Waiting on Wednesday 5-30

Just For Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
It comes out July 3rd.

From Goodreads:
"When Lily Sanderson decided to remain Crown Princess Waterlily of the mermaid kingdom Thalassinia, she knew she couldn’t just coast along in the current. But since she’s spent the last couple of years on land—with gorgeous human Quince by her side—Lily’s not sure she has the fins to lead a kingdom. Even her maddeningly pretentious cousin Dosinia seems to know more about ruling than she does.

But Lily has to dive in deep to keep her promise to Tellin, her mer bond in name only, whose kingdom is suffering in the changing ocean climate. Lily knows this is a seven seas–sized problem: from sea animals dying to oil spills and threats to humans. They’ll need to create some serious waves to make the mer community aware and get it to join together to make things right. Even if that means facing one of the iciest queens in the mer kingdoms.

Just when Lily thinks her double life on land and sea can’t get any more complicated, an ancient mer law might separate Lily and Quince after all. It feels as if the pair is up against a solid tsunami wave!

In this third installment in the series that began with Forgive My Fins and Fins Are Forever, Lily will have to find a way to balance safety and justice for the mer people as well as for the humans she loves."

I can't wait to see how everything turns out for Lily. This is the funnest Mermaid series I've ever read and everytime I look a the covers, I get even more excited. I think the green/teal hair is cool. So many mermaid books this summer!

~Haley G

Revived by Cat Patrick

Publisher: Little Brown

Genera: Sci-Fi

Subjects: Death, life, science, drugs, love, friendship

Length: 336 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life.
A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency’s true goals, she realizes she’s at the center of something much larger—and more sinister—than she ever imagined.”

My Rating: êêêê1/2

My Review: This book had me from the beginning. Daisy’s narration keeps the reader interested, and the way she talks about her life of lies. The book is very well written, and all the emotions are clear. The whole revive thing reminded me of the Revenants series, only Daisy isn’t immortal, it’s just the drug saving her. The whole God Project and the agents reminds me of FBI and other sci-fi books I love.

I think Audrey’s and awesome character. Daisy and her became friends really fast. I was really sad when I read that Audrey was sick. And Matt, Audrey’s brother, is pretty hot. I love the romance between him and Daisy. Sure, the whole thing about dating your best friends brother is a little overdone, but it’s okay. At least you know what you’re getting into from his sister. The only strange character is Megan, whose transgender. It’s kind of confusing.

This book is a standalone, so the plot had to wrap up at the end, and it did. Perfectly. I recommend this if you like non-dystopian sci-fi or even contemporary.

Cover Art Review: Pretty cool cover. I thought she was trapped in ice at first, but she’s ripping some sheet. Either way, it looks very sci-fi.

~Haley G

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

Publisher: Poppy (Hachette)

Series: The Last Princess (bk. 1)

Genera: Sci-Fi Dystopian

Subjects: post-apocalyptic, survival, disasters, princesses, royalty, England, London

Length: 295 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Happily ever after is a thing of the past.
A series of natural disasters has decimated the earth. Cut off from the rest of the world, England is a dark place. The sun rarely shines, food is scarce, and groups of criminals roam the woods, searching for prey. The people are growing restless.
When a ruthless revolutionary sets out to overthrow the crown, he makes the royal family his first target. Blood is shed in Buckingham Palace, and only sixteen-year-old Princess Eliza manages to escape.
Determined to kill the man who destroyed her family, Eliza joins the enemy forces in disguise. She has nothing left to live for but revenge, until she meets someone who helps her remember how to hope—and to love—once more. Now she must risk everything to ensure that she not become... The Last Princess.”

My Rating: êêêê

My Review: This book was really good. It was pretty unique because it’s a dystopian story from the perspective of a girl who’s the princess of England. And it’s set in England. English royalty plus post-apocalyptic setting is a pretty awesome combo. Eliza’s a pretty strong character, and a really great narrator. The story isn’t boring at all. There’s even some romance in it, and betrayal. The plot of saving her siblings from execution, and making sure Hollister doesn’t become king, is also interesting. There’s a lot of description, and everything’s easy to picture in your head. The decimation by natural disasters may not be unique, but most of the story is. I recommend this book to people who like stories about royalty and dystopian/post-apocalyptic books.

Cover Art Review: I really love this cover. It’s so eye catching. Mostly because of the colors. And I love how they photo-shopped London into a post-apocalyptic version of itself.

~Haley G

Waiting on Wednesday 5-23

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine in which every Wednesday bloggers talk about a book that they are eagerly anticipating the release of."

Rapture by Lauren Kate

Rapture by Lauren Kate
Series: Fallen (bk. 4)
Release Date: June 12th

Publisher: Random House

Description: “The sky is dark with wings . . . .

Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again.

Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen.

For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters.

