Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Book: Monument 14
Author: Emmy Laybourne
# of Pages: 294 (Hardcover)
Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads Summary
Your mother hollers that you’re going to miss the bus. She can see it coming down the street. You don’t stop and hug her and tell her you love her. You don’t thank her for being a good, kind, patient mother. Of course not—you launch yourself down the stairs and make a run for the corner.Only, if it’s the last time you’ll ever see your mother, you sort of start to wish you’d stopped and did those things. Maybe even missed the bus.But the bus was barreling down our street, so I ran.Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong.

In Emmy Laybourne’s action-packed debut novel, six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids trapped together in a chain superstore build a refuge for themselves inside. While outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapons spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.


My Thoughts:
There is never a dull moment in Emmy Laybourne's Monument 14. A series of natural disasters occurs and 14 kids varying in age from kindergarten to high school take refuge in a Greenway superstore. To make matters worse, a chemical compound has been released into the air which has negative effects on humans.

Though the 14 kids have everything they need in the superstore, food, water, clothes, medical supplies, things are far from perfect. There are arguments, bouts of jealousy, and difficult decisions that have to be made.

For such a short book, I was surprised by how well we get to know all of the kids, though I do wish we could have seen more of Astrid.

Overall, I really enjoyed Monument 14, and I can't wait for the sequel.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Stunning by Sara Shepard

Book: Stunning (Pretty Little Liars #11)
Author: Sara Shepard
# of Pages: 306 (Hardcover)
Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Summary
Full of darker secrets, juicier scandals, and deadlier plot twists, the latest arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling series continues to deliver fast-paced, tension-ridden drama.

After Alison DiLaurentis tried to kill them, Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna tried to get their lives back on track. But these girls just can’t stay out of trouble. First there was their disastrous trip to Jamaica, and their summer breaks were no less eventful. Now a new A is stalking them, taunting them with the very secrets these pretty little liars have been trying to forget. But this A doesn’t just want to blackmail the girls—this A is out for blood.

Sara Shepard’s fan base only gets bigger as the hit ABC Family Pretty Little Liars TV show continues to draw new readers to the bestselling series. Everyone will be dying to find out what A does next....


My Thoughts:
This contains spoilers from previous books in the series.

In Stunning, more details are revealed about Emma's pregnancy, Spencer is desperate to get into an Eating Club at Princeton, Hanna will do anything to get Mike back, and Aria is uncertain whether she can confide in Noel.

A is as cunning and manipulative as ever and never gives the girls a break. The girls are determined to discover A's true identity and are terrified that he/she will spill their darkest, most terrible secret at any moment.

We are getting close to the end of this series, and I am craving the last book, especially after Stunning'cliffhanger ending.

If you have not yet read the Pretty Little Liars series, then I highly recommend that you check it out.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

Book: Struck
Author: Jennifer Bosworth
# of Pages: 373 (hardcover)
Rating: 3.5-4 stars

Goodreads Summary
Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn’t who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.(


My Thoughts:
I was very intrigued by the premise for Struck. A girl who's addicted to lightning, I had to check it out.

For the most part, I really did like this book. The writing was good, the plot engrossing, and even though Mia was gullible, I thought she was a strong character.

Prophet, the leader of one of the cults, was a pretty impressive villain. He gave me chills. He could be calm and confident, but he was also very powerful and manipulative.

The one thing that I did not like was Mia's love interest, Jeremy, I thought he was a real creep. He attempts to kill Mia and then he stalks her claiming that he wants to protect her. Also, I would like to have seen more action.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Top Ten Books on My Summer TBR List

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

1. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

2. Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent

3. Partials by Dan Wells

4. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

5. Belles by Jen Calonita

6. Beautiful Creatures 
by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

7. Plague and Fear by Michael Grant

8. Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

9. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

10. Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Stacking the Shelves #2

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where you share what books you obtained over the week.


The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles #1) by Rick Riordan
The Throne of Fire (Kane Chronicles #2) by RIck Riordan
The Serpent's Shadow (Kane Chronicles #3) by Rick Riordan

For My Nook
Belles by Jen Calonita

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday

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

Book: Greta and the Goblin King (Mylena Chronicles #1)
Author: Chloe Jacobs
Release Date: November 13

Goodreads Summary
While trying to save her brother four years ago, Greta was thrown into the witch’s fire herself, falling through a portal to a dangerous world where humans are the enemy, and every ogre, goblin, and ghoul has a dark side that comes out with the full moon.

To survive, seventeen-year-old Greta has hidden her humanity and taken the job of bounty hunter—and she’s good at what she does. So good, she’s caught the attention of Mylena’s young Goblin King, the darkly enticing Isaac, who invades her dreams and undermines her determination to escape.

