Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick

Sorta Like A Rock Star by Matthew Quick

Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers May 2010

Source: Borrowed from the Library

Summary:

Amber Appleton lives in a bus. Ever since her mom's boyfriend kicked them out, Amber, her mom, and her totally loyal dog, Bobby Big Boy (aka Thrice B) have been camped out in the back of Hello Yellow (the school bus her mom drives). Still, Amber, the self-proclaimed princess of hope and girl of unyielding optimism, refuses to sweat the bad stuff. But when a fatal tragedy threatens Amber's optimism--and her way of life, can Amber continue to be the rock star of hope?

My Thoughts:

When someone in the book industry whose tastes and talents you admire tells you to read a book as its in their TOP TEN must reads of all time…you read it!! (Vikki) I'm so glad that I did. Aside from its multiple awards, this is one of those books that changes you. One that you think about long after finishing. One that is written for young adults, but resonates in the hearts of the adult reader as well. True? True.

I read and enjoyed Matthew Quick’s The Silver Linings Playbook, but for me, this book is on a whole other level. Amber is a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. She sees the good in each moment and every opportunity, despite her circumstances. She is real. She is raw and true to herself about her life but chooses to believe that there is better in store for her and for everyone else. I loved the quirkiness of her character,  and the way she interacted with the world around her .  It took me a few pages to get used to her method of speaking, her slang and short forms but once I did the story flew by and so did the time as I finished it in a sitting only to go back and read it again. 

Tissue will be needed while reading but it’s worth it. This book is all sorts of incredible.

Everyone needs to own a copy so I’m giving a copy away.

Rules:

Must be 13+ to enter

Live in a place the Book Depository ships

Not have read Sort a Like a Rock Star before (honour system)

Leave me a comment sharing the title of a book that has moved you like this one moved me.

Giveaway closes March 13th. Winner will have 48hrs to reply.

Review: Everyday by David Levithan

Everyday by David Levithan

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers 2012

336 Pages

Source: Borrowed from the Library

Summary:

   Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.
It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

My Thoughts:

   Aside from Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, I’m embarrassed to say that this is my only other David Levithan book.  It  definitely won’t be my last.  Everyday has a unique premise, A (who is genderless) is a seemingly lost soul that resides in someone different every day. It never knows who it will be next;  the people it might meet or the situations it might have to survive.  A meets Rhiannon and life as A had know it changes. A love story, complicated by the fact the his/her appearance is different every day. Can we love someone for only what's on the inside?

Completely compelling and as I turned the last page I felt there had to be more, I wanted more. He’s writing a sequel right? I became so use to A’s voice, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Days after reading I’m still thinking about it. Highly Recommended.

Quotes I LOVED:

“The clock always ticks. There are times you don't hear it, and there are times that you do.”

“There will always be more questions. Every answer leads to more questions. The only way to survive is to let some of them go.”

Jen's 2012 Book Giving Guide

    Christmas is quickly approaching and as I began my shopping today I thought perhaps you've started as well! Christmas is my favourite time of year and this year I am looking so forward to the smell of mulled apple cider, and our fresh pine trees, the sounds of my favourite Christmas album, and the crinkle of wrapping paper.

Below are my top recommendations for the book lover's in your life. If you shop through the link on Amazon you'll also be supporting this blog (and me) I hope the lists are helpful. It can be a challenge shopping for someone else. If you need a more personal recommendation just leave me a comment or send me an email.

Happy Shopping!

Be sure to share these lists with friends, grandparents and Aunts & Uncles!

Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Published September 18th 2012

Scholastic Press –390 pages

Source: ARC provided by the publisher

Summary:

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.” 

   It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.
Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.
His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.


My Thoughts:
    It should be no surprise that Maggie Stiefvater is one of my favourite authors.  The Raven Boys received a lot of buzz before the ARC release at ALA, and BEA and rightfully so, Maggie is a gifted storyteller.  She has this amazing ability to reinvent herself as a writer each time she begins a new series or writes a new book. The feel of The Raven Boys is completely different from her other novels, the pacing a little slower but from the beginning you know that it will build to something great.

