ARC Review: Never Fade (The Darkest Minds, #2) by Alexandra Bracken

Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster.

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flash drive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her.

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

 

I didn't think it was possible for me to enjoy an installment in this series more than the series opener, but Bracken proved me wrong.  This second installment was even more action packed, suspenseful and full or twists and turns that never ceased to surprise me as I was reading.  I was on the edge of my seat from the very beginning and stayed that way until I finished the very last page.

 

I was worried that with the way things were wrapped up in the series opener that with the new addition to the cast of characters and the way things were changing so quickly that I wouldn't be able to embrace all the new and unique changes Bracken introduced.  But once again Bracken has a way with words and her character development had me feeling like the adventures Ruby was facing were exciting and surprising all over again.  The new cast of characters that Bracken brought into the mix this time around became some of my favorites.  But don't get me wrong...while I loved the new additions, most of all Jude, my old favorites were still around and still had me rooting for them every chance I got.

 

I'm sensing a pattern with Bracken's work, and I'm correct, she'll always have me embracing all the new obstacles that the characters must face throughout her pages, there will always be new faces that inspire me and have me wishing we were all friends in real life, and hoping that the bad guys got exactly what they deserved in the end.  But most of all, she'll always leave her readers with a cliffhanger ending that will brings tears to your eyes, anxiety to your life and have you once again counting down until the next installment in the series hits the shelves.  Her third installment in The Darkest Minds series cannot come soon enough!

Countdown: October 2013 (4)

I've been excited to feature this month for countdowns for some time now. October is my birthday month, so I always look forward to seeing what books are going to be hitting the shelves throughout the thirty-one days that make up this calendar month. It's never a bad idea to have my birthday wish list ready for friends and family to draw from right? I've also always been a big fan of Halloween and getting dressed up and celebrating and marking the day with all the good fun that comes with it...and don't even get me started on pumpkin carving. The competition is pretty steep in my family and I've yet to come out on top, but it is a whole new year, and I'll have plenty of time to try and create a very impressive looking jack-o-lantern that will hopefully put my dad's to shame.

 

Countdown Pick #1:  Allegiant (Divergent, #3) by Veronica Roth (10/22/2013)

 

One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

This needs no explanation as to why I added it to my countdown list.  I think pretty much everyone who hasn't been in hiding somewhere knows about this series and has fallen in love with it.  There isn't one person who I've recommended it to, that hasn't come back raving about it and wanting more!  I think it's safe to say that there isn't another book coming out this year that I have been more eager to read.

 

Countdown Pick #2:  Never Fade (The Darkest Minds, #2) by Alexandra Bracken (10/15/2013)

 

Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster.

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flash drive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her.

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

 

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this title and couldn't resist diving right in to see how things picked up after Bracken's series opener, The Darkest Minds.  Since I've already read the book and have a review schedule to go live around the release date, I don't want to say anything that might reveal anything.  All I will say is that this title and series are ones that you should read if you haven't already!

 

Countdown Pick #3:   Waterfell (The Aquarathi, #1) by Amalie Howard (10/29/2013)

 

THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE QUEEN

Nerissa Marin hides among teens in her human form, waiting for the day she can claim her birthright—the undersea kingdom stolen from her the day her father was murdered. Blending in is her best weapon—until her father's betrayer confronts Nerissa and challenges her to a battle to the death on Nerissa's upcoming birthday—the day she comes of age.

Amid danger and the heartbreak of her missing mother, falling for a human boy is the last thing Nerissa should do. But Lo Seavon breaches her defenses and somehow becomes the only person she can count on to help her desperate search for her mother, a prisoner of Nerissa's mortal enemy. Is Lo the linchpin that might win Nerissa back her crown? Or will this mortal boy become the weakness that destroys her?

I think its safe to say that unrequited and star-crossed love stories will be popular forever, and for very good reason.  They're irresistible to someone like me, who loves a good romance, and enjoys the happy endings that come after the pairs have fought so hard to be together.  I'm looking forward to seeing how this one pans out in October.

