Thursday 31 January 2013

[REVIEW] The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Published: October 2009
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Series The Maze Runner #1
Check Goodreads for the summary

First thoughts on this book after finishing it: not worth the hype.
Seriously. This was probably one of the biggest series recommendations for "What to read after 'The Hunger Games'" but honestly, it's not that great. I mean it's good...but just good. I was expecting mind blowing and amazing literature but what I got was an okay book filled with excitement then boredom; a roller coaster of ups and downs.

The story started out slow, and I accepted that it would pick up pace since Dashner most likely had to explain this dystopia world. I liked the description. It was very clear and brought the whole dystopia world to life. Thomas was...an interesting character. There were foreshadows throughout the entire story that he knew more than the others and that he was destined for more, especially since people said that they saw him during the Changing. I like Thomas, much better than some of the other characters. He seems very real and depicts genuine emotions.  I didn't question his knowledge of the maze (honestly I just thought he was one smart cookie and could figure it out) but I guess, in hindsight, I probably should have been suspicious of that.

The Gladers, as they're so called for living in the Glade, have made quite a civilization here.  It was a very well thought out society, living in the centre of the maze. They figured out how to get food and find shelter and live, in an essence. For two years, this is quite an accomplishment.

When the girl appeared. Well, it was sudden. I guess I'm so use to spontaneous action (I
mean Thomas' introduction was very spontaneous too was it not?) that I didn't think twice about it. OF course since this book consists of 99% males. James Dashner would make it so the girl would be the one to bring about the ending. I don't like the girl. Teresa seems to be very clingy and yet not at the same time. It's like she has two different personalities. Sometimes she acts as if she gets angry at him for calling her weak and some other times it's as if she's whining for his help or protection. Not like other dystopia heroins, but then again those other books were mainly consisting of one gender. I just don't like her (as I've mentioned before)because as the only girl, or at least the only one that really matters, her attitude and how she doesn't fit that strong heroin that I expect from dystopia literature. I'm certain Teresa and Thomas are suppose to have some sort of romantic attraction between the two of them but it sucks. There seems to be some awkward tension between the two. As readers, I guess we're suppoe to see these two as the couple of the series and they themselves also know that they're "suppose" to love each other but can't quite understand why. Most romances have that feeling, that unexplainable pull to their true love and it's very evident in their actions and manners, how they interact with the other that makes the outcome of the romance very predictable but in the Maze Runner, it's like the two characters want to love each other but can't in some way. They want to express their love for each other, and boy do they try, but all that happens is hand touching during awkward times and weird conversations that are meant to further develop their romance by exploring each other but it doesn't really happen. I'm not thrilled with this pairing and I understand that they have this whole telepathic connection between the two of them but really, if it wasn't already declared that they had "something" between them, I would never have thought that they would become a couple, although the fact that they are both the main female and male characters might have been a good hint. I apologize greatly for my very long rant on this but it was bugging me for awhile. I blame all the romance novels I've been reading. It seems I've grown somewhat attached to that sort of storyline and outline of events. Time to get back into the whole dystopia mind set.

Enough with the bashing, I will say though that James Dashner does an amazing job at depicting the boys memory loss and lack of knowledge. It's like teaching a baby what an object is. These boys invent their own language and give names to things that they're obviously familiar with but have forgotten the name of.

James Dashner is also very very good at leaving gripping cliffhangers. His chapters aren't very long but the ending of each one hooks you into the next and pretty soon you've read the entire book. I'm very interested to see how this series turns out to be although I'll be very disappointed if it did turn out to be like the hunger games, sequels that lead to a disappointing series end that could have been so much more. I really hope the sequels don't lose the essence of this first book, which is this fight for survival, whether it be in the maze or the dystopia world.