I loved the premise of the novel and was immediately drawn to Blue’s matter a fact way of dealing with people and the world around her. Though Blue is the main character, Gansey is really at the centre of the story and is what propels the reader forward. He is obsessed with discovering the location Welsh King Owain Glendower, believing he rests along Ley Lines…areas with paranormal activity. *I became fascinated with the idea of Ley Lines and when I finished reading the book I began to research whether ley lines can be found in Ontario…apparently there is one about 4 hours away. One day I plan to take a road trip to see if I can locate it*

As much as I loved Blue and Gansey, I have to say that Adam was my favourite character. He’s the steadfast friend, who stands behind Gansey, adores Blue but has his own painful back story. There was just something about him that I could relate to.

Beautifully written with so many wonderful surprises throughout; there were twists that I definitely did not see coming. A riveting first book in an expected series of four.

Review & Blog Tour: Rage Within by Jeyn Roberts

I was thrilled to be asked to be a part of the Rage Within Blog Tour:

Rage Within by Jeyn Roberts

Published by September 4th 2012 by Simon & Schuster 

Pages: 384

Source: ARC provided by the publisher

Summary:

      Aries, Clementine, Michael, and Mason have survived the first wave of the apocalypse that wiped out most of the world’s population and turned many of the rest into murderous Baggers. Now they’re hiding out in an abandoned house in Vancouver with a ragtag group of fellow teen survivors, trying to figure out their next move.
     Aries is trying to lead, but it’s hard to be a leader when there are no easy answers and every move feels wrong. Clementine is desperate to find her brother Heath, but it’s impossible to know where he’d be, assuming he’s alive. Michael is haunted by the memories of his actions during his harrowing struggle to survive. And Mason is struggling with something far worse: the fear that he may be a danger to his friends.
     As the Baggers begin to create a new world order, these four teens will have to trust and rely on each other in order to survive.

My Thoughts:

This was good. I mean really good. I enjoyed the Dark Inside. It was creepy, and disturbing, but Rage Within takes the “creep” factor to a whole new level. We learn much more about the origin of the Baggers in this novel and I loved the twist of how they came to be… completely unexpected. The story is narrated in a similar way to the first, with the four main characters alternating the voice in the novel. This format works with a book like this and I enjoyed reading the different perspectives of the characters throughout. If there is one thing I’ve learned from reading apocalyptic fiction it’s that I would simply not survive for very long. The way these teens, band together and survive is incredible. They way they find hope and the strength to carry on in the midst of disaster is more than admirable. Fast paced, chilling, and an interesting exploration of character; the Rage Within was what I hoped for and more. Recommended.

I am  happy to welcome CLEMENTINE; one of my favourite characters from this series for interview on the blog:

1. Do you think there is anything that would have prepared you for what has happened in the world?

I don’t know. How do you really get prepared for that? They don't really teach stuff like that in high school. It would have been nice to have a heads up about the town hall tho. Maybe then I could have warned everyone or at least gotten Mom and Dad out of town.

2.What have you learned, what advice would you give to other survivors?

Be careful with who you trust. I know, that’s almost impossible unless you plan on living all by yourself. I was alone in the beginning and I hated it. Life has been better since hooking up with Michael and the others. But at the same time, you’ve got to be careful. Baggers are sneaky and they are everywhere.

3. What is the first thing you will say to Heath when you find him?

 I think about that all the time to be honest. I don’t know. So much time has passed and I’ve changed a lot. I guess I’ll tell him about Mom and Dad. At least he’ll know what happened to them. After that, I don’t know. I think I just want to hug him.

4. Do you have any hope for the future? What do you think it will look like?

I do have hope for the future. Mason says we have to fight and I agree. There will come a time when we have to stand up to the Baggers and take back our world. We have to show them that we’re not just slaves and we’re not afraid. I think we could do a lot of good with the world once the Baggers are gone. Maybe everyone could join together and form a smaller community. It’s strange to see all those empty buildings.
Maybe everyone could start over on an island. I like that idea. It would be peaceful and quiet. It would be nice to live in a place where we could grow a vegetable garden. I’m good with things like that. No Baggers. Everyone working together to make our new life a real one.

Thank you Clementine!

About the Author:

Jeyn Roberts (pronounced Jen - the Y is silent)grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and started writing at an early age, having her first story published when she was 16 in a middle-grade anthology called LET ME TELL YOU. 

