Tuesday Review Day!

Hey guys; this review was accidentally erased when I tried to publish it from my iPad - which I will never attempt to do again, grrr - so it's a little short since I had to rewrite it unexpectedly. Sorry about that. Still, don't let that take away from the book, because it was awesome!

WONDROUS STRANGE (Wondrous Strange #1)

Written by: Lesley Livingston

Publication date: September 20, 2008

Released in Paperback, hardcover, Kindle, ebook by HarperTrophyCanada

336pgs

5 Stars

Synopsis: 17 year-old Kelley Winslow doesn’t believe in Faeries. Not unless they’re the kind that you find in a theatre, spouting Shakespeare—the kind that Kelley so desperately wishes she could be: onstage, under lights, with a pair of sparkly wings strapped to her shoulders. But as the understudy in a two-bit, hopelessly off-off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, wishing is probably the closest she’s going to get to becoming a Faerie Queen. At least, that’s what she thinks... 

In this fun, urban fantasy, Kelley's off-stage life suddenly becomes as complicated as one of Shakespeare’s plot twists when a nighttime trip to Central Park holds more than meets the mortal eye

My Review: I love that Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is incorporated into this story because that includes Puck - which reminds me of the Iron Fey! That makes me happy =] Then I find out that the main character Kelley, moved to New York City from the Catskills - which is where I live! So even though I hate that her name is Kelley and think she should've been named Emma instead of her Aunt; I forgive that because of her hometown. Lol. I hate Sonny's name even more though.

I really like Kelley. No, I mean really like her. She is completely believable; so much so that she reminds me a lot of myself - outspoken and sarcastic. What I liked most about her is that it didn't take long for her to accept the whole faerie thing. We didn't have to waste a lot of time trying to convince her of their existence and her being one of them.

Sonny is a very likeable character as well. He struggles to fulfill his duty as a Janus Guard and stay away from the puzzle of a read head he just happened to come across in Central Park.

I'm not really sure I know the storyline exactly. I get what's going on but the intricacies are confusing. The whos, the whats and the whys. I kept getting mixed up.

Overall: The climax was so suspenseful, nail-biting! The book is full of great characters who's whole story you can't wait to find out!

NEW RELEASE TWO YEAR BLOGOVERSARY GIVEAWAY!

So, I knew this was going to happen. Nobody wants to enter a giveaway for some classic Buffy the Vampire Slayer paperbacks and swag. That's alright. I see how it is.

So what I've decided to do is a little giveaway change-up. I'll run one giveaway instead of four for the rest of the month - the one that I was going to do the last week of March.

For this giveaway, you will have the chance to win ANY new release from the month of March 2012. If you're name is picked, I will personally purchase the new release of YOUR CHOICE, and have it sent directly to you. But you know, hey, if you don't want to enter and save me some money; that's cool, too.

Here's how to play:

1. US residents only

2. You must be a follower (old or new)

3. You must leave an insightful comment on any post you like
(Official entry)

4. Like my FB page +1

5. Follow me on Twitter +1

6. Spread the word a tweet +1

7. Spread the word with a blog post +2

Your insightful comment is your official entry for the giveaway and please note that "Thanks for the giveaway" will NOT be counted as insightful. All the other ones are optional to gain extra entries. If you do choose to spread the word be sure to include links and your email address with your comment.

This giveaway will end Saturday, March 31st at 11:59pm EST; and winners will be announced and contacted the following day.

Now come on, there has got to be at least one new release coming out this month that you'd love to get your hands on!

Don't forget, it's...

...so enter below! Good luck!

Feature & Follow Friday

 

This is my first Feature & Follow Friday! I hope you enjoy it!

 

Have you ever looked at a book's cover and thought, This is going to be horrible! but was instead pleasantly surprised?  Show us the cover and tell us about the book.

It was really hard for me to find a book with a cover that I didn't love because I am guilty of judging books by their covers. I don't usually even pick up a book if I don't love the cover. This book was actually sent to me by the author to review and it turned out to be a great coming of age story. This is usually not my cup of tea - which is why I chose this cover - because I always go for the book with at least one supernatural being of some kind. However, I was pleasantly surprised with this book and if I remember correctly, there was even a moment when I cried a little. Although the situations are not the same it was a great self-reflection, coming-of-age story!

What's yours?

Weigh In: Emmy Rossum as Ridley

So what do you guys think about the casting of Emmy Rossum as Ridley in the Beautiful Creatures film?