In the fight for Luce, who will win?

The astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series. Heaven can’t wait any longer.”

THE LAST BOOK IN THE SERIES!!! Oh my gosh, I really want it. I love that cover more than all the others. I really love angel books.

~Haley G

The Nightworld by Jack Blaine

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genera: Sci-fi, dystopian, post-apocalyptic  

Subjects: survival, darkness, disasters

Length: 234 pgs.

HC/PB: Paperback

Summary/ product description: “Scraping by in classes, hanging out with his best friend Charlie, and trying to get a date with Lara Hanover, the prettiest girl in school—that was Nick Robbins’ life.
Survival was the last thing on his mind.
Then, a strange cloud appeared over the city. A cloud that kept growing. The darkness on the horizon consumed the light around it. And Nick’s dad, a Department of Defense energy physicist, might have something to do with it. Soon, it became clear that the world Nick knew would never be the same.
Now, night is never-ending. The temperature is falling as heat leaves the world. Plants and animals are dying and people are turning into predators waiting for any small advantage. But Nick is determined not to disappear like the fading light. Desperate to glimpse a familiar face in the shadows, Nick races to find his friends—and the one clue that’s his glimmer of hope.”

My Rating: êêêê

My Review: This book was pretty good. A nice shot, fast read. I finished it within a day, more like less than 6 hours. It reminded me of Ashfall and Life As We Knew It. Mostly because of the darkness and cold weather that the cloud brought. The plot was also pretty good, I’m just disappointed that they didn’t get into the science stuff very much. Nick seems like a cool character, and him and Lara are a great team. I can’t wait to see what happens in the sequel.

The book was written in 1^st person present tense, which made the action flow better, rather than feel like a diary.

Cover Art Review: I love the title, but the cover itself isn’t that interesting. Would have been better in metallic.

~Haley G

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Publisher: HarperTeen: Greenwillow

Series: Masque of the Red Death (bk. 1)

Genera: Steampunk/dystopian

Subjects: Plague, masks, science, wealth

Length: 319 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Everything is in ruins.
A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.
So what does Araby Worth have to live for?
Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.
But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.
And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.”

My Rating: êêê

My Review: Araby is the daughter of the very important scientist who invented the masks that prevent people from breathing in the virus. There a love triangle. And she wants to give masks to the poor.

For a book considered steampunk, it was pretty good. I don’t usually read steampunk, but this felt more dystopian. It still didn’t amaze me. It was not boring, but I have a difficult time getting into things when the main character seems depressed. I like 1^st person present tense, but the characters weren’t interesting. I love the descriptions and the masks. It was sort of like an alternate New Orleans, except they called the alligators crocodiles instead. Crocs are only from Aussie I thought. Anyways, I love reading scary virus books, I just wasn’t crazy about the story line since it had very little action.

I recommend this to people who like steampunk, or like dystopian and want to give steampuck a try. It you love dark and lyrical books or love Poe, then this may be for you.

Cover Art Review: I love that it’s metallic and the title is rainbow. I love the typeface design. And the ragged cut pages are so cool!

~Haley G

Waiting on Wednesday 5-16

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine in which every Wednesday bloggers talk about a book that they are eagerly anticipating the release of."

Mirage by Kristi Cook

Series: Winterhaven (bk. 2)

Release Date: June 5th

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Description: “Seventeen-year-old Violet McKenna is back for her senior year at Winterhaven, and thrilled to be with Aidan after a long summer apart. But when a violent and disturbing vision begins to haunt her, Violet suddenly feels unsure of everything: who to trust, if she is in danger, and—worst of all—whether she and Aidan are really meant to be together.”

Can’t wait to feel the Aiden Effect again! I loved the first book. It was like X-men in that it’s a school for psychics, and Aiden’s a vamp.

~Haley G

Eve of Destruction by Patrick Carmen

Publisher: HarperTeen: KT

Series: Dark Eden (bk. 2)

Genera: Supernatural psychological thriller

Subjects: Fear, revenge, mental disorders, immortality

Length: 277 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Will Besting and the other teens who were “cured” at Fort Eden are still experiencing the strange signs of aging
that were a part of their recovery. Now they are being called back to Fort Eden because Mrs. Goring is dying, and
for some reason she wants to see the seven teens together again.
But once Will and the others arrive at Fort Eden, they find themselves ensnared in a dangerous plan to finally end
the reign of Rainsford. Will must lead the group through a perilous underground trap masterminded by two devious
souls. Can he outwit both Rainsford and Goring and find a new cure?
Patrick Carman’s Dark Eden 2: Eve of Destruction is another terrifying journey into the depths of fear, love, revenge, and—ultimately—redemption.”