When she was 21, she moved to Vancouver with dreams of being a rock star, graduating from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Writing and Psychology. For the next few years she played in an alternative/punk band called Missing Mile before moving to England where she received her MA from the prestigious Creative Writing graduate course at Bath Spa University. Jeyn is a former singer, songwriter, actress, bicycle courier and tree planter. 
An avid traveler, she’s been around the world, most recently, teaching high school in South Korea. 
A lover of animals, Jeyn volunteers regularly with helping abandoned and abused animals, especially cats.

Learn more about Rage Within.
Follow Jeyn Roberts' blog.
Visit JeynRoberts.co.uk.
Like Jeyn Roberts on Facebook.
Follow @JeynRoberts on Twitter.

Aug 27 – Blog tour kick off at yasimon.ca

Aug 28 – Lost in the Library blog - Q&A with Clementine
Aug 29 – Escaping One Book at a Time blog - Q&A with Michael
Aug 30 – The Bursting Bookshelf - Q&A with Mason
Aug 31 – Book Nerd - Q&A with Aries

Simon & Schuster has generously provided an ARC of Rage Within for one lucky reader!

Leave a comment on this blog post telling me one skill you would need to survive an Apocalypse; as well as your email address. Entrants must be 13+, Canada only. 

Winner will be chosen at random on September  2nd 2012 and announced here.

How would you survive?

Once Every Never by Lesley Livingston–Book Review

Once Every Never by Lesley Livingston

Published by Penguin Canada July 2011

Source: Personal Copy

Summary:

Clarinet Reid is a pretty typical teenager. On the surface. She’s smart, but a bit of a slacker; outgoing, but just a little insecure; not exactly a mischief-maker, but trouble tends to find her wherever she goes. Also? She unwittingly carries a centuries-old Druid Blood Curse running through her veins.
Now, with a single thoughtless act, what started off as the Summer Vacation in Dullsville suddenly spirals into a deadly race to find a stolen artifact, avert an explosive catastrophe, save a Celtic warrior princess, right a dreadful wrong that happened centuries before Clare was even born, and if there’s still time, literally, maybe even get a date.
This is the kind of adventure that happens to a girl once every never.

My Thoughts:

  I adore Lesley Livingston’s writing style, and if you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Lesley in person you know how hilariously funny she is. Her sense of humour is found through out the book in the voices of Clare and her best friend…Allie.   Spending her Summer in England, Clare (short for Clarinet) discovers she is a part of a century old curse and travels through time to where the Celtic Druids were at war with the invading Romans.
I found the scenes that centred around this time in history fascinating and immediately starting researching the name Boudicca and Celtic Druids when I finished. For me as a reader, that is a sign of a great read. One that inspires you to read more about it…one that takes you to different places.
Clare is a great character. She’s clever, a little snarky and just “girly” enough.  Her and Al (Allie) make a fabulous pair and it’s great how they stick together no matter what. I have to say that the love interests in this story weren’t too shabby either. Celtic Warrior Connal with his rippling muscles and bravery was a great contrast to the good looking but “brainy” Milo. Hmmm… who to choose?

I really enjoyed Once Every Never and was thrilled to find out that Lesley is working on a follow-up.



For more information about Lesley and her books check out  http://www.lesleylivingston.com/
 or Follow her Facebook Page

Epic Fantasy: Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Published by Bloomsbury August 7th 2012

Reviewed from ARC provided by the publisher

Summary:

After serving out a year of hard labour in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.
Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.
Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Thoughts:

  This is a book I just wanted to sit inside and soak in. It has all the things I look for in a great read; amazing world building, strong character development, swoon worthy love interests and a kick-ass protagonist. Sarah Maas is a talented story teller, the book came alive for me and I did not want this story to end. Celaena is a complex and driven character. A perfect combination of strength and love, though she’s been taught to be a ruthless assassin, she has a softer side and doesn’t loose the girl within. (also a bookworm..-loved that)
  While reading I kept saying to my husband… why can’t I be more like her? He of course asked why I would want to be a ruthless assassin :) It’s not that I want to become an assassin, (maybe if my library gig doesn’t work out) but I would like to be stronger, (and maybe even a little kick-ass). Celaena  knows herself, she accepts her fears and moves to face them. She recognizes fears and strengths in others as well. She’s uses the pain of her past to propel and motivate her to move forward. She has quickly become one of my favourite book characters (ever) and I can not wait to read more of her story. I can not wait to place this book in the hands of every teen and adult I know.

Highly Recommended. One to buy so you can re-read over and over again.



