Long time no see :)

I apologize for the lack of activity on my blog, but life has been hectic since Friday.
My mom went to the hospital and was there all weekend. It wasn't anything bad, it was good actually. She had a baby :D So, now I have a brother who is five weeks too early and in NICU because his lungs aren't mature enough. He'll be fine and he's getting better, but I won't be able to get The Iron Thorn review out to you guys now. I haven't had the time to sit down and really work on it yet, but it's coming soon.
I think that's all, oh! I also postponed the giveaway for The Struggle by L.J. Smith until further notice.
Again, sorry guys. I promise, my next post will be a book review and it gonna be awesome ;)
Now, I need to get back to my three page World History essay. O_o

Deja Vu Thursday #3

Deja Vu Thursday is a weekly post that I am starting on my blog. It focuses on similar book covers, may it be design, cover model, etc. It's like seeing doubles! And, let's face it,  midweek, everyone feels like they are loosing their mind anyway.

A Beautiful Evil synopsis:

A power she can’t deny. A destiny she’s determined to fight.

When Ari first arrived in the dilapidated city of New 2, all she wanted was to figure out who she was. But what she discovered was beyond her worst nightmare. Ari can already sense the evil growing inside her—a power the goddess Athena will stop at nothing to possess.

Desperate to hold on to her humanity and protect her loved ones, Ari must fight back. But Athena’s playing mind games, not just with Ari but with those she cares about most. And Athena has a very special plan for the brooding and sexy Sebastian.

Ari is determined to defeat Athena, but time is running out. With no other options, Ari must unleash the very thing she’s afraid of: herself.

Shifting synopsis:

After bouncing from foster home to foster home, Magdalene Mae is transferred to what should be her last foster home in the tiny town of Silver City, New Mexico. Now that she's eighteen and has only a year left in high school, she's determined to stay out of trouble and just be normal. Agreeing to go to the prom with Bridger O'Connell is a good first step. Fitting in has never been her strong suit, but it's not for the reasons most people would expect-it all has to do with the deep secret that she is a shape shifter. But even in her new home danger lurks, waiting in the shadows to pounce. They are the Skinwalkers of Navajo legend, who have traded their souls to become the animal whose skin they wear-and Maggie is their next target.

Full of romance, mysticism, and intrigue, this dark take on Navajo legend will haunt readers to the final page

A Beautiful Evil is the second book in this particular series.

Shifting is not yet released, but here is the author's site

 Both books are going on my never-ending need-to-read list :) I think it's about two miles long right now...

Waiting on Wednesday: Destined

Author:  P.C. + Kristin Cast
Publisher RazorBill
Release date: October 25, 2011
Synopsis:

In Destined, the forces of Light and Dark collide as their epic struggle focuses on Tulsa’s House of Night. Zoey is home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side – and preparing to face off against Neferet. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx’s gift of a human form, he and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together – if Rephaim can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father’s shadow.

But is Zoey really safe? Does she truly know those who are closest to her? And will love win when it is tested by the very soul of Darkness? Find out what’s destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.

*Maybe I should reread and review Marked soon :) But for now, I'll just stare at this cover for a bit....

**Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event is hosted by Breaking the Spine to share upcomming releases we are eagerly waiting for :)

In My Mailbox #3

In my Mailbox was created by The Story Siren to show the books bloggers have acquired over the week. 

This week, I fixed the sound issue but there is nothing I can do about a crappy webcam :P Anyway, all books except for The Eternal Ones are from the library. Sadly, though, there are no cute toddlers sisters making appearances, they were napping. But, maybe next time my little sister can show you all her new favorite book!  
<--And yes, that -book shelf is mine, it's in my closet since it's the only place with enough shelves in my room...
Enjoy the video :D


*P.S. I apologize for my lisp, I sound like a snake the whole time... Tsssssss :P

Books I mentioned in order of appearence:

The Vampire Diaries: The struggle by L.J. Smith 

*giveaway link: here

The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

**The song playing is Santeria by Sublime

Deja Vu Thursday

I started my first Deja Vu post by showing the original cover model of Fallen by Lauren Kate. Now I'm continuing it by showing you doubles of covers. You know, similar ones, ones with the same models, and etc. Hope you like it :D

Evermore by Alyson Noel

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley

Evermore synopsis:

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, Ever can see auras, hear people's thoughts, and know a person's entire life story by touch. Going out of her way to avoid human contact and suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen.

Damen Auguste is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy. He's the only one who can silence the noise and random energy in her head—wielding a magic so intense, it's as though he can see straight into her soul. As Ever is drawn deeper into his enticing world of secrets and mystery, she's left with more questions than answers. She has no idea just who he really is—or what he is. The only thing she knows to be true is she's falling deeply and helplessly in love with him.

