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31 October 2012  
Author:
Peter Lerangis
Publication Date:
February 5th 2013
Publisher:
HarperCollins
Format:
Hardcover, 304 pages
ONE BOY
Jack McKinley is an ordinary kid with an extraordinary problem. In a few months, he's going to die.
ONE MISSION
Jack needs to find seven magic loculi that, when combined, have the power to cure him.
ONE PROBLEM
The loculi are the relics of a lost civilization and haven't been seen in thousands of years…
SEVEN WONDERS
…because they're hidden in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The thrills begin in The Colossus Rises, the first book in the epic Seven Wonders series.
The day after twelve-year-old Jack McKinley is told he has months to live, he awakens on a mysterious island, where a secret organization promises to save his life - but with one condition. With his three friends, Jack must lead a mission to retrieve seven lost magical orbs, which, only when combined together correctly, can save their lives. The challenge: The orbs have been missing for a thousand years, lost amongst the ruins and relics of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. With no one else to turn to and no escape in sight, the four kids have no choice but to undertake the quest. First stop: The Colossus of Rhodes, where they realize that there’s way more than just their lives at stake.
"A high-octane mix of modern adventure and ancient secrets, The Colossus Rises is Lerangis's most gripping work yet. Young readers will love this story. I can’t wait to see what’s next in the Seven Wonders series!" —Rick Riordan
Intrigued? Check out the Seven Wonders website to read an exclusive excerpt!
What do you think about the book? Share your thoughts and leave links to your own WoW picks! I'll be sure to stop by :)
Labels: harpercollins, meme, Peter Lerangis, Seven Wonders, The Colossus Rises, Waiting On Wednesday 30 October 2012  by Gretchen McNeil Genre: YA Thriller Publisher: Balzer + Bray Publication date: September 18th 2012 Pages: 294 (hardcover) Source: finished copy from publisher Author's website | GoodReads SHHHH!Don't spread the word!Three-day weekend. House party.White Rock House on Henry Island.You do NOT want to miss it. This was one of the most highly anticipated reads of the year, and it definitely didn't disappoint. I love a creepy thriller as much as any other Agatha Christie fan, and i'm happy to say that this isn't one of those bad retellings of And Then There Were None. Ten kept me guessing until the very end, which is quite a feat considering the amount of mysteries I've digested in my lifetime. Take a group of diverse teenagers, place them on a setting as creepy as creepy can get, and add a mindboggling mystery that will mess with your heart and your soul; and you get the epitome of modern teen horror literature that is Ten. The number of characters in Ten was overwhelming! Each had their own secrets, their own shady past and background. They weren't very likeable characters; they were all cliched stereotypes and all of them annoyed me in a way, but that adds to the book's charm. The story is told from Meg's point of view so we get to know her pretty well. She was an interesting character with a lot of problems and emotions bubbling up inside her. However, despite being brave and smart, she was actually pretty weak. She was too concerned about the welfare of others and never lets her own needs come before the needs of others, namely her best friend's. See what I told you about stereotypes? I liked her enough, but I couldn't really connect with her in an emotional sense. I couldn't guess who the murder was! I had all of these suspicions, but it was difficult to direct them all to one person. People were dropping dead one-by-one as fast as you can say "Ten", and I soon found myself left with dead suspects. It came to the point where all the people I suspected were dead and I began to doubt everyone- including Meg. This book really messed with my mind and left me hanging on a thread at each turn of the page. It got very exciting and was definitely a page-turner towards the end. There was an obvious psychological change in each character; the killings clearly got to their head and they were slowly succumbing to insanity and it was creepy beyond words. If you're the daring type, read this book at night! It will definitely send shivers down your spine. I have always been a fan of mystery and suspense, and I have to say that this is one of the best Young Adult thrillers out in the market. McNeil weaved this story in a clear and concise way, but leaves the reader guessing all throughout. I loved the element of surprise that she masterfully presented. Ten will blow your mind. Excessively vivid and haunting, the readers will think that they're on the island, desperately trying to avoid an unknown killer- one who might possibly be the person you trust the most. Masterfully written in a way that makes readers instinctively bury their heads under the covers whilst turning the page, Ten will turn you into a curious kitty cat; trying to go deeper into the mind of each character. Ten is gleeful terror masked in pure perfection.
