Thursday, February 27, 2014

Book Review: Looking for Alaska by John Green

Release Date: December 28th, 2006
Read: February 24-26th, 2014
Publisher: Speak
Series: N/A
Format: Paperback, 221 pages
Source: Bought




Description from GoodReads:

Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (François Rabelais, poet) even more. Then he heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.

After. Nothing is ever the same



Review

    How will I ever get out of this labyrinth?
    I have so much to say about this books, but I feel like my words won't be able to express them. I had picked up Looking for Alaska after I had finished The Fault in Our Stars, my first thoughts towards the book were that it would be an adorable novel like The Fault in Our Stars was. I was completely wrong. With Looking for Alaska I found myself thinking about how many people are living in difficult situations and what they're going through or have been through. Maybe they're living in poverty or have addictions that they can't live with, situations like these are not a laughing matter. That goes the same with this book, while reading this I was forced to rethink about how I saw people. The thing with John Green's books are that no matter the topic for his books, they will somewhat change you. With The Fault in Our Stars it changed how I saw people living with cancer, instead of feeling bad for them I now see them living with strength and courage. In Looking for Alaska the was I saw people living in a labyrinth changed. I learnt even with help, family and friends some people just can't live in the labyrinth anymore and just have to find a way out. 
       On a upside to Looking for Alaska I loved the subtile things that John would have here and there. Like the story of Alaska and her books. I've taken such an understanding to this that it shocks me. No matter how long we live our lives, there will always be books we haven't read and will never read. To think of this to me is just devastating, but we can still at least try. 
        Looking for Alaska is emotionally conflicting read, it reaches out to it reader and makes them realize and see things they probably wouldn't have known without being in someone else's shoes or learning their story.  I am glad I picked it up and look forward to my next John Green read.




Note: I've also started to refer to my books as my Life's Library.


Update:


   In Spring 2014, I lost an old family friend. He was only a few years older then me, about Alaska's age. At his funeral I found myself thinking about Looking for Alaska, or rather the message John tried to tell us in the book.  It wasn't until someone so young was taken from us that I truly understand it. If that event was the reason I truly comprehend his message, then I hope no one else will have to endure such events to understand.




Rating:





Favourite Quote:

"Her life's library." ~ Pudge


Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Romance,  Realistic Fiction


Spolier:
When I think of Alaska Young I find myself thinking her last words were "Straight and Fast" for Pudges sake. I believe this to be important in someway, but to which way I wouldn't know.








Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Book Review: UnSouled by Neal Shusterman

Release Date: October 15th, 2013
Read: February 16th-23rd, 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Series: The Unwind Dystology #3
Format: Hardcover, 416 pages
Source: Winnipeg Public Library



Description from GoodReads:


   The story that began with Unwind continues.

   Connor and Lev are on the run after the destruction of the Graveyard, the last safe haven for AWOL Unwinds. But for the first time, they're not just running away from something. This time, they're running toward answers, in the form of a woman Proactive Citizenry has tried to erase from history itself. If they can find her, and learn why the shadowy figures behind unwinding are so afraid of her, they may discover the key to bringing down unwinding forever.

   Cam, the rewound boy, is plotting to take down the organization that created him. Because he knows that if he can bring Proactive Citizenry to its knees, it will show Risa how he truly feels about her. And without Risa, Cam is having trouble remembering what it feels like to be human.

   With the Juvenile Authority and vindictive parts pirates hunting them, the paths of Connor, Lev, Cam, and Risa will converge explosively and everyone will be changed.

Review:


   I'm just going to straight up say, this book did not meet my expectations. When I picked up Unwind about a year ago I was blown away by how different the concept was, cutting up people and being able to use every part of the body is practically a miracle! Another part was what would happen to children if they misbehaved... they would be unwound as punishment. This plot creates nightmares!
  The first novel pulled me in with it's nightmares and horror, with that I just couldn't wait for the sequel UnWholly. My goodness it had me frightened just to be in my skin! But this book UnSouled made me feel like it lost it's magic. The storyline was still there with  Conner, Risa and Lev but the main idea of Unwinding was gone. Yes it was always brought up about how they needed to stop it with a rebellion and all but there was no unwinding. I was very disappointed, but I kept on reading. Normally when I get to the point where I've been reading the book for more then 5 days I leave it and give up if there was no spark of interest, but I just didn't want that happen with this book. In the end that was exactly what happened. I promise I will try to reread this novel one day but for now it's just a book I couldn't finish. 


Rating:





Favourite Quote:


“No true hero ever believes that they are one.” ~ Elina

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:


Science Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure, Dystopian, Post Apocalypse 






Saturday, February 22, 2014

THE BALANCE KEEPERS Cover Reveal!



