Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday: The Road Less Traveled

 

 A feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish
This weeks topic: Top Ten Blogs/Sites You Read That AREN’T about Books:

  1.  Facebook: I'm addicted. I can't go a day without checking in.
  2. Vera Bradley: I am also addicted to Vera. I love me some good Vera sales!
  3. The Pioneer Woman: Such good recipes! Such wit! What a fab combo!
  4. Baked Perfection: Delicious Deserts...Mmmmm!
  5. Pinterest: Seriously, I have no idea why, but this site is soooo addicting!
  6. The Nails Network: There's something about a fresh manicure that makes me happy. This site gives me some great ideas!
  7. Twitter: 'Nough said.
  8. Pandora: I have various stations for various moods: pop, indie, etc...I also have a study station for writing papers. :P
annnnnd...2 bookish sites just for fun ;)
  1. Goodreads: I check this site minimally every day!
  2. Amazon: What would we do without amazon?!

So what non-bookish (and bookish) sites do you visit?

Friday, May 18, 2012

The Calling (Darkness Rising #2) by Kelley Armstrong




Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Maya Delaney’s paw-print birthmark is the sign of what she truly is—a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly anyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they’re kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

Book Review:
I am a Kelley Armstrong fan! I just adored her Darkest Powers series. However, I find her Darkness Rising series to be a little lackluster. Don't get me wrong. I still enjoy the stories, but I don't find this series as satisfying as the Darkest Powers series. There are many things that I enjoyed about The Calling. This novel is non-stop action from beginning to end! I had great difficulties setting this book down for that reason alone. I also enjoyed learning more about the St. Cloud research facility. However, it just wasn't enough! I need to learn more!!! I really enjoyed the interaction between Maya and her friends as they tried to outsmart their persuaders. I loved how they were quickly tried to problem solve their way to freedom. Honestly, I think a major part of my problem is that I just can't get enough of this world. I am just dying to learn more! I hope the next book is able to quench my thirst!

Favorite Quote:
“It's a road," Corey said, pointing.
"A dirt road," Hayley muttered.
"So? We've been slogging through the forest for two days. What do you want? A six-lane highway?” 

Cover Art Commentary:
I love this cover! The model they chose was gorgeous. I love the slight blue overtone.

Rating:


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu




Book Summery (Via Goodreads): What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Book Review:
Wow. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I picked up an audiobook copy of  Legend. I had seen a few reviews here and there, and they were mostly all fabulous. However, the cover of the book just looked so bland to me, I never really picked it up (sad, I know, but true). Finally on road trip, I picked up the audiobook and fell in love with this story within the first few pages. This is one seriously amazing distopian novel. The story is plot is rich and detailed, woven with love, sacrifice, death, revenge, and survival. I am totally in love with Day's character. In time, June grew on me just as much. If there are only a few books you read a year, make this one of them! Btw...the above artwork is by the author herself. Check out her other artwork here.

Favorite Quote:
“Each day means a new twenty-four hours. Each day means everything's possible again. You live in the moment, you die in the moment, you take it all one day at a time."

Cover Art Commentary:
Honestly, I wasn't a fan of this cover at first. I thought it was rather bland. In fact, I overlooked it several times at the bookstore because the cover was monotonous. However, after reading Legend, I have decided that the cover is rather appropriate to the story. The chapters are written in alternating characters, June's voice is regular black type and Day's voice is gold, which ties in nicely with the cover! Also, the above picture is drawn by the author and can be found on her website, along with her other artwork for the series here.

Rating:

Monday, May 14, 2012

Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimee Carter




Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.


Book Review:
Ok, so I was totally in love with The Goddess Test (my review here). Sadly, Goddess Interrupted just wasn't as good. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the book. However, the majority of the story focused on Kate's inner thoughts and insecurities regarding her relationship with Henry and how she felt he wasn't over Persephone. It was such a short book, but it took me a long time to get through. I enjoyed Kate, Ava, and James' journey into the underworld. The ending was also phenomenal, which is why I will be picking up the next book in the series, The Goddess Inheritance. Please, don't let me deter you from this book. I really did enjoy it overall, and there are many, many readers who enjoyed it even more than I did.

Favorite Quote:
“It is supposed to be the truth." He stared at me and my breath caught in my throat. "If I were a better man, I would be able to show you the love and affection you deserve. As I am not, I can only offer you what I'm capable of giving. But I assure you, just because I do not show it, doesn't mean I do not feel it.”

Cover Art Commentary:
Lovely. It matches the first book in the series. :)

Rating:

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Reading Reflections: April 2012



Books Read:
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns #1) by Rae Carson
Taken at Dusk (Shadow Falls #3) by C.C. Hunter
The Calling (Darkness Rising #2) by Kelley Armstrong
Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 6


Total Number of Books Read This Year: 24

Most Anticipated:
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Biggest Let Down:
Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns #1) by Rae Carson
Not really a let down per say. Just not as good as some of the other books I read this month.

Favorite Read:
Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu 


Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 4

Overall Reflection:
Overall, a good month for reading. Unfortunately, life got in the way of reviewing/blogging by mid-late April all the way through mid-May. I apologize to my readers. Hopefully, life with get a little smoother in the upcoming months!