SHHHH! Don't spread the word! October 31st. Halloween. Get yourself a copy of Ten and read it a few hours before midnight. Fuel your curiosity. You do NOT want to miss this. But remember loves- curiosity KILLED the little kitty.
THE NUB AND GIST: 4.5 STARS Get yourself a copy at: Fully Booked Philippines | The Book Depository | Amazon USA Labels: Balzer + Bray, Gretchen McNeil, halloween, halloween reads, retelling, review, Ten 29 October 2012  The Other Normals by Ned Vizzini Genre: YA Urban Fantasy Publisher: Balzer + Bray Publication date: September 25th 2012 Pages: 400 (hardcover) Source: finished copy from publisher Author's website | GoodReads Given the chance, fifteen-year-old Peregrine “Perry” Eckert would dedicate every waking moment to Creatures & Caverns, an epic role-playing game rich with magical creatures, spell casting, and deadly weapons. The world of C&C is where he feels most comfortable in his own skin, so when his parents ship him off to summer camp Perry is sure he’s in for the worst summer of his life. Everything changes, however, when Perry gets to camp and stumbles into the World of the Other Normals. Perry’s new otherworldly friends need his help to save their princess and prevent mass violence. As they embark on their quest together, Perry realizes that his nerdy childhood has uniquely prepared him to be a great warrior in this world, and maybe even a hero.Do you have a dream world in your head? A world where everything would go they way you wanted it to go and nothing would ever be less than perfect? A world so wonderful that you spend every waking moment thinking and obsessing over what your life would be like if you could, even just for a day, live in it? Peregrine "Perry" Eckert would answer yes to every question. Lucky (and unlucky) for him, he got what he wanted- and more. Perry Eckert has a pretty pseudo-weird life. His parents got divorced and married their own divorce lawyers, his brother is slipping further and further into alcohol addiction, he is a social outcast and spends all of his time creating characters for the role-playing game Creatures & Caverns because he can't even find anyone to actually play with. When he finally does find someone who would willingly play C&C with him, a fellow RPG fanatic named Sam, he skips almost all of his classes and plays C&C 24/7. He eventually got caught and his parents send him to a summer camp called Camp Whisiska Lake to adjust to normal society, make decent friends, meet a girl, and have ~the best summer of his teenage life~.
And in trendy young adult fashion, Perry's first day in camp starts off with a fist fight. When he ends up at the nurse's office, he meets Mortin Enaw, the author of the manual for Creatures and Caverns. When Perry finds out that the RPG world he has been obsessing over was more than a fat nerd's Creatures & Caverns guidebook masterpiece, he forgets everything else, runs after the strange creature and is suddenly whisked into the world of The Other Normals. Perry is thrilled, but everyone else isn't because the whole world is in danger of collapse because the princess Ophisa has been captured. In order to get her back, he needs to go back to his own world and kiss a girl named Anna.
One of the best things about this book is it's deadpan and honest humour. Most of the humour is derived from Perry's interaction with other characters and his approach to various situations. Most of his logic is taken from the video game handbooks and comic books he read over the years and could relate them to any situation, no matter how dangerous. He is without a doubt one of the most geeky and socially awkward characters out there and Ned Vizzini knew how to shape him into a character that we'd love. It was nice seeing Perry not completely shedding off his true geek skin but growing up and maturing nonetheless.
I have a soft spot for Ned Vizzini. I read and loved his book; It's Kind of a Funny Story. That being said, I was so excited to read this book and dived right in. I immersed myself into the story and finished it in lightning speed, but I did not feel that signature Vizzini spark. I loved the initial concept of it and could relate to Perry in a multitude of aspects, being a huge RPG geek myself, but I could not ignore the fact that there was nothing special about the book at all. It had it's good and bad sides, but there was nothing spectacular enough for me to really truly love it.
