The Darkest Fire by Gena Showalter

Title: The Darkest Fire
Author: Gena Showalter
Source: Free e-book; 63 pages
Challenges: Show Me the Free

He is the guardian of hell, more monster than man. She is the goddess of oppression, more angel than woman. Together they will enter the flames to battle a dangerous horde of demon lords -- and discover a passion unlike any other.

My Rating: 4 stars ★★★★

My Thoughts (mini-review):
I've heard a lot of good things about Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series, but I'm always skeptical when it comes to romance novels because they aren't usually "my thing" (even paranormal ones). When I saw this was being offered for free, I thought it'd be a great opportunity to see if I liked Showalter's writing and whether or not I'd want to add the series to my TBR list.

I loved the mythology that's weaved into the story (the origin of Pandora's box, among other things). I really enjoy when paranormal romance novels have mythology thrown in here and there; I think it separates them a little bit from the rest of the genre and adds a twist to the usual plot-line. Also, I just love mythology in general LOL.

The ending was a tad bit rushed, but overall I thought the length was appropriate for a novella;  it was a satisfying, quick read. I will definitely be adding the next book in the series to my ever-growing TBR pile!

Warnings: sexual content (this is not a YA series)

(HERE is the link where I downloaded it free, though I cannot guarantee that it will still be available at the time of your viewing.)

In My Mailbox (#9)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

Books Mentioned:
Won:

• A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang (from The Book Vixen)
• The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff SIGNED!!
• The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller SIGNED!

(from Midnyte Reader *squee* Thank you so much!!)

Library:

• The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

The Secret Year by Jennifer R Hubbard

Title: The Secret Year
Author: Jennifer R. Hubbard
Source: Library; paperback 208 pages

 Colt and Julia were secretly together for a year, and no one ever knew, not even Julia's boyfriend. Why would they—they were from two different crowds. Julia lived in her country club world and Colt . . . didn't. Then Julia dies in a car accident. Colt is devastated but can't mourn openly, and he's tormented that he may have played a part in her death. And when Julia's journal ends up in his hands, he is forced to relive their year together—just when he is trying to forget. The problem is, how do you get over someone who was never really yours to begin with?

My Rating: 3 stars ★★★
My Thoughts (mini-review):

I decided to do a mini-review for this book because I don't have much to say about it. It just wasn't memorable for me; there isn't really anything I can remember that makes me think "Wow. I loved that" (or something along those lines).

The premise of this book intrigued me a lot, as I had never read anything like it before, and was the reason I decided to give it a read. The first half of the novel was interesting and very emotional; however, the second half seemed much slower-paced and kind of dragged for me. I wasn't too impressed with the ending either because I felt like most of the characters were basically in the same state that they were in at the beginning of the book; nothing was really resolved or accomplished.

This is definitely a book I'd suggest checking out from the library before deciding whether or not to buy it.

Warnings: There is a decent amount of sex in this book, so you may not want to pick it up if that bothers you.

Want a different perspective? Other reviews of this book:
The Story Siren // Chick Lit Teens // Good Books and Good Wine 

Teaser Tuesday #7

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Be sure to comment with a link to your Tuesday Teaser post (or if you don't have a blog, share your teasers in a comment) so I can see what you're reading =)

 ✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦

Title: Wither

Author: Lauren DeStefano

I have always been fascinated by the ocean, to dip a limb beneath its surface and know that I'm touching eternity, that it goes on forever until it begins here again. Somewhere beneath it lies the ruins of colorful Japan, and Rose's favorite, India, the nations that could not survive. This lone continent is all that's left.

page 79

Amazon Associates

Just a note to let you guys know that I've joined the Amazon Associates program. So now, if a link on my blog takes you to Amazon, it is linked with my associate ID and any purchases made through my links will give me a small amount of money in referrals. I decided to join this program because while hosting my 100 Follower Giveaway, I realized how much fun hosting giveaways are and I definitely want to host many more; however, I don't have a lot of money to spend out-of-pocket for this blog... so whatever money I earn through Amazon Associates will be used as funding for future giveaways.

