Stacking the Shelves #11

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

Bought

Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Onyx (Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Opal (Lux #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Gifted

Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans

I also got three B&N gift cards for Christmas.

For My Nook

Shadows (Lux #0.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The First Lie: A Lying Game Novella by Sara Shepard
Daughter of the Earth and Sky (Daughters of Zeus #2) by Kaitlin Bevis

The Secret of Ella and Micha (The Secret #1) by Jessica Sorenson

The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden (The Coincidence #1) 
by Jessica Sorenson

Eternal Eden (Eden Trilogy #1) by Nicole Williams

What books did you get this week?

2013 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

6 Bloggers, 12 Mini-Challenges, 24 Books to Win!

I attempted this challenge this year, but due to certain circumstances I was unable to finish it. But I am determined to finish it in 2013.

Guidelines:

- This challenge will run from January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013.

- Any genre, length, or format of book counts as long as it was released in 2012 or earlier. 

- You can move up levels, but no moving down.

- On the 20th of each month, one of the hosts will post a wrap-up. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway, and a place for you to link up your reviews from this month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. The giveaway will be open until the next wrap-up post goes up (i.e. the entire month).

For more info about the challenge and signing up visit Evie at Bookish.

Levels:

How many books you're planning to read for this challenge.

1-10 - A Firm Handshake

11-20 - A Friendly Hug

21-30 - A Sweet Kiss

31-40 - Love At First Sight

41-50 - Married With Children

Schedule:

January 20th: Evie@Bookish (www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com)

February 20th: Rachel@Fiktshun (http://www.fiktshun.com)

March 20th: Justin@Justiin's Book Blog (http://www.justinsbookblog.com/)

April 20th: Tiffany@Escaping One Book At A Time (http://escapingonebookatatime.blogspot.com/)

May 20th: Bonnie@Words At Home (www.wordsathome.ca/)

June 20th: Justin@Justin's Book Blog (http://www.justinsbookblog.com/)

July 20th: Emily@Doodle's Book Blog (doodlesbookblog.blogspot.com)

August 20th: Tiffany@Escaping One Book At A Time (http://escapingonebookatatime.blogspot.com/)

September 20th: Rachel@Fiktshun (http://www.fiktshun.com)

October 20th: Emily@Doodle's Book Blog (doodlesbookblog.blogspot.com)

November 20th: Bonnie@Words At Home (www.wordsathome.ca/))

December 20th: This one will be posted on all the blogs. There will also be a huge BOX OF BOOKS giveaway and this time you can link up ALL YOUR TBR Pile REVIEWS you wrote for the entire year.

I'm going to go for the A Sweet Kiss level. 

Books:

1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
2. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
3. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
4. Pushing the Limit by Katie McGarry
5. The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan
6. Ashen Winter by Mike Mullin
7. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
8. The Iron Knight byJulie Kagawa
9. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
10. Insignia by S.J. Kincaid
11. Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally
12. Outpost by Ann Aguirre
13. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
14. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
15. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
16. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
17. Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
18. Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout
19. Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout
20. Defiance by C.J. Redwine
21. Plague by Michael Grant
22. Fear by Michael Grant

Eve and Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate

Book: Eve and Adam
Author: Michael Grant & Katherine Applegate
# of Pages: 291 (Hardcover)
Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads Summary
In the beginning, there was an apple—

And then there was a car crash, a horrible injury, and a hospital. But before Evening Spiker’s head clears a strange boy named Solo is rushing her to her mother’s research facility. There, under the best care available, Eve is left alone to heal.

Just when Eve thinks she will die—not from her injuries, but from boredom—her mother gives her a special project: Create the perfect boy.

Using an amazingly detailed simulation, Eve starts building a boy from the ground up. Eve is creating Adam. And he will be just perfect... won’t he?(

My Thoughts:
Evening 'Eve' Spiker is in a bad car accident. Eve's mother, Terra, takes her from the hospital to her own facility to help her recover. To keep her from being bored, Terra has Eve work with a computer program and tells her to create the perfect boy. Solo, Terra's assistant of sorts, tries to convince Eve that her mother is doing bad things at her facility and she does not want to believe him.

There were a couple times when Eve annoyed me, but overall, she was very intelligent and a great friend. I loved Solo. He's sneaky, funny, and observant. Eve does not like Solo in the beginning, but eventually she grows to trust him. As for Adam, I thought he was pretty two-dimensional.