The plot and world-building for The Other Normals was unique and imaginitive, but it was also pretty sketchy and filled with holes. There are sections that feel like they went on much longer than they should have, and the ending feels abruptly tied up. The characters were cliche and one-dimensional, too. I don't think that they're much of a problem though. A book like this isn't about serious business and technical stuff. The Other Normals a fun, light, and comical read. The fast pace and quick-witted dialogue makes it perfect for is perfect for readers looking for something refreshing and non-serious. THE NUB AND GIST: 3 stars Labels: Balzer + Bray, Ned Vizzini, review, The Other Normals 26 October 2012
FANTASTICAL WORLDS
In Conversation with Rachel Hartman, Stefan Bachmann, and Christopher Paolini
Author STEFAN BACHMANN will participate in a Shindig online event withCHRISTOPHER PAOLINI, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of ERAGON (The Inheritance Cycle)
on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28th at 2:00PM EST.
 On Sunday, October 28th, Shindig welcomes three distinguished authors for an in-depth conversation on fantastical worlds, their books, and more! Rachel Hartman, author of the critically acclaimed and instant New York Times bestseller SERAPHINA. Stefan Bachmann, author of THE PECULIAR (Harper Collins), and Christopher Paolini, author of the international bestselling series the Inheritance cycle and most recently the INHERITANCE Deluxe Edition. These three esteemed authors will discuss what inspires them & their characters and take viewer questions.
- Connect with Rachel Hartman:
@_rachelhartman
RachelHartmanBooks.com
SeraphinaBooks.com
- Connect with Stefan Bachmann:
@Stefan_Bachmann
scathingjellyfish.blogspot.com/
- Connect with Christopher Paolini:
@InheritanceCP
Alagaesia.com
Learn more on the Shindig event page: http://www.shindig.com/event/
RSVP to the event on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/
Labels: Christopher Paolini, FANTASTICAL WORLDS, harpercollins, promo, Rachel Hartman, Stefan Bachmann 25 October 2012  The Lost Prince (Call of the Forgotten #1) by Julie Kagawa Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy Publisher: Harlequin Teen Publication date: October 23rd 2012 Pages: 379 (paperback) Source: ARC from publisher Author's website | GoodReads Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them. That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for. Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.
More than a decade has passed since Ethan Chase was kidnapped and taken to the Never Never. A lot of things have changed since then- her sister Meghan rescued him from the world of fey thirteen years ago, became the Iron Queen and has decided to stay in the fae realm for good, but the world of fey refuses to leave Ethan alone. He can see them, and they know it, making life a living hell for him and getting him into sticky situations.
Ethan grows up and becomes a pessimistic and snarly teenage boy who doesn't just stay away from fairies, but stays away from people too. Thinking that his sister has betrayed him and still tormented by the fey, Ethan has chosen to close himself off to the world. He goes to such lengths such as placing iron beside every window and learning a form of filipino martial arts called Kali. He hates the fey and he hates his sister, and does everything he can to avoid coming into contact with them.
A crazy accident at his old school gets him suspended, so he has to start over again at a new one where he ruins his first day by unwillingly helping Todd, a half breed who was being manhandled by the resident jock-bully. His bad boy swag and air of mystery also attracts the attention of Kenzie, who writes for the school newspaper and has zeroed in on Ethan as her latest article. Both cannot keep him from coming into contact with the fey, just when things take a turn for the worse- another kind of fey has resurfaced, one that has been forgotten by both humans and fairies, one that cannot be defeated easily. They're coming back to get what they want- at any cost.
I love everything Julie Kagawa has written, and due to the excitement over this book, I guess everyone else does too. Going into this book, I didn't know what to expect but I definitely had high expectations. I already had an initial idea of what I was going to feel about the book, but halfway into the story it had completely broken out of the confines I was placing it into. The Lost Prince surpassed my expectations by a mile, and it definitely delivered.
Julie Kagawa's writing style is still simple, but goes well into detail without becoming too expansive. She is a master at world building and creates a cast of compellingly complicated characters whose adventures will have you flipping the pages. The story is mainly set in the human world, but we get a glimpse of the Nevernever as well. Old friends and personal favorites like Grimalkin and Puck make a welcome appearance (cue fangirlisms), and some new characters come packaged with surprising revelations that will shock you to the core.
