Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday

If you don't know by now, Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created by Breaking The Spine to highlight upcoming books that readers are dying to get their hands on! And this book I'm waiting on is serious. Like, I can't wait to find out what happens; I don't want to read anything else until I finish this story!



First, the cover is gaw-geous! It's nice to picture Laurel's bloom that way,all mature and full. Now, like many others have been wondering, is the title some kind of hint that Laurel will end up with the guy she's supposed to be with? As in TAM!!! As in NOT David! I hope that's what the title is saying here, otherwise I will not be a satisfied reader. I have faith, though, that everything will turn out alright. Just thinking of Tam gives me the shivers!
Love it!
 

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Tuesday Review Day!


Written by: Kiersten White
Publication date: July 26, 2011
Released in Hardcover and Kindle
Harper Collins, Inc.
Pages 320

4 STARS

Synopsis: Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.

But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.

So much for normal.

My Review: Evie and Lend's relationship is similar to mine. They are in a long distance relationship and one of them is in college. My boyfriend and I are not sixteen or have the power to see through glamours, but I am a water nymph so that kind of balances things out.

Evie reminds me a lot of Sookie Stackhouse of the True Blood series. They are both semi-normal girls just trying to live normal lives yet they've both been touched by faeries and they encounter a ton of paranormals on a regular basis. Evie is fearless whenever she finds herself face to face with a dangerous paranormal, which are the only kinds she ever deals with. She has so many secrets that she insists on keeping all to herself, carrying this burden all by herself. All that weight on her shoulders is enough to make her eventually burst at the seams.

Raquel has returned with an to Evie to work for the IPCA again. And this time, she'ss be a real employee, not just another paranormal being used for the company's benefit. She has the flexibility to turn down any assignment if she doesn't like the circumstances, however, the time never seems to come.

A new character is introduced, Jack. He adds an extreme mysterious element to the story. We're not sure where this guy came from or how he can do what he does - drawing doors even though he isn't a faery. Every time we get a little more insight on Jack, you'd think it might answer one of the thousands of questions surrounding him, instead it only raises more. With all the bits and pieces you get about him, the more you try to draw your own conclusion about him and find yourself being sucked in even more!
 
Paranormal creatures are coming out of the wood-works! Literally! Things Evie has never seen before and they all keep coming to David's diner. Not only that, but they seem to all be in on the same big secret; something that has to do with why the paranormals always seem to be staring at Evie. Nobody seems to know where they're coming from or why they're coming here, but while more show up - others are going missing.

There's no shortage of action or intense scenes in this sequel. Vivian is still around so you know things can't get boring! Evie still struggles with being an Empty One and is trying to figure out what the fey want with her, as Reth continues to try to convince her that she belongs with him and his people. It comes down to a very serious decision that only Evie can make. She finds herself facing an unexpected enemy, leaving her trapped exactly where she never wanted to be trapped. Ever.

Super suspenseful, and plenty of character love confirmation! 

Now don't forget (like, how could you) that the third installment is set to release 
JULY 24, 2012!!!

 
This is by far my favorite cover of the series! Not just because purple is my favorite color, it's just beautiful! Hair, dress, color, lighting, storm clouds, everything! Great job!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

The YA Blogosphere is Now On Twitter


The YA Blogosphere is now on twitter!

By: TwitterButtons.com

What does this mean to you? This means that you can get updates of blogs listed in the directory as soon as they are posted! This will increase visibility and spread the word of great YA blogs. If you would like to add your blog to The YA Blogosphere, email or DM me on Twitter with your information. You can find entry requirements on the How to Use This Site page on the YAB website.

I can't think of an easier way to find new blogs, I mean really, I'm bringing them to you! All you have to do is follow =)

Friday, November 25, 2011

Series I Am Thankful For



One day a year, we gather with family to share delicious food and the things that we are thankful for. I consider all my wonderful followers members of my extended family and so I thought it would be nice to share with you the few series that I am very thankful for.

First and foremost, Twilight. to some of you that might sound corny, but this saga is responsible for rekindling my love of reading! There's nothing like an amazing love story to bring out the avid reader is someone that encourages them to seek out more stories just like it. It is for that reason, that I am thankful for The Mortal Instruments series! Without a strong follow-up series, it is possible that it would have been easy for me to stop reading again.