Behind The Blog (#3)

Olivia from Magical Books

I had been thinking about creating a book blog for a long time before I finally started Magical Books this January. So I’ve only been blogging about two months now, and I love it! I’ve been reading books as long as I can remember and read almost every common genre, mostly YA fiction but sometimes adult fiction as well (though I don’t review it on my blog). I live in Sweden, am 14 years old and suck at writing these kind of thingies in which I have to introduce myself. So let’s get on with the questions, shall we?

Genres reviewed on her blog: YA/MG (sub-genres: Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Chick-Lit)

• What made you decide to start blogging?

Ever since I stumbled upon the book blogging community I found myself creating blog posts and reviews in my head, imagining that I had my own blog. So I started thinking about whether I should start a blog or not, and eventually created Magical Books.

• What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I'm really into playing the piano (I've done it for about four years), playing video games and spending my time doing nothing but randomly surfing around on the Internet. I also really love photographing, though I do it mostly in the summers. And then, of course, I love being with my friends, eating candy and watching movies all night long together with them.

• If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have three of your possessions, which three things would you choose?

First off, I would like to have a Kindle with me. Endless amounts of books, hooray! I would take the one with 3G, I hope that the signal reaches to my little island! Just in case that the 3G signal does not reach to the island, or if I would grow tired of the place, I would like to have a boat with me! And lastly, I wouldn't want to get hungry, so why not take with me a magical gadget that can produce food out of thin air?

• What is your favorite season of the year? What do you like about it?

My favorite is definitely that wonderful time at the ending of spring and beginning of summer. I hate winter because it's too cold. And I hate the summer because it's too warm. The fall is just depressing. So the ending of spring is perfect! Everybody is happy since school's soon over, and it's the most comfortable temperature ever!

• If you could be a superhero, what kind of powers would you want to have?

Teleportation! It would save me soo much time. And I wouldn't have to bring a boat to the island I will get stranded on ...!

        Alyssa: Oh, I feel you on that one!! There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish I could teleport! It would be SO convenient!

 

 ✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦

 Head on over to Olivia's blog,  Magical Books, and take a look around!

If you'd like to be featured on Behind the Blog, fill out THIS FORM

In My Mailbox (#8)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

Please excuse my appearance....
it's my "just rolled out of bed at one in the afternoon" look -_-

Books Mentioned:
Bought:

• Unwind by Neal Shusterman
• The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller
• The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
• The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
• Do Penguins Have Knees? by David Feldman
• Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson
• Hunted by P.C. and Kristen Cast
  

 Won:

• Wither by Lauren DeStefano (from All Thing Urban Fantasy)
• The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender (from Goodreads)

Library:

• White Cat by Holly Black
• Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
• Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
• Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund
  

E-Books:
Bought:

• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
  

Free: 

 

• The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (not free anymore though, sorry!)
• Raising the Dead by Maria Purnhagen
• Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson
• Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate
• Moby Dick by Herman Melville
• Heart of Stone by Jill Marie Landis
  

Follow Friday (#6)

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View

This week's question:

If you are a fan of Science Fiction what is your favorite book? If you haven't read Science Fiction before...any inkling to? Anything catch your eye?

I LOVE Science fiction, but this question makes me realize that I actually haven't read too many Sci-Fi novels. Sure, I watch lots of Sci-Fi TV shows/movies... and read many fantasy novels that have a little bit of Science Fiction in them, but I haven't read many books that would be predominately classified as Sci-Fi (which means I'll be checking out everyone's answers for recommendations!). 

However, I've recently read I Am Number Four, which I would consider Science Fiction, and I thought it was excellent - hopefully I'll also be seeing the movie later today with the boyfriend ☺ I've also had my eye on Unwind by Neal Shusterman for a while, so I finally ordered it (...will be part of IMM tomorrow) - has anyone read it yet? Have any other good Science Fiction recommendations for me?

