{Book Review} THE IMMORTAL RULES by Julie Kagawa

The Immortal Rules
by Julie Kagawa (blog, twitter, facebook)
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin TEEN
Format: ebook, 504pp
Age Range: 14 years+
Series: Blood of Eden Series, #1
Genre: YA Paranormal, Dystopian
Source: Received from NetGalley.
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

*flails around, screaming* This. Was. The. Definition. Of. Badassery. I have a hard time believe anyone could not like this book. I can't put it into words about how different this was from her Iron Fey series. Not bad different, believe me. I have nothing bad to say about this piece.

Julie Kagawa didn't fail me with this one. That's for damn sure. Before this book, I was about done with vampire books. Like, almost completely wiping them off my genre criteria. But when I heard that she was writing a vamp book, I couldn't resist the hella strong urge to pick this book up. (Even thought I got this as a eBook through NetGalley. <3 Thanks NG, I love you.) Julie developed basically a whole new breed of vampires that definitely do not sparkle. They drain you, not become besties with you. Like most YA books that have even one vampire in it. -__- It was like taking a breath of fresh air. <3

I loved how she came up with the rabids too. I'll be damned if that's not what caused the nightmare I had when I went to sleep after I finished TIR. (I shit you not. I almost woke up screaming. *shudders*) Those things are basically have all the killer works. Something I definitely do not want to run into when I'm taking a nice walk out at night.

The scenery in this book was insanely awesome. I could picture a combination of, like...Priest and Silent Hill together. (Minus the gore from SH. x_x) The action in it was so vivid, I had to reread over some parts, it was that intense.

The character development in this was amazing. Every character almost has their own kickass trait. Except for maybe Ruth. *recoils in disgust* Allison Sekemoto has to be one of the most badass heroines out there in the YA lit world, as for as I'm concerned. With her being a vampire, and wielding that katana, just screams that she could drop your ass like a dime in less than five seconds flat. Aside from her skill to take someone down, I seriously loved her personality; brave, independent, courageous, kind when she wants to be(which was rarer than red steak). She takes nothing from anybody. And she has a mouth on her like a viper. ;3 I love her.

Her mentor, Kanin, was my second favorite character, since Allison was totally my first--which is rare, because I hardly ever pick the heroine out of a book as my favorite character. Kanin was so incredibly mysterious and...and...brooding. So much so, I don't even think I saw a description for his hair. (Which bugs the ever lovin' noodles out of me.) Though, him not taking any crap from Allison just makes him all the more awesome. I'm tired of mentors or teachers or whatever going easy on their "students." It's almost borderline pathetic. I think I almost had a heart attack when got taken away. I think I almost let a tear shed. But I didn't let it fall because I thought, that cannot be the last we see of him.

And Zeke, being as cool and skilled as he is, I didn't find him to be the most perfect match for Allison that I thought he would be. Sure, he's awesome, no doubt. But (and it's stated in the book) he's sees the good in everything. But it's not like I don't like him for Allison, I do. I'm just saying that Allison...is what she is, and Zeke is so...pure and good. xD They're complete opposites. Then, when shit hit the fan, he got down to business. Aside from that, I definitely loved him. <333 (What's not to love? Blonde, blue eyes, lean muscles, and scars. They're sexy.) I hated Ruth, the nosy bitch. So there's not much to say on her. And I didn't like Jeb either, so I'm pretty content with how things turned out. ;)

JK had me in awe with writing this little precious. The level of badassery is so high, I cannot even comprehend. She can definitely make that happen, with her wicked world building skills. I loved every moment of this book, and do not regret not waiting for the release date, and savoring it with everybody else. xD I'M GREEDY, AND I CAN'T HELP IT. I read this within one sitting, and couldn't believe my eyes when I finished it. YOU DUN IT AGAIN, KAGAWA. This has to be the longest review I've written so far.

Also, the sneak peak of The Iron Prince wasn't anything like I imaginied it would be. I'm going to like Ethan Chase...

Rating

Photo: Behind-The-Scenes On COLS Book Trailer

Cassie shared a teaser today of the COLS trailer! Back shot of Jace. ;)

Ugh, I absolutely can't wait for this book. So much so that it hurts! ;P And I definitely can't wait for the trailer. If it was anything like the Clockwork Prince trailer, it should be awesome. <3

Here's what Cassie said about the still:

Onset at the City of Lost Souls book trailer filmage. (Is filmage a word?) The director and the back of book-trailer Jace’s head. I don’t know who is playing Jace in the trailer, but he has nice hair. And a stylin’ sweater. Which fits, as City of Lost Souls Jace has fancier clothes than previous Jace.