North of Beautiful synopsis:

As he continued to stare, I wanted to point to my cheek and remind him, But you were the one who wanted this, remember? You're the one who asked-and I repeat-Why not fix your face?

It's hard not to notice Terra Cooper.

She's tall, blond, and has an enviable body. But with one turn of her cheek, all people notice is her unmistakably "flawed" face. Terra secretly plans to leave her stifling small town in the Northwest and escape to an East Coast college, but gets pushed off-course by her controlling father. When an unexpected collision puts Terra directly in Jacob's path, the handsome but quirky Goth boy immediately challenges her assumptions about herself and her life, and she is forced in yet another direction. With her carefully laid plans disrupted, will Terra be able to find her true path?

Written in lively, artful prose, award-winning author Justina Chen Headley has woven together a powerful novel about a fractured family, falling in love, travel, and the meaning of true beauty.

I have read Evermore and the whole series, I am hoping to find time to reread it and write a review for you guys. I haven't read North of Beauty, though, and I own it. Adding to my need-to-read list. 

      

Waiting on Wednesday: Bloodlines

Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: RazonBill
Release date: August 23, 2011
Synopsis:

I wasn't free of my past, not yet.

Sydney’s blood is special. That’s because she’s an alchemist—one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives. But the last encounter Sydney had with vampires got her in deep trouble with the other alchemists. And now with her allegiances in question, her future is on the line.

When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she’s still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir RoseHathaway. But what unfolds is far worse.  Jill Dragomir—the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir—is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill’s guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the unlikeliest of places—a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one.

The Moroi court believe Jill and Sydney will be safe at Amberwood Prep, but threats, distractions, and forbidden romance lurk both outside—and within—the school grounds. Now that they’re in hiding, the drama is only just beginning.

*Plus, here is a link to the book trailer and first four chapters :D Right Here

**Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event is hosted by Breaking the Spine to share upcomming releases we are eagerly waiting for :)

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

Title: Eyes Like Stars
Author: Lisa Mantchev (Her Website)
Release: July 7, 2009
Synopsis:


Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book--an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not one of them, but they are her family--and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

**small spoiler alert, it's not anything huge but I just thought I would warn you :) **


Review:


I've never read anything like it! This book is very unique despite the use of classical and well known characters. The author proves that she put a lot talent and imagination and work into this story. The way she was able to represent and capture the older characters from some of Shakespeare's classics and others is fascinating! And even though Bertie is a new and original character she seems to fit right in with the others even if she does stand out a bit. The plot line was really good,too. There were twists and turns, dramatic scenes and of course romance. It's hard to believe it started out as a short story, I mean, I can't imagine it without some of the scenes. It would be like ripping the book in half, literally.
Most of the time, I can tell I like a book when I read a part and want to skip to the end just to find out what will happen! And this book made me want to skim and skip to discover if Bertie had to leave the theater and especially to discover what would happen to Nate. Though, of course, I won't tell you what happened to him in the first place to make me wonder what would happen to him... is anyone else confused by that sentence?
Anyway, Bertie was a wonderful protagonist. I loved every send of her story even if she wasn't the one telling it. She's powerful in more ways than one, she is a little headstrong at points but she's independent and cares for those around her. And true, she's a trouble maker but she is also very authoritative, too. And, like everyone, she has her issues; one being her attitude and prone to making trouble, another would be her abandonment ones.
Now, Nate. Though he might have one line in The Little Mermaid, he plays a big role in Eyes Like Stars. He's at Bertie's side whenever he can be, and he's a good friend. Plus, let's face it, he's in love with Bertie, and, even as he tries to hide it, he wants her safe from any kind of harm. He's a sweetheart with a pirate mouth and a pirate temper. 
The fairies, Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed, are just hilarious, there's a chance they could all give Puck from Julie Kawaga's Iron King a run for his money ;) They are ambitious, rambunctious and always getting into trouble, but, dispute their wild nature, they are Bertie's best friends. 
I don't have time to bore you will all the characters, though none are truly boring, so I saved my favorite for last.
ARIEL.
No, he isn't the mermaid from The Little Mermaid... and yes, I said he. He is "an airy spirit from the Tempest". I'm putting it out there right now, I have never read or watched any of Shakespeare plays (Yes, that includes Romeo and Juliet). So I only know of his characters from when they sneak across the pages of other books (Puck).  Anyway, I thought Ariel was a girl, till I saw a line referring to him as a he... He's very interesting, sly, and mysterious. And probably a whole bunch of other things (desperate for escape included) but I love his character, even in the beginning, and apparently Bertie does too...
Well then, as I say in nearly every review: I am forcing myself to stop before I give anymore spoilers. And let's face it, this is a review, not a book report, I'll save the latter for my English teacher.
And I'll end as I usually do, great book, but I my love for it came out near the end. Recommended for theater fanatics everywhere, and anyone who likes funny fairies and handsome pirates. 
I've been searching online for the sequel and i found it Prechance to Dream and then the end to the trilogy is So Silver Bright, which comes out next month! And, I need to remember to work on that rating system, I keep forgetting...