Waiting on Wednesday #4

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that features books we're anxiously awaiting the release of. My pick for the week is:

Title: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Author: Rebecca Skloot
Publication Date: it's already out in hardcover, but I'm waiting for the paperback release which is in March 2011

Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her slave ancestors, yet her cells—taken without her knowledge—became one of the most important tools in medicine. The first "immortal" human cells grown in culture, they are still alive today, though she has been dead for more than sixty years. If you could pile all HeLa cells ever grown onto a scale, they'd weigh more than 50 million metric tons—as much as a hundred Empire State Buildings. HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bomb's effects; helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions.

Intimate in feeling, astonishing in scope, and impossible to put down, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks captures the beauty and drama of scientific discovery, as well as its human consequences.

The synopsis was super long, so I took out much of the middle portion, but if you'd like to read it in its entirety, you can HERE. I'm wanting to read this book because I'm a science geek and am totally fascinated by this.

What are you waiting on this week?

Behind the Blog (#2)

 

Hannah from Every Little Thing

I started my blog back in September of 2010. I've always loved books and I wanted to share with others my thoughts on reading different books, without having to join a book club. And at the time, I only could think of a blog to start. And what do ya know, I've suddenly have friends that enjoy the same books as me!  
Genres reviewed on her blog: YA/MG, Paranormal, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Chick-Lit (pretty much anything except non-fiction)

• If you could be any mythological or fantastic creature, what would you be and why?

"I would be a vampire. I am so in love with them!"

• What is your most-anticipated 2011 book release? 

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer. It's the second book in the Nightshade series. I recently read Nightshade and instantly fell in love with the series! I'm hoping the second one is as good as the first :)

• If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you do with the money? 

Ah. I've always dreamed of winning the lottery and I haven't really got all the kinks out of my ideas of what to do with the money, but here are some ideas of what I'd do.

1. I'd travel around the USA. Then visit Germany, Rome, and Africa.
2. I'd donate money to animal shelters (huge animal fan/lover here) and homeless shelters.
3. I'd get a bigger house. I don't live in a teeny tiny house, but a bigger house would help a lot :)

• Do you have any pets?

I have 4 pets. 2 dogs (Arrow and Bronte) and 2 cats (Angel and AJ).

Angel & Arrow

• Who are your favorite authors and why? What book would you recommend to someone who has never read that author before? 

"Favorite authors..Hmm..They would have to be MaryJanice Davidson (I recommend you try her hilarious Undead series), Jodi Picoult (I've only read her My Sister's Keeper, but fell in love with her! Read that one, and you'll re-consider life) and Becca Fitzpatrick (she's a new favorite of mine, since I recently read her Hush, Hush and absolutely loved it! So, I suggest you try that series of her's :)) "

What's Your Status? 2/13/11

Whats Your Status?

What's your status is a weekly meme hosted by Butterfly Feet Walking On Books, in which we list all our reading accomplishments for the past week.

Read in the past week:

• The Secret Year by Jennifer R Hubbard

Currently Reading:

• The Vampire Voss by Colleen Gleason (on page 15 of 380)

Up Next:

• Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
• Across the Universe by Beth Revis
• Matched by Ally Condie

Weekly Recap

• Behind the Blog - Rie from Mission to Read
• In My Mailbox (super-special edition. my first book signing ♥)
• Why I Blog
• 100 Follower Giveaway!! - ends March 1st

Why I Blog...

So I know a lot of bloggers are making posts like this, and maybe you’re tired of reading them, but maybe not. If even one person reads this post, it will have been worth writing. Mainly this is in response to a post I read on Kristi’s blog (I left a semi-short comment here, but I wanted to post something more), as well as many posts I’ve recently seen maliciously attacking the blogging community.

I’ve been an avid reader since I was in the third or fourth grade, and my love of books hasn’t diminished since. In middle school/high school, I was the type of person who would buy loads of books on Amazon because I simply could NOT wait for my turn on the hold list at the library, then when I was finished with them, I’d donate bags full of books to my library in hopes that other readers would have access to stories that I found so much enjoyment from. (I later found out from a friend who worked at the library that they threw out most of the donated books they received, which made me very sad and angry…. But that’s beside the point) During my freshman year of college, I was so swamped with schoolwork that I stopped reading until over the summer when my mom bought me a Nook (♥!!), and now my rekindled “reading fire” -so to speak- is back in full blaze.