Now don't get me wrong, Rossum is a beautiful girl and a great actress, I just don't think she fits the part of Ridley. She doesn't really look at all how I pictured the lollipop-sucking troublemaker and I hope they plan to dye her hair a lighter color and give her some bad-ass lessons so she can live up to the title.

Now, I don't know who this young lady to my left is with half a face but from what I can see she makes a better looking Ridley than Rossum does. I gotta be honest, I'm already a little worried about the Beautiful Creatures movie because I don't agree with their casting choices so far. I guess I can always keep my fingers crossed that their acting will make up for none of them physically fitting the part.

Is Emmy Rossum the right actress to portray Ridley?

If you have a more complex answer than a simple yes or no, feel free to explain in a comment below!

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created by Breaking The Spine to highlight upcoming books that readers are dying to get their hands on. This week I chose the third installment of the Lorien Legacies...

The Rise of Nine doesn't have a cover yet...or a synopsis, but that doesn't make me what it any less! I love this series, John Smith and the way Power of Six ended, I can't wait to find out what happens next! What are the others like? Will Sam ever get the girl? This series is the perfect summer read with a release date of AUGUST 21ST.

What are you waiting on this week?

Tuesday Review Day!

Darkest Mercy (Wicked Lovey #5)

Written by: Melissa Marr

Publication date: February 22, 2011

Released in Hardcover, paperback, Kindle, ebook, Audio CD

327pgs

5 stars

Synopsis: The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.

Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.

Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose "everything." 

The thrilling conclusion to Melissa Marr's "New York Times" bestselling Wicked Lovely series will leave readers breathless.

My Review: I was so anxious to get to this book because I knew all the stories would be told at once and we would get to hear from everyone; like Donia, whom we haven't seen since Fragile Eternity. At this point in the story, everything is a mess! War is threatening all the courts, Keenan is missing, things are looking pretty bad - to say the least. And Niall? All I can say about Niall is, "Niall, Niall, Niall." SMH. If I said more than that I'd spoil it for you.

Okay, maaybe I shouldn't have jumped on the "Team Seth" band wagon so quickly because I am completely on Keenan's side. The last couple of books I began to feel the pull toward the other side but this one really did me in! Maybe I connect with Keenan or feel for him more because I a Summer baby and I love everything Summer - or perhaps that's me just trying to justify me switching teams. And it's not that I like Seth any less but I do agree he gets in the way of the court.

Even though I give this book a high rating, it did not have the ending I would have preferred. I knew by book 2 or 3 that it wasn't going to but I guess for many others it ended perfectly.

the mortals that get involved with these faeries  become so inducted into that world that it's as if they were never mortals. For example, Donia and Aislinn. They didn't just become faeries and then sent on their merry way to go frolic in the fields or have snowball fights. No, they were made into faeries that held important positions - Winter Girl and Summer Queen. There are more examples but I won't ruin the surprise!

Overall: I laughed, I cringed, I was shocked and I cried. Literally. I absolutely adore this series! Plus, I cannot wait to read Melissa Marr's Faery Tales & Nightmares!

Dangerous promises and beguiling threats swirl together in a dozen stories of enchantments dark and light by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr. Uncanny and unexpected creatures appear from behind bushes, rise from beneath the seas, or manifest from seasonal storms to pursue the objects of their attention—with amorous or sinister intent—relentlessly.

From the gentle tones of a storyteller’s cadences to the terror of a blood sacrifice, tales of favorite characters from Marr’s Wicked Lovely novels mix with accounts of new characters for readers to fall in love with...or to fear.

Lush, seductive, and chilling, Melissa Marr’s stories revel in the unseen magic that infuses the world as we know it.

Blogoversary Giveaway #1!!!!

What a year! Juggling blogging, going back to college and my hyper-active four-year old has made for tons of stress and hair pulling but what I think I've really learned about blogging this year is that no matter how crazy, hectic or mad things get, I could never let go of my wonderful blog and followers! And it's you guys that I would like to celebrate this month with a major Buffy the Vampire Slayer giveaway with a surprise giveaway at the end of the month!

So let's get with the giving away, shall we? There's going to be a lot up for grabs so I'll try to make it easy to understand. I have 17 Buffy paperbacks with Buffy swag to give away all month long. The last week of March will be a surprise giveaway that you will just have to come back to find out what it is!

Starting today, there will be one new giveaway each week ending March 31st. Winners will be announced at the end of each week on Sundays. So there are FOUR giveaways total. Oh, and each giveaway will have three prizes and three winners. Confused yet? So am I. The easiest way to find out what I'm giving away will be to check in each week on Monday to find out! Hopefully the first one will show how it's done.