Also, the City of Lost Souls Chapter Hunt has started. You can read the first chapter, starting here. :) 

Waiting on Wednesday (#14)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

~

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers 

Publication Date: October 2, 2012 

Format: Paperback, 384pp

Pre-Order: Barnes and Noble | Amazon 

Poison Princess centers on 16-year-old Evangeline "Evie" Greene, a privileged teenager from Louisiana. When an apocalyptic event decimates her hometown, killing everyone she loves, Evie realizes the hallucinations she'd been having for the past year were actually visions of the future — and they're still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux. As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophecy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of teens have been chosen to re-enact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it's not always clear who is on which side… 

I loooooved Kresley's adult series, Immortals After Dark. And I was actually shocked when I saw the cover reveal for this book for her first YA series. I heard that she was writing one, but I didn't think it would be this soon. ;3 Pleasant surprise. <3

In My Mailbox (#12)

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme by Kristi @ The Story Siren, IMM is where we get to share what books we received for review, bought, borrowed or were gifted in the past week.

~

So on March 23rd, I joined NetGalley. Best decision I've made so far in 2012. ;) I got a few ebooks from there that got approved. Here they are in the order that they got approved in:


Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen (reviewed it here)
The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa (SQUEEEE!!~)

So, what did you get in your mailbox?!

DARK KISS by Michelle Rowen {Book Review}

Publication Date: May 22, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Format: Paperback, 352pp
Age Range: 14 years+
Series: Nightwatchers Series, #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Source: Received from NetGalley
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

I don't do DANGEROUS.

Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha—that’s me. But I just couldn’t pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It’s like part of me is missing—and I don’t know if I can get it back.

Then there’s Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he’s keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he’s what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me....

Nightwatchers: When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...

This is my first ebook received from NetGalley.com. So, it hasn't come out yet; it does on March 22nd. c: (I'll try not to include too many spoilers.)

To start off with, this is about angels/demons. And considering, I've read a pretty good amount of angelic and demonic books, I still liked this. Sure, it's still got all the basic angel/demon stuff, and yada yada. At least, I think it does. Can't really go much more further with this type of stuff. >-< But there are some minor twists and turns in there, making it a bit different. It was definitely good and definitely thought out. There were a couple surprises, but none too holy-shit-I-think-I-just-pissed-my-pants-on-that-one like. ;3

The plot was pretty cool. Like I said above, it had to have been at least a little thought out from the beginning. I enjoy books with twists and turns that make you have whip-lash turning the pages back and forth and rereading, or those moments where you're like, "I can't believe that just happened," or "I can't believe he/she let him/her do that." And that's almost happened with this one. I got so frustrated in a few parts, though. But it wasn't because the books was bad, it was from the characters.

Speaking of the characters, just about every one of them was more than frustrating. I like there were only two or three that I know of. And that was Bishop, Zach, and Connor. I reeeeeeally didn't like Sam. I don't know if it's just because she was just having trouble accepting that there are angels and demons, when there's crystal clear proof. Or if it's just because her bitch-of-a attitude got on my nerves. (Which it did anyway.) She has to be one of the top twenty or thirty weakest heroines out there. I'm sure anybody that reads my reviews knows that I do. not. like. weak females. Though, I can see a bit of a transformation throughout the book with Sam. NOT MUCH. Next is Kraven. I like him, then I didn't like him. :/ His mood swing almost make him out to be like he's bipolar. And and bipolar demon is frustrating. I loved his sarcasm, but I'm like Sam, I can't figure him out for shit. And it's beyond infuriating. I can't tell if he likes Sam or not. asdfghjkl; I loved Bishop and Zach. They were both so sweet. c: Bishop especially. I loved his protectiveness of Sam. Which she doesn't deserve. Roth is a bastard. Enough said. I didn't like Natalie. At all. From the beginning. The conniving bitch. I didn't really like Carly in the beginning, because she seemed too... uppity? Then on up in there my distaste for her only grew, but then I felt sorry for her in the end. :/

Can I just say that I seriously love this cover? Not just from the hottness..... But that's the majority of it. >_> I mean, what hormone-raging teenage girl wouldn't like it? But I like how the wings are and the scenery in the background. Not to mention blue's my favorite color. Oh my God, I'm so lame for that.