(close to 4 cups but just not there)
MEH

Tuesday 29 January 2013

[TO THE BOOKSTORE FOR...] January 29, 2012

1. Prodigy by Marie Lu.

This was one of those series that they told you to read after an absolutely amazing series, and you do because you're suffering from withdrawal symptoms because the new book from the absolutely amazing series isn't due to be released for another year. Well the Legend series was recommended for Divergent lovers. Before you start telling me that there is nothing comparable to the Divergent series, I'll tell you that I agree but I was desperate. Very desperate. So I figured why not, let's give this book a try. Well as many other book recommendations, this one fell short...by a lot. I was particularly uninspired when I was done reading, to the point where I didn't even want to write a review, that bad. It didn't remind me of Divergent and to me, it was very amateurish writing. I know I'm bashing the book, and possibly the author completely but hey, at least I'm giving the second one a try...right? I still have hopes for this series, mainly because a lot of people I know rate this very highly. I guess I'm sort of a conformist because I want to fit in and also really like this story but we all have some sort of rebel heart inside us and I guess I might just be rebelling at this point because I'm really not a big fan of this series. But don't take my word for it, read it for yourself. Hey, I mean it made it to the [ TO THE BOOKSTORE FOR...] so at least it has a small place inside of me that says this might just be worth it.
June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action. (From Goodreads)


2. Shadows in the Silence by Courtney Allison Moulton

This is the final book in the Angelfire trilogy. A trilogy is a nice number of books but for this series, I guess I would have liked to see one more book. It was too fast paced, but anyway, getting off topic. I've reviewed the first two books in the series: Angelfire and Wings of the Wicked. I enjoyed the first one, it was a good start, but the second one was...not as good shall we say. I blame it on being the second book in a trilogy which is usually never as good as the first since it's an information dump, which means I have mixed feelings for the this book, the third and final one in the series. I still have high hopes if it'll end well.  If it's one thing Courtney Allison Moulton is really good at doing it's writing intense cliffhangers and endings. So hopefully she does this one justice.


Your strength in heart and hand will fall. . . .
Ellie knows that the darkest moments are still to come, and she has everything to fight for:

She must fight for Will.
The demonic have resorted to their cruelest weapons to put Will in mortal danger, and Ellie makes an unlikely alliance to save him and to stop Lilith and Sammael, who seek to drown the world in blood and tear a hole into Heaven.

She must fight for humanity.
As the armies of Hell rise and gather for the looming End of Days, Ellie and her band of allies travel to the world’s darkest and most ancient regions in her quest to come into her full glory as the archangel Gabriel.

And Ellie must save herself.
Her humanity withers beneath the weight of her cold archangel power, but Ellie must hold tight to who she is and who she loves as she prepares for the ultimate battle for Heaven and Earth.

In this final installment in the Angelfire trilogy, Courtney Allison Moulton brings her dark world of epic battles and blistering romance to a blazing bright conclusion. (From Goodreads)
 
That's all for this week's releases that I'm interested in. Look forward to a review for the Maze Runner by James Dashner that I'll be posting this week.

Thursday 24 January 2013

[REVIEW] Beneath This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas

Published: January 2013
Publisher: self published.
Age Group: Adult
Series: This Man #2
Goodreads

Please note that this is adult fiction. There are definitely scenes that may be too mature for some readers. Read at your own discretion (and hopefully you're 18 or over. )

Let me start out first by saying that when I had read the first book in the series, This Man, I had labelled it as a subpar mock of 50 shades and that it was 'MEH' material. After reading Beneath this Man, I've taken a complete 180. Now I think this is one of the best stories ever and it joins my long list of adult, romance, erotica fiction that I absolutely love.

I started reading this the day it was released, planning for it to be a pleasent start to the weekend. I had very low expectations. Honestly I was just reading this hoping that it appease me for a little bit before the release of some other books that I'm DYING to read (R.K. Lilley I'm looking at you). Well I'm happy to say that this was phenomenol. The whole story starts out in a roller coaster. I was hit with emotions in the first couple of chapters and instantly became obsessed. It definitely got better as the story progressed and by the end I was completely entranced by Ava and Jesse. I was also happy that Jesse wasn't as controlling as he was in the first novel. Hmm, similarity to Mr. Christian Gray? Maybe.