Heyy everyone! Today I have the honour of showing you the cover for the lovely author that is Lindsay Cummings's new book THE BALANCE KEEPERS: The Fire of Calderon!! Where I am not a big reader when it comes to middle grade novels, I will definitely be reading this series! But before I show you the cover, I'm going to introduce you to Lindsay's debut novel The Murder Complex!







Description from GoodReads:


Meadow Woodson, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been trained by her father to fight, to kill, and to survive in any situation, lives with her family on a houseboat in Florida. The state is controlled by The Murder Complex, an organization that tracks the population with precision.

The plot starts to thicken when Meadow meets Zephyr James, who is—although he doesn’t know it—one of the MC’s programmed assassins. Is their meeting a coincidence? Destiny? Or part of a terrifying strategy? And will Zephyr keep Meadow from discovering the haunting truth about her family?

Releases: June 10th, 2014


How can you not be excited for this read?!? I've been VERY lucky and have received and signed ARC of The Murder Complex straight from the author and I honestly can't wait to start reading it! Lindsay is already one of my favourite authors, she is such an AMAZING person. I can not wait for you guys to get to know her as well!


Okay I think I've made you guys wait long enough, are you guys ready?




Here it is!




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TAAAA DAAAAAAAA!!

Description from GoodReads:


After following a mysterious map into the woods and then under the woods, eleven-year-old Albert Flynn learns he’s a Balance Keeper—someone with special magical skills for fixing problems in three underground Realms at the Core of the earth. His new job is important; if the realms fall out of balance, the world above could be in great danger.

Albert and his Balance Keeper teammates Birdie and Leroy arrive in the Core not a moment too soon. There’s an Imbalance in the Calderon Realm and it’s threatening to bury Albert’s hometown of New York City in a mountain of ash.

The three must train hard completing mental and physical challenges, but above all, they must harness the power of their Tiles—unique superpowers given to each Balance Keeper. So far, Albert’s mastered the art of not mastering his Tile....

With the situation in Calderon growing worse every day, can Albert, Leroy, and Birdie restore balance before New York is destroyed forever? Will Albert master his Tile before it’s too late?

Releases: September 23rd, 2014


What I tell you? COMPLETE AWESOME SAUCE! I can't wait for everyone one to read them, including me!



Lindsay's Bio:

Lindsay Cummings is a 22-year-old author of THE MURDER COMPLEX series coming June 2014 from Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins, as well as it's prequel novella, THE FEAR TRIALS, coming May 2014, and the MG trilogy, THE BALANCE KEEPERS, coming Fall 2014 from Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins. You can follow Lindsay on twitter @lindsaycwrites ! Or keep updated on her books at lindsaycummingsbooks.com
She's always online, and loves to chat!
You can also find Lindsay on YouTube and Facebook , on Instagram @authorlindsaycummings and on Kik at LindsayCummingsBooks
email- lindsaycummingsbooks@gmail.com









Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Book Review: Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

Release Date: September 24th, 2013
Read: February 11th, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: White Rabbit Chronicles, #2
Format: Hardcover, 480 pages
Source: Winnipeg Public Library


Description on GoodReads:


Zombies stalk the night. Forget blood and brains. These monsters hunger for human souls. Sadly, they've got mine...
Alice Bell has lost so much. Family. Friends. A home. She thought she had nothing else to give. She was wrong.
After a new zombie attack, strange things begin to happen to her. Mirrors come to life, and the whispers of the dead assault her ears. But the worst? A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do very wicked things.
She's never needed her team of zombie slayers more, but ultra bad-boy Cole Holland, the leader and her boyfriend, suddenly withdraws from her...from everyone. Now, with her best friend Kat at her side, Ali must kill the zombies, uncover Cole's secret and learn to fight the darkness.
But the clock is ticking...and if she fails at a single task, they're all doomed.

Review:


Contains Spoilers:

Tick Tok
   The first thing that caught my eye for Through the Zombie Glass was the cover, I've always adored Harlequin Teen's covers. There is always something appealing about them that just makes them my favourites above all the others. What made the cover even better was the fact that the "Mad Hatter" was one of the main themes, he was the character I liked best in the Alice in Wonderland stories because after certain events life changes you and often there is no going back. 
   In the novel we received the same sass we were given in Alice in Zombieland and boy did I love it. The new danger that was Z.A was freaking awesome as well. This book definitely lived up to my expectations, and I'm so glad they did. A few parts that stood out for me were the tattoos and the Cole/Ali couple problem. With the tattoos I loved how Gena symbolized them, with each tattoo each slayer wore it represented a loved one that had moved on. I really liked that, and because tattoos are permanent they'd forever be with them. I feel the same way with books, they made me who I am and I couldn't be who I am today without them so tattooing a quote or something from a favourite of mine shouldn't be a big deal. 
  With Ali and Cole breaking and fighting through out the novel made no sense for me, why does this tend to happen in the second novels in the series? With this series you think Cole would have understood by now that Ali was stubborn, she was going to obviously want to fight the zombies. There was not going to be anyway to stop her, but no he had to go and break up with her to make sure she stayed safe. See? Lots of sass right there. Oh well to the end of the novel they make up anyhow so all is well in the world of Ali and Cole. 
   Alice in Zombieland was a hit, Through the Zombie Glass was even more of a hit! Now all we can do is wait for The Queen of Zombie Hearts and see where that takes us! The Queen of Zombie Hearts releases September 30th, 2014.