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The Dead I Know by Scot Gardner: Review and Blog Tour

Hi! Thanks for stopping by the blog for my stop on the blog tour for:
 

Summary

When Aaron gets a job at a funeral home, he surprisingly takes to it. But there are dark secrets hidden in Aaron’s subconscious.
He experiences dangerous bouts of sleepwalking and recurring dreams he can’t explain: a lifeless hand, a lipsticked mouth, a man,
a gun... Can he piece the clues together and figure out the truth of his past?


My Thoughts:
     I’m not sure where to begin. Wow. Just wow. This book evoked such emotion in me. The writing is dark, raw and powerful and I was completely transported into the life of this boy named Aaron. As much as this book is about “the dead”, and his job at the funeral home, the story really touches on humanity,  and those who seemingly come in to our lives right when we need them, even if we don’t recognize it at the time. The relationship between Mr. Barton (Aaron’s boss) and Aaron was a wonder to watch unfold. This man’s faith in a boy he barely knew, his  belief in Aaron’s potential was inspiring. If only everyone could have a Mr. Barton in their lives. 
I wrote down a few stand out quotes from the book. Scot Gardner has a way with words and they seem to speak the truth of the moment. These two quotes really stood out for me:


pg. 94  “Hold on, don’t skip all the good bits, I thought. Don’t dream me a life without the romance. Let me do the colouring in myself”


pg. 171 “When somebody reaches out the way Skye had, I’ll have the guts to take their hand and my world will be a different place I know it”

While reading the The Dead I Know, I was  reminded of how I felt reading Perks of a Being a Wallflower. It makes me feel blessed to be a reader, when I have the opportunity to escape inside a book like this; a book that I feel has changed my views about myself, the world and my place in it. Highly recommended.

Add to Goodreads


I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to ask Scot a few questions:



First Scot , I have to say that I was completely and utterly blown away by the Dead I Know. What a powerful book. I only hope my review and these questions even come close to doing it justice.
Thanks Jen, glad you enjoyed it.


1. I have to ask about your inspiration for the book-What inspired you? Did Aaron’s character come to you first or the story?


I’ve had an unusual relationship with death. My godparents are funeral directors in Victoria, Australia and as kids we were never sheltered from the realities of the business of death. Having said that, the character of Aaron was alive and well in my head before I’d connected him to the setting of a funeral home. He was inspired by a kid I knew who’d lost everything and everyone from his life due to war in Africa. His resilience haunts me still.


2. Mam’s character hit close to home for me as I have a grandmother with Alzheimer’s, she too was a brilliant woman; Have you had anyone in your life with Dementia?


My wife’s mum suffered Alzheimer’s. She lived with us for two years before she needed more care than we could provide. As a storyteller, watching her in decline made me realise that story is everything. Stories are what hold our fragile inner worlds together and if you take the stories away—like Dementia does—people become photocopies of themselves. There was some grace in my mother-in-law’s decline, too—she loved without complication, without expectation, without the hurt she’d hung on to all her life. And there were some funny things, too—she tried to open a can of beetroot with an axe because she couldn’t find a can opener. She lives on in the character of Mam.


3. Mr. Barton was my favourite character (aside from Aaron of course) His patience, understanding, and support makes him the ultimate hero in my eyes. A mentor and father figure many would love to have. Did you have someone in your life that stood by you no matter what?


John Barton is a synthesis of a number of good men in my life. My godfather, Kevin the funeral director, is a kind and loving man who epitomises grace under pressure and has stuck his neck out for me time and again. My dad, Jim, is compassionate and forthright and has loved me and stood by me through the rough and tumble of a creative life. My first boss, Stewie, is in there, too. Gruff and practical when he needed to be, he shared everything he knew about life in three-second bites of conversation. As a young bloke, that was gold for me.


4. Themes of perseverance, courage, the simple act of holding on and reaching out when things seem at their bleakest sang out to me, is there any “one” thing you hope readers will take with them after reading your book?


If I had a catchphrase I’d engrave on a pen to imbue itself into everything I write, it would distil to a single word. Hope.


Thank you so much for your time, and for writing this amazing novel.