My Rating: êê1/2

My Review: For some reason I wasn’t very thrilled reading this book. Sure, I read it in one day, but I was mostly just skipping through it, confused what was going on. I was kind of bored. The setting was pretty interesting, and all the radio-active stuff seemed pretty scary, but the characters still felt pretty flat to me. I actually think that Dark Eden should have been a stand-alone. 13 Days Till Midnight was a stand-alone, and that book was awesome! So why the sequel? Having characters with all those aging related weaknesses, like Marisa’s sleeping, made me feel like they were weak.

The book is fast paced despite the long chapter set-up, but I couldn’t get into it. If there is another book, I hope it’s better than this mess. The ending was pretty satisfying though since they were truly cured, so there probably won’t be another book. Hope you all like this book better than I did.

Cover Art Review: I liked the other cover they originally had better. This one is boring. The people on it aren’t very interesting. And it’s not shiny!

~Haley G

Thumped by Megan McCafferty

Publisher: HarperTeen (Balzer & Bray)

Series: Bumped (bk. 2, also the last book, a Due-ology)

Genera: Sci-fi dystopian

Subjects: pregnancy, twins, infertility, love, sex

Length: 290 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “THE CONCLUSION TO ONE OF THE MOST TALKED-ABOUT NOVELS OF LAST YEAR
It’s been thirty-five weeks since twin sisters Harmony and Melody went their separate ways. And now their story has become irresistible: twins separated at birth, each due to deliver twins…on the same day!
Married to Ram and living in Goodside, Harmony spends her time trying to fit back into the community she once believed in. But she can’t forget about Jondoe, the guy she fell for under the strangest of circumstances.
To her adoring fans, Melody has achieved everything: a major contract and a coupling with the hottest bump prospect around. But this image is costing her the one guy she really wants.
The girls’ every move is analyzed by millions of fans eagerly counting down to “Double Double Due Date.” They’re two of the most powerful teen girls on the planet, and they could do only one thing to make them even more famous:
Tell the truth.”

My Rating: êêêê

My Review: I have not read a “due-ology” before. It fit the series though, seeing as there’s a “due-date.” This book was really funny. The word-play is amazing as ever. I can’t believe how creative the author is to come up with all of these words. I thought the story line was great. The ending wrapped up really well. The characters were still awesome. The switching perspective between Melody and Harmony. I was very surprised about what we found out about Ram, and it worked out pretty well. I never thought I’d like a series about pregnancy or sex, but this series was fun, and I definitely am not interested in having sex or babies yet, so I can relate to Melody. Faking it would so not be worth it, though.

So this is the funniest Dystopian book series ever and I rilly recommend it. For serious. It is fertilicious. Pregg-tastic. Lol. Love these made up words.

Cover Art Review: The egg has been cracked! What, no baby chick inside? Lol. The cover’s just perfect. If there was a 3^rd book (which there won’t be). How would the egg be “Humped” or “Dumped”?

~Haley G

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Release Date: June 5^th, 2012

Publisher: Macmillan, part of the Fierce Reads tour!

Series: The Grisha Trilogy (bk. 1)

Genera: Epic Fantasy

Subjects: Magic, Good vs. Evil, kingdoms,

Length: 356 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $16.99

Summary/ product description: “Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.”

My Rating: ê ê ê ê

My Review: This book was so much better than I expected when I saw the cover. I am not a fan of historical fiction and was so glad that this was epic fantasy, and that the dialogue was very modern, and sometimes funny. I never was bored when reading this, even when I was confused or tired. Alina is sarcastic and tough, and becomes more awesome when she learns to use her powers. The Darkling I didn’t like very much, I’m more into the heroes, like Mal was when her helped Alina. I thought it was so cool when Alina went to the Small Palace where Grisha are trained. I kept on thinking of Vampire Academy or some other gothic boarding school. Genya was a great supporting character. She became friends with Alina.

One of the coolest things: Alina and summon sunlight and manipulate is. The story I was writing, my main character can control light too, but Alina does it very differently. I was thinking of Avatar: The Last Airbender when the mentioned Squallers, Tidemakers and Inferni. But no Earth Benders?

Also, maybe it’s because I read The Selection right before this book, but I felt more like I was reading a dystopian book than an epic fantasy. Really, both genera’s are closely related in that it’s a different world than what we are used to. I find that as long as epic fantasy doesn’t have too much realistic historical element to it (Historical setting okay, historical dialog not so much), then I don’t get bored so easily. A similar book to this is The Gathering Storm. It’s the first historical fiction book I can say I’ve liked. It’s set in Russia in the 1890s, but it reads more like a paranormal romance. Shadow and Bone took historical Russian elements, changed some stuff and add some amazing fantasy creatures and being. The result is amazing and I totally recommend it!