I've read just one book from Michelle Rowen--which was The Demon In Me. And I'm glad I got into her books. Her writing is awesome and almost to the point. I definitely want to get the second book to this. <3

Rating

{Book Trailer} SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo

Just recently the book trailer for Leigh Bardugo's book Shadow and Bone released to the public. And is it not absolutely awesome?! Makes me want to read the book all the more. ;)

And does anyone else besides me want to sound track to this on their iPod...? I know I do!

Release Date: June 5, 2012

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

Goodreads ● Barnes and Noble ● Amazon

Keith Thompson's Map of Ravka

Find Leigh Bardugo
Website  ●  Blog  ●  Facebook ● Goodreads ● Twitter 

Waiting on Wednesday (#14)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh

Publication Date: August 28, 2012

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Format: Hardback, 560pp

Age Range: 12 years+

Series: Nevermore, #2

Pre-Order: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

The second book in a modern gothic romance trilogy channeling the dark brilliance of Edgar Allan Poe.

While Varen remains a prisoner in a perilous dream world where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life, Isobel travels to Baltimore to confront the dark figure known throughout the world as the Poe Toaster. This man, the same man who once appeared to Isobel in her dreams and abandoned her in Varen’s nightmare world, holds the key to saving Varen.

But when Isobel discovers a way to return to this dream world, she finds herself swept up in a realm that not only holds remnants of Edgar Allan Poe’s presence, but has also now taken on the characteristics of Varen’s innermost self. It is a dark world of fear, terror, and anger.

Varen is changed. And now Isobel must face a new adversary—one who also happens to be her greatest love.

My review of Nevermore by Kelly Creagh. :) 

In My Mailbox (#11)

IMM is hosted by The Story Siren.

Hi, guys! I knowwwwww I haven't been getting a lot of books these past couple of weeks. But I've been broke. D: And last night I went to the bookstore and got a few (which is only 3 lol. :/) So I'd like to share 'em with ya!

Torn by Amanda Hocking

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

:)

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green {Book Review}

Read on March 5th.
Publication Date: January, 10 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Format: Hardback, 336pp
Age Range: 14 - 17 Years
Genre: YA Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
Source: Bought at B&N.
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

From Goodreads: Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

This book. There's no words to describe how amazing this book is. So many emotions. And it's the first John Green book I've ever read. Though, I seriously wish I had read a book of his before I read this one, to at least prepare myself for his type of unholy-good writing. Damn.

I read this bad-boy in one whole day. I know it's not much--considering the length--but I hardly ever read one book in one day/sitting. So, you know this HAS to be fucking good. And it was, oh-ho-ho-hooo...was it.

I felt the sadness coming on. It was definitely building up from the middle of the book. I've heard that this was a tear-jerking. BUT MY GOD. I didn't except myself to fully weep. I mean, I actually had accidentally averted my eyes to the next page, the beginning of the next chapter. That one sentence... I let out a choked sob, then gasped. It probably sounded like I was having a heart-attack to my mom. Hell, I felt like I did. I've always read books where the main characters actually live to see the end of the book. WELL THIS ONE CHANGED THAT. Though, I thought it would happen. But then I was like, John's not actually going to do a mind-numbing thing such as that right? No YA author that I've read of does that. D: BUT HE DOES. HE. DOES. *chokes*


Aside from all heart-breaking, earth-shattering, soul-ripping, teeth-clenching depression... I really, really loved this book. It had a humor in it that made me smile or chuckle... It is DEFINITELY one of the top five best books I've read in my short sixteen years of existence. John developed the characters so well, and made all of them so likable. I mean, dur. Though, who wouldn't love Augustus? He's funny, caring, sweet, cocky-ish, etc. Notice I'm not using past tense. And I really enjoyed being in the company of Hazel. She was so strong in the situation she was put in in the end. She was strong from the beginning of the book, though. But it was a different type of strong; as she accepted the fact that she has lung cancer, but kept living. If I was her, I would more than likely be in my bed all day, not doing a thing, and wallowing in my depression.

From this moment on, I will scour to the ends of the earth to get every single JG book out there. Mark my words... *dramatic finger point in no general direction*

Rating

Announcing: The Iron Legends & The Immortal Rules Trailer!