Speaking of new characters, I am so in love with Ethan. He is definitely a better protagonist than his sister. Yeah, he's rude, pessimistic, and stubborn; always wanting things to go his way, but he has his reasons. His childhood experiences really left a mark on him, but in the book we see him overcome his fears and turns them into something that fuels his strength. Kenzie is harder to explain. A lot of questions about her pop up at the start of the book, and Kagawa answers these towards the end but I felt that it was somewhat lacking and rushed. I couldn't really see any spark between her and Ethan, and I think that the romance between them was bland and unnecessary.
The Lost Prince is best read if you finished The Iron Fey series, but works as a stand-alone as well. Fans of the original series will easily spot a few similarities between the old characters and the new ones, but it doesn't go to the extent where everything feels like a replication. Julie Kagawa has in The Lost Prince much of what we already know from previous books, but in the end it makes it more fun. This new spin-off series definitely has a lot of potential and I can't wait to see where it goes. This first book felt like a pilot episode that was setting up the major plot points, but everything was so interesting and captivating that I didn't mind in the slightest. There are plenty of details and questions that are far from being answered though, and left me hanging off a cliff. I for one am looking forward to what is coming.
THE NUB AND GIST: 4 STARS Buy the book from: The Book Depository | Amazon (paperback) | Amazon (ebook) Labels: Harlequin Teen, Julie Kagawa, review, The Lost Prince 24 October 2012  
YA Paranormal
Title: Dead Heat
Author: Lisa Nowak
Alex is a machine whisperer. He can tell what’s wrong with a broken-down car with a touch. But his gift can’t save him from the brutality of his meth-addict father. For two years, Alex experienced kindness through Cole, his mentor. Now Cole’s dead, and the violence in Alex’s life is escalating.
When Cole reappears as a ghost, Alex clings to the tenuous link. Then he learns Cole might’ve sacrificed his chance to cross over. Jade, the first girl to look beyond Alex’s past, assures him Cole can reach the Other Side—if Alex escapes from his dad. But a previous terrifying attempt has convinced Alex it’s impossible. Unless he can find the courage to try, his friend may be earthbound forever.
Buy a copy for yourself over at: Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble  In addition to being a YA author, Lisa Nowak is a retired amateur stock car racer, an accomplished cat whisperer, and a professional smartass. She writes coming-of-age books about kids in hard luck situations who learn to appreciate their own value after finding mentors who love them for who they are. She enjoys dark chocolate and stout beer and constantly works toward employing wei wu wei in her life, all the while realizing that the struggle itself is an oxymoron. Labels: Dead Heat, excerpt, Lisa Nowak, tour 22 October 2012   YA Paranormal/Fantasy
Emily's Trial (Akasha Chronicals #2)
Author: Natalie Wright
Date published: Oct 2012
Emily's journey began two years ago when she became a modern Celtic Priestess. Armed with a magic dagger and the powerful golden torc, she was entrusted with sacred magic and ancient wisdom. But even a Priestess can know desire, feel temptation, and yearn for love. Will passion entice Emily to use the sacred magic in a forbidden way? Can new love take root in a world of nightmares? And will her friendships survive Emily’s Trial? The Journey Continues . . . That blurb was amazing if I say so myself. This book definitely sounds promising. If you need a little more convincing, here's a little excerpt from the book: Buy a paperback copy for yourself at: CreateSpace | Barnes&Noble | Amazon | Powell's  Natalie is the author of The Akasha Chronicles, a young adult fantasy trilogy. When not writing, blogging, Facebooking, Tweeting, Wattpadding or eating chocolate, Natalie nurtures her young daughter, feeds her dog too many treats, and can’t resist watching Ancient Aliens, no matter how absurd the show becomes. Twitter | Facebook | Blog | Goodreads | Youtube | Wattpad | Pinterest Labels: Emily's Trial, excerpt, Natalie Wright, tour 18 October 2012  The Rise of Nine (Lorien Legacies #3) by Pittacus Lore Genre: YA Science Fiction Publisher: HarperCollins Publication date: August 21st 2012 Pages: 360 (paperback) Source: finished copy from publisher Author's website | GoodReads I went to Spain to find Seven, and I found even more, including a tenth member of the Garde who escaped from Lorien alive. Ella is younger than the rest of us, but just as brave. Now we're looking for the