Pleasure is mine. Thanks for your insightful questions.
Scot

About Scot Gardner:
Scot Gardner has written several critically acclaimed novels for young adults. His debut novel, One Dead Seagull, was followed by White Ute Dreaming, a powerful story of first love, mates, and a yellow dog. His third novel, Burning Eddy, was shortlisted for the CBC Award and the NSW Premier’s Literary Award for Young Adults. Gravity was also shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award in 2007. The Dead I Know was published by Allen & Unwin in Australia in 2011; it is the first Scot Gardner novel to be published in Canada.


For more info about Scot:
http://www.scotgardner.com/

Next stop on the Blog Tour:
The Fable Faerie

Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick

Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick

Published by Harper Collins May 2012

Reviewed from ARC provided by the publisher 

Summary:

When soldiers arrive at his hometown in Cambodia, Arn is just a kid, dancing to rock 'n' roll, hustling for spare change, and selling ice cream with his brother. But after the soldiers march the entire population into the countryside, his life is changed forever. Arn is separated from his family and assigned to a labor camp: working in the rice paddies under a blazing sun, he sees the other children, weak from hunger, malaria, or sheer exhaustion, dying before his eyes. He sees prisoners marched to a nearby mango grove, never to return. And he learns to be invisible to the sadistic Khmer Rouge, who can give or take away life on a whim.
One day, the soldiers ask if any of the kids can play an instrument. Arn's never played a note in his life, but he volunteers. In order to survive, he must quickly master the strange revolutionary songs the soldiers demand--and steal food to keep the other kids alive. This decision will save his life, but it will pull him into the very center of what we know today as the Killing Fields. And just as the country is about to be liberated from the Khmer Rouge, Arn is handed a gun and forced to become a soldier. He lives by the simple credo: "Over and over I tell myself one thing: never fall down."

My Thoughts:
“Over and over I tell myself one thing: never fall down”. -This book is based on the true experiences of Arn Chon-Pond and his experience when the Khmer Rouge came into power. It is tragic, and disturbing. I am embarrassed to say that I had no idea this happened. I was young during this time period but still-while I was reading I kept asking myself –how did I not know about this? Sometimes I feel like I live with blinders on, which is one of many reasons why books like this need to be written, why we need to be reminded of the horror that can happen.  Books like this, like Sold or like The Boy and Striped Pyjamas, leave me shaken and upset but I think that's the point right? It's so easy to get caught up in our "western lives" that we can forget and/or ignore the atrocities that have happened and continue to happen.
What makes his story even more incredible is not just that Arn survived but that he has done incredible things with his life since. He continues to give back to his community and country.
I didn’t give this book a “rating” on GoodReads...how can I possible rate something like this?? Brilliantly written, this book is a reminder of how lucky I am to have the love of family and a roof over my head. A bed to sleep in. A silent night, without screaming or gun shots or fear of losing someone I love. It makes the worries of my day, small and insignificant.
An important read. Destined to be an award winner.

Other titles about the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia: 
A Song for Cambodia - by Michelle Lord
First they Killed My Father - by Loung Ung
When Broken Glass Floats - by Chanrithy Him

Book Review: Gilt by Katherine Longshore

Gilt by Katherine Longshore

Published by Viking Juvenile May 15 2012

Reviewed from ARC provided by the publisher

Summary:

In the court of King Henry VIII, nothing is free—
and love comes at the highest price of all.
When Kitty Tylney’s best friend, Catherine Howard, worms her way into King Henry VIII’s heart and brings Kitty to court, she’s thrust into a world filled with fabulous gowns, sparkling jewels, and elegant parties. No longer stuck in Cat’s shadow, Kitty’s now caught between two men—the object of her affection and the object of her desire. But court is also full of secrets, lies, and sordid affairs, and as Kitty witnesses Cat’s meteoric rise and fall as queen, she must figure out how to keep being a good friend when the price of telling the truth could literally be her head.

My Thoughts:
Historical fiction isn’t my go-to genre but I am so glad that someone placed this in my hands and said “read”. The story centres around the best friend of Catherine Howard; Kitty Tylney and follows them as young girls wishing to be Ladies of the Court and their eventual arrival.  I turned the pages of Gilt quickly, I worried for Kitty and grew frustrated with her attempts at protecting Catherine, through it all she proved to be a loyal friend.
The author, Katherine Longshore takes us back to a time where the drive for power and status was all many cared about. Your family name was more important than what you looked like, or how you behaved. Gossip could land you in the Tower or worse. When I read books like this I am thankful that I am a woman in this time period and not one in the past. Women at this time were nothing,  just toys and decoration, easily picked up and easily tossed. I can’t imagine all the pressure and stress that came with being a member at court, though maybe the dresses and jewellery made it easier to swallow? (not likely)
Readers will enjoy this well written journey to the past. An adventure into King Henry VIII’s court has all the drama, mystery and backstabbing of a Gossip Girls, or Pretty’s Little Liar’s episode, but Gilt has much more heart. In it we learn about love, sacrifice and the true meaning of friendship. Highly Recommended!