Next, Wings by Aprilynne Pike and Evernight by Claudia Gray. Both great love stories, lovable characters and fantastic plots! I am thankful for them for bringing out the romantic in me and giving me characters to fall in love with!

I cannot forget the Vampire Academy. Seriously, what is there not to be thankful for with this series? Action, romance, humor and mental eye-candy! Nuff said! Thirst by Christopher Pike for challenging me, keeping me engaged with intricate plot-lines and interesting characters.

Last but definitely not least, the Sookie Stackhouse novels. I am especially thankful for this series for inspiring the best TV show ever!! But also for having the most entertaining, the most action-packed and the most jaw-dropping series I have read to date!

Aside from these wonderful books, I am most thankful my amazing family: my daughter, mother, grandparents, aunts, uncle, goddaughters, cousins, best friends and my book-buying boyfriend!

Instead of going on and on about these books, because I could, I encourage to spend as much time with family and eat well! Safe travels to all you commuters, too.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Tuesday Movie Review Day! SPOILERS!



November 18th was by far the greatest day EVER! Like every year after Twilight's release, the bestie and I patiently wait in line for five or six hours for the midnight showing of the next installment. This year our theater did things a little differently. Instead of lining up hours before, they started it at 10pm, opening theaters one or two at a time which led to a ton of shuffling from theater to theater trying to find a good seat. 

When we finally found the right place to park it - the perfect distance from the screen, directly in the middle with minimal head-blockage in front of us, it began...


The beginning dragged of wedding and honeymoon stuff. Not that these weren't great parts but if you've read the books, maybe you were starting to feel like I did, "Get pregnant already!!" The whole time Bella was walking down the aisle, I was waiting for her to throw up or pull a runaway bride stunt. Kristen Stewarts portrayal of Bella's nervousness made her look as though she was nauseous and if I didn't already know what was going to happen, I would have been real nervous that she wasn't going to go through with it. There was very little introduction to the Denali Clan at the wedding and as a result no mention of their importance or connection to Laurent or the Cullens. It makes me wonder how they will treat the clans and their significance in the second half of the two-part film.

I should mention Jacob removes his shirt within the first ten seconds in the very beginning of the movie, so it wasn't all bad.

The honeymoon scene had everything, all the distractions, the sexual tension building up, the scenery. Everything but the eggs. Edward mentions making breakfast one time but we never see him make any eggs. When Bella finally realizes she's pregnant, the scene plays out exactly the way it did when I read the book. She begins her painful descent into sickness as the baby begins to kill her from the inside and man, Bella looks like HELL!!!! I have never seen Kristen Stewart look so awful - not even when she chopped all her hair off for that stupid rock movie. I really believed she was dying and I was scared for her! The acting truly improved in this film. I felt Bella's love for the baby the moment she called Rosalie for help to protect it. The way she spoke about doing anything she had to, holding on until her heart gave out, whatever it took to make sure the baby survived felt sincere. Robert Pattinson improved as well. When Edward asked her if she really thought he could love the thing that caused her death, I felt his pain and impending loss.

Of course, any scene with Jacob is perfection. Taylor Lautner knew his character and portrayed him better than anyone else throughout the entire saga. It's amazing how he consumed his role and laid it out there for all the world to see. I believe, Stephenie Meyer kidnapped Taylor Lautner and held him hostage in her house while she wrote his character because he IS Jacob. What I did miss were the exchanges between Jacob and Rosalie, the jabs at each other. You remember, the doggy jokes and bloodsucker insults. It would've been nice to see. If you thought the wolves made an impression in New Moon, think again. Seeing the woods through Jacob's eyes as he ran, hearing the voices of the pack was amazing. Something we had hoped for from their first appearance. There was no better part in any of the films, was when Jacob broke away from Sam's pack. Watching him put Sam in his place, he seemed to grow in size and power. The whole thing was intense! Amazing!

Another little thing that would have been fun to see was when Jacob ventures out to find someone, anyone, to imprint on. But when he finally looks into Renesmee's eyes, imprints and envisions their future together was very cool! Renesmee's birth leads to a confrontation between the Cullens and the wolf pack. They fight and intense yet short-lived battle when Jacob intervenes and puts an end to the brawl with the knowledge of his imprinting on Renesmee.