Unfortunately, my excitement waned as my college friends constantly teased me about my book choices.

FRIENDS: “Oh what are you reading?”

ME: “[insert title here]. It’s a book about [insert fantastic creature here]”

Cue slightly repressed giggles & eye rolling from friends, followed by the timeless inquiry: “Why don’t you read more ‘mature’ books?”

It’s extremely frustrating to be continually criticized about something you love and to not have anyone to share your passion with. Luckily, I discovered Shelfari while browsing sites for new books to read from the genres I liked, and soon after that I stumbled upon the world of book-blogging. I was amazed at the vast community of bloggers who enjoyed fantasy & YA books as much as I did... and that’s when I decided to start my own blog.

I’ve only been blogging for a month and a half, but in that time I’ve met so many amazing people that are bookworms like me, and added countless books to my TBR pile!! I love reading everyone’s reviews, teaser Tuesdays, and Mailbox posts…but you wanna know what I love even more than that? The fact that people actually seem to care about what I say & think! It’s such a great feeling to post my excitement about getting lots of books during a library-binge and have people be legitimately happy for me.

So that’s my confession. Did I start this blog in hopes of getting lots of free ARCs? Absolutely not – I didn’t really even know what an ARC was until after I started blogging! I honestly doubted that I’d have many followers (if any); I just wanted an outlet to express the feelings that I couldn’t voice to my real-life friends. I’ve never in my life considered myself a writer (heck, I’ll be the first to admit that English is NOT my strong point!) and I definitely don’t consider myself a “professional book reviewer”. I’m just a 19 year old bookaholic who enjoys reading, has opinions, and loves to talk (or I guess, to type, haha) – isn’t that all that matters?

From my short experience as part of the limitless blogosphere, I’ve come to the conclusion that many book-bloggers do what they do for reasons similar to mine – just simply because they love books! Sure, I’ve definitely run across a few blogs that are brand-spanking-new, look like the layout was hastily whipped up, and they’re already hunting for ARCS, but that doesn’t justify anyone bashing us all as a whole. It makes me sad when I see other bloggers voicing their concerns about how book-blogging has tainted their love of reading, and I sincerely hope it never comes to that point for me. Furthermore, I want to tell all the other bloggers out there: keep doing what you do! I definitely appreciate all the time and effort you guys put in to make fun and helpful posts for readers like me, and if this is something you love, don’t let any naysayers bring you down.

Also, if you read this entire post, I thank & applaud you.

100 Follower Giveaway! Signed Copy of Matched // Signed Breathless Tour Poster!

 EDIT: this giveaway has ended.

So I know I said I would host this giveaway once I reached 100 followers, but what the heck! Ninety-three is close enough, I can't contain my excitement any longer haha! What's up for grabs, you ask? I'll let you know in a second... but first we have to go over a few rules (boring, but necessary):

• Must be 13 years or older to enter
• Since this giveaway is to celebrate reaching 100 followers, you must be a follower to enter
• I am not responsible for anything lost or damaged in the mail
• I reserve the right to disqualify any entry at any time and/or end the contest at any time

Now on to the fun part... prizes!

 ✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦

Signed copy of Matched by Ally Condie. 

Open to US residents only... Sorry international followers!

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦

Sorry for the poor quality picture!

Breathless Reads Tour poster signed by all five authors under their respective book cover picture:

• Kirsten Miller - The Eternal Ones / Brenna Yovanoff - The Replacement / Andrea Cremer - Nightshade / Ally Condie - Matched / Beth Revis - Across the Universe

Open INTERNATIONALLY!
(as long as United States Postal Service ships to your country)

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦

*Note to US residents: if you wish to enter both contests, you must fill out both forms; however, your links for extra entries (if you have any) can be the same... I just need you to enter again because I am conducting these as two separate contests (since only one is international)*

Both contests end March 1st [12:01am EST], and the two winners (chosen via random number generator) will be posted on the blog and emailed shortly thereafter. Each winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email with his/her mailing address, or else a new winner will be chosen. To learn more about my experience at the Breathless Reads Tour, hop on over to my In My Mailbox post.