GIVEAWAY #1

First Prize

Resurrecting Ravana Ray Garton

Sins of the Father by Christopher Golden

Revenant by Mel Odom

Pillow with Buffy on one side and Buffy with Angel on the other (still in plastic)

Second Prize

Buffy/Angel: The Burning, Unseen Trilogy #1 Nancy Holder and Jeff Mariotte

Buffy/Angel: Door to Alternity, Unseen Trilogy #2 Nancy Holder and Jeff Mariotte

Immortal Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder

Plus Buffy comic book featuring Willow and Tara

Third Prize

Hearts at Stake (Drake Chronicles #1) 

by Alyxandra Harvey

Open to US residents only. Sorry international, but shipping can cost an arm and a leg these days!

TO ENTER:

1. You must be a follower (old or new)

2. You must leave a comment on any post (no comment - no entry)
"Thanks for the giveaway" will NOT count as an entry

3. Spread the word with a tweet (+1 entry)

4. Spread the word with a blog post (+2 entry)

I try not to ask for much when it comes to entering because I don't want to make you work for me, I work for you! However, spreading the word would be EXTREMELY appreciated! Extra entries will be given for doing so, therefore increasing your chances to win something. Don't forget to include your email address with your comment so I can contact you if you win. And if you don't see anything you like, the last week of March (3/26-3-31), everyone will have a chance to win a new release! What new release you ask? You'll have to come back to find out!

Good luck everyone and thanks for entering!

Popluar Theme - Love Triangles!

What is it about a good love triangle that just keeps us turning the pages, picking "teams" and falling in love with one and admonishing the other? It's because they're just so juicy, aren't they? We love debating why we picked who we picked and why the other sucks and doesn't deserve the girl (or guy).

I've noticed that there are love triangles in just about every book I read. Sometimes they're subtle; like the one in the middle doesn't even have feelings for the third wheel. Other times, we watch a character go back and forth and fight with their feelings for two people.

I thought it'd be fun to take a look at a few well known love-triangle threesomes!

1. Let's get the obvious one out of the way - Twilight.This triangle worked so well because Bella had genuine feelings for Jacob even though she was in love with Edward. She knew Jacob had a place in her life, she just didn't know where he fit. Plus, Edward and Jacob are both totally loveable so as readers, it's even hard for us to pick a side!



2. Peter Pan - Wendy - Tinkerbell.
This one is a little tricky. Peter Pan and Tink have been together, well, always, but then he finds Wendy and brings her home! Naturally, Tink ain't having that so she plots against them with Captain Hook to get rid of Wendy. Hey, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned"; am I right?! =]



3. Vampire Diaries
Now this one is my favorite! I've always liked Stefan but due to recent events; such as his "Ripper" days coming back to haunt him and his loss of humanity, I'm really feeling Elena being with Damon. Now, I know it will never happen but I also know she loves them both! And all those little moments she has with Damon - especially their kiss - are just so damn delicious, I can't bear to miss a second!

4. True Blood
Okay, this threesome gets me all kinds of crazy! I simply love Sookie and Eric together but in the show, the way she holds on to her feelings for Bill and keeps Eric at arms length drives me absolutely nuts!! I want the show to go exactly as the book did so each episode I end up holding my breath til the very end!




Here are some other love triangles that I just love:

5. Seth, Aislinn and Keenan from Wicked Lovely. It didn't turn out the way I had hoped but I still loved every minute of it!

6. Sonny, Kelley and The Fennrys Wolf from Wondrous Strange. This one wasn't a hard decision but there was that moment when I think we all thought she might be persuaded to go in another direction!

7. Adrian, Rose and Dimitri from Vampire Academy. For me, this was a no-brainer but Rose really had us going for while there, didn't she? I'm just glad she came to her senses; and so did Dimitri! Phew!

8. Ash, Meghan and Puck from The Iron Fey. This was such a sweet love story although I did feel pretty bad for Puck. Waiting around all that time and then she falls in love with someone else! Man, that's messed up! The only thing that bugged me was that Meghan and Ash fell in love in a matter of days with very little romance. But hey, it all worked out I guess. Well, maybe with the exception of Puck ending up alone!

9. Last but certainly not least, Tamani, Laurel and  David from Wings. This story isn't over yet so Laurel still hasn't picked her man. But I tell you this, if she doesn't pick Tam I will be HIGHLY disappointed! Okay, that might be an understatement - I'll be PISSED!!! I finally got my BFF to read this series and she is Team Tam all the way!! I can not wait for Destined May 1st, 2012 to find out what happens! It's too far away!