others--including John.All the Lore fans in the house- raise the roof! I have to admit that I wasn't really into the Lorien Legacies books until last month, but here I am now! I spent a few weeks breezing through I Am Number Four, and when The Power of Six ended so abruptly, I was clawing my way towards the book box; frantically reaching for the third installment in the series. Needless to say, The Rise of Nine did not disappoint. The Rise of Nine is definitely better than it's predecessors. The best book in the series so far, I have to say. It's riveting and I often found myself completely immersed into the story because I wanted to know what would happen next. It's a nicely done plot that's complex yet simply riveting in a sense. It's action-packed and gives you an adrenaline rush unlike any other, but somehow Lore manages to slow down at just the right intervals, giving us simply raw moments that are just beautiful. The book picks up from where The Power of Six left off. Six is travelling with other members of the Garde and a Cepan in hopes of locating Number Eight. Meanwhile, Four is travelling with Nine, trying to figure out where to go from there. I can't tell you much about the story without revealing the plot, and I know that some of you haven't read the series yet, so that's all I can say. We do get introduced to a lot of new characters though, resulting in significant amount of character development. Four is still as stubborn and reckless as ever, but he does grows up a lot and matures through the book. He now has a sense of awareness of the missions he has to fulfill, but he still wavers when it comes to deciding between duty and friendship and makes a lot of stupid decisions. Luckily, Nine is there to punch some sense into him. Nine has to be my favorite member of the Garde so far. He is the exact opposite of Four, living in heavily populated cities rather than hiding in small towns like Paradise, Ohio. He is often rash and uses brute force, but he has his head in the game and knows exactly what to do. I am quite apathetic about Six, Seven, Ten, and the newly introduced member; Eight. They stay neutral throughout the book and didn't really leave much of an impression on me. The author shows us a vulnerable side of Six though, and I really enjoyed that rare moment when the strong and fierce Six shows a heartbreakingly raw and humane side. The alternating perspectives between Four, Six and Seven really makes the book a lot more interesting. It was refreshing to hear the story told through different perspectives. I did get a bit confused at times because of the lack of headings, but the voice of each character really comes through and it doesn't take long to figure out whose head you're in. The series is one of the best out in the market today, but it does have it's flaws. I can't ignore the fact the execution and pacing is similar in each book. It's just a constant repetition of running, hiding, waiting, and learning something that twists the plot at the end of the book. The sentences sometimes end abruptly, and it ticks me off. I would also have liked it if the author described the situations a bit more, because sometimes I felt like something was lacking. Pittacus Lore has clearly done it again by delivering such a strong installment. This guy definitely knows how to convert a sci-fi virgin into a sci-fi fanatic. I just wish that he would stop adding more than necessary to the plot, and focus on the problems at hand. The Rise of Nine definitely rose above my initial expectations. It is an action-packed and fast-paced read that all kinds of readers would enjoy. Filled with a diverse set of characters that you'll fall in love with coupled with a plot that would blow your mind, The Rise of Nine is a definite must-read. If you're an avid reader who is stuck in a reading slump or a non-reader who's looking for a good novel to start out with, The Rise of Nine is the perfect book for you. THE NUB AND GIST: 4 STARS Labels: harpercollins, Pittacus Lore, review, The Rise of Nine 17 October 2012  
Author:
Kiersten White
Publication Date:
February 19th 2013
Publisher:
HarperTeen
Format:
Hardcover, 256 pages
Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.
Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.
In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.
Thoughts:
I am definitely excited for Kiersten White’s first novel after the Paranormalcy trilogy. This novel couldn't be more different , but I think I the plot sounds more promising than Paranormalcy. It looks so fresh and edgy, and it seems like a different side of Kiersten's literary finesse. With an extremely high 4.23 rating on goodreads and a cover that will send shivers through your spine, who can say no to this?