On to some other characters, Sarah's still a pain. C'mon girl, leave him alone. He doesn't want you, go find someone else. I'm fairly certain whoever can afford going to the Manor is worth sucking up to so stop bothering Jesse when he's clearly head over heels with Ava. Sigh. That girl will never learn, but Ava did show her a lesson if I do say so myself.
So I seem to have forgotten entirely about Mr. John. When he first appeared I just thought he was a new guy or some guy I forgot. Well I clearly did forget him, it wasn't until he said his trade mark 's'good', that I relealized who he was. My Bad.
Sam and Kate. Yup, they're grouped together because honestly, they both took a back seat in this book. Kate had a prominent role in the first book but in this one she wasn't as important. Although you still got some of her fiestiness. It just wasn't as common.
Ava's still Ava. You gotta love this girl. Unlike other romance novels, she doesn't take any shit and always argues with Jesse, but that's one of the best parts of the novel. I find it's the arguments between the two that is the most realistic. All relationships have arguments and most romance novels do have that but the reasons for it are hard to believe or uncommon to most. Although I'm fairly certain that you probably won't run into a man like Jesse (although one can dream), his fights with Ava are still over the little things that one will always find in a romance and a deep relationship.

Beneath this Man had some very emotional scenes. Although I wasn't sobbing at this I was completely engrossed in the words. It all happened so fast. I won't spoil what happens but if you do read this book, hopefully you'll feel the same way as I did.

This book was just absolutely amazing in capturing you in this story full of secrets and yet I always had this sense that Ava and Jesse would weather any storm.

From the start, I was certain that Ava would save him from his raging alcholism (excuse me, he's not an alcholic) which is clear since there's still a book to come. I don't think you could possibly write two whole novels when one of the main characters is passed out drunk. There were so many chances that Ava would leave Jesse again and yet I had no doubts that she would stay with him. Even with the annoying Ms. Sarah causing trouble I was certain they would stay together, although I did pray for a couple of cat fights. Jesse becomes desperate in this book. I got a sense of his vulnerability behind the whole mega controlling side of him. Inside he's just worried that he'll lose Ava and is frantic about keeping her with him, even if that means hurting himself in the process. He obviously dotes on her and although I'm fairly certain that most girls wouldn't mind being spoiled, Ava is a stubbern, headstrong lady who obviously likes to take control of her own life. I understand her need to rely on herself but c'mon lady. Let him shower you with gifts. He just wants to show you he loves you. Which is also clear every other page when he says 'I love you'. I know though that Ava needs Jesse as much and clearly they have the same feelings for each other but both are insecure and unsure if the other sees it or not.

Beneath this Man was an excellent read. I give it  5 cups of tea, much higher than the 3.5 cups for its prequel. It deserves every one of those cups. This was honestly a brilliantly written book and I wouldn't be surprised if it was soon published. It has the romance I love from 50 shades, the many past issues that was present in Bared to You and a romantic love story with two very strong characters that gives it it's own place in erotica fiction. It's definitely worthy of being up there with the top romance books right now.

I'll finish this review with an Enjoy! and a quote I absolutely loved. "Nothing will ever hurt me as much as seeing you doing that to yourself. That will kill me, nothing else. If you punish yourself again, then I will too."
BUY

Tuesday 22 January 2013

[TO THE BOOKSTORE FOR...] January 22, 2013

There's two this week.

1. Boundless by Cynthia Hand.

This is the finale for the Unearthly series. The first in the series, Unearthly [review here], absolutely blew my mind and made it on to my favourites shelf. The story of Clara and Christian, not to mention Tucker, made me so excited and anxiously waiting to get the second novel. Sadly the second one wasn't as amazing as the first. Of course it always takes me awhile to get through the second book of a trilogy as mainly they're used as an information dump before the big finale in the final instalment but honestly, I couldn't even get through it. In fact I have YET to finish it. I should probably do that before I read this one. I've been told the second one , titled Hallowed, is absolutely amazing so who am I to judge. 
 The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfil her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all. (From Goodreads.)
 
