Book Bundle

Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems. Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming. -goodreads.com

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

A hidden truth. Mortal enemies. Doomed love.Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form. Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy. -goodreads.com

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade

After a close encounter with the front end of a school bus, Alona Dare goes from Homecoming Queen to Queen of the Dead. Now she’s stuck here in spirit form with no sign of the big, bright light coming to take her away. To make matters worse, the only person who might be able to help her is Will Killian, a total loser/outcast type who hates the social elite. He alone can see and hear her, but he wants nothing to do with the former mean girl of Groundsboro High.

Can they get over their mutual distrust—and this weird attraction between them—to work together before Alona vanishes for good and Will is locked up for seeing things that don’t exist? -goodreads.com

Source: All of these were purchased and Barnes and Noble with my BF's membership card (I saved 10%).

Most Anticipated: Wowzers. I am honestly looking forward to all of these! I've read several rave reviews on all of them! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving! :)

Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon

Book Summery:

After Renee Winters discovers her parents lying dead in California’s Redwood Forest in what appears to be a strange double murder, her grandfather sends her off to Gottfried Academy in Maine, a remote and mysterious high school dedicated to philosophy, “crude sciences,” and Latin: the Language of the Dead. It’s here she meets Dante, a dark and elusive student to whom she feels inexplicably drawn.
As they get to know each other better, Dante can’t seem to control his attraction either, and their desires gradually deepen into a complex and dangerous romance. Dangerous because Dante is hiding a frightening secret. A secret so terrible, it has him fearing for Renee’s life.
Dante’s not the only one with secrets, though. Turns out Gottfried Academy has a few of its own... Like, how come students keep disappearing? Why are the prefect-like Monitors creeping around campus during the night? And what exactly are the Headmistress and Professors really up to? Renee is determined to find out why. -goodreads.com

Book Review:

*Let me forewarn you. No review I can write does this story justice.*

A romantic, haunting tale of forbidden love, death, and tragedy. I randomly noticed this book on my list trip to the bookstore. I had neither heard of the title or the author. On a whim, I picked it up and began to flip through the pages. I fell in love after page one. Yvonne Woon has created an original tale that is captivating, dark, and original. The characters are intelligent, dimensional, and flawed. It was extremely difficult to set this book down. Woon has combined romance, existentialism, mystery, transcendentalism, and yes, even zombies, in an unforgettable tale of discovery and intrigue. Despite it's complexities, I devoured this book in large gulps, craving more with every swallow. Woon writes with passion and fluidity that creates a vivid, unique story, with a rather dark, yet beautiful tone. I highly recommend Dead Beautiful to readers everywhere. Also, be sure to check out the author's website. It is just as creative and imaginative as her writing.

Favorite Quote:

"By the middle of October, the last of the trees had changed colors and the entire campus was blushing red and orange leaves. Every morning while I walked to class, the breeze would pluck them from their branches and carry them around campus, making them swirl around my feet like a flutter of monarch butterflies." (p. 152)

Cover Art Commentary:
I'll be honest. The very first thing that drew me to this book was the cover. Dark, subtle, and mysterious. I craved to know what lie beyond its pages.

Overall Rating:

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

Book Summery:
When funny, charming, absolutely-normal Audrey Cuttler dumps her boyfriend Evan, he writes a song about her that becomes a number-one hit—and rockets Audrey to stardom!
Suddenly, tabloid paparazzi are on her tail and Audrey can barely hang with her friends at concerts or the movies without getting mobbed—let alone score a date with James, her adorable coworker at the Scooper Dooper. Her life will never be the same—at least, not until Audrey confronts Evan live on MTV and lets the world know exactly who she is! -goodreads.com

Book Trailer (Fan Made):

Book Review:
After reading Benway's The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June (review here), I -knew- that I wanted to read more of her work. Enter Audrey, Wait!, Benway's first novel. You can tell that Benway put a lot of care and hard work into her first publication. At the beginning of each chapter is a quote from a song (from various bands) that foreshadows the rest of the chapter. Not only is this fun and original, it also goes to show that Benway has exceptional taste in music! :) The characters are creative, flawed, and delightful. I want to be friends with many of the characters in this book! :P Overall, Benway's writing was fluid and the story had a nice flow to it. Not too rushed, not too slow. Benway's writing style puts the reader right in the main character's (Audrey) shoes. You get a feel, first hand of the ups and downs of fame. The one drawback that I noticed was the use of the F-bomb repeatedly throughout the book. I'm not talking just here and there. I'm talking like multiple times throughout each chapter. While, I'm not one who usually critiques cursing (as I am an avid user of profanity myself), it just seemed like A LOT. Seriously, use another world once in a while! ;) Honestly, that was my only complaint of this book. Overall, I found Audrey, Wait! to be an original, fun-loving, honest story of a girl who finds herself in the public eye after breaking up with her boyfriend. I absolutely adored it and continue to look forward to more of Benway's work!