Finally, Bella's transformation. I felt it was true to the description in the book, though I would have liked to see more of her inner struggle. However, I also felt that if you didn't read the books, you would not have been able to fully understand exactly what she was going through. There were many bridges omitted in this film but I think there was a good reason for it. First, let me say that Bill Condon, the director, should have been directing the saga from the start. Each year we keeping that the current director is better than the last, which they are, but Condon really did book-to-movie the way it should be done. So far, Breaking Dawn is the best adaptation of all the films. I'm beginning to believe that Condon made the movie strictly with the people who read the book in mind. He showed us the scenes we wanted to see and skimmed over the stuff we already knew, and if you didn't read the book and you couldn't fill in the gaps then that was your problem! At times when you thought the movie was dragging, I think that was Condon's way of embracing the scene and the emotions that went along with the moments being played out.

The end of the movie was disappointing but only because it was the end. I totally predicted what scene they were going to end it at - mainly because it seemed the only logical moment to break. Overall, I was very please with this movie and have already begun counting down to Part II!!


What was your favorite/least favorite part?

Friday, November 4, 2011

This Is Just A Start

Hey Everyone!

I can't tell you how good it feels to be here with you guys!

I started this post a few weeks ago but never had time to get back to it with all the homework; obnoxious papers and essays, pointless readings and confusing computer assignments. Blogging is WAY more fun and I promise to be doing more of it in the future. The fact that I have reviews says that I've been finding time to read which makes me very happy!

I've got some great reviews coming up and one of them will be on Breaking Dawn Part 1! Have you seen it yet? Please say yes. If you haven't please get off my site, buy a ticket and go see it ;-) But for now, I thought I'd give you guys a heads up on a few new releases coming in December. What book or books are you dying to get your hands on next month?

Hmmmm...let's go through the list, shall we?


Dec. 6th 

"Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her."  

Just a little something from the goodreads.com synopsis. I still haven't read Clockwork Angel, I know, what's wrong with me, right? I started, I tried, but it couldn't hold me. One day I'll get through it because I love the Mortal Instruments so I know this series has to be good too!



Dec. 20th

Now I'm confused. I actually thought this book was released months ago. Okay, I haven't read the third one, Blood Feud, but I love this series and everyone in it! Each book revolves around two different characters and this time...

"Lucy's cousin Christabel has come to live in Violet Hill,"

"But Christabel has noticed some mysterious happenings, and it seems like Lucy, her boyfriend Nicholas and his brother Connor are all in on a secret that Christabel doesn't understand—one that seems deadly serious."

*rubbing my greedy little hands together

Ruthless (Pretty Little Liars #10)
Dec. 6th

I don't know how the books read, but I do know that this is my favorite show!! I need it to come back fast, the withdrawal is killing me!

Aria’s love life is on the fritz. Emily’s exploring her wild side. Hanna’s kissing the enemy. And someone from Spencer’s past—someone she never thought she’d see again—is back to haunt her.

Oh man, this just makes me miss the show even more! Do we ever find out who "A" is?? for those of you lucky enough to be into the novels, enjoy this new release while the rest of us suffer!

Dec. 22nd

I don't know if you guys are into these kind of books, companions to some of our favorite novels, but I guess they can be kind of cool. It's always fun to find out little behind-the-scenes tidbits and trivia facts only the author could know.

This ultimate guide will feature everything readers want and need to go even deeper into the world of Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound, and Last Sacrifice . . . every heartache, every betrayal, every sacrifice, and so much more!

Dec. 27

Okay so it's a little late to get for Christmas, but a nice treat nonetheless!

The model on this cover is so adorable! I have the first in the series, Once Upon a Full Moon - another one I haven't read. 

"Celeste has more to worry about than a secret romance with a hot guy from the wrong side of town."

"...Brandon, is a werewolf." 


Dec. 16th

Last but not least, an interesting book I stumbled upon with a very perplexing synopsis that makes me want to find out just what is going on here!

Everything was so much better Before. I wasn’t haunted by nightmares, my place at school was secure and my face was flawless. Now, I’m a freak and everything has changed.

Sam, with his intimidating golden stare and shiver inducing voice, makes me realize that I don’t know anything. He makes me see that my scars don’t matter. 

I can’t help but fall for him, completely unknowing that he knows exactly how I got this way. Not knowing he was involved.

Intrigued? I am! So tell me, what did I miss? No really, with all this homework I'm really behind in the YA world - frowny face. I need your help to keep up! 

See ya soon! 


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