What do you think about the book? Share your thoughts and leave links to your own WoW picks! I'll be sure to stop by :)
Labels: Harperteen, Kiersten White, meme, Mind Games, Waiting On Wednesday 15 October 2012 
The Cadet of Tildor
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin)
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: High fantasy
Expected Release: January 10, 2013
Book trailer by: Medieval Reenactment Group “Liberi Lusenta” located in Italy
Organized by: AToMR Tours
Tamora Pierce meets George R. R. Martin in this smart, political, medieval fantasy-thriller. There is a new king on the throne of Tildor. Currents of political unrest sweep the country as two warring crime families seek power, angling to exploit the young Crown's inexperience. At the Academy of Tildor, the training ground for elite soldiers, Cadet Renee de Winter struggles to keep up with her male peers. But when her mentor, a notorious commander recalled from active duty to teach at the Academy, is kidnapped to fight in illegal gladiator games, Renee and her best friend Alec find themselves thrust into a world rife with crime, sorting through a maze of political intrigue, and struggling to resolve what they want, what is legal, and what is right.
Wasn't that blurb amazing?! That was more than enough to convince me. However, people do say that actions speak better than words. So without further ado, I present to you the official book trailer for The Cadet of Tildor:
Am I the only one who thinks that it is a legit trailer for a movie? Nope?
I'm not an expert on cinematography or anything, but I have to say that this trailer was very well made! I absolutely loved the cast. If you did too, you can get to know them more by heading over to this page. Don't leave yet, though! Keep on reading, because Alex Lidell has a surprise for YOU! ;)
About the Author:
Alex is a YA fantasy author, a Tamora Pierce addict, a horse rider, and paramedic. The latter two tend to hand in hand a bit more often than one would like. Alex started writing at 2 am. Alex Lidell | Facebook | Twitter
"But Ellie, where's the surprise?"
"Patience, young padawan."
"Screw this, I'm heading over to the Trailer Team page now. See y-"
"Wait! Behold- the Rafflecopter widget!!!!"
"What the frack is that for?!"
"You see, young padawan, Alex Lidell is a superstar made of pure awesomesauce and is offering a giveaway with the release! See for yourself: "
"IT'S SO FREAKIN SHINY! I CAN CLICK BUTTONS?"
"Yes, young one. Click buttons you shall."
"Okay. So what do I do after that?"
Good question, young padawan. This goes out to all of the padawans lurkking around:
Weren't you planning on going to the Trailer Team page? You can also pre-order The Cadet of Tildor from The Book Depository. Oh, and don't forget to leave a comment to share your thoughts about the trailer!
Labels: Alex Lidell, Dial Books for Young Readers, The Cadet of Tildor, tour, trailer reveal 13 October 2012 
I recently had the chance to read and review Defiance by C.J. Redwine, and I loved it to bits! Thanks to the fabulous folks over at HarperCollins International, you can get the chance to experience Rachel and Logan's adventure and win a SIGNED COPY of the book! How awesome is that?
Here's a rundown of this giveaway's rules:
01. You must be at least 13 years old to enter.
02. You must be willing to provide a shipping address.
03. Winners will be given up to 72 hours to reply to my email.
04. I am not responsible for lost or damaged items during shipping.
05. I reserve the right to end a giveaway without any prior notice.
06. Anyone can join the fun! US/CAN and International entries are welcome!
07. One entry per household.
Have fun- and good luck! :)
Labels: Balzer + Bray, C.J. Redwine, Defiance, giveaway, harpercollins 11 October 2012  The Power of Six (Lorien Legacies #2) by Pittacus Lore Genre: YA Science Fiction Publisher: HarperCollins Publication date: January 1st 2011 Pages: 406 (paperback) Source: finished copy from publisher Author's website | GoodReads NINE of us came here. Remember the awesomeness called I Am Number Four? Well, The Power of Six is the next book in the Lorien Legacies, and I didn't think that it would be possible, but it's even better than the first one.  The book is alternatively told through the points of view of John (Number Four) and a newly introduced character, Number Seven, who goes by the name Marina. It picks up a few weeks after I am Number Four's ending. John, Sam and Six are on the run, and the Mogadorians aren't their only problems. John is now a suspected terrorist with a large sum of money on his head, while Marina is trapped in a convent, with her Cepan going all kookoo while trying to pretend that Lorien is a fairytale and that they didn't have a mission to fulfill. Before I rave about all of the things I love about the book, let me tell you the ONE thing that ticked me off: the romance. It was nice and cute in the first book, but now it just drove me crazy- in a bad way. John was like a lovesick drunkard in desperate need of rehab. The future of his planet is on his shoulders, but the only thing he can think of is girls, girls, girls.  I'm not just talking about miss Sarah Hart, everybody. I'm talking about how he fantasizes about resting on the lap of a girl WHO IS NOT SARAH, and then thinks about wanting to kiss the soul out of Sarah five minutes later. And then he risks the safety of his groupmates and their mission just so he can catch a peek of his lovey dove. It got to the point where the 'romance' almost took over the entire plot. I'm not even kidding. I just hope that everything cools down in the next book, because if John continues to act like that, I will question his sanity forever.  The Power of Six gives us a gist of Six's background, and how she found John in the first place. It's sad how all of them are familiar to loss and heartache. The characters also have this sense of verity when they talk about their pain and loss, and you just want to give them all a great big hug.  Marina is a character that I feel indifferent towards. I didn't really like her because I thought she was too naive and dense. She blames her lack of training on her hopeless Cepan, but I don't think that's a legitimate excuse because she could have easily trained on her own. I also felt that she was hiding her brutal and rash side. She is the postergirl of never giving up though, so I don't hate her per se, but I don't like her either. The action and adrenaline levels of this book were off the charts. If you loved all the fight scenes in the first book, then the ones in The Power of Six will blow your mind. The author writes them in a way that you feel like you're part of all the suspense and bloodshed. I'm not usually a fan of fighting, but the ones in the book made my heart race and I had to constantly stop myself from cheering for the characters out loud. Filled with unexpected twists and surprising discoveries, The Power of Six is a well written literary gem that people will continue to love for years to come. The stakes are higher and the enemies are stronger, but bonds are also strengthened and the Nine will soon rise and make thousands fall. Labels: harpercollins, Pittacus Lore, review, The Power of Six 08 October 2012  Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr Genre: YA Fantasy Publisher: HarperCollins Publication date: September 4th 2012 Pages: 306 (hardcover) Source: finished copy from publisher Author's website | GoodReads In a city of daimons, rigid class lines separate the powerful from the power-hungry. And at the heart of The City is the Carnival of Souls, where both murder and pleasure are offered up for sale. Once in a generation, the carnival hosts a deadly competition that allows every daimon a chance to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures--if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live. From Melissa Marr, bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series and "Graveminder," comes a brand-new tale of lush secrets, dark love, and the struggle to forge one's own destiny. Carnival of Souls captivated me from the very first page. The author is a genius at creating intricate worlds of magic that are filled with darkness and intrigue. The writing is superb, and the reality of it all is so superb, it will frighten you to the core. Marr excels at making lush and macabre alluring. The story is told in the three points of view of three uniquely different characters, namely Mallory, Kaleb, and Aya. The characters are each facing their own battles. They all have dreams and aspirations in their hearts to overcome their struggles, but the unexpected never ceases to occur. Mallory, Kaleb, and Aya are from different worlds and standings in life, but they have a lot more in common than they think. I enjoyed reading about Aya and Kaleb and I really connected with them and felt for them. I still have a lot to learn about Mallory though, as much as she needs to learn about herself. I have to say that I hosetly thought that the 'love' between Mallory and Kaleb was incredibly empty to me. I rarely felt that they truly liked each other beyond their mutual attraction and interest. I cannot vouch for my understanding of daimon love though. As for my favorite character, I would have to say that I enjoyed reading about the secondary characters more. Their backstory had more base and structure, and they were much more interesting in every sense. I particularly favor Kaleb's best friend Zevi and Mallory's adoptive father Adam. That doesn't mean that I hated the main characters though, they caught my attention and interest in their own ways. Each of their stories are interwoven throughout the story, which makes things incredibly exciting and unpredictable. Carnival of Souls is set in two different worlds: The City; where the daemons rule the streets, and the human world; the place where the daemons banished the witches who once thrived and brought life to The City. At the heart of the city lies the Carnival of Souls, where both murder and pleasure are offered for sale. The world building is ineffable, as any world that Melissa Marr creates. The City was described so vividly that I could see the beauty and horror of it with my own eyes. The book was beautifully written in Marr's own distinct style and had a great solid plot that was uniquely interesting. The subject matter is extremely raw and dark but it's honest and never sugar-coats. This story is surrounded by secrets and lies. Everyone and everything is not what it seems. Melissa Marr has created yet another world unlike any other; filled with loyalty, family, love, evil, treason, and murder. This book serves as a prequel of some sorts, paving the way for interesting twists and turns and promises a new series straight from Marr's wicked imagination.  Buy the book from: The Book Depository | National Bookstore | Fully BookedThanks to HarperCollins International, readers from the Philippines get the chance to win a finished copy of the book! Fill up the Rafflecopter below to join in the fun :) 
This tour was made possible by Pinoy Book Tours and HarperCollins International.