Early IMM (my first book signing!)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.

I went to my first-ever book signing & it was awesome! The five authors at the event were sooooo nice, funny, and gracious! Anyways, I'm in such a happy mood that I wanted to post my mailbox early to show ya' what I got.



Books Mentioned:
Uglies by Scott Westerfield
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Authors Mentioned:
Ally Condie: twitter // website
Andrea Cremer: twitter // blog // website
Beth Revis: twitter // blog
Brenna Yovanoff: twitter // website
Kirsten Miller: twitter // blog

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Title: Firelight
Author: Sophie Jordan
Source: Library; hardcover 323 pages
Challenges: Shifters Challenge
Official Blurb:
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.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.
My Rating: ★★1/2
My Thoughts:

I originally had this as a video review, but I decided to just type up my review instead.

Let me start off by raving about this cover - it is absolutely beautiful! It's exactly how I pictured Jacinda & I love all the vibrant colors. I also loved the concept of dragon-shifters and thought it was super-original (although I kind of cringed every time I read the word "draki" - for some reason it was like nails on a chalkboard for me). I also loved Jordan's choice of character names: Jacinda, Tamra, Azure... they were all uncommon names. That being said, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I expected.

I personally couldn't relate very much to Jacinda's character and hated the way she kept waffling back and forth about whether or not she wanted to be with Will. I wanted to shake her and say, "For goodness sake, pick SOMETHING and just stick with it!!" Aside from that, the dialogue between her and Will was a little too melodramatic for my liking - I can't stand it when girls say things like, "You're my world" and "I'd die without you".

Most of the plot-line was enjoyable for me, though I did find the romance aspect a bit predictable. I'm not sure if I'll be reading the next book in this series, but I probably will because I'm curious to see how things pan out (this one ended in a bit of a cliffhanger). 

Although this book wasn't spectacular for me as a reader, I checked out other blogs for their reviews and posted some positive ones below so you can get another opinion.

Want a different perspective? Other reviews of this book:
I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read // Between the Covers // Electrifying Reviews  

Teaser Tuesday #6

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Be sure to comment with a link to your Tuesday Teaser post (or if you don't have a blog, share your teasers in a comment) so I can see what you're reading =)

 ✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦

 

Title: The Secret Year

Author: Jennifer R. Hubbard

"There was another reason I didn't want to keep reading. I fingered the remaining pages with her writing on them: only a few. Then I would hit the blank pages, and it would be over."

page 99

Behind the Blog (#1)

 

Rie from Mission to Read

I started my blog in December of 2010 after finding that I could never keep track of what I read and whether I liked it or not. I have been in the reading/writing community for years though as I am aspiring writer. I've had to let writing take a back-burner while I'm attending college, but I still find time to read. Priorities, I suppose. I was also struggling to find anything to read. As crazy as that seems now. My must read list is overflowing with things I want to read and my bedside is a jungle of books that I must get through to get to bed. Did I mention I'm just a bit messy? Clutter is good.

Genres reviewed on her blog: YA, Paranormal & Fantasy

• If you were a Crayola Crayon, which color do you think you would be? Why?

"If I was a color I’d be aquamarine; it’s bright and cheerful, but you can sense a current of change. Like the sea flowing out with the bad and bringing in the fresh."

• What is your all-time favorite food?

"Spaghetti and fajitas, including Chipotle burritos. I like carbs. Fattening delicious carbs. Plus spaghetti, one of the easiest things to make."

• If you were an animal, which animal would you be?

"Wolf or a horse. Two very mystical beings. They’re powerful. Often loners, and always beautiful."

• Do you have any pets? …Care to share a picture with us?

"I have a beautiful if mischievous pup, Chloe."

a picture of Chloe :)

• Do you have any weird reading habits? 