Review: The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds, #1) by Alexandra Bracken

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

 

A lot of pressure was riding on this series opener after Bracken got such an impressive response from her debut novel, Brightly Woven.  It was one I loved so much that after a few years I'm still wishing that it had a sequel.  Not all authors can live up to that kind of a challenge and become remembered as having a great debut novel, but not much else.  I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that being the case, sometimes an author has enough material for one great book, and that's more than I've ever come up with, so no judgement is coming from this direction.   But I will admit that it still becomes a disappoint when I've fallen in love with the way an author writes, or the way they're able to shape their characters so fully that I have no choice but to fall in love with them instantly, and then later not get to enjoy the same experience in a new book by the same author all over again.  Any reader can relate to this feeling.

 

I'm not sure how she can keep up this level of talent, but Bracken managed to create yet another world and group of characters that were irresistible, and this girl isn't complaining!  On top of her unique world and creative characters, she managed to break into the dystopian genre with a fresh take and one that was all too believable if you ask me.  So many dystopians out on the shelves now days are fantastic but contain premises that no matter how exciting and engaging just never feel possible or realistic in any way...not the case for Bracken and this series opener.  She portrays the big bad government in just the right way so that anyone who is in any way familiar with the way things are run on the politic spectrum can actually see something like this developing in the future.  I'm hoping we can avoid something of this nature, but Bracken sure left me with a few serious doubts and more than an occasional bad feeling when it comes to experimentation just for starters.

 

This is a book where readers will have no choice but to become emotionally invested and fully engaged from page one all the way through until the bitter end.  And when I say bitter end, I'm not exaggerating...Bracken crafted a cliffhanger that had me over the moon that I already was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of the sequel, because if I had to wait even a second longer to see where things would pick up I might have gone over the deep end.

 

For readers out there who are familiar with Bracken's work and loved it as much as I did, do yourself a favor and pick up this first installment, because I honestly can't imagine how it could disappoint anyone in even the slightest way.  My hat is off to Bracken and I can't wait to see where she plans to take her readers next!

In My Mailbox (100)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board. I'm always picking up new books, because I never tire of reading, but the other thing I like about this meme is that it gives everyone an opportunity to check out what other book fanatics, bloggers, etc... got for themselves. I've gotten great recommendations from this meme and hope that keeps up in the future.

Here's what I got, what did you guys get this week?

For Review:

 

Never Fade (The Darkest Minds, #2) by Alexandra Bracken (Thanks to Disney-Hyperion)

 

Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster.

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her.

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

 

Taste Test by Kelly Fiore (Thanks to Walker Childrens)

 

Nora Henderson has been basting baby back ribs for as long as she could reach the counter of her dad's famous barbecue joint. When she's accepted to Taste Test, a teen reality cooking competition, Nora can't wait to leave her humble hometown behind. On set, run-ins with the maddeningly handsome and talented son of a famous chef, Christian Van Lorten, make Nora wonder if it's him or the win she really wants, but as she and Christian emerge as front-runners for the final prize, Nora can't ignore the mysterious accidents plaguing the kitchen arena. Someone is conducting eliminations of their own, and if Nora doesn't stop them, she could be next to get "chopped" for good.

With romance and intrigue as delectable as the winning recipes included in the story, this debut novel will be devoured by all.

 The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds, #1) by Alexandra Bracken

 

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

Open Minds (Mindjack Trilogy, #1) by Susan Kaye Quinn (Thanks to CreateSpace)

When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.

Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can’t read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can’t be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf’s mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she’s dragged deep into a hidden world of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.






I'd Like A Movie Version Please

After yesterday's post about the new young adult titles that will eventually be adapted to the big screen I got to thinking about other YA faves of mine that I'd like to see in the same position. I think everyone has thought about this at one point or another and you guys know that I love my countdowns with a passion, so I'm going to use the rest of this week to showcase of few of my favorite young adult titles each day that I'd like to see turned into a movie and maybe even who I would like cast in those movies.