Cover Art Review: I have the ARC copy, which is black, red and gold. It has a gold ring on it, supposed to be an eclipsed sun. The official cover is very illustrative. When I saw it I thought this was a historical novel (thankfully not). But it was based off of some Russian stuff, so the onion domes seem fitting. I do like the other cover (UK cover maybe?) with the girl in her blue and gold kefta robe, but the title is different and called “The Gathering Dark” instead.

There’s a map in the final book! I saw it and glued it into my ARC. It’s awesome!

~Haley G

Underworld by Meg Cabot

Release Date: May 8th

Publisher: Point (Scholastic)

Series: The Abandon Trilogy (bk. 2)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Death, Underworld, Greek Mythology, Hades, Florida Keys

Length: 320 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.
Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn’t dead.
Not this time.
But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.
Her captor, John Hayden, claims it’s for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they’ve come back as Furies, intent on vengeance…on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.
But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there…and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.
And unless Pierce is careful, this time there’ll be no escape.”

My Rating: êêê1/2

My Review: This sequel was somewhat better than the first book. I don’t really like Pierce as a character, she seems kind of weak and air-headed, but not so much in this one. What I really did like was the pet that John gave her: A mourning dove, which she called Hope. I thought that was pretty cute. The bird did a lot of funny things that reminded me of my parakeet. I like John, but at times he seems possessive. Their relationship isn’t abusive or anything, but it’s still not normal. He’s a death deity after all. The story itself was pretty good, though. Pierce wanted to save her cousin from some future bad event she saw on her cell phone (which does that in the Underworld apparently), so she convinces John to take her back to Isla Huesos. And since everyone thinks she was either kidnapped or murdered, she has to be careful about being seen with John. We also get to find out about John’s past and what we he did to end up in his position. And we meet new characters in the Underworld, crew members from John’s ship. There’s some mystery and action. And Furies (Killer Grandma!). Happy reading.

Cover Art Review: Metallic like the first book, but the deep blue is definitely better than the black and brown on the first one. The photo’s more interesting too. And the designs and U in the title are awesome.

~Haley G

Waiting on Wednesday 5-2

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine in which every Wednesday bloggers talk about a book that they are eagerly anticipating the release of.

Tempest Unleashed by Tracy Deebs

Series: Tempest (bk. 2)

Release Date: June 5th

Publisher: Walker (Bloomsbury)

Description: “Tempest Maguire is happy with her decision to embrace her mermaid nature and live among her mother’s clan within the ocean’s depths. Even though training to one day ascend the throne for the aging mermaid queen is rigorous, she finds refuge in the arms of Kona, the selkie who first opened her up to her mermaid side. But when word comes that one of her brothers has been gravely injured on land, Tempest immediately rushes to his side—which also brings her back to her old flame, Mark. And in her absence, a deadly battle begins raging at the hands of Tempest’s old nemesis, the sea witch Tiamat. As the dangerous war erupts, Tempest’s two loves—Kona and Mark, sea and land—will collide for the first time, both to protect her and to force her to choose.”

The cover on this one is sooooo much better than the 1^st one’s!!! I can’t wait to read this. Kona is so hot for a guy who can turn into a seal (He the Jacob Black of the ocean!!! :P) This probably is the best mermaid series I’ve ever read, or at least the most romantic/sexy one. I’m so excited!

~Haley G

Until I Die by Amy Plum

Release Date: May 8th

Publisher: HarperTeen

Series: Revenants (bk. 2)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: supernatural, love, death, immortality, Revenants, ghosts, good vs. evil, heroes, Paris, France

Length: 353 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.
As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.
In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.”

My Rating: êêêêê

My Review: This sequel was even better that the first book. Not only WAS Kate not depressed, she was kick-ass! The revenants are training her to sword fight. Vincent is romantic as ever, and Jules is…Jules (I love him! And all the other revenants, but mostly him.). Thankfully this sequel doesn’t introduce what so many paranormal romance sequels do: no love triangles, no break ups. Just Vincent trying not to die because he loves Kate so much. Nothing’s romantic as like undying love. And Paris. I still love, love, love the setting. I’ve not read many books that weren’t set in some English speaking country. Amy Plum does an amazing job describing the setting, and you really get the feel of the city, especially the art and museums

In this book we find out more about the history of revenants and about what they do. There’s some new characters, Violette and Arthur. They’re from the middle ages. There’s also the prophecy about a Champion revenant that will defeat the  Numa.

This book was amazing and the only problem I had with it was the ending. We get one heck of a cliff hanger. And now I have to wait a year till the next one.

I still recommend this book series. If you liked Twilight, you’ll love this way more! Revenants are way cooler than vamps!

Cover Art Review: It looks so much better now! The ARC copy’s cover makes the girl and the city scape not go together. They edited it so it looks more naturally lit. And the colors are gorgeous. Cool colors, teal, blue and purple. The dress is blowing behind Kate.

~Haley G