I loved the action, mystery, and humor. It was fast paced and addictive. Overall, a very enjoyable book.

Top Ten Books I Read in 2012

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

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

2. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

3. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

4. Storm and Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

5. Gone by Michael Grant

6. If I Die by Rachel Vincent

7. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

8. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

9. Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

10. Wake by Lisa McMann

11. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

Stacking the Shelvves #10

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

Burned (Pretty Little Liars #12) by Sara Shepard

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella (Twilight #3.5) by Stephenie Meyer

Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous by Kathryn Williams

For My Nook

Foundation (Razorland #0.5) by Ann Aguirre

Sweet Venom (Medusa Girls #1) by Tera Lynn Childs

Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles #2) 

by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles #3) 

by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Redemption (Caster Chronicles #4) 

by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

What books did you get this week?

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

Book: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella (Twilight #3.5)
Author: Stephenie Meyer
# of Pages: 178 (Paperback)
Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Summary
Bree Tanner can barely remember life before she had uncannily powerful senses, superhuman reflexes and unstoppable physical strength. Life before she had a relentless thirst for blood... life before she became a vampire.

All Bree knows is that living with her fellow newborns has few certainties and even fewer rules: watch your back, don’t draw attention to yourself and, above all, make it home by sunrise or die. What she doesn’t know: her time as an immortal is quickly running out.

Then Bree finds an unexpected friend in Diego, a newborn just as curious as Bree about their mysterious creator, whom they know only as “her”. As they come to realize that the newborns are pawns in a game larger than anything they could have imagines, Bree and Diego must choose sides and decide whom to trust. But when everything you know about vampires is based on a lie, how do you find the truth?(

My Thoughts:
I initially had no desire to read this, but I ended up getting it out of curiosity. Bree and the other newborns are led and instructed by Riley. He teaches them how to hunt and dispose bodies as well as to stay out of the sun. After spending a day with Diego, Bree has to agree with him that Riley is keeping things from them.

Bree and Diego grow close after a very short period of time and try to hide it from Riley and the other newborns. One of the newborns, Fred, has a very unique talent that nobody truly appreciates except Bree.

I did like Bree and after reading her story, I'm kind of disappointed that she didn't play a bigger role in the Twilight series. Also, I'd like to know what happened to Fred. I think I might reread the series soon.

Endurance by Ann Aguirre

Book: Endurance (Razorland #1.5)
Author: Ann Aguirre
# of Pages: 62 (ebook)
Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads Summary
When rebellion destroys the underground world in which Thimble and Stone have grown up, they take Stone’s son and try to escape the chaos. Along the way, they must evade the Freaks, beings who feed on human flesh. Leaving behind the roles of Builder and Breeder which they were assigned at birth, they wander the underground tunnels, looking for safety yet afraid to go “topside” where legend has it that the light and water will burn their skin from their bones.

Their journey takes them upward to an unimagined world of tinned food, comfortable furniture, and books. Away from their regimented society for the first time, and still facing imminent danger, Thimble and Stone acknowledge the forbidden attraction which both have denied for years.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed getting to know more about Thimble and Stone. Thimble is smart and resourceful while Stone is strong and fast. Together they make the perfect team. They must survive a rebellion and the underground tunnels filled with Freaks in order to get topside. This novella was full of action and romance and I loved every second of it.

Stacking the Shelves #9

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

The Warrior Heir (The Heir Chronicles #1) by Cinda Williams Chima

The Wizard Heir (The Heir Chronicles #2) by Cinda Williams Chima

The Dragon Heir (The Heir Chronicles #3) by Cinda Williams Chima

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis

The Drowned Cities (Ship Breaker #2) by Paolo Bacigalupi

For My Nook

Endurance (Razorland #1.5) by Ann Aguirre

Greta and the Goblin King (Mylena Chronicles #1) by Chloe Jacobs

The Demon King (Seven Realms #1) by Cinda Williams Chima

What books did you get this week?

2013 Ebook Challenge

The 2013 Ebook Challenge is hosted by Workaday Reads.

This challenge will run from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Any genre or length of book counts, as it's in ebook format.