 
This is part two of the Everneath series. I'm fairly certain Everneath somewhat started by  infatuation for fairy tale adaptions. I enjoyed this story. It wasn't a stand out but it was well written and I found myself hooked on it. Is it sad though that I get more excited for the cover revealing than the actual publication of the book? ...
You can read my review on the first novel, titled Everneath here.
I have high hopes for this one (please don't let me down!)
P.S. isn't the cover gorgeous! (gushing over it right now.) They always find the prettiest dresses.
Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love. (From Goodreads)
 
Enjoy!
 


Saturday 19 January 2013

[RANT] Segment Name Change

So I've decided to change the names of my new book releases from [NEW RELEASES] to [TO THE BOOKSTORE FOR...] because the only books I post are those that I would probably head to the bookstore release date for.

Just an update.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday 18 January 2013

[RANT] Struck by the love bug???

I'm in a romantic mood this year. Don't get me wrong, it's not an issue because I do love romance novels but it's strange that I'm so obssessed with them these days considering in 2012, I was all over dystopia lit...kind of a 180 don't you think?

Not sure if it's the soon to come Valentine's day or the fact that most of the romance novels are ebooks is to blame.  Just finding it odd that I'm reading much more romance novels than usual. On that note some that you should definitely check out.

  • Anything by Alice Clayton: Boy that author can write. Not only is the romance AH-mazing in her books but the witty banter is very funny. I first started reading her novels when I read Wallbanger and then went on to her Redhead Series. Now she's one of my favourite authors!
  • Love Left Behind by SH Kolee. This one sounded like a typical romance novel. Girl falls in love with rich guy, something happens and then they get back together. Well I got that...as well as a lot of drama. And I mean A LOT! The good thing was that I felt connected to the charaters and truly felt the emotions and turmoil that happened in their relationship.
  • Exquisite by Ella Frank. This was a fun read. Sort of a more simpler version of Bared to you and 50 shades but equally good to read. I wouldn't say it's in the same place as 50 shades but definitely still good.
  • And of course there are the books I raved in my TOP books of 2012 post. Check those out.
On that note I leave you with some lovely new music by Matchbox 20. Enjoy!

Tuesday 15 January 2013

[NEW RELEASES] January 15, 2013

Well this week what's being released.

It's no other than "The Gates of Paradise" by Melissa De La Cruz. I've loved the Blue Blood Series and I'm always recommending them but lately the series has slowed down. I've had issues reading the last installment and I'll probably finish that before reading this one.

The Gates of Paradise is the final novel in the series. Let's see how this series end turns out to be.

Schuyler Van Alen is running out of time. The Dark Prince of Hell is storming the Gates of Paradise, intent on winning the heavenly throne for good. This time he has his greatest angels by his side, Abbadon and Azrael—Jack and Mimi Force, as they are known in the Coven.

Or so he thinks. Even as Lucifer assigns Jack and Mimi the tasks of killing their true loves, the Force twins secretly vow to defeat the Dark Prince once and for all. But how far will Mimi and Jack go to conceal their real loyalties?

Meanwhile, former vampire Bliss Llewellyn has joined forces with Lawson, the greatest wolf of the underworld, to free his people from their imprisonment in Hell. As they struggle against impossible odds, an ancient message, woven into the very fabric of time, reveals just how much depends on the success of their mission.

Lucifer seeks the key to the Gate of Promise, and when Schuyler is taken captive and delivered straight to Hell, she must make an unthinkable choice—the same one the archangel Michael was forced to make during the Crisis in Rome. Will Schuyler find the strength to do what he could not?

The epic, heartbreaking Blue Bloods series comes to a close with this final novel about staggering courage, unbearable sacrifice, and the immortality of true love. (From Goodreads)


Enjoy!

Saturday 12 January 2013

[REVIEW] Timekeeper by Alexandra Monir

Published: January 2013
Publisher:  Delcorte Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Series: Timeless #2 [end]
[Goodreads]

What happened. That's my initial reaction to finishing this book. What happened to the beautiful love story between Phi
lip and Michele that was the entire first novel. What happened to the story that I was looking forward to reading. Well I didn't get any of what I was hoping for. Not to bash the story because it was good (not great, but good) and Alexandra Monir did an amazing job connecting the first book to the sequel but I guess along the way something was lost. Maybe it was that I felt some of the dialogue to be awkward and somewhat forced. Also I think some of the events could have happened differently that would have made the story more interesting and exciting.