But Greta’s not the only one looking to get out of Mylena. The full moon is mere days away, and an ancient evil knows she’s the key to opening the portal. If Greta fails, she and the lost boys of Mylena will die. If she succeeds, no world will be safe from what follows her back.(

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Top Ten Books I'd Recommend as Good Beach Reads

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

1. Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

2. Gone by Michael Grant

3. Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

4. Slide by Jill Hathaway

5. The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy

6. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares

7. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

8. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

9. Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

10. The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King

Monday, June 11, 2012

The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers

Book: The Vanishing Game
Author: Kate Kae Myers
# of Pages: 353 (Hardcover)
Rating: 3.5-4 stars

Goodreads Summary
Seventeen-year-old Jocelyn follows clues apparently from her dead twin, Jack, in and around Seale House, the terrifying foster home where they once lived. With help from childhood friend Noah she begins to uncover the truth about Jack's death and the company that employed him and Noah.

Jocelyn's twin brother Jack was the only family she had growing up in a world of foster homes-and now he's dead, and she has nothing. Then she gets a cryptic letter from "Jason December"-the code name her brother used to use when they were children at Seale House, a terrifying foster home that they believed had dark powers. Only one other person knows about Jason December: Noah, Jocelyn's childhood crush and their only real friend among the troubled children at Seale House.

But when Jocelyn returns to Seale House and the city where she last saw Noah, she gets more than she bargained for. Turns out the house's powers weren't just a figment of a childish imagination. And someone is following Jocelyn. Is Jack still alive? And if he is, what kind of trouble is he in? The answer is revealed in a shocking twist that turns this story on its head and will send readers straight back to page 1 to read the book in a whole new light.(


My Thoughts:
Jocelyn's twin brother Jack has died and she is devastated. One day she gets a letter in the mail from Jason December, her brother's code name from childhood. Seeing this gives Jocelyn new hope and she is determined to know if he is still alive. With the help of her friend, Noah, she follows the puzzles and clues that have been left for her.

The story moves back and forth from present to past as Jocelyn remembers her experience in the super creepy Seale House. The pacing was a little slow, and I could not really connect with Jocelyn. But, I liked how the different types of puzzles were incorporated into the story. I also really liked the ending.

Overall, The Vanishing Game was a pretty good read, and I would definitely read more of Myers's works.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Stacking the Shelves #1

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where you share what books you obtained over the week.

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Stunning by Sara Shepard

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

For My Nook
Legacy Lost (Of Poseidon prequel) by Anna Bankså

The Witch of Duva by Leigh Bardugo

What did you get this week?

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Book: Of Poseidon
Author: Anna Banks
# of Pages: 324 (Hardcover)
Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Summary
Galen, a Syrena prince, searches land for a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. It’s while Emma is on vacation at the beach that she meets Galen. Although their connection is immediate and powerful, Galen's not fully convinced that Emma's the one he's been looking for. That is, until a deadly encounter with a shark proves  that Emma and her Gift may be the only thing that can save his kingdom. He needs her help--no matter what the risk.

My Thoughts:
The chapters in Of Poseidon alternate between Galen's and Emma's POVs.

For the first half of the book, I did not really like Galen. I thought he was arrogant and a bit annoying. But, in the second half, we see a different side of him and it becomes evident that he really does care about Emma. Emma's humor and sarcasm made her a very entertaining character.

I loved learning about the unique Syrena with their interesting lifestyles and history, and I cannot wait for the sequel. I am hoping we get to see more of Toraf.

Funny and compelling with a jaw-dropping ending that will leave you wanting more, Of Poseidon is the perfect summer read.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday

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

Book: The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus #3)
Author: Rick Riordan
Release Date: October 2

Goodreads Summary
Annabeth is terrified. Just when she’s about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo’s fantastical creation doesn’t appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.

And that’s only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close— the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?

Annabeth’s biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he’s now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.

Narrated by four different demigods, The Mark of Athena is an unforgettable journey across land and sea to Rome, where important discoveries, surprising sacrifices, and unspeakable horrors await. Climb aboard the Argo II, if you dare. . . .

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Top Ten Dynamic Duos

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

1. Fred and George Weasley from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

2. Percy and Annabeth from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

3. Alex and Darla from Ashfall 
               by Mike Mullin

4. June and Day from Legend by Marie Lu

5. Perry and Aria from Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

6. Jordan and Henry by Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

7. Katniss and Peeta from the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

8. Hazel and Augustus from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

9. Kaylee and Tod from the Soul Screamers series by Rachel VIncent

10. Mia and Adam from If I Stay & Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Friday, June 1, 2012

June Reading List

The books I want to read this month are:

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent
Struck by Jennifer Bosworth
The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers
Stunning by Sara Shepard
Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

What are you planning on reading this month?