanwhile, Jack makes the difficult decision to return to New York to face his twin and former bondmate, Mimi. But instead of a bitter reunion, he is faced with a choice for which there is no good option

Mimi, with a most unexpected travel companion in Oliver Hazard-Perry, jets off to Egypt, too, to search for Kingsley Martin, her long lost love. With all roads leading to Hell, Mimi learns that not all love stories have happy endings. But she'll have to put her own feelings aside if she's going to save her crumbling Coven

Monday, August 1, 2011

In My Mailbox 7

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.This is a weekly meme where we will post any books that we have received in the mail, bought, borrowed, loaned from the library etc. It can be anything we have just gotten and/or are excited about.

I'm sorry its late! I wasn't around a computer at all yesterday.

Ironside and Valiant By Holly Black

I'm really excited to read these. I love the darker take on faeries that both Holly Black and Melissa Marr use. It make them and their world all that much more intriguing and tempting.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday 7

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. where we feature upcoming releases that we are highly anticipating.

September 27th 2011

Summary:

On the night of Skye's seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites--like fire and ice--Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye's life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move--only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.

In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can't help falling for, and Devin, who she can't stay away from, the consequences of Skye's choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine.(Goodreads)

Monday, July 25, 2011

Review: Personal Demons By Lisa Desrochers

Summary:

Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She has spent years keeping everyone at a distance—-even her closest friends—-and it seems as if her senior year is going to be more of the same . . . until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can’t seem to stay away from him.

What she doesn’t know is that Luc is on a mission. He’s been sent from Hell itself to claim Frannie’s soul. It should be easy—-all he has to do is get her to sin, and Luc is as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance. But he has to work fast, because if the infernals are after her, the celestials can’t be far behind. And sure enough, it’s not long before the angel Gabriel shows up, willing to do anything to keep Luc from getting what he came for. It isn’t long before they find themselves fighting for more than just Frannie’s soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay . . . for all of them.(Goodreads)

Review and Rating: 4.5

I really liked this book but I had to take of a little for the (few) predictable parts. Yes this is a book about angels and demons but its not like the other cliche plots currently out there. The characters are well written and have depth. Frannie is realistic and strong unlike a lot of other female lead characters and Luc is written with a realistic male voice which is quite rare and it makes his character all that much more enjoyable. This book is hot, engrossing, and well paced leaving you unwilling to put it down. It will pull you in from page one and have you dying to read the sequel just like me!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

In My Mailbox 6

Bought:

The Maze Runner By: James Dashner

Blood Red Road By: Moira Young

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday 6

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. where we feature upcoming releases that we are highly anticipating.

Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2)

October 11th 2011

Summary:

Now that she’s settled in at Shadow Falls Camp, Kylie Galen’s determined to discover the extent of her supernatural abilities. But with a ghost insisting someone Kylie loves is about die, a rogue vampire on a murdering rampage, and her sixth sense telling her someone is watching her, Kylie’s quest for answers is quickly put on hold.

To make matters worse, just when she’s about to give her heart to Derek, a half-fairy, he starts pulling away. When Lucas, a werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past, returns, Kylie’s feels more conflicted than ever. Her weekend with her mom should have been the just the break Kylie needs, but it turns out to be her breaking point. Someone from the dark side of the supernatural world has plans for Kylie—and it'll take all her resources to get back to Shadow Falls alive...(Goodreads)

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Shatter Me Cover Revealed

Expected publication: November 15th 2011

Summary:

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday 5

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. where we feature upcoming releases that we are highly anticipating.

Soul Thief (The Demon Trappers #2)

Expected publication: August 30th 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin

Summary:

Riley Blackthorne is beginning to learn that there are worse things than death by demon. And love is just one of them…