[SPOILER ALERT] For instance, when Irving is first approached by Millicent, I found was very climatical. This was the start of Michele's involvement with the Time Society. And then they started talking. At first I was okay with it. She was explaining the situation, true, something was weird. And then it was all like "Don't worry, we have everything under control. Just follow me." It seemed pointless and very simple for Irving to figure out how to get back his skeleton key. It was too quick and easy for him to get it back. I would have liked it if maybe Irving saw the key hanging around Rebecca's neck and recognized it which then made him find the Society on his own and/or confront her. That would have made it more exciting then a "Someone's here to see you" and she instantly get's confronted and kicked out. I'm missing an emotion from this scene and I'm not sure what it is just that something's missing.  [END SPOILERS]

Maybe before I completely bash the book I should go over some parts I did like. For instance, Philip and Michele's love adventure (as I like to call it).  Kudos to Alexandra Monir in making Philip lose his memory. When I first heard of it I was angry. WHY would she do that to them after everything those two have been through in the first novel and then I firgued, why not. WHY make it so easy for them, hmm? A good romantic angst and worry is good. So I very much enjoyed Michele's efforts and inner turmoil in seeing that Philip was hers, and yet not hers. Also it was very interesting in how Philip's appearence was explained. At first I believed he was a time traveler too. Why not if Michele was one and then when the story progressed, I was sure of it. But of course that wasn't the case. Read the story if you want to know the full explanation. I feel like that's something each reader should find out for themselves.

Also, Caissie. I liked her role in this story.  Although she had a significantly smaller role, I felt that her actions spoke more about her character than before.  [SPOILERS ALERT] Especially when she takes the key from Michele. I know she said that it was because a voice told her too but I'm fairly certain it was because she was jealous of Michele who was rich and had everything AND was also special and a time traveler. I'm sure Caissie was tired of her mundane life and wished for something more. She reminds me of Rebecca and I would have loved to see her turn evil and all sinister like Rebecca herself. [END SPOILERS]

Rebecca is probably the first real villian to appear in this series. Her involvement sort of turns this book into more than a romance story for me. It adds a depth to it that I didn't get as much from the first book. But also, in my opinion, her involvement takes away from the romance between Philip and Michele, which I mentioned at the beginning of my review, I didn't get a whole lot of, or at least what I thought I would get.

Michele seemed a bit scatter to me in this book. At first she's all worried about Philip then willingly commits to stopping Rebecca while also trying to continue the search for her father. Seems like a bit too much issues for a teenage girl to have, considering that these are all very big issues, not small problems like buying more milk etc.

The story seemed to have a planned happy ending and some of the events seemed very predictable. I wasn't entirely impressed with all the outcomes of the events. It still got better towards the end but still predictable.

Overall this wasn't what I expected.  It was a pleasent read and I'm sorry that it couldn't have been more than that.

(Some pity points given because of my love for the first novel.)
MEH borderline BORROW

Tuesday 8 January 2013

[NEW RELEASES] January 8, 2013

New Release for today is Timekeeper by Alexandra Monir.

This is the second in the Timeless series. I had doubts about the first book [review here] at the beginning but it got much better and when I finished the short novel, I realized I was hooked and couldn't wait for the second one. It's been a long wait but hopefully it'll all be worth it (fingers crossed).


 When Philip Walker appears as a new student in Michele Windsor's high school class, she is floored. He is the love she thought she lost forever when they said goodbye during her time travels last century. Overjoyed that they can resume the relationship they had a lifetime ago, Michele eagerly approaches him and discovers the unthinkable: he doesn't remember her. In fact, he doesn't seem to remember anything about the Philip Walker of 1910.

Michele then finds her father's journals, which tell stories of his time-traveling past. As she digs deeper, she learns about his entanglement with a mysterious and powerful organization called the Time Society and his dealings with a vengeful Windsor ancestor. Michele soon finds herself at the center of a rift over 120 years in the making, one whose resolution will have life-or-death consequences.

