Countdown: March 2014 (2)

It's almost here...March is one of my favorite months in the whole year because of just one day! On this very special day (you know which one I'm referring to) everyone comes out and shows their Irish pride. Whether they're Irish or not, they are on this day, and somehow we all manage to have a great time. On top of all the fun and festivities that come with this month, there are also quite a few new releases that are scheduled to hit the shelves and I can't wait to check them out for myself. Here's a few I'm looking forward to reading, are there any you've come across that I missed on my list?

Countdown Pick #1:  The Haven by Carol Lynch Williams (03/04/2014)

 

For the teens at The Haven, the outside world, just beyond the towering stone wall that surrounds the premises, is a dangerous unknown. It has always been this way, ever since the hospital was established in the year 2020. But The Haven is more than just a hospital; it is their home. It is all they know. Everything is strictly monitored: education, exercise, food, and rest. The rules must be followed to keep the children healthy, to help control the Disease that has cast them as Terminals, the Disease that claims limbs and lungs—and memories.

But Shiloh is different; she remembers everything. Gideon is different, too. He dreams of a cure, of rebellion against the status quo. What if everything they’ve been told is a lie? What if The Haven is not the safe place it claims to be? And what will happen if Shiloh starts asking dangerous questions?

Williams is one of those writers that when I've read her previous work, it's affected me when I least expected it to.  There's a quality to her work that makes her plots feel dangerously real and with a synopsis like this one, that might make for a very tense and anxiety ridden read, but its one I look forward to experiencing.

 

Countdown Pick #2:  The Shadow Prince (Into the Dark, #1) by Bree Despain (03/11/2014)

 

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

 

I'm already practically swooning and I haven't even read page one.  I know Despain's previous The Dark Devine series was a huge hit, but I still haven't gotten around to trying to catch up with all those installments.  After reading this synopsis, I'm starting to understand why a lot of readers go crazy for her plots and characters.  I'm thinking that if this future release turns out to be as good as I'm thinking it will, I'm going to have to try to play catch up with all her other titles as well.

 

Countdown Pick #3:  NIL by Lynne Matson (03/04/2014)

 

On the mysterious island of Nil, the rules are set. You have exactly 365 days to escape—or you die.

Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing she remembers is blacking out, and when she wakes up, she’s naked in an empty rock field.

Lost and alone, Charley finds no sign of other people until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that she has to find a way to beat the clock, and quickly.

If there's anyone that reads this synopsis and isn't already on the edge of their seat to read this future release for themselves, I'd be shocked!  I have so many questions and I'm not sure I can make it another month before I get my answers.  Matson has already impressed me and I haven't even cracked the cover yet.

 

Countdown Pick #4:  The Edge of Falling by Rebecca Serle (03/15/2014)

 

Growing up in privileged, Manhattan social circles, Caggie’s life should be perfect, and it almost was until the day that her younger sister drowned when Caggie was supposed to be watching her. Stricken by grief, Caggie pulls away from her friends and family, only to have everyone misinterpret a crucial moment when she supposedly saves a fellow classmate from suicide. Now she’s famous for something she didn’t do and everyone lauds her as a hero. But inside she still blames herself for the death of her sister and continues to pull away from everything in her life, best friend and perfect boyfriend included. Then Caggie meets Astor, the new boy at school, about whom rumours are swirling and known facts are few. In Astor she finds someone who just might understand her pain, because he has an inner pain of his own. But the more Caggie pulls away from her former life to be with Astor, the more she realises that his pain might be darker, and deeper, than anything she’s ever felt. His pain might be enough to end his life…and Caggie’s as well.

 

Serle could take this in a million different directions, and no matter which way she decides to go, I'll be one of the first in line when it's finally released to find out which one she picked.  The synopsis alone has me sympathizing for the main character and super curious to see what Astor will bring into her life and where it all will finally lead.

 

Countdown Pick #5:  Panic by Lauren Oliver (03/04/2014)

 

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.

 

I tried to start reading Oliver's Delirium series a while back and just couldn't get into it.  I'm not sure if it was the book itself or if I was in some kind of reading rut, or what?  But because she has such a dedicated fan base out there and I've heard such wonderful things, and almost nothing bad to be honest, I'm going to try again, with a fresh start and all that.  Here's hoping this book is the one that turns me into a fan!

In My Mailbox (73)

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:

Being Henry David by Cal Armistead (Thanks to Albert Whitman Teen)

Seventeen-year-old "Hank" has found himself at Penn Station in New York City with no memory of anything --who he is, where he came from, why he's running away. His only possession is a worn copy of Walden, by Henry David Thoreau. And so he becomes Henry David-or "Hank" and takes first to the streets, and then to the only destination he can think of--Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. Cal Armistead's remarkable debut novel is about a teen in search of himself. Hank begins to piece together recollections from his past. The only way Hank can discover his present is to face up to the realities of his grievous memories. He must come to terms with the tragedy of his past, to stop running, and to find his way home.

Hysteria by Megan Miranda (Thanks to Walker Childrens)

Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past.But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and others. 

In another riveting tale of life and death, Megan Miranda's masterful storytelling brings readers along for a ride to the edge of sanity and back again.

