Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Deleted Scene from COLS

Cassie posted a deleted scene that didn't make it into the final edition of City of Lost Souls, yesterday on her Tumblr. :) It was a present for trending #WeAreShadowhunters of Twitter! Woo! She said, "Family stuff prevented me from working on the Will vs. Ducks story today, so instead I’m giving you a cut scene from City of Lost Souls. It isn’t in the final book, but it does … illuminate some of the character dynamics. Spoilery so if you’re avoiding all spoilers, do not click!"

So here it is! :) Some Jace-Sebastian-Clary action~


Clary was in Jace’s room when he and Sebastian returned to the house. She had found very little during her search. There was nothing in Sebastian’s room that could be considered interesting except some books written in Latin, and her Latin wasn’t good enough to read them. There were pages that looked like they were torn from old guidebooks, illustrated with black and white pen sketches, pinned to the walls, but there seemed no connection between them. In the fireplaces were chunks of ash that looked like the remains of burned photographs, but they crumbled away when she tried to pick them up. 
Jace’s room was next, neat as a pin, containing almost nothing of his belongings. There were weapons, but she didn’t recognize them, or the books on the shelves either. His closet was filled with clothes, but like the clothes in the master bedroom, they were largely new: he must have bought them in the past week or so, since price tags still hung from several of them. They were not what she thought of as Jace’s style. He had always dressed simply — things that were plain, solid colors, clothes that fit well but didn’t catch attention. He was gorgeous enough that it didn’t matter, she had always thought; he looked amazing in just jeans and a t-shirt. And he had plenty of those in his closet now, but the shirts had designer labels, the coats and jackets were Burberry and Hugo Boss and Dolce & Gabbana.

Like the clothes in Sebastian’s closet. 
Like the expensive clothing Valentine had always worn. 
She closed the closet door and sat down on Jace’s bed, telling herself she was being stupid. Designer clothes were nothing to get worked up about. There were other things in the room that spoke of the Jace she had always known — the neatness, the arranging his weapons on top of his dresser in order of size, the books on the nightstand. He always used a thin dagger as a bookmark; that hadn’t changed. The photo of the two of them, stuck to the wall. Even the citrusy soap in his bathroom was the same soap he always used — 
She heard steps on the staircase, voices. Sebastian’s rose: “Where is she?”

She barely had time to switch off the light, fling herself down on the bed and curl up with her head on the pillow when the door opened. Jace stood there framed in the hallway glow, Sebastian behind him. She raised herself up on her elbow, blinking sleepily at them despite the racing of her heart. “Did you guys just get back?” 
Jace gave Sebastian a look — a look that said clearly: I told you she’d be here. “Didn’t you hear us come upstairs?” 
She shook her head. “Sorry, I got tired. I think I’m still exhausted from staying up till dawn the other night.” She looked at Jace demurely. “I was feeling a little lonely, so I thought if I curled up in your bed …”

Do I sound like I mean it? His face had relaxed, but Sebastian was looking at her as if his gaze could piece through her like clear glass, and he was amused at what he saw. 
She sat up, shaking her hair back, and reached for the lamp on the nightstand. “Don’t —” Jace began, but she had already flipped it on. 
She stiffened. The two boys looked down at her, Jace with some concern and Sebastian with his usual quirky edge of half-amusement. His dark eyes met hers with the message they always held, the one she tried not to read: We know, you and I. We know the truth. 
But none of that was what had made her stiffen. It was that both of them were was splattered with blood — there was a smear of it across Jace’s cheek, staining his sleeves, and a rent in his shirt, its edges dark and stiff with dried blood, though the skin underneath was unmarked. Sebastian, though — Sebastian had blood even in his white-silver hair, and on his clothes, and on his hands so thick it looked as if he were wearing red gloves. The silver bracelet he wore around the wrist where his hand had regenerated was spotted with red. 
Clary heard her own voice as if from very far away. “What happened?” 
“We ran into a little trouble,” Sebastian said. “Nothing we couldn’t handle.” He tilted his head to the side. “You look as pale as a ghost, little sis. Don’t tell me you haven’t seen worse. We’re Shadowhunters. This is what we do.” 
“Of course.” Clary spoke mechanically. “I just wouldn’t want you to get hurt.” 
“Then you’ve nothing to worry about. Most of this isn’t either of our blood.”