Which titles are you shelves would you like to see hit the big screen? Any actors or actresses in mind that you could see featured in those films? Shoot me an email or leave me a comment and let me know what you've got up your sleeve. It's always fun to speculate and cross your fingers that one day maybe these favorites of ours will be premiering at the movies just like we'd always wanted!

I'd Like A Movie Version Pick #1: Poison Study (Study, #1) by Maria V. Snyder

Choose: A quick death…Or slow poison…

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear…

Who doesn't love Maria V. Snyder's writing, right? Right! I really wouldn't mind if any and all of her books were optioned to become movies, but this was the first of hers I read and I still hold it up at the top of my list of favorite books. It's got a wonderful and exciting new world for readers to experience, characters like Yelena and Valek that you won't be able to resist, and action packed plot twists that are jammed with cliffhangers and surprises that will leave you on the edge of your seats every single time. Can some file company please get on the ball and pick these babies up? You've got the Study series, the Glass series, Insider series and now the Healer series to choose from. While I haven't read the Insider series, the others are all amazing and I have no doubt that it falls into that bracket as well. Snyder was born to write and hopefully to also have her work translated to the movies!

I'd Like A Movie Version Pick #2: Hex Hall (Hex Hall, #1) by Rachel Hawkins

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

How much fun would this book be as a movie? There would bit a little bit of everything thrown into this film don't you think? Witches, vampires, werewolves and witches, oh my! Don't forget the demons either...all in all there would be so much that could be done and dreamed up for this series in the movies that I think it would draw fans of all ages. Just like Harry Potter movies had fans salivating over all the different aspects that Rowling included in her books, much of the same can be said for Hawkins. She didn't just stop at one kind of creature from the paranormal worlds. She decided to go for the gold and just about all of them!

I'd Like A Movie Version Pick #3: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

When Wayland North brings rain to a region that's been dry for over ten years, he's promised anything he'd like as a reward. He chooses the village elder's daughter, sixteen-year-old Sydelle Mirabel, who is a skilled weaver and has an unusual knack for repairing his magical cloaks. Though Sydelle has dreamt of escaping her home, she's hurt that her parents relinquish her so freely and finds herself awed and afraid of the slightly ragtag wizard who is unlike any of the men of magic in the tales she's heard. Still, she is drawn to this mysterious man who is fiercely protective of her and so reluctant to share his own past.

The pair rushes toward the capital, intent to stop an imminent war, pursued by Reuel Dorwan (a dark wizard who has taken a keen interest in Sydelle) and plagued by unusually wild weather. But the sudden earthquakes and freak snowstorms may not be a coincidence. As Sydelle discovers North's dark secret and the reason for his interest in her and learns to master her own mysterious power, it becomes increasingly clear that the fate of the kingdom rests in her fingertips. She will either be a savior, weaving together the frayed bonds between Saldorra and Auster, or the disastrous force that destroys both kingdoms forever.

I don't know any readers who have come across this book who wouldn't want to see Wayland North up on the big screen. There was just something about he and Sydelle that left readers only wanting more. I fell in love with him right there along Sydelle and was so happy with the way Bracken wrapped things up in this standalone. Now there are equal numbers of people who enjoy a standalone novel better than an installment in a series, just as there are a good amount of readers who crave a series or trilogy of books as opposed to only the one title. I get both sides, but I happen to usually fall into the series category. I wish Bracken had decided to expand this story into a series, but even though she didn't I consider this one of my favorites despite that fact. With all the magic and intrigue throughout these pages, I think this one would draw quite the audience as well.

