Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Book: Shadow and Bone

Author: Leigh Bardago

Release Date: June 5

Goodreads Summary

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 unlikely 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.

What are waiting on this Wednesday?

Soul Screamers Volume 1 by Rachel Vincent

Book: Soul Screamers Volume 1: My Soul to Lose, My Soul to Take, My Soul to Save
Author: Rachel Vincent
# of Pages: 471 (ebook)
Challenges: 2012 Ebook Challenge, 2012 TBR Pile Challenge
Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Summary
My Soul to Lose 
— The prequel: never before in print! — 
Kaylee is just your average girl shopping at the mall with friends—until a terrified scream burst from her that cannot be stopped. 
Taken to a hospital ward, will she be able to save her mind—and her life? 

My Soul to Take 
She always felt different, but now Kaylee discovers why. The screams that cannot be denied mean that someone near her will die—and she can never save them. Because saving one life means taking another... 

My Soul to Save 
Going on dates with her boyfriend is still new to Kaylee. But when the singer of the band they're seeing dies and Kaylee doesn't scream, she knows something carzy is going on. Soon she discovers soul can indeed be sold...
                                                                                                                           My Thoughts: I heard that this series was good, but I honestly did not expect to like the first couple books as much as I did. The writing is witty, and I really like the characters. Nash, the strong football player, the sarcastic and mysterious Tod, and Kaylee whose panic attacks turn out to be something more complex then she could ever imagine.

The last few chapters of My Soul to Steal did drag a bit. And we don't know too much about Tod. But, I thought these first couple books were fascinating, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series and finding out more about Tod.

Dark Eden by Patrick Carman

Book: Dark Eden
Author: Patrick Carman
# of Pages: 316 (Hardcover)
Challenge: 2012 TBR Pile Challenge
Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Summary
Fifteen-year-old Will Besting is sent by his doctor to Fort Eden, an institution meant to help patients suffering from crippling phobias. Once there, Will and six other teenagers take turns in mysterious fear chambers and confront their worst nightmares—with the help of the group facilitator, Rainsford, an enigmatic guide. When the patients emerge from the chamber, they feel emboldened by the previous night's experiences. But each person soon discovers strange, unexplained aches and pains. . . . What is really happening to the seven teens trapped in this dark Eden?

Patrick Carman's Dark Eden is a provocative exploration of fear, betrayal, memory, and— ultimately—immortality.                                       

My Thoughts: This was a creepy, twisted book, and I really enjoyed it. Will has a severe phobia and is sent to "camp" to be cured along with six other teens. Fort Eden has many secrets and Will is the only one suspicious enough to do a little digging. He does not know who he can trust, yet he finds himself falling for one of his fellow campers. 

Filled with mysterious characters, secrets, suspense, and a little romance, this book kept me on the edge of my seat and left me craving for more when it ended.

In My Mailbox

IMM is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

For my Nook

My Soul to Keep by Rachel VIncent

Reaper by Rachel Vincent

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Book: Smart Girls Get What They Want

Author: Sarah Strohmeyer

Release Date: June 26

Goodreads Summary

Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are best friends and total overachievers. Even if they aren’t the most popular girls in school, they aren’t too worried. They know their real lives will begin once they get to their Ivy League colleges. There will be ivy, and there will be cute guys in the libraries (hopefully with English accents)! But when an unexpected event shows them they’re missing out on the full high school experience, it’s time to come out of the honors lounge and into the spotlight. They make a pact: They will each take on their greatest challenge—and they will totally rock it.

Gigi decides to run for student rep, but she’ll have to get over her fear of public speaking—and go head-to-head with gorgeous California Will. Bea used to be one of the best skiers around, until she was derailed. It could be time for her to take the plunge again. And Neerja loves the drama club but always stayed behind the scenes—until now.

These friends are determined to show that smart girls get what they want—but that could mean getting way more attention than they ever bargained for....

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Top Ten Books I'd Quickly Save If My House Was About to be Abducted by Aliens

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

1. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

2. Divergent by Veronica Roth

3. The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe

4. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

5. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

6. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

7. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

8. Bag of Bones by Stephen King

9. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

10. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

11. My Nook

Must Read Monday

Must Read Monday is a meme created by Jenna from Fans of Fiction. This is a fun way to recommend books to other bloggers by using an acrostic puzzle based on the week's theme. It helps bloggers learn more about the book. This week's theme is A character you love to hate.