Favorite Quote:

" 'Why Jersey?' I interrupted. I couldn't help myself. 'I mean why didn't he go to New York and spend time frolicking in the city? That's what I would do if I were him.'

Victoria paused and I could tell she was trying not to smile. 'Did you just say 'frolic'?'
'Is it not a word?'
'Who the hell says frolic?'
I spun the lock on my locker and waited for it to stick like it always did on 33. 'I say frolic,' I told her. 'And more people should.'
'They should say frolic or actually frolic?'
'Both.' "(p47-48)

Cover Art Commentary:
I have to admit that I like the hardcover (featured directly above) copy cover art over the paperback (featured at the top of this post). It's more colorful and fun, which is more in sync with the theme of the book. I do like the girl on the cover of the paperback. It gives us a good idea of what Audrey might look like (fun, carefree, and original).

Overall Rating:

Book Bundle

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares. -goodreads.com

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything--including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice? -goodreads.com


Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon

After Renee Winters discovers her parents lying dead in California’s Redwood Forest in what appears to be a strange double murder, her grandfather sends her off to Gottfried Academy in Maine, a remote and mysterious high school dedicated to philosophy, “crude sciences,” and Latin: the Language of the Dead. It’s here she meets Dante, a dark and elusive student to whom she feels inexplicably drawn.
As they get to know each other better, Dante can’t seem to control his attraction either, and their desires gradually deepen into a complex and dangerous romance. Dangerous because Dante is hiding a frightening secret. A secret so terrible, it has him fearing for Renee’s life.
Dante’s not the only one with secrets, though. Turns out Gottfried Academy has a few of its own... Like, how come students keep disappearing? Why are the prefect-like Monitors creeping around campus during the night? And what exactly are the Headmistress and Professors really up to? Renee is determined to find out why.
Dead Beautiful is both a compelling romance and thought-provoking read, bringing shocking new meaning to life, death, love, and the nature of the soul. -goodreads.com

Source: Nevermore and Nightshade were purchased at an indie bookstore. Dead Beautiful was purchased at Barnes and Noble with my BF's membership card (I saved 10%).

Most Anticipated: I can say with all honesty, that I am looking forward to reading ALL of these. :)

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Book Summery:

Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs. -goodreads.com

Book Trailer:



Book Review:
When I first read a review of this book, I was intrigued. As more and more reviews came out, my interest grew. Until I finally had to read the story for myself, and let me tell you it's a hell of a good story. The town on Gentry is dark and mysterious. From page one, you can tell something isn't what it appears to be. The characters of this book really highlight the story. Mackie is an unusual main character. Apologetic for his very nature. He also has an air of mystery that surrounds him. The deeper Mackie delves into discovering his true nature, the more dangerous things get for the town. Emma, Mackie's sister, will literally do anything to keep him safe. Mackie's cast of friends are fiercely loyal as well as colorful. Rasputin, the town's most successful band holds an interesting link to Mackie. Last, but not least, Tate, who is sweet, tough and one-of-a-kind. Despite the wonderful cast of characters, what took my rating down to a 4/5 was Yovanoff's writing. Don't get me wrong, the tale is wonderful. However, Yovanoff's writing style seemed a bit dis-jointed, or choppy (if you will), to me. Some crucial elements were not fully explained or flushed out. This lead the reader to be confused at points. Despite this flaw, I was able to piece together the overall picture, which was a dark, creepy, but ultimately lovable tale.

Favorite Quote:

"The Morrigan was hugging herself, rocking back and forth. She leaned against me suddenly, resting her cheek on my arm. 'We love the town as best we can, and they love us back, although they don't always know they're doing it. But it isn't enough for my sister. She needs sacrifice. ' " (p. 119)

Cover Art Commentary:
I really love this cover. It's dark. It's mysterious. It's creepy. It sets the perfect tone for the overall story.

Overall Rating:

Reading Reflections: October 2010

Books Read:
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler (review)
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (review)
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (review)
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson (review)

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 4

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 52

Most Anticipated:
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Biggest Let Down:
none!

Favorite Read:
Hmmmm....that is a toughie. If pressed to choose, I would say it's a tie between Paranormalcy by Kiersten White and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, for different reasons of course. ;)

Highest Rank:
5 butterflies

Lowest Rank:
5 butterflies

Overall Reflection:
Wow...what a month! I honestly don't think I have ever given all 5/5 ratings for an entire month before! I read Twenty Boy Summer and Speak in honor of Banned Books Week and censorship. Both books were amazing and I highly recommend them. I read Wintergirls after Speak because Laurie Halse Anderson's voice was so haunting, I craved more of her work. I was not disappointed. Paranormalcy was a breath of fresh air, among the more heavy-hearted reads. Overall, a wonderful month of reading. I was soooo close to getting 5 in this month, but am not quite done reading The Replacement yet, so keep an eye out for that review. ;)