"The only place I can read is while lying down. It doesn’t matter where, but sitting up equals not being able to fully submerse myself in a book."

 Be sure to check out her blog 

(click the button)

and follow her if you'd like.

If you'd like to be featured in a Behind the Blog post, fill out:

THIS FORM

In My Mailbox (#6)

(In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren)

Books Mentioned:

• Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
• Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
• Across the Universe by Beth Revis
• Matched by Ally Condie
  

Free e-books:

click to go to Harlequin's page with download links

• The Darkest Fire by Gena Showalter
• Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa
• Fantasy by Lori Foster

Other e-books:

• The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting (only $1.99!)

Follow Friday (#5) & Blog Hop (#4)

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View

Question: What is the book you are currently 'pushing'? (Pushing mean trying to get people to read it)

Rachel Vincent's Shifter Series!! <3
 

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-For-Books

Question: "What are you reading now and why are you reading it?"

I'm currently reading Firelight by Sophie Jordan because I saw a positive review for it on Elodie's blog (Once Upon a Quote), and because I love shifters but have never read a book about dragons or dragon-shifters before.

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

 

Title:  I Am Number Four

Author: Pittacus Lore

Source: Library; hardcover 440 pages

Challenges: 50 States Challenge

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦

Official Blurb: 

Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books but we are real. 

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.

I am Number Four.

I am next.

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦

My Rating: 4.5 stars ★★★★1/2

My Thoughts:

I actually hadn't heard of this book until I saw a trailer for the movie, then Googled it to find out more info. Right off the bat, I knew I was going to love this book. The dust-jacket blurb was super intriguing and the first chapter was just insane - it drew me right in.

I loved the premise of the book, and especially enjoyed the world-building of Lorien, the Loric people, and all their charms/powers - I wish there were even more details about the secrets of Lorien (such as what was in that chest!). I also found this book somewhat scary, but in a good way! (not horror-scary, just oh-my-god-what-is-going-to-happen-next?! kind of scary) - I got so sucked into the story that I felt as if I was involved; that the bad guys were coming for me too, not just some random person I was reading about in a book.

 

The only part of the novel that I wasn't crazy about was the climax/ending (approximately the last 90 pages). I just couldn't create an image in my mind of the Mogadorians and their beasts [I wound up picturing the large "beasts" as something similar to the Bandersnatch -except black- from the newer version of Alice in Wonderland]. There was a decent amount of description, but for some reason the picture wasn't fully forming in my mind, and everything was a bit of a blur. I'm curious to see how these characters will be shown in the movie adaptation. Also, the ending was very bittersweet, so I don't know whether I feel happy or sad about it.

Overall, I liked the book a lot, and am anxious to go see the movie. I'd recommend this to readers who love YA science-fiction (it's definitely different than adult science fiction, though, so readers of adult sci-fi may not enjoy this as much.)

Next in Series: The Power of Six

My Book Boyfriend #2

My Book Boyfriend is a Wednesday meme hosted by The Unread Reader, in which we drool over fictional characters who make us swoon. 

Sam Roth

• Books he's in: Shiver, Linger, and Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
• Species: Werewolf
• Age: 18
• Hair: Dark Brown
• Eyes: Yellow
• Lives in: Mercy Falls, Minnesota
• Hobbies: writing songs, playing guitar, making paper cranes, reading poetry

Why I love him: He's just sooo sweet! And head-over-heels in love with Grace, which is adorable, but not in a mushy-make-me-wanna-barf-Bella-and-Edward way (disclaimer: I very much enjoyed the Twilight saga, I just thought the romance aspect was over-the-top).

Teaser Tuesday #5

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Be sure to comment with a link to your Tuesday Teaser post (or if you don't have a blog, share your teasers in a comment) so I can see what you're reading =)

 ✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦

Title: I Am Number Four

Author:  Pittacus Lore

"A malicious smile takes shape and my body feels as though it has grown bigger, stronger. My hands come on and glow brilliantly with bright light that sweeps through the night, the world suddenly ablaze"