Gilt on KOBO
Gilt at Chapters
(anytime you buy from Kobo through a link on my blog, I’m given a small commission which helps fund the book giveaways I host and shipping costs. Thanks for your support.)

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!

Saw this on Twitter and had to share -thank you http://hcclibrarylove.tumblr.com/

W3EPFEBYNFUV

Book Review: Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffins

 

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Published by Greenwillow Books April 24th 2012

Reviewed from ARC provided by the publisher.

Summary

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 Thoughts:

   Dark and gripping, we follow Araby as she deals with a reality that is tormented by death.  People are dying in the streets from a contagion with an unknown cause and are only protected if they can afford the mask designed and engineered by her father.  A city ruled by a self absorbed and callous prince who holds her father like a hostage as well as the death of her brother lead her to escape through drugs and dancing where she meets two men who may lead her to salvation or her end. 
Griffin paints a dismal backdrop and life in the world she has created is not an easy one. Araby is strong though she doesn’t believe that she is, or that she is worth anything. Carrying the guilt of her brother’s death is a burden, a heavy weight which she deals with daily.  It isn’t until she meets Will, that something inside her sparks. And we the readers begin to feel hope. It’s a small change at first, but one that begins to snow ball into possible transformation. Strong character development and a subject matter which at times feels close to home makes The Masque of the Red Death a riveting read.

(It’s a world that hits close to home because the fact is that wide spread disease where thousands have died has happened in the past and could happen again and this is something that terrifies me.  Is it possible to have a world where only the wealthy have access to medical prevention, protection and treatment? (hmmm something to think about-cause this sounds familiar too))

Book Review: Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

Published by Harpercollins May 8th 2012

Reviewed from ARC provided by publisher

Summary

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

My Thoughts

 You know that commercial for Maxwell House coffee with the adorable little girl looking in the mirror singing about how she loves everything in her life....

That is how I felt reading Hemlock...just replace her words with....

"I liked the cover, I liked the main character Mac, I loved Kyle, I liked the werewolves, I liked the storyline, I liked the plot twists,I can't wait for more.. I liked THE WHOLE BOOK. my favourite werewolf story....Kathleen is a great storyteller...yeah, yeah, yeah."

Book Review: Fated by Alyson Noel

Fated (The Soul Seekers Series) by Alyson Noel 

Published May 22nd 2012 by St. Martins Press

Reviewed from ARC provided by Publisher

Summary

Lately strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, and glowing people appear out of nowhere. Worried that Daire is having a nervous breakdown, her mother packs her off to stay in the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico with a grandmother she’s never met.

There she crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes who she’s encountered before...but only in her dreams. And she’ll get to know her grandmother—a woman who recognizes Daire’s bizarre episodes for what they are. A call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, one who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead. Her grandmother immediately begins teaching her to harness her powers—but it’s an art that must be mastered quickly. Because Dace’s brother is an evil shape-shifter who’s out to steal her powers. Now Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and find out if Dace is one guy she’s meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she’s destined to destroy.

Thoughts:

    Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect. I really enjoyed the first 3 books in the Immortals series by Alyson Noel but then the series fizzled for me.  Fated, however is a true stand-out. Raised in a transient style of life by her Mom; Daire has moved from place to place, lived without roots, without a sense of family. When unusual things begin to happen and Daire has a break down, her mother sends her to live with her spiritual grandmother. There she begins to uncover who she is and what she is destined to do.

  The first book in a planned series, the character of Daire is charismatic from the opening pages and I was drawn in to her story.  Her struggle, aside from the typical teenage life drama is to learn and embrace her culture and begin her life as a soul seeker-one who must overcome the growing evil in the town. One of my favourite elements of the story was the inclusion of Native American Shamanism, mystics and Animal Spirit Guides. I loved the time where Daire was experiencing that part of her life. It was fascinating perhaps because it's always been something that has interested me a little, but now I'm researching and finding other books to read about it as well. I have to say that any book that inspires me to explore, to research , is something special.