Levels:

1. Floppy Disk - 5 ebooks

2. CD - 10 ebooks

3. DVD - 25 ebooks (my goal)

4. Memory stick - 50 ebooks

5. Hard drive - 75 ebooks

6. Server - 100 ebooks

7. Human brain - 150 ebooks

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Book: Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2)
Author: Cassandra Clare
# of Pages: 498 (Hardcover)
Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Summary
In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.(

My Thoughts:
Charlotte is in danger of losing control of the London Institute and it is up to Tessa, Jem, and Will to help her keep her position. The Magister has vanished and Tessa and the others are determined to find him and figure out what he is planning to do.

I must say that Tessa disappointed me a little. She was brave and clever, but there was a point in the book where she was obsessing over Will and it was sort of annoying. Her true identity is still a mystery, but Will's secret is revealed and we get a better understanding of why he acts the way he does. There are a few new characters. The most interesting being Bridget with her ability to fight and the eerie songs she sings. I did like Clockwork Prince better than Clockwork Angel, but once again there was too much description and not enough action.

Overall, Clockwork Prince was a good read. I am looking forward to the final book in the series, but I just get the feeling that something sad is going to happen.

Top Ten Most Anticipated Books for 2013

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

1. Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2) by Veronica Rossi

2. Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu

3. Dead Silence (The Body Finder #4) by Kimberly Derting

4. Of Triton (Of Poseidon #2) by Anna Banks

5. Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin #2) by Robin LaFevers

6. Spirit (Elemental #3) by Brigid Kemmerer

7. Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo

8. Impostor (Slide #2) by Jill Hathaway

9. With All My Soul (Soul Screamers #7) by Rachel Vincent

10. Nevermore #3 by Kelly Creagh

11. Sever (The Chemical Gardens #3) by Lauren DeStefano

Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

Book: Spark (Elemental #2)
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
# of Pages: 345 (Paperback)
Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads Summary
Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally.

Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can’t. Like the fire that killed his parents.

Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he’s not doing it.

More than Gabriel’s pride is at stake -- this could cost him his family, maybe his life. And no one seems to hear him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Layne understands family problems, and she understands secrets. She has a few of her own.

Gabriel can’t let her guess about his brothers, about his abilities, about the danger that’s right at his heels. But there are some risks he can’t help taking.

The fuse is lit…

My Thoughts:
Holy awesomeness, this book was amazing!!

Being able to control fire isn't exactly easy for Gabriel Merrick. He is addicted to it and can't stay away from it. Unfortunately for him, there is an arsonist in town and his brothers suspect he may have something to do with it. Unable to turn to his brothers with his problems in math, Gabriel finds himself seeking help from Layne, a sophomore in his math class. She tries to blend in, but ends up being bullied by the other girls in class. He works hard to hide his secret from Layne, but at the same time, she has secrets of her own.

Gabriel has a short temper and has a habit of ending up in fights. Layne is quiet and smart and stronger than she realizes. Though they are different, I could not help but root for them to get together.

Spark is full of humor, action, and romance. I really enjoyed it, and can't wait for the next book in the series!

Stacking theShelves #8

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

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld with Keith Thompson

Goodreads

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld with Keith Thompson

Goodreads

Goliath by Scott Westerfeld with Keith Thompson

Goodreads

False Memory by Dan Krokos

Goodreads

For My Nook

Roar and Liv (Under the Never Sky 0.5) by Veronica Rossi

Goodreads

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Goodreads

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Book: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)
Author: Cassandra Clare
# of Pages: 476 (Paperback)
Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Summary
Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.(

My Thoughts:
Tessa Gray travels from New York to England so that she can live with her brother, Nate. Upon arriving, she is kidnapped by the Dark Sisters who reveal to her that she is not who she thought she was  and that she has a unique ability to change into other people. After escaping the horrors of the Dark Sisters, Tessa goes to stay with the Shadowhunters at the London Institute. With her brother missing and the man known as the Magister after her, Tessa struggles to find out what she is while trying to acclimate to the supernatural world that she has fallen into.

I thought Tessa was a a strong protagonist. She is brave and smart. As for the Shadowhunters, Will is sarcastic and witty. But, as funny as he was, I found that I did not like him that much. Jem is kind and intelligent and extremely likable. Though they appear to be completely opposite, they have one thing in common. They are both harboring big secrets.

Charlotte runs the Institute, and although she is underestimated by her peers, she is a very clever and determined woman. Her husband, Henry, is obsessed with his inventions. He is a little eccentric, but overall he is a very amusing character.

I loved how Clockwork Angel was set in Victorian England and I do like Clare's writing style. I just thought there were points where there was too much description. I also would like to have seen more action.