She swallowed against her dry throat. “So whose is it?”

Yay! I'm so excited for COLS, I can't stand it. <3 Also, haven't mentioned it before today, but there won't be a WoW tomorrow. Gotta to visit family in another state! Be back Thursday. <3 

Sunday, April 8, 2012

{Review} EMBRACE by Jessica Shirvington

Embrace
by Jessica Shirvington
Release Date: March 6, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Incorporated
Format: Hardback, 400pp
Age Range: 12 - 17 Years
Genre: YA Supernatural Romance
Series: The Violet Eden Chapters, #1
Source: Bought
Buy: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before.

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…

Look for the sequels ENTICED in September 2012 and EMBLAZE in March 2013!

This book, I will admit, wasn't the best book I've ever read. And it wasn't the worst book either. But damn, it was almost painful to get through without cringing or wanting to throw the book in acid. I say that, but it did get better about over halfway through it. Just a smidgen. And to be honest, I did really want to like this book. But it was just...MEH. This book was way too fast-paced and basically scattered everywhere.

Characters... I. Hated. Violet. She is whiny, weak, bitchy, and almost slutty when it comes to Lincoln and Phoenix. I did see a slight transformation between the beginning and end of the book. But I didn't really care lol. It was like the transformation did shit to her attitude. So that's all I'm gonna say on her. Bleh. And her friend Steph was just the same way. -_-

I felt sorry for Lincoln more than anything. I don't think he deserved to be treated as badly as Violet treated him. When all he did was protect her and watch over her without telling her the details. I mean, what's the point in getting mad and shit when you're gonna find out sooner or later? Sooner rather than later. That's the point of "coming of age" at the age of seventeen. *head/desk* If it were me; granted, I'd be a bit upset, but I would think it was for the better of it. Violet just pitched an ungodly fit and didn't talk to Lincoln for a few weeks. WTF. I liked Lincoln better than anybody in this book. I liked Griffin, though. It was like he didn't care about the bullshit that went on between Lincoln and Violet. And I felt automatically satisfied when he hit her like... umpteenth times.

Phoenix. *Sigh* I liked him...then I didn't like him. It was almost like his and Violet's relationship was based on sex. Which they did have. I mean it's quite obvious that they're going to do it from the point when Phoenix put his hands all over her in Hades. (Which is a restaurant/club.) By the end of the book though, I didn't like him. For all the right and wrong reasons I guess. He lied way more than Lincoln, that's a fact that you'll read at the end. And he's snarky and cocky with his devil-may-care attitude. So much so that it was just annoying to the point to where I just wanted to shove a metal pole up his ass and call it a day.

I think the one of the reasons why I didn't like this book all that much was because it was focused around...well...lust. And angels. Ohohohooo, let's not forget the angel part. I've read way too many angel books, and this is just done it in for me for them. Unless the book actually sounds good. Though it wasn't the same...plot...that angel-based YA books have. I don't think I've read a book where the angel-human hybrid had to go through a few tests in order to become a Grigori. Which was slightly different than most YA lits. So I will give it credit on that.

Also, another reasons why I didn't like it; this happened in the beginning. The Christian in be and my Southern ways...automatically didn't like this. I mean, I don't see how a Christian person could like it. Here's the quote in Violet's POV:

How could I believe in God? What kind of bastard would leave me motherless the moment I was born? Would leave me alone in a room with a sicko who would mess with my mind forever? And that's just me; don't even get me started on the rest of the world. God? He's for the very lost to question and the very found to praise.


Okay, don't get me wrong. I think I get an idea how hard it would be to go motherless and almost get raped and whatnot. And I apologize if I offended anyone how there... But holy shit. I just wonder if Violet even took a minute to think...well maybe that wasn't God's doing. Maybe it just happened out of coincidence. I know it seems kind of heartless of me. But it's just...I'm Christian, and I thought I would say something about it.