Julie Kagawa posted on her blog yesterday that there will be an anthology with the Iron Fey novellas in print for the first time! Here's what she said:

On August 28th, for the very first time, Winter's Passage and Summer's Crossing will be available together in an anthology entitled THE IRON LEGENDS. Not only that, they will be released with a brand new novella called Iron's Prophecy, along with some exclusive additional content you can't find anywhere else. Like perhaps the first chapter of the new Iron Fey book, coming this Fall.

 Well, I know I'll be jumping the walls and foaming at the mouth in April and August.. :D To add even more fuel to the flame, she released The Immortal Rules trailer! Who else is excited for this?!

*Squeals and dies* CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS BOOK. 

THE GODDESS TEST by Aimee Carter {Book Review}

Publication Date: April 19, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Paperback, 304pp
Age Range: 14 - 17 Years
Series: Goddess Test Series, #1
Genre: YA Fantasy & Romance
Source: Bought at B&N.
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall. 

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

Slight spoilery ahead.

As this book is a debut and all, I thought this was a pretty neat book. The first reason being because it's Greek mythology based. Anyone who knows me (or has read my interests on my profile) knows that I love Greek mythology. <3 asdfghjkl;

The second reason being the plot. It's definitely a new take on GM for YA books. And it got even neater when the seven deadly sins got involved. Either it was a dumb moment for me, or I just really didn't see it coming, because I didn't. >_< It should have been obvious for me, considering every time someone brought up the tests Kate had to pass, there was always the seven tests, not just this one test. So, a bunch of hints and I still didn't get it. xD It was a nice..."surprise" when it was mentioned.

Speaking of the deadly sins, I thought that Henry and Kate went a bit too fast. ._. Especially for a debut short, first book out of the series. Though, for that one part, I guess it's okay since they were drugged. Though it's still like....whutjusthappened, it went by so fast. I almost didn't have time to comprehend what was going on. xD But I feel like I should've saw it coming, because hardly anything was happening between the two romantically, and then...BAM. THEY DUN FUCKED.

I do believe that was one thing I didn't really like about this book.

Considering this being a short book, it had a pretty good bit in there happening. Not a lot, but not a little either. It was preh-ty cool to give God/Goddess names to everyone in the book. (Well, almost. I guess. Excluding Kate.) Henry as Hades was perfect, I thought. Though, it being Hades, he's a lot more...kinder? Henry's behavior is something I would expect Zeus to have; I picture Hades to be merciless and cold-hearted and mean. But I look over it because they're "brothers." ...Or maybe I just picture Greek gods to be that uptight and stuff. o_o

For the characters: I did not like Kate that much. I'm falling for Henry, but not quite there yet. (Need the second book for that too happen *IF*) I despised Ella.
And Callipoe(or Cantaloupe as I'd like to call her).... Just, go away, please. I've had enough of you jealous love-crazed girls.

I was alright with Walter, Dylan, Ava, Theo, Xander, Irene, and Sofia. Meaning, they weren't talked about enough to really like or dislike them. And I feel really sorry for James. :/

All in all, it was a good read, pretty enjoyable since it's GM. <3 Four out of five stars, just because it was a bit too fast-paced. Definitely need the second one, though.

 Rating

A Bunch of Cassandra Clare News!

Okay, so most of my friends know that Cassandra Clare's books are up there with my top ten favorite books. Maybe even five. They're awesome. <3 And so, I know I'm a bit behind on news for her. But I have been reading the updates from Cassie when she tweets and posts things on her Tumblr. 

To start off with, there is some news for the CoB(City of Bones) movie! Finally, right? ;) Quote on quote from Cassie herself:

So I can’t post much; I’m running off the airport, literally, to catch a plane home. I had a great meeting last night with Robert (of Constantin — the people who own the movie rights to City of Bones) and Jessica (screenwriter, along with Marlene King) and the director, who had such incredibly detailed questions about the film that I found myself having to pull out my iPad and reread City of Bones because even I couldn’t remember what happened. But he did, which is an excellent sign!

Anyway, it was a great meeting — we went on for hours till they kicked us out of the restaurant and everyone was incredibly enthusiastic. Now here is an actual piece of actual news: I know people have been fretting because Lily has so many projects (she’s a popular girl) so I checked in and she is still on board. And right now the plan is for an August 15 shooting start date for City of Bones.

Yes, that’s an August shooting start date. So there, an actual piece of news. :) They’re hiring a casting director now to start on the rest of the cast, and Lily has what’s called “meaningful consultation” on the roles of Jace and Simon (meaning she gets to put in her two cents, which only seems fair since she has to kiss them both) — we know she already threw in for Jamie but I will say that she definitely likes someone for Simon that a lot of you all like. Who knows, maybe she can talk him into it. Girl with good taste, our Lily.