I'd Like A Movie Version Pick #4: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1) by Richelle Mead

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

No matter if you're a fan of the paranormal genre or not, no matter if you prefer to read young adult titles or something different, I have yet to meet a reader or non-reader alike that has given this book and series a try and not come out the other end racing to the stores to get the next installment in the series. It's addicting, and dare I say it...I might even prefer this series to the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyers. I adore the Twilight novels, but Mead's world and characters grabbed a hold of me and refused to let go afterwards. I could not get enough and even now I couldn't be more excited to have the Bloodlines series out on the shelves, for no other reason than at least we didn't have to say goodbye to all of her characters when her final installment in the Vampire Academy series came to a close. Bring this one to the movies, and I'll be the first in line to buy a ticket! In fact, now that I've been talking about these books for the past couple of days, I think I might just go and re-read them again...I've got it bad!

I'd Like A Movie Version Pick #5: The Iron King (Iron Fey, #1) by Julie Kagawa

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

The only bad part about doing a list like this is the fact that now that I've thought about how these titles would be so great if they were adapted to film, I'm a little sad that it's not a reality. I'm still going to cross my fingers and hope that one day maybe they will be made into movies, but for now it's still fun to just think about it. Kagawa's Iron Fey series, has just about everything one could want in a fantasy novel. It's fun and witty, filled with characters both unique and endearing, and the land of the Fey is magical and awe inspiring. Not to mention a little scary. I think fun would be had by all if this were turned into a movie, don't you?

Countdown: A Mix

After I scour the Internet far and wide for new reads coming out soon and in the near future, I try to organize the titles I've marked down into their respective genres or at least by authors/series I have come to favor. But inevitably there are still a few stragglers that I've either found after I've already created a few posts or maybe there's just a few that I can't decide where to put in the end. So for this post I've decided just to put a few in a mixture. I'm anxious to read each title for one reason or another and didn't want to wait to post them to a list when I could just post them all at once. The mix has got some great titles that I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to read and I'm hoping you feel the same.

Countdown Pick #1: On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker (10/19/2011)

Claire is struggling to overcome the murder of her childhood friend and secret crush, Daniel. Everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives, but she's still trying to cope. The fact that she finds herself alone and drowning on her 16th birthday isn't helping.

Neither is thinking she sees Daniel's face in murky water as she mysteriously resurfaces. But something happened during those four and a half minutes that will make her realize it was not just her imagination.

As Claire and Daniel try to grasp a possible reconnection, other grudge-holding beings have plans of their own. Now, the two of them have to decide if their fleeting relationship is worth the possibility of Claire being trapped on the fringe forever.

Beautifully told, On the Fringe intertwines fresh ideas about devotion, revenge, and the consequences that come with life and death.

I'll admit that this one sounds a little sad, but I'm also hoping there will be a silver lining. If it turns out to be a search to find Daniel's killer than I'm all for it of course. I'm very curious to see if Daniel's ghost has stuck around to right the wrong that was done to him or if something else is going on with Claire. Only time will tell, and reading the book of course.

Countdown Pick #2: Swear (My Blood Approves, #5) by Amanda Hocking (January 2012)

Final book in the My Blood Approves series by bestselling author, Amanda Hocking.

I can only say that I did not see this one coming. Hocking won me over in book one, My Blood Approves, and I flew through the next three installments, Fate, Flutter, and Wisdom, just as quickly. I was so sad when book four ended and I hadn't heard anything about a fifth book being in the works. Needless to say that when I saw Swear was coming out, my day was made! I am beyond anxious to see what Hocking has in store for her characters and readers alike. Now I just wish that they'd provide a synopsis so I'd at least have some clues as to what to look forward to. I will be on the lookout for those and a cover too.

Countdown Pick #3: Irises by Francisco X. Stork (1/12/2012)

Two sisters discover what's truly worth living for in the new novel by the author of MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD.

TWO SISTERS: Kate is bound for Stanford and an M.D. -- if her family will let her go. Mary wants only to stay home and paint. When their loving but repressive father dies, they must figure out how to support themselves and their mother, who is in a permanent vegetative state, and how to get along in all their uneasy sisterhood.