Alexandra Monir's Timekeeper combines breathtaking romance with a tale of complex magic in a sequel that will have every reader believing in the transcendent power of love. (From Goodreads)


Let me know what you think of this one. I'm definitely excited to continue this story.

Thursday 3 January 2013

[RANT] The Best of 2012

With the coming of a New Year I started thinking about the best books I've read in 2012. They are:

Fifty Shades Darker
(Review here)

The Fifty Shades series definitely introduced me to adult erotica fiction but also just plain intense romantic stories, which is mainly the reason why I find myself hooked on them lately.

The second book in the series was definitely my favourite of the whole.





The Nightmare
 
Lars Kepler returns with another amazing crime/mystery fiction. I loved the Hypnotist (review here) and I was so excited when I heard they had a sequel coming out.  This book was as amazing as the first and I definitely recommend this series to all Millenium trilogy lovers (i.e. The Girl with the Dragon tattoo series by Stieg Larson)






The Pledge

This was probably my favourite dystopia literatures of the year.  I read this pretty close to the start of the year but it blew my mind and became my favourite all year round, even with the release of Insurgent, The Pledge was still my favourite.

Kimberly Derting takes a different spin on a dystopia society and it instantly caught my attention.  With the sequel released less than a week ago, I'm really excited to read it and continue this story. The Pledge was one of my most raved books of 2012.

 
I was recommanded this book last year when it was first released at the bookstore where a kind saleslady told me that this book was quite talked about already. Sadly, I didn't pay any attention to it until my whole fairy tale infatuation phase when I finally decided that it was time I made an effort to give this book a shot. Well a couple months later I purchased a copy and started reading it. It honestly blew my mind. I finished it in one day and when I finished, I was so angry that there was no more. I was at a doctor's appointment waiting when I finished and very angrily flipped through the acknowledgments and started thinking that I had bought a faulty copy. Much to the amusement of the other patients, my frustration proved that indeed, I had finished the book and that I would have to wait for the sequel (to be released Feburary 2013). This definitely became one of my favourites. I know that this is dystopia literature but I really see it as a modern retelling of a fairy tale more.

The Crimson Crown
(review here)

The finale to the seven realms series, one of my most favourite series for the last year. Cinda Williams Chima finished it with a bang that made this fan quite happy and proud of her writing.







Up in the Air series
(Book 1 Goodreads)

Rk Lilley wrote a series that I found to be as worthy as the fifty shades series, which is very hard. Biana and James gave me a new story to fall in love with even more and I'm honestly so excited for the third book in this series. IT HAS TO COME OUT SOONER! SOOOOOOONER!

I honestly cried when I read the first book which doesn't happen. Unless it's a Nicholas Sparks novel but seriously I found myself crying to myself late at night while I stayed up still reading it. That's how powerful these books were to me.

And the last book to round out this list is...

On Dublin Street

On Dublin Street, although it's technically erotic fiction too, I found myself more attracted to the romance in this story. It's filled with angst, and a lot of drama. Definitely a good read.

Tuesday 1 January 2013

[NEW RELEASES] January 1, 2013

Kicking off the new year with a post (well the first actually) of the new releases segment.

What's released today?

Well it's none other than The Essence by Kimberly Derting and I can't be more excited. The Essence is the sequel to The Pledge, the first in The Pledge series.  The Pledge was one of the dystopia lit books that I've been raving about since I first read it.
“Danger, dread, mystery, and romance” (Booklist) continue in the second book of The Pledge trilogy, as Charlie’s reign is under siege from the most unusual of enemies.

At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.

Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two.

As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within. (curtesy of Goodreads)
 
This book is definitely one that I've been waiting for and is so excited to read.  If you haven't given this series a try, why not make it one of your New Year resolutions to stop by the bookstore and buy The Pledge and The Essence or even borrow them. This series is definitely a must read.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year everyone!
Here's to a great 2013 filled with more book reviews and blog posts.