And that’s all for now, I run to the airport, but I’ll have a bit more for you later — like the director’s name. ;) 

So, a major "YAY!!!!" on that not. :D The next bit of news is that she has officially signed on to write a spin-off trilogy of TMI. If you're like me, and have been stalking following her tweets, you'll know that the trilogy is called The Dark Artifacts. Click here to see some details about what we know so far. But here's the official news!

NEW YORK, March 12, 2012– Cassandra Clare, award-winning #1 New York Times bestselling author of “The Mortal Instruments” and “The Infernal Devices” series, has signed an agreement with Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, for a third young adult fantasy series featuring her immensely popular Shadowhunters. The new series will be entitled “The Dark Artifices.”

“The Mortal Instruments” series—which includes City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass and City of Fallen Angels—and “The Infernal Devices” series—which includes Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince—have gone on to become New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly bestsellers. City of Lost Souls, the fifth installment in “The Mortal Instruments” series,will be published in all formats on May 8, 2012. 

The first book in “The Dark Artifices” is scheduled for publication in 2015. Set against the glittering backdrop of present-day Los Angeles, the series follows Emma Carstairs, the fiercest warrior and most skilled young Shadowhunter since Jace Wayland, and Emma’s sworn partner in arms, Julian Blackthorn. Despite Emma’s complicated feelings for Julian, the two must band together to investigate a demonic plot that stretches from the warlock-run nightclubs of the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica. 

Cassandra said: “Simon and Schuster has been a wonderful home for the Shadowhunter books for many years, and I am so excited to be able to embark on this new adventure with them. I know readers will come to love Emma, Mark, Cristina and Julian just as they have loved Jace, Clary, Will, Tessa and Jem. Readers have often asked what will happen in the Shadowhunter world after the events of the Mortal Instruments and this series will give them a chance to find out.”

Also, on Cassie's tumblr, she said that the working title for the first TDA books is Lady Midnight. I don't care if I'm 20 or 21 years old in year 2015, I'm reading that series, dammit! Okay, last tid-bit of news! The official overview that will be on the jacket cover for City of Lost Souls. :)

The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees. 

No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?

Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.

And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love? Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

Ahhh! So much to take in, right? Cassandra has some good things in store for her fans, I'll tell you that much! (By the way, I don't know when she changed it, but her website is totally remade! It's so cool!)

Bye for now! -Whitney 

Waiting on Wednesday (#13)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Publication Date: August 28, 2012

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Hardback, 416pp

Age Range: 13 years+

Pre-Order: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

{Cover Reveal} BITTER BLOOD by Rachel Caine

Okay, I don't know when this cover was revealed, but I just saw it on Goodreads. And it surprised me to be honest. I mean, Black Dawn hasn't even come out yet, but I can understand because it's in a long series. *shrug* I'm not complaining! :)

There's no official overview yet.

 Publication Date: November 6, 2012

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated

Format: Hardback, 352pp

Series: Morganville Vampires Series, #13

Pre-Order: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Waiting on Wednesday (#12)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: March 20, 2012

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated

Format: Hardcover, 448pp

Pre-Order: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance.

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.

Teaser Tuesday (#1)

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

"When Soren tore the eyepiece from her face, he couldn't stand by and watch any longer, even is she was just a mole."

"Magic. That was the word that came to Aria's mind. An old word, from a time when illusions still mystified people. Before the Realms made magic common."

More on UtNS: Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading! To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read.
•Open to a random page.
•Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

Cover Reveals! BEAUTIFUL REDEMPTION & A FRACTURED LIGHT

Expected Release Date: October 23, 2012              Expected Release Date: September 25, 2012
                                
There's no official overview of BR, but here's one from Goodreads for AFL.

When she wakes up in unfamiliar surroundings, Skye knows something terrible has happened to her. But it’s not until she hears Asher, the dark, rebellious angel she fell in love with, that the memories of Devin and his shocking betrayal come flooding back.

Skye returns home, but with the knowledge of who she really is, nothing can ever be the same. As she tests the limits of her newfound powers, Skye discovers that she’s capable of far more than anyone could have imagined. Both the Order and the Rebellion want her for their side as war between the factions looms. She can’t forgive the Order for nearly killing her, but something holds her back from embracing the Rebellion.