THREE YOUNG MEN: Then three men sway their lives: Kate's boyfriend Simon offers to marry her, providing much-needed stability. Mary is drawn to Marcos, though she fears his violent past. And Andy tempts Kate with more than romance, recognizing her ambition because it matches his own.


ONE AGONIZING CHOICE: Kate and Mary each find new possibilities and darknesses in their sudden freedom. But it's Mama's life that might divide them for good -- the question of *if* she lives, and what's worth living for.


I'm excited about this one, but that goes without saying. It sounds tragic and compelling, not to mention irresistible. Without knowing much about these two girls or their backgrounds, the choices they must make sound like tough ones. The three men in the mix sounds pretty interesting as well. While Stork's take sounds sad and potentially heart wrenching, it's one I'm anxious to dig into all the same.

Countdown Pick #4: Elemental (Elemental Trilogy, #1) by Emily White (5/1/2012)

For ten years—ever since she was a small child—Ella has been held prisoner. Now that she has escaped, she needs answers.

Who is she? Why was she taken? And who is the boy with the beautiful green eyes who haunts her memories?

Is Ella the prophesied Destructor… or will she be the one who's destroyed?

Yet another upcoming release that has left me with too many questions. I'm told it's the opener in a trilogy and the synopsis (though to me it's more like a small teaser) sounds intriguing. Who this girl Ella is seems to be the main question and I'd like the answer. With the hard life our heroine has had growing up from the sound of it, I'm thinking she'll be eager for answers. Hopefully the readers will get their answers sooner rather than later.

Countdown Pick #5: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken (12/18/2012)

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have been cursed with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby has spent nearly half her life desperately trying to hide the fact that she’s outwitted the camp’s sorting system—that she isn’t powerless, or safe. She’s one of the dangerous ones… and everyone knows what happens to them.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of teens who escaped their own camp, pursued along the way by terrifying bounty hunters. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close to him. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Before the end, Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

As you can see no cover has been revealed for this title yet, but I'll be on the lookout and will post a picture of it as soon as I find one. If you're familiar with Bracken's first book, Brightly Woven, than you can understand my excitement over her new title. Her first was magical, exciting and felt like one giant adventure that ended way too soon. So not only does the synopsis have me counting down the days, but it's more her writing in general that I'm looking forward to more of. Bracken writes at a quick pace, and keeps readers reading well into the night just to see what happens next.

Quote of the Week (6)

"People can lose their lives in libraries.  They ought to be warned."

-- Saul Bellow

Ain't that the truth?  I feel the same applies to book stores of all kinds...I couldn't resist running in to B&N this weekend, thinking it would be a pop in and pop out kinda deal...much to my friend's dismay I have to browse for a little bit, lol!  I also don't think I've ever been able to walk in and out of a bookstore without buying at least one book, my wallet hates me!

Lots of good books out this week, I'm still trying to get through my stack at home to read so that I can start the others that I've been dying to read....has anyone else noticed lately that so many good books seem to be coming out all at once....I've always been a speed reader but even I can't seem to catch up, sheesh!

Cassandra Clare added another tour date/stop on her and Holly Black's schedule.  Check out the update on her site here.

Stop by Alexandra Bracken's blog to hear all about her experience this weekend at the Candace Bushnell signing for The Carrie Diaries.

And while checking in with Richelle Mead's blog (she's always updating her fans) she filled all her fans in on the RT convention, and gave us a heads up that the third teaser for Spirit Bound was released, check it out here!

The Other teasers have been interesting but this one upsets me, lol, I want Rose and Dimitri to be together and this teaser leaves me wondering if they stand a chance?

What do you guys think?