I know there are a ton of great love triangles out there, so feel free to comment with some of your faves!

Waiting On Wednesday!

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created by Breaking The Spine to highlight upcoming books that readers are dying to get their hands on!

Ok guys, I'm really excited about this one....

The Presidential Campaign Trail, 2012: A political operative and a volunteer are brutally murdered while caught in a compromising position. Written in their blood on the wall of the crime scene: IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK.And with that, a centuries-old horror known only as the Boogeyman returns to taunt Nathaniel Cade, the President's Vampire. Against the backdrop of the 2012 presidential race, with the threat of constant exposure by the media, Cade and Zach must stop the one monster Cade has never been able to defeat completely. And they must do it before the Boogeyman adds another victim to his long and bloody list: the President of the United States himself.

For more, click the link to read an EXCLUSIVE SNEAK-PEEK from the author's blog!

I really wasn't sure if there was going to be another installment of one of my favorite bad-ass vamps, Nathaniel Cade. The last time we saw him he was battling some serious lizard-like creatures and damn near got his head ripped off more than once. I love the whole blood oath thing and sincerely wonder if by the end of his story, if Cade will find a way to break the oath and be free.

The only thing I do not care for is the cover. What is that a gate he's walking towards? But the reason I don't like it is because it's in color when the previous two covers were all black and white...and blood red. I wish it had stuck to the theme. Still, I'm not worried about the story itself, I know it will be awesome!

On shelves April 26th!

Do No Miss It!

Tuesday Review Day!

Radiant Shadows (Wicked Lovely, #4) 

Written by: Melissa Marr

Publication date:

Released in Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle & ebook

336 pages

4 Stars - slow beginning 

Synopsis: 

"Hunger for nourishment.

Hunger for touch.
Hunger to belong." 

Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers.

Those same appetites also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies, including Devlin. He was created as an assassin and is brother to the faeries' coolly logical High Queen and to her chaotic twin, the embodiment of War. Devlin wants to keep Ani safe from his sisters, knowing that if he fails, he will be the instrument of Ani's death.

Ani isn't one to be guarded while others fight battles for her, though. She has the courage to protect herself and the ability to alter Devlin's plans--and his life. The two are drawn together, each with reason to fear the other and to fear "for" one another. But as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the faery realm mean losing each other? 

Alluring romance, heart-stopping danger, and sinister intrigue combine in the penultimate volume of Melissa Marr's "New York Times" bestselling Wicked Lovely series.

My Review: When I read the jacket and saw that this book was going to be about Ani and Devlin, I wasn't happy. I did want to know more about them - just not in their own book; especially after the way Fragile Eternity ended! We haven't seen Ani since Ink Exchange and I've always wondered what important role she was going to play. Devlin was a mysterious character as well from his first appearance in the story.

Ani is reckless but loyal as all hell. She's young and confused, she doesn't know how to control her need to feed off of both touch and emotions, from both humans and faeries - and how to keep it all a secret. It's because of her abilities that she has drawn the attention of Sorcha and Bananach. There's something very special about her that has everyone going to great lengths to either use, protect, or destroy her. Among those trying to protect her is Devlin. His motives for doing so are very suspicious and possibly unbeknownst to even him! Another mysterious character comes into play; her name is Rae and she is neither faerie or mortal. She is friends with Devlin - weird - and she knows more about what's going on with Ani than she can tell him.

There are a million little cliffhangers in this book. Everything is just a tease - giving you only enough to make you keep turning the pages. Halfway through the book I was liking Ani more and more. She's definitely a magnet for trouble! Devlin is the kind of character that immediately evokes pity. He has no real control over his life, nothing to call his own, nowhere to retire for peace. He needs a friggin' hug! You know he needs love in his life and you just want him to have it.

Melissa Marr has a great way of conveying need. Need is not to be confused with lust or want or desire. In all the books of this series, each faery has a sincere need for someone. My favorite is Keenan and Aislinn. The way they need to be near each other, the way it feels when they're apart and when they strengthen their court together - it's beautiful. The loss Keenan feels at every one of Ailinn's rejections is so painful, and knowing Aislinn feels it too, the way she needs Keenan the same way he needs her  but refuses to give in, hurts all the more.

Overall: More twists and turns and a very satisfying ending. I ended up really loving Ani and Devlin - they are just absolutely adorable!