I hate giving a book a bad rating, and a review to go with it. x_x But it did get better through the middle/end. Just not enough for me to actually give it four or five stars. Much less three. But, I read what the next book is about, and I think I might give it a try. Only if I can get passed the urge to strangle Violet.

Rating: 2/5

Saturday, April 7, 2012

In My Mailbox (#14)


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.


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I only got three physical books this past week, and one ebook from NetGalley. :) So here they are:



ebook:
The Shapeshifter's Secret

So guys, what did you get in your mailbox this past week? :D


(All links go back to the book on Goodreads.)

COLS Book Trailer Stills

So, if you're on Tumblr constantly, like I am...then you'll know that Cassie posted a collage of stills from the City of Lost Souls book trailer. :) Which, I am VERY excited for. Like...EXTREMELY excited. xD Here they are:

Can I just say that Jace is sexy as hell? (The second to the last picture is in fact Jace, as Cassie comfirmed. :)) *squeals*

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (#15)

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

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This week, my pre-publication selection is:

Expected Publication: October 9th 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Hardback, 336pp
Pre-Order:  Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there.

What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly there’s a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.

Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age.

My Thoughts: How could this book not sound interesting? It sounds like a lot of history is behind this too, and it just screams Norse Mythology. <3 I seriously can't wait to read this.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

{Book Trailer} INSURGENT by Veronica Roth


            


Expected Publication: May 1st 2012 by HarperTeen
Hardcover, 525 pages

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.


Chapters 1 & 2 from Insurgent

Monday, April 2, 2012

In My Mailbox (#13)

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.

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Okay, I got only three physical books to show you guys, and one eBook that I got approved from NetGalley. :)


eBook:

So, what did you guys get in your mailbox? :)


(All links go back to the book on Goodreads.)

{Cover Reveals} LEAGUE OF STRAYS & A SHIMMER OF ANGELS


So, I've got two covers to show you. Both very pretty and cool! :)






Expected Publication: October 1st 2012 by Amulet

When Charlotte Brody, a lonely 17-year-old student at a new school, receives an invitation to join The League of Strays, she's intrigued by the group's promise of "instant friendship." The League does provide companionship--and even a love interest--but Charlotte grows increasingly uncomfortable with its sinister mission to seek revenge against the bullies of Kennedy High. When escalating acts of vengeance threaten to hurl her down a path of remorse, Charlotte must choose between her new friends and the direction of a future she's never fully considered.


My Thoughts: This is an okay cover, it's actually kind of weird because both of the faces are like...in full view. I know I've seen/read books with covers like that before, but it looked like this one has no editing to their faces done whatsoever. Like no cool effects or whatever. But I'm just gonna look past it because, what more can you do right? The cover models are gorgeous, though! I love the background, the purple-ish bokeh. ;3 The choice for the title font is very cool too, with the web-like lines going through it. I would defintily read this book. :)





Expected Publication: November 20th 2012 by Month9Books



A compelling and spirited debut from Lisa M. Basso in which sixteen-year-old Rayna Evans has spent the last three years locked away in a mental institution for seeing angels. Intent on remaining free, she ignores signs that she may be slipping into the world she has tried so hard to climb out of. But when her hallucinations begin showing up at school, can Rayna keep her job, her sanity and keep students from dying at the hand of angels she can’t admit to seeing?

Psychiatry, fantasy and real life come together in A Shimmer of Angels, as a young girl struggles with identity, secrets and confronting her greatest fears. A Shimmer of Angels is a wonderful read for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, or perhaps has felt like giving up entirely. It touches on themes of suicide, ostracism and emotional pain. The author, personally exposed to suicide through the death of her beloved brother, will donate a percentage of sales of this novel to a local suicide prevention and outreach program in San Francisco, California.

My Thoughts: I absolutely love this cover. It has a gorgeous cover model, with gorgeous effects. It looked like fire sparks coming off the general location of her hair. It looks so cool! I would totally read this book when it comes out. :)