I can't share my thoughts about Fated without talking about Dace. Le sigh... He is a perfect balance of calm to Daire's  frenetic energy.  Ultimate book boyfriend material. I can't wait to see how things progress or if they do in book two. Can not wait for more of this series.

Fated is a page turner. The story settles deep down inside as you read, and you just want more. Highly Recommended.

for more info about spirit guides:

Waiting on Wednesday-May 2

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Each week we post about books we can not wait to read. Here's mine:

Envy by Elizabeth Miles

To be Published September 4th 2012

Simon & Schuster

Summary:

The second book in the dark, sexy, paranormal trilogy reminiscent of Pretty Little Liars, where Furies are getting their revenge...

I really enjoyed the first one, and I adore the author -she's amazing.

Pre-order your copy here.

What are you waiting to read??

Book Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Publication Date: May 1st by Harperteen

Reviewed from ARC provided by the publisher (THANK YOU)

Summary:

    One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.


My Thoughts:
    There is truly no way I could write this without a ton of superlatives so I’ll just have to go with it- bear with me. OMG.  I’m not sure where I could even begin to tell you the amazingness between the covers of this book. Divergent was exceptional, but the plot twists and turns, the beautifully crafted character of Tris and *sigh* Four in Insurgent have come together to create an engaging, and thrilling read from start to finish. Tris is a complex multi-layered character who has grown leaps and bounds through both books. I’d like to think that I would be as brave, as self-sacrificing as she is in the books, and as dedicated to uncovering the truth.  In Insurgent we learn more about the four Factions, their strengths and their weaknesses as well as the Faction-less.  I want to be careful not to drop spoilers, but I will say that there were points where my jaw dropped and times where I shouted out loud. The ending was a shock and has left me desperate for the next in the series. It’s clear that things are not always what they seem and that Tris’s world is forever changed. Highly Recommended. This series is one to buy for your home library.

YALSA 2012 Top Ten Nominations

YALSA encourages teens to read the 24 nominees before the national Teens’ Top Ten vote, which will take place in August and September at www.ala.org/teenstopten. The winners will be announced during Teen Read Week, Oct. 14-20.

I just had to share this list of amazingness!!!!

 All Good Children by Catherine Austen*

 Ashes by Ilsa Bick 

Abandon by Meg Cabot*

Tempest by Julie Cross

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Wither by Lauren DeStefano *

Where She Went by Gayle Forman*

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Eona: The Last Dragoneye by Alison Goodman

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green*

Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gullede

Legend by Marie Lu

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Cinder by Marissa Meyer*

Shine by Lauren Myracle

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

This Dark Endeavor:  The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein by Kenneth Oppel  

Across the Universe by Beth Revis*

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Divergent by Veronica Roth*

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater*

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin

I can not believe I’ve only read 9 books on this list!!!

How many have you read?

Book Review: The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

Publication Date: April 17th 2012 by Harper Collins

Reviewed from ARC provided by the publisher (thank you)

Summary:

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet's talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it's Violet's job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by "the girlfriend collector" she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new "relationship" and Violet may have caught his eye...

My Thoughts:
As a fan of this series I have eagerly been awaiting the opportunity to read The Last Echo. I loved both The Bodyfinder and Desires of the Dead and could not wait to see what Kimberly Derting had in store for us in this latest release. She did not disappoint.
Violet has finally found common ground and a place to share her unusual gift with a group who work towards solving the mysteries that the police can not. Relieved to finally be able to loosen her grip on her secret perhaps she is far too trusting. This time the serial killer (the creepiest ever-if that’s possible) also known as the “girlfriend collector” is evading police and her group is called in to solve the unsolvable. The thoughts of the killer are disturbing and only the appearances of Jay through out the book seemed to offer relief of that feeling. Kimberly Derting has created the ultimate love interest in Jay and I know many readers find him swoonworthy-including me.  The character development and the background shared on the newer characters is stellar and the plot twists and turns kept me guessing throughout. I was completely shocked in reading the last few pages and now can not wait until the 4th in the series. (I’m so happy there’s more) –I’m wondering if these will ever be offered in a box set- The series would be a great addition to any bookshelf.