Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

Book Summer (Via Goodreads): Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.

Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.

Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they're triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

Book Review:
I wasn't sure what I was in store for when I picked this book up. What I got was a unique tale with a mythological twist. The three girls couldn't be more different from one another. Gretchen is one tough chick who is certain of her destiny. Grace is the sweet girl-next-door who is very eco-friendly. Greer is a confident young lady who comes from a very privileged background. Together, they make the decedents of Medusa and must fulfill an ancient prophecy. I loved Childs' writing. It was charming and whimsical. I enjoyed the different voices of each of the girls. Grace is my favorite. Overall, this was a fun story the ended on a cliffhanger. I can not wait to read the sequel! In the meantime, I plan to catch up on Childs' other books!

Favorite Quote:

“For the first time, I want to let people in. I didn't want to hang up on Nick. I had to. Because, for the first time, I wanted to say yes.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
I like the darker colors of this cover. I like the movement of the braid and curly writing at the bottom.

Rating:

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

Book Summer (Via Goodreads): In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

Book Trailer:



Book Review:
This was the first book I have read by Zevin, and I have to say, I was blown away! Zevin's voice was colorful and refreshing. I loved, loved the main character Anya. She is flawed, responsible, loving, and always tries to do the right thing. Her family "mob" background was original and engaging. I loved how she interacted with different family members and family acquaintances. Really, all of the characters were superb. The romance was realistic and endearing, and not too overpowering. There was very little I didn't like about this book! I couldn't help but furiously turn the pages, eager to know more. Overall, I highly enjoyed this story, and look forward to the sequel! Ganrielle Zevin is now on my author TBR list! :)

Favorite Quote:

“Tragedy is when someone ends up dead. Everything else is just a bump in the road. For the record, that was something Daddy used to say.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
This is definitely not my favorite cover. For one, it lacks color. Two, because of the font and the majority of writing on the cover, I thought this was a self-help book for teens until I started reading reviews. For what it's worth, I like the chocolate heart! Also, once you remove the jacket, the actual book cover is made to look like a Balanchine chocolate bar, which is beyond awesome! :)

Rating:

Top Ten Tuesday: Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

 A feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

This weeks topic: Top Ten Twelve Books On My TBR List For Winter

1. Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver
2. A Million Suns by Beth Revis
3. Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
4. Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3) by Rachel Hawkins
5. The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3) by Kimberly Derting
6. Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
7. Taken at Dusk (Shadow Falls #3) by C.C. Hunter
8. Perception (Clarity #2) by Kim Harrington
9. Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth 
10. Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey
11. Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer 
12. The Calling (Darkness Rising #2) by Kelly Armstrong  

 
So what are you looking forward to reading this winter?

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherine M. Valente

Book Summer (Via Goodreads): Twelve-year-old September lives in Omaha, and used to have an ordinary life, until her father went to war and her mother went to work. One day, September is met at her kitchen window by a Green Wind (taking the form of a gentleman in a green jacket), who invites her on an adventure, implying that her help is needed in Fairyland. The new Marquess is unpredictable and fickle, and also not much older than September. Only September can retrieve a talisman the Marquess wants from the enchanted woods, and if she doesn’t . . . then the Marquess will make life impossible for the inhabitants of Fairyland. September is already making new friends, including a book-loving Wyvern and a mysterious boy named Saturday.  With exquisite illustrations by acclaimed artist Ana Juan, Fairyland lives up to the sensation it created when the author first posted it online.

Book Trailer:



Book Review:
Enchanting! This highly imaginative tale has reminiscent tones of Alice in Wonderland, His Dark Materials, and Abarat. Follow September as she embarks on a journey like no other. Valente uses a vivid and innovative voice to create a world of mystery and magic. Throughout her journey, September comes across many unconventional and dynamic characters. Among my favorites are Saturday, A-through-L, the Green Wind, and the Leopard of Little Breezes. What I love most about September, is that she tries to think logically through all the choices she is faced with. Quite impressive for a twelve year old! I had first heard of Valente through the book blogger calico_reaction, who speaks highly of this author and her diverse publications. I was not the least bit disappointed! My only concern is that this book's intended audience is children, and they might have a difficult time understanding some of the content. Of course, their imaginations will run wild! :) This book has so many whimsical and magical tones that it would be hard for any reader not to fall in love with original modern fairytale!

Favorite Quote:

“Stories have a way of changing faces. They are unruly things, undisciplined, given to delinquency and the throwing of erasers. This is why we must close them up into thick, solid books, so they cannot get out and cause trouble.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
I love the bright colors! The illustration is whimsical, yet classical. Very eye-catching! :)

Rating:

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful to all of you wonderful people who take the time to read my blog! Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!