Review: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

When Wayland North brings rain to a region that's been dry for over ten years, he's promised anything he'd like as a reward. He chooses the village elder's daughter, sixteen-year-old Sydelle Mirabel, who is a skilled weaver and has an unusual knack for repairing his magical cloaks. Though Sydelle has dreamt of escaping her home, she's hurt that her parents relinquish her so freely and finds herself awed and afraid of the slightly ragtag wizard who is unlike any of the men of magic in the tales she's heard. Still, she is drawn to this mysterious man who is fiercely protective of her and so reluctant to share his own past.

The pair rushes toward the capital, intent to stop an imminent war, pursued by Reuel Dorwan (a dark wizard who has taken a keen interest in Sydelle) and plagued by unusually wild weather. But the sudden earthquakes and freak snowstorms may not be a coincidence. As Sydelle discovers North's dark secret and the reason for his interest in her and learns to master her own mysterious power, it becomes increasingly clear that the fate of the kingdom rests in her fingertips. She will either be a savior, weaving together the frayed bonds between Saldorra and Auster, or the disastrous force that destroys both kingdoms forever.

With a kingdom at stake, not to mention countless lives at risk, the pressure is without a doubt on for our main characters in Brightly Woven. Is that really too much responsibility for a talented weaver from a remote village and a mysterious wizard who could ask for anything, but only wants Sydelle? If you ask me, YEAH that is too much responsibility! But that's what Bracken put our main characters up against.


As a debut YA novelist, Bracken amazed me with how easy she made it for me and I'm sure other readers to become immediately engrossed in the world she created in Brightly Woven. I felt like I was walking (and sometimes running) alongside Syd and North. Reality faded and was replaced by Bracken's world. Her visuals were captivating and her characters became very real, I had to constantly remind myself that this was in fact not reality in order to keep my anxiety to a minimum.


Sydelle is our heroine and although she carried the typical traits readers tend to desire in a female lead (strong, courageous, witty and independent), she was also at the same time very unique and refreshing in my opinion. She was constantly posing questions of those around her that I'm sure readers will find themselves seeking the answers to as well. When her ignorance for any given situation irritated her, readers will empathize with her because they will be sharing her feelings of frustration as well. She was beautiful, fiery and determined throughout the entire story. And her relationship with Wayland North had me turning page after page just to see how it progressed.


North has now become one of my favorite leading male characters of all time. This is not an easy category to obtain entry. Just like Syd, North possessed traits all readers love in a male lead (protective, mysterious, tall, dark and handsome lol) but at the same time was able to cut away from the normal pack of male leads thanks to Bracken's excellent descriptions and the ways she portrayed him throughout the novel. He was constantly struggling to do what had to be done, all the while leaving Syd and the readers wondering if he was trying to do what was right for the kingdom, for Syd or just for himself.


With non-stop action, breathtaking scenery, love triangles, mystery, a villain readers will want to strangle themselves and a story that will snatch readers from the comfort of reality and shoot them straight into a fantasy world unlike any other they've ever come across before, Bracken has created a fantastic piece of writing that readers will never want to put down.


I want more of Bracken's writing and more Brightly Woven please! Please please please let this become a series, or at the very LEAST a trilogy!


I gave Brightly Woven 5 shamrocks!!!!!

My 1st Giveaway!!!

I can't think of a better way to show my appreciation to all my followers than hosting my very 1st book giveaway!

There will be 3 lucky winners to start out -- if the number of followers increases than I'll make sure to add a few more prizes to the pile.

The 1st place winner will get a signed copy of Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder and a companion bookmark that Maria was sweet enough to throw in!

The 2nd place winner will get a copy of the recently released Numbers by Rachel Ward.  I just finished this book and I loved it, my review will be up soon!

And finally the 3rd place winner will get a copy of Vampire Kisses "The Beginning" by Ellen Schreiber.  This volume contains the first three books in her series:  Vampire Kisses, Kissing Coffins, and Vampireville.  Her next installment, the 7th book in the series Love Bites, will be out on May 18th.  So if you haven't read her Vampire Kisses series, this is the perfect chance to jump in to the series from the very beginning!