A Fractured Light picks up right after A Beautiful Dark‘s shocking cliffhanger ending and is perfect for fans of Lauren Kate’s Fallen and Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush, Hush saga

I really love the smoke effect on AFL. It really stands out against the blackness of the girl. :) Although, the font is a bit weird. I've seen covers with two or more different fonts for a title, but this is just kind of sloppy if you ask me. I like it, but then it's like...what's the point? 

I think BR is my favorite cover out of all the covers in the series. It reminds me Alice in Wonderland, obviously. ;P I reeeeally love it. I haven't read Beautiful Chaos yet, but I have it! Hope to read it soon. :3

The Immortal Rules ARC Giveaway!

Julie Kagawa is hosting an ARC giveaway of her newest dystopian vampire book, The Immortal Rules! It's international, so you may want to hurry and enter! :)

All you have to do is comment on the post she made about the giveaway, stating what you would miss if you were a vampire. Extra points if you tweet about it and/or post about the contest on your blog, Facebook, etc!

Click here to look at Julie's post about the giveway.

Cover Reveal: RIFT by Andrea Cremer

Release Date: August 7, 2012

Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group  

Format: Hardback, 448pp

Age Range: 14 - 17 Years 

Series: Nightshade Prequel Series, #1

Pre-Order: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

From Amazon: Chronicling the rise of the Keepers, this is the stunning prequel to Andrea Cremer's internationally bestselling Nightshade trilogy!

Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow is promised to a group called Conatus after one of their healers saves her mother's life. Once she arrives, Ember finds joy in wielding swords, learning magic, and fighting the encroaching darkness loose in the world. She also finds herself falling in love with her mentor, the dashing, brooding, and powerful Barrow Hess. When the knights realize Eira, one of their leaders, is dabbling in dark magic, Ember and Barrow must choose whether to follow Eira into the nether realm or to pledge their lives to destroying her and her kind.

With action, adventure, magic, and tantalizing sensuality, this book is as fast-paced and breathtaking as the Nightshade novels. 

I sort of..."promised"...myself that I wouldn't read another Andrea Cremer book after I read Wolfsbane. The ending just done me in. But I read about this and couldn't resist. Especially since it's set in the 16th century. ;) 

Click here to see the whole article about Rift. :)

Click here to read the first chapter of Rift.

WINGS OF THE WICKED by Courtney Allison Moulton {Book Review}

Publication Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Format: Hardback, 528pp
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Age Range: 14 years+
Series: Angelfire Series, #2
Source: Bought at B&N
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined.

Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven's warrior is a challenge for Ellie. Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other. And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell's strongest reapers. Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night.

She's been warned.

Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian's new plan to destroy Ellie's soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity. As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian's schemes, the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything—including herself.
She'll be betrayed.

Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war. Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will. If she fails, there will be Hell to pay.

*Slight Spoilery!* This is one of those times where I'm seriously mad about the next year release date for the next book.



...I seriously...seriously...LOVED this book. IT WAS SO EMOTIONAL, I COULDN'T STAND IT. But I did, and it seriously left a bruise on my heart. xD

Will is so sweet. I mean, ugh. He's number one on my top five favorite male heroines in books. AND HE'S BADASS. WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOOOR? And then Cadan? WHY DID YOU ACT THAT WAY? Damn it all if I didn't fall for him too! -_-' They were both so freakin' sweet. I don't think I've ever read about a (TWO) guy that's that caring and...and...and...UGH. *_*

There was definitely some sad parts in this book. One in particular that I just...felt so hurt over. I didn't cry, I just felt hurt. I think all the "sad" parts in there I just felt hurt over. Especially for Ellie and Will. It was back and forth that I felt sorry for. I know in one part with Ellie and her Dad. And can I just say that I was not excepting what happened with him. I was like...o_o... And then when Ellie lost it, I thought it was hella badass. ;D

I reeeeeally loved the action scenes in WotW. It was definitely detailed and intense. I couldn't stop reading them. o.o BRUTAL, MAN. You can tell Ellie is getting better and better at her fighting strategies. I don't know if it means shes coming into her Gabriel state even more, or if it's just in her nature since she is Gabriel. (Sorry if I gave that away. D:)

I think the almost heart attacks that I had when I read this book is enough for me to send CA Moulton my medical bills. Especially that one I had in the last few pages of the book. YOU PULLED A CASSANDRA CLARE ON US, CA. D:< Buuuut I won't because I'm a nice person, and I want the next book. :3

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