From the Harry Potter series

Originally named Tom MarvoLo Riddle
                         and left in an Orphanage,
          he does not have any fRiends
             but later gains devoteD followers

                                      He is Vengeful and remorseless
                                       and gOes to extreme lengths
to try to make himself immortaL. He is
                         determined to Destroy
                        the boy who livEd and take
                     command of the Magical world.
                                    Even thOugh he is cunning,
                                        poweRful, and intelligent, he
                            never undersTands the meaning of love.

The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Book: The Duff

Author: Kody Keplinger

# of Pages: 288 (Paperback)

Challenge: 2012 TBR Challenge

Rating: 3.5 stars

Goodreads Summary

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

My Thoughts: First, I must say that I really like Keplinger's writing. I was drawn in from the very first page and it held my attention until the end. As for the main character, Bianca, I did not really like her that much. I can understand why she was so cynical, but I could not help but wonder if this girl actually liked anything (besides Wesley of course). I did, however, like Wesley even though he is a, to use Bianca's term, "womanizer." He is a jerk for the first part of the book. But in the second half you get to know him better and you get a better understanding of why he is the way he is.

Overall, for me, this was an okay book.

Gone by Michael Grant

Book: Gone (Gone series #1)
Author: Michael Grant
# of Pages: 558 (Paperback)
Challenge: 2012 TBR Pile Challenge
Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads Summary
In the blink of an eye. Everyone disappears. GONE.

Except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not one single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened.

Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents--unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers--that grow stronger by the day.

It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else...
                                                                                                                        My Thoughts: In the world dubbed the FAYZ, all adults have disappeared along with the Internet and cell phones, and bullies take over. Even stranger, those left develop supernatural powers. And they must try to survive in this new world that is so unlike the one they are used to.

The characters are intriguing especially Little Pete. I love Sam and Astrid. They make such a great team. And Drake, one of the bullies, gives new meaning to the word scary.

This is a thrilling, action-packed read, and I'm so glad I finally read it.

Top Ten Books That Broke My Heart A Little

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

3. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

4. Where She Went by Gayle Forman

5. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

6. The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy

7. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
8. Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares

In My Mailbox

IMM is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Hunger by Michael Grant

Lies by Michael Grant

Plague by Michael Grant

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Dead to You by Lisa McMann

Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

For my Nook

Two Truths and a Lie by Sara Shepard

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Book: The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus #2)
Author: Rick Riordan
# of Pages: 513 (Hardcover)
Challenge: 2012 TBR Book Challenge
Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Summary
Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring and bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem - when the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for and evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery - although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially infront of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely - enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the "other" camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven(
                                                                                                                           My Thoughts: Percy Jackson is back! He has lost his memory, but thankfully he still remembers Annabeth. He ends up at Camp Jupiter where descendants of the Roman gods dwell. There he meets Hazel and Frank, who are both harboring secrets. Percy and his new friends embark on a quest to free Death and must return to camp before the Roman demigods are attacked by an army of monsters.

I did like getting to know Hazel and Frank, but I half wish the whole story would have been told from Percy's POV. There were a few places where the story dragged a bit. I thought the Roman mythology was very interesting. And I like how we get to see what life in Camp Jupiter is like compared to life in Camp Half Blood.

Overall, I liked this book a lot more than The Lost Hero, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Book: Bzrk

Author: Michael Grand

Release Date: February 28

Goodreads Summary

Set in the near future, a conspiracy is afoot to create a perfect and perfectly controlled world. The Armstrong Fancy Gift Corporation is a front for the conjoined Armstrong twins, Charles and Benjamin, and the plot to create their own version of utopia.

A shadowy guerilla group known as BZRK form a nascent resistance movement. Both sides develop sophisticated nanotechnology to achieve their goals:

-The Armstrong twins develop the nanobot, a stealth device that latches onto the brains of unsuspecting citizens

-BZRK's DNA-derived biots are deployed to search out and destroy the insidious bots.  If biots are destroyed, the brain cells of their DNA-donor also die.  Hence the name BZRK.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?