This contest is for followers only, so if you're not a follower just click on the "follow" button on the sidebar to your right (Yes, I will be checking to confirm the winners)!

**Update**

I've added another book to the pile and decided to have 4 winners instead of 3!

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken is now up for grabs...what a great read!

Now that you know what's up for grabs, just click on the link below to fill out the form and you'll be that much closer to being a winner!  This contest will end on May 21st so hurry up and enter and stay tuned for more updates!

Click HERE to fill out the contest entry form!

In My Mailbox (2)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board. Every week we’ll post about what books we have received (whether they’re bought/borrowed, etc… you get the idea). This is generally done on Sunday, but I’m told that it’s really whatever day works for you; I’m going to be posting mine on Fridays because I tend to post less on the weekends. Everyone participating will try and visit other lists to comment and possibly pine for the new arrivals everyone’s talking about. I’ve learned that it’s a great idea to really try and stop by at least two or three lists because I’m constantly finding out about new books that I’ve later added to my TBR list.

Happy Reading!

This week I’ve added the following to my collection:

Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

Grace and Sam share a kinship so close they could be lovers or siblings. But they also share a problem. When the temperature slips towards freezing, Sam reverts to his wolf identity and must retreat into the woods to protect his pack. He worries that eventually his human side will fade away and he will be left howling alone at the lonely moon. A stirring supernatural teen romance.

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him.

In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers.

Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox (Jenna Fox Chronicles, #1) by Mary E. Pearson

Seventeen-year-old Jenna Fox has just awoken from a year-long coma—so she’s been told—and she is still recovering from the terrible accident that caused it. But what happened before that? She’s been given home movies chronicling her entire life, which spark memories to surface. But are the memories really hers? And why won’t anyone in her family talk about the accident? Jenna is becoming more curious. But she is also afraid of what she might find out if she ever gets up the courage to ask her questions. What happened to Jenna Fox? And who is she really?

Numbers (Numbers, #1) by Rachel Ward

Whenever Jem meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die.

Burdened with such an awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. But while they’re waiting to ride the Eye Ferris
wheel, Jem notices that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today’s number. Today’s date. Terrorists are going to attack London. Jem’s world is about to explode!

And finally a big thank you to Ace over at BookMooch for letting me mooch this book.

Tantalize (Tantalize, #1) by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Quincie Morris has never felt more alone. Her parents are dead, and her hybrid-werewolf first love is threatening to embark on a rite of passage that will separate them forever. Then, as she and her uncle are about to unveil their hot vampire-themed restaurant, a brutal murder leaves them scrambling for a chef. Can Quincie transform their new hire into a culinary Dark Lord before opening night? Can he wow the crowd in his fake fangs, cheap cape, and red contact lenses — or is there more to this earnest face than meets the eye? As human and preternatural forces clash, a deadly love triangle forms, and the line between predator and prey begins to blur. Who’s playing whom? And how long can Quincie play along before she loses everything? TANTALIZE marks Cynthia Leitich Smith’s delicious debut as a preeminent author of dark fantasy.

So that's what I got in my mailbox this week, I can't wait to start reading. What did you get in yours?

Happy Reading!

Quote of the Week!!! (2)

"Here's to books, the cheapest vacation you can buy.""

--Charlaine Harris

And boy do I need a vacation today....it's been raining non-stop here and it doesn't look like the end of it is coming any time soon.  I can't stand rainy days like today for two reasons...one being the obvious ick! factor that this weather brings with it and two being the fact that there's nothing better to do on a day with weather as rainy as this than to curl up with a good book and forget all about the awful weather, when instead I'm stuck at work, boo!

On a brighter note there are some great books coming out soon and I just can't wait!  Tomorrow the long awaited Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken hits the shelves and the beautiful cover alone will have you rushing to the bookstores to get your own copy.

Head over to the Upcoming Releases section to see what else we can look forward to on a rainy day like today.