Rating:




Favourite Quote:

“My mom once told me a boy would know he’d become a man when he stopped putting himself first. She said a girl would come along and I wouldn’t be able to get her out of my mind. She said this girl would frustrate me, confuse me, and challenge me, but she would also make me do whatever was necessary to be a better man–the man she needed. With you, I want to be better. I want to be what you need. Tell me what you need.” ~ Cole


Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Horror, Zombies





Monday, February 17, 2014

Book Review: Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Release Date: September 25th, 2012
Read: January 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: White Rabbit Chronicles, #1
Format: Hardcover, 404 pages
Source: Borrowed

Description on GoodReads:


She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.



Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.



Her father was right. The monsters are real….



To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….





I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.

I'd tell my sister no.

I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.

I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.

Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.

I'd tell them I love them.

I wish... Yeah, I wish

Review:


Contains spoilers:

   Zombies, zombies, zombies...
   When I was younger my sisters and I were obsessed with Disney, heck I still am. So this book hit the spot with the very wicked twist that is Alice in Zombieland. This book was phenomenal, a part in the book that really made a impression on me was the car accident, that scene was a favourite of mine. I know that sounds cruel, but I don't mean that I enjoyed her family dying. I loved the meaning behind the accident. That in one second everything can change, you loved ones gone, your life starting a new. You never know what can happen, so I believe Gena is trying to tell us to not to take what we have for granted and to live in the moment.  A character that stood out the most for me was Kat, even though she had a genetic disease, which was slowly killing her, she stood strong because she didn't want to be treated any differently then everyone else. I just adore her. Now the wait for The Queen Of Zombie Hearts has began. Ugh waiting.


P.S Cole's violet eyes just make me swoon<3


Rating:


Favourite Quote:

"Truly living required risk." 

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Horror, Paranormal, Supernatural, Zombies








Thursday, February 13, 2014

The Queen of Zombie Hearts Cover Reveal!




Ladies and Gentlemen the wait is over.... Gena Showalter's cover for THE QUEEN OF ZOMBIEHEARTS is finally here! I'm out of this world excited!! I've loved this series since I picked up Alice in Zombieland, I just needed another Gena Showalter fix after finishing Twisted! 

First there was the horrific beauty that is ALICE IN ZOMBIELAND...



Then came the devouring sequel THROUGH THE ZOMBIE GLASS...



Now are you ready to EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT!!

May I introduce you to THE QUEEN OF ZOMBIE HEARTS!




"We're all mad here."


Here is the official description from Harlequin Teen!


I have a plan.

We'll either destroy them for good, or they'll destroy us.

Either way, only one of us is walking away.

In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice "Ali" Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She's ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It's then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun.

As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies…and she isn't the girl she thought she was. She's connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole's mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.


The book is to be released on Tuesday September 30th, 2014.
So add it to your TBR! and Add it to your TBR on Goodreads!
or check out the official White Rabbit Chronicles website!


Then pre-order your copy!

 AmazonBarnes & Noble,  Chapters
        

         

About Gena:

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, the Angels of the Dark, the Lords of the Underworld, and the Otherworld Assassins series.  In addition to being a National Reader's Choice and RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazine, and have been translated in multiple languages.  She lives in Oklahoma with her family and menagerie of dogs, and truly believes love conquers all.

Follow her on:




Now it's time for a Giveaway!


Giveaway Details:

1 complete set of The White Rabbit Chronicles (first 2 sent as soon as the giveaway is over and the winner will get the first hardcover of book 3 when it's available!) US/Canada Only




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Tuesday, February 4, 2014

ALIENATED Launch & NOOK Giveaway!

ALIENATED Launch & NOOK Giveaway!


Heyy Guys! Stephanie here.

I just wanted to say that Alienated by author Melissa Landers is out TODAY! Alienated is a YA sci-fi romance from Disney- Hyperion:) I'm REALLLY excited for this one:)

Here's the description from Goodreads:

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them. 

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class. 

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.


You can check out the book trailer for Alienated here!