In My Mailbox #2

So, this is my first vlog so it took me two tries before I liked how it turned out...kinda :P Anyway, my littlest sister made an appearance in this one so she might be doing some cute things while I speak, which includes giving the camera the evil eye :D And I apologize for the bad camera quality. And for the sound :/ i need to start speaking up, but if  you use headphones you can actually hear what I am saying :D 
Anyway, enjoy! :D

Books I mentioned, in order of appearence:

Everlasting by Alyson Noel

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Possessions by Nancy Holder

The Evil Within by Nancy Holder

Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Entwined by Heather Dixon 

**All books are from the library :)

P.S. this is a little disclaimer: I don't own the song playing it's Santeria by Sublime
P.P.S. (??) IMM was created by The Story Siren

Waiting on Wednesday: Deadly Little Voices

This is my first WoW post, so I'm not sure if I'm getting it right or not, but you live and you learn, right?

Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz
Publisher: Hyperion
Release Date: December 6, 2011
Synopsis (from authors website) :

Camelia Hammond thought her powers of psychometry gave her only the ability to sense the future through touch. But now she has started to hear voices. Cruel voices. Berating her, telling her how ugly she is, that she has no talent, and that she'd be better off dead. Camelia is terrified for her mental stability, especially since her deranged aunt, who has a suicidal history, has just moved into the house. As if all of that weren't torturing enough, Camelia's ex-boyfriend, Ben, for whom she still harbors feelings and who has similar psychometric abilities, has started seeing someone else. Even her closest friends, Kimmie and Wes, are not sure how to handle her erratic behavior.


With the line between reality and dream consistently blurred, Camelia turns to pottery to get a grip on her emotions. She begins sculpting a figure skater, only to receive frightening premonitions that someone's in danger. But who is the intended victim? And how can Camelia help that person when she is on the brink of losing her own sanity?


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event is hosted by Breaking the Spine to share upcomming releases we are eagerly waiting for :)

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Title: Unearthly
Author: Cynthia Hand (her website)
Release: January 4, 2011
Synopsis:

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has apurpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

Review: 
Whew! Now that I finally managed to scrape up some time, here is the review for Unearthly :D 
**I just read over this and decided that there may be some possible spoilers! So look out! They aren't huge bu I just thought I'd add it in to warn everyone. 


I for one love angel books. Something about them never gets old, there is always some twist, something different to add or discover every time you read a new one.  Every author has something new brewing in their mind ready to set on paper (and I guess that goes for every kind of book, not just angel ones). This one didn't disapoint. Unearthly is a book that keeps you reading until the AM. It's about destiny, love and choices (always choice, right?) and it's brilliant! Your pulled in from the first chapter and hanging on till the end. The plot wasn't nesicarily original but the way the author went about it was.
To be honest, though, I wish certain parts of the book didn't move by so quickly. I felt as if it skipped a lot of time during some of the breaks in and between chapters. I mean, the whole story is there, but the way it moves along is my only qualm (if that's the right word...). 
Anyway, as far as characters go, Clara is a really good protagonist. Even with her insecurities and all the things she is unsure of, she stands tall and strong. Sure, she has a coupple of stumbles (may they be litteral or not) but she worked her way through them.
Christian is the look-but-don't-touch kind of guy. Not necessarily mysterious like so many other guys in YA novels (coughPATCHcough) but either way he's an awesome character. Well, besides the fact that he's in love with Kay. ): I was wondering if Clara and him were or weren't going to end up together the entire book.
Wendy is a great friend to Clara, sweet and loyal like a friend should be. And Angela is a the same in her own way and for different reasons that you can discover :) Jeffery is funny and cool, as far as little siblings go, but he, like his sister, goes through some difficult things he has to understand. I hope that in the next book, we'll get more from him so we can unravel some of the mysterious things about him.
Moving on to Tucker... yes, at the beginning he is a jerk but I think he's just awesome! He's not like Christian and his whole god status but he's a fantastic character in his own way. And he's actually really sweet. 
Okay, I'm trying really hard not to post spoilers so I'm moving on, again...
Since I am still working an the rating system, I can't really rate this on a one to five scale. But for now I'll say this: great book, great characters, great plot, and a great author. I can't wait for the sequel which, as I read, will be called Hallowed and will be available January of 2012. 
Adding to my look-out-for list :P
*** Okay i just remembered (again) something I wanted to say in the review! 
The book has twists and things that have you guessing what will happen. There are surprises that you might subconsciously guess but you don't believe it till you read it :) And most of us love surprises, right? It keeps the book entertaining. 
My favorite parts had to be near the end, though, so much happened and I nearly cried at some point. Truly a wonderful story!
I think I'm done with the edits now :D