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Labels: Carnival of Souls, giveaway, harpercollins, Melissa Marr, review, tour 05 October 2012   Title: 6 Seconds of Life Author: Tonya Fitzharris Date Published: 9/1/12 Maura has just jumped. Now she has precisely six seconds until she hits the water below her—just six more seconds until she is finally freed from her mundane and aimless existence. Freed of all of the regrets and disappointments that have haunted her throughout her nineteen years. But as she falls, the most pivotal points of her life start to replay like a movie in her head: her family falling apart, her first love, her first heartbreak, her first true friends, and her first betrayal. As she remembers these moments that brought her to this point, will she feel a sense of peace? Or will her death be her greatest regret? Doesn't that blurb make you want to go out and get yourself a copy? If you need a little more convincing, here's a little excerpt from the book: Buy the book from: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords 
Author Bio
Tonya Fitzharris is a writer, reader, blogger, mediocre cook, photographer, runner, Florida native, and cat lover. She used to be a Middle School English Teacher, but now she's trying out the whole novel writing thing. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and her Belgian cat named Waffles. Website | Twitter: @tonyafitzharris | Facebook Labels: 6 Seconds of Life, excerpt, Tonya Fitzharris, tour 04 October 2012  I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies #1) by Pittacus Lore Genre: YA Science Fiction Publisher: HarperCollins Publication date: August 23rd 2011 Pages: 496 (hardcover) Source: finished copy from publisher Author's website | GoodReads Nine of us came here.I am never going to judge a book by it's movie ever again. I was never interested in reading the series because I thought that it was over-hyped and too mainstream. I'm sorry for being such a hipster about it, but yeah. When the publisher offered to send me copies for review, I was hesitant, but then decided to go for it. I mean, why not? Right? And I don't regret that decision at all. Four is a 15 year old boy who is used to a life of hiding and riding. Henri, his Cepan/guardian always reminds him to don't do anything stupid and don't attract any attention to himself. Four almost never follows this though, and whenever something bad happens they pack up, burn everything except for a mysterious chest, and leave. While talking to a cute girl at a beach party, Four's ankle burns and heats up, signalling the death of another member of the Garde. The Mogadorians, the antagonists in the book, can only kill them in order. They killed Three, so they're coming after Four next. As soon as Henri finds out, they continue their ritual of running and leaving, and find themselves in a little town in Ohio called Paradise. Four now goes by the name of John Smith. As his powers and gifts develop, he learns how to be truly loved, and love in return. I Am Number Four has captivated me in a way that no other YA science fiction ever has. World building is always important in stories like these, and the writer definitely did not disappoint. Authors of books like these have to describe and explain other worlds to the reader, and I tend to get bored whenever they do that. I Am Number Four made me the complete opposite of bored. It kept me on my toes and thrilled me to the core. I believed in Four and Henri's world. I believed in Lorien. The book was action-packed and filled with romance that would make any girl swoon. The other characters were also very interesting to read about, and the story didn't just focus on one character. I loved this book enough to want to read the next one. I Am Number Four is definitely mainstream, but with good reason. I am now officially a new member of the Lorien Legacies fan club. Labels: harpercollins, Harperteen, I Am Number Four, Pittacus Lore, review |
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