What do reviewers have to say?


“The storyline is out of this world and character development paired with authentic voice is superb. Filled with intrigue and suspense, this book will appeal to both sci-fi and contemporary YA fiction fans.” –VOYA

“Interstellar relations heat up in this start to a new romantic science fiction series. Landers [explores] larger social, ecological, and ethical issues in this tense, fast-paced read.” –Booklist

“The perfect blend of sizzling romance, action, and suspense.” –#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

“Smart, funny, and epic. I am now awaiting contact from planet L’eihr.” Julie Cross, bestselling author of Tempest.

“Intergalactic exchange students? Yes, please! I fell in love with this story and couldn’t put it down.” Jodi Meadows, author of Incarnate.

If you like hot, swoony science fiction as much as I do, I hope you’ll give ALIENATED a try. It’s now available in stores and online.


You can purchase Alienated from these retailers! 



Amazon  Barnes & Noble  Book Depository Indie Bound Chapters, Indigo & Coles


Giveaway!


To celebrate Alienated's book birthday, Melissa is offering one lucky winner a Nook Simple Touch. She's even throwing in a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble so you can fill your new e-reader with whatever you want!

 Fine print: This giveaway is open to US residents only, unless of course you cheat and also have a US address;) (Sorry,but you do need a US billing address to buy digital content on the Nook.) Also due to sweepstakes laws, entrants must be 18 years or older to participate. (Hint Hint, get parents to enter for you maybe? hehe)

Best of luck, and happy reading!








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Monday, February 3, 2014

Fire & Flood Final Sneak Peek!

Fire & Flood Final Sneak Peek!

Heyy everyone Stephanie here, so I have some exciting news! Today the lovely Victoria Scott emailed her fabulous VMafia crew (That's Me) the final exclusive sneak peek to Fire & Flood, and I'm so excited to be able to share it with you before Fire & Flood releases on February 25, 2014. EEK! It's going to be such an AMAZING birthday present considering my birthday is two days later, now I'm getting ahead of myself, without further ado the sneak peek!





Final Sneak Peek:


“If you are hearing this message, then you have successfully completed the Pandora Selection Process. It also means you are now at the official starting line.”

Around me, Contenders whoop with excitement. Seriously? They’re about to plunge into a wild jungle, and that brings them happiness? Once again, I realize how out of my league I am. I don’t even have a change of clothes, for crying out loud.

“As you may have realized, you are on the outskirts of a rain forest. This will be the jungle part of the course. You will have two weeks to arrive at the jungle’s base camp. You will find this base camp by following the path of blue flags.”

Contestants glance around, immediately looking for the first blue flag. As for me, I’m watching the taillights of the semi and having a massive coronary.

“If you are the first to encounter a blue flag, you may remove it, but you may not remove the stake it is attached to. Doing so will result in immediate disqualification.”

I wonder why anyone would want to remove the flag to begin with. No one else seems concerned by this.

“While the Cure will be awarded to a single winner at the end of the last ecosystem, we will bestow a smaller prize for each leg of the race. The prize for the jungle portion will be monetary.” The woman pauses dramatically. “I’d like to officially welcome you to the Brimstone Bleed. May the bravest Contender win.”

That’s it? That’s all she’s going to say? Because it seriously sounds like she’s wrapping up. So why aren’t I running after the trucks? Why am I not chasing after my only way out of this jungle like my life depends on it? I know the answer — though I wish I didn’t. Cody would do this for me. I am his only hope. I have to believe his cure exists. My only other option is to return home and watch my brother die. If I could even get back home.

I glance around frantically, looking for someone to tell me what to do. The Contenders have formed a long line, the kind you see at the start of a marathon. A few yards down from where I stand — I see him. My throat tightens when I realize his cold blue eyes are locked on me. It’s the guy from the Pandora Selection Process. The serial killer–looking dude who I thought was going to kidney punch me. He glares in my direction like he might take this opportunity to finish what he never started. I raise my hand in a small wave, hoping it says something like: See? Look how friendly I am!
He lifts his own enormous hand. For a moment, I brighten. I think maybe that — even though it looks like he hates every fiber of my being — he’s going to wave back. But he doesn’t. He holds up two fingers — his pointer and his middle — places them under his eyes, and then points in front of us.
Oh no, he didn’t. I think he basically just told me to pay attention. I’m still processing this when the woman’s voice rings in my ear.

“Go!”


isn't it exciting!?! I just can't wait for February 25th! Here's a little bit about Fire & Flood just in case you guys didn't know:)

Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Publication: February 25th, 2014
Publisher: Scholastic
Series: Fire & Flood

Description from GoodReads:

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

Once again I can't wait till February 25th, I hope you guys are just as excited as I am now too:)