Pantomime by Laura Lam (Thanks to Strange Chemistry)

R. H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass—remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone—are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimaera is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide.

Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star.

But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.

Delirium (Delirium, #1) by Lauren Oliver (Thanks to Lyric)

THEY SAY that the cure for Love will make me happy and safeforever. And I've always believed them. Until now.

Now everything has changed. Now, I'd rather be infected
with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie.

Scent of Magic (Healer, #2) by Maria V. Snyder (Thanks to Harlequin UK)

Hunted, Killed—Survived?

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon’s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible ... again.

YA Books Hitting the Big Screens

Now I know this is a personal preference, but I love seeing books made into movies. Are you a fan or would you rather everyone leave well enough alone and let the books speak for themselves instead? I know that nine times out of ten the book is by far going to be better than the movie. I really don't think anything will ever compare to seeing and reading an authors words on a page and then turning it over in our imagination to paint our own picture so to speak. But with that being said, I still like to see my favorite books put up on the big screen. It's one more way that ensures I don't have to say goodbye to my favorite characters and their incredible worlds for just a little bit longer. I'll take that opportunity each and every time!

So when I heard that the film rights had been purchased for these YA titles I was over the moon excited! These are some of my favorite series, characters, worlds and authors out there at the moment and I couldn't be happier for them, or more thrilled that I'll get the chance along with all the other fans to see what the film studios can do with these works on the big screen. Are you with me?

First up we have: Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, #1) by Laini Taylor

Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

If you haven't read this one yet, you're really missing out on some great writing for starters. Not to mention the fabulous characters like Karou and Akiva, and so many more. But the idea that we'll get to see the wonderful places on the big screen that these characters travel to, and the creatures that surround them? Talk about a chance at winning for best costume design and makeup...wowser! There's so much room for their creative imaginations on this one that I can't even being to try and guess at what this movie would be like. But it's definitely one that I'll be getting advanced tickets for and making sure I've got a prime seat to take in all the magic and beauty! With Summit Entertainment taking the lead on this one and seeing what they've already done with the Twilight series, I think this one could definitely be a winner and a big money maker with all the fans already accumulated.

Next we've got: Divergent (Divergent, #1) by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the YA scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

While I haven't had the chance to read this one yet, I've heard nothing but positive feedback and am anxious to get started. It's been on my list for a while and since I'm always on the lookout for series or trilogies, this one sounds like it's right up my alley. And again, any excuse to see a young adult title that's produced so much hype to hit the movies is OK in my book. Have you guys read this title yet? Did you love it or was it just OK in your eyes? Are you anxious to see how they'll translate the material to film?

It was almost like waking up on Christmas morning when I saw that Matched (Matched Trilogy, #1) by Ally Condie would be optioned for film rights.

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Who doesn't love this book and series? Condie is a magician when it comes to the written word. She strings scenarios and words together and has her readers feeling like they're not just reading her book but are actually in on the action themselves. I myself couldn't help but fall in love with all her characters. Cassia, Xander, Ky, they were all equally compelling and equally hard to resist. I'm anxious to see how she wraps things up in her third and finally installment in the Matched trilogy. Like always, when you know a final piece of the series puzzle is almost out and available, it's a double edged sword. Definitely a bitter pill to swallow when you know that after you've come to the last page in the book, that's all there is. No more installments, no more adventures for the characters, it's time to say goodbye so to speak. But with Disney optioning the rights to this series starter there is a glimmer on the horizon. Another chance to experience the series all over again and this time, we won't have to rely solely on our imaginations, but readers and fans will be able to see what they come up with and how they transfer Condie's world from the pages of her books to the movie screens!

And finally, we have Delirium (Delirium, #1) by Lauren Oliver.

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Yet another one that I somehow managed to allow to slip through the cracks. I have no excuse or explanation, but can now say that I will be doing my darnedest to make sure I rectify this situation and quickly! I hate seeing a movie before I've read the book if there is one, and I refuse to let that happen in this situation. So I've got a goal and it's one I plan on accomplishing sooner rather than later. I haven't met anyone yet that has read Oliver's works and not become a fan. Honestly, if you've written or have read a negative review of Oliver's work I'd be curious to take a look, but for the most part I really haven't come across anyone who can say any different. From the sounds of things it's a book I would like, and one that could produce a roller coaster of emotions, stretching the span of all things the book describes as reasons the scientists are trying to get rid of love in the first place. So when Fox 2000 picked up the rights for this title I think there were many a happy fan out in the reading universe. I've heard that they've also arranged it so that they get a first look at all future titles that Oliver produces so that they can grab first dibs on them for movies/TV shows if they want them. Supposedly they are already in the middle of production on her Before I Fall title and this might mean that readers will be able to experience not just one Oliver YA movie, but two! How great is that!?

The future of movies is looking pretty good to me at this moment, wouldn't you agree? How can we get film companies to option the rights for all of our other YA favorites? Let's start setting that plan into motion immediately. Are there any YA titles that you'd like to see made into movies that aren't on this list or already in the works? I know my list would be long but I'd love to hear some of the titles that you'd be lining up at the movies to see.