On My Shelves #9

On My Shelves #9

These are books which are on my shelves at home but which I haven't got around to reading yet :(

For this week the book is.....

DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN BY J.A. LONDON

Only sunlight can save us.
We built the wall to keep them out, to keep us safe. But it also makes us prisoners, trapped in what's left of our ravaged city, fearing nightfall.
After the death of my parents, it's up to me—as the newest delegate for humanity—to bargain with our vampire overlord. I thought I was ready. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the monsters. Then again, nothing could have prepared me for Lord Valentine . . . or his son. Maybe not all vampires are killers. Maybe it's safe to let one in.
Only one thing is certain: Even the wall is not enough. A war is coming and we cannot hide forever.

I love a good vampire book and this book caught my eye immediately. I bought this  sometime last year and still haven't got to it yet, unfortunately. But, fingers crossed, I'll get to it soon!!

Have any of you guys read this book???

Bout of Books 11.00 - Goals

Bout of Books 11.00 Goals:

This is my first time joining Bout of Books Read-A-Thon, but I did join BookTube-A-Thon and didn't do very well, so I hope to do better in this one!!

I am hoping to read everyday for this challenge, but my debs ball is on the 21st, so I may not get to read that day but I'll try!!!

Reading Challenges:

• Read At Least 100pgs A Day
• Finish A Series
• Read A Contemporary Book
• Read A New Release
• Read a Book That I Recently Bought

Books:

1. The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
2. The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
3. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
4. Half Bad by Sally Green
5. More Than This by Patrick Ness

Mon 18/8:
Pages Read: 340 pages
Book Progress:
Started: The Awakening, The Lovely Bones & Half Bad.
Total Pages Read: 340 pages

Tues 19/8:
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Friday Finds #8

Friday Finds #8

This is a meme hosted by MizB at ShouldBeReading :) What you do is post up books that you have discovered from bookstores, friends or the web or whatever way you discovered them. You post the books you've only discovered during the week period.

The Books I Discovered This Week:

I discovered one book from a book store this week:

CUCKOO SONG BY FRANCES HARDINGE

The first things to shift were the doll's eyes, the beautiful grey-green glass eyes. Slowly they swivelled, until their gaze was resting on Triss's face. Then the tiny mouth moved, opened to speak. 

'What are you doing here?' It was uttered in tones of outrage and surprise, and in a voice as cold and musical as the clinking of cups. 'Who do you think you are? This is my family.'
When Triss wakes up after an accident, she knows that something is very wrong. She is insatiably hungry; her sister seems scared of her and her parents whisper behind closed doors. She looks through her diary to try to remember, but the pages have been ripped out. 
Soon Triss discovers that what happened to her is more strange and terrible than she could ever have imagined, and that she is quite literally not herself. In a quest find the truth she must travel into the terrifying Underbelly of the city to meet a twisted architect who has dark designs on her family - before it's too late...

I saw this book in a book store and was instantly intrigued because I have never read a horror story (which is absolutely shocking!!) cause I'm a horror girl, but anyway this attracted me right away. I didn't buy it, so it's not on my shelves but it was definitely added to me wishlist!!

Book Review - Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Where She Went

(If I Stay #2)

Author: Gayle Forman

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

Published: April 5 2011

Pages: 260 pages (Paperback Edition) (Doubleday)

Read: July 2014

Rating: 5 Stars

If you had a second chance at first love . . . would you take it?

It's been three years since Adam's love saved Mia after the accident that annihilated life as she knew it . . .  and three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, powerful prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

Where She Went is told from Adam's perspective as it follows the aftermath of a tragic accident and an even catastrophic ending of a profound relationship.

Where She Went is a book about Adam. The plot dives from his present to his past and glimpses of the future. There is tremendous heartbreak in the plot as it unfurls the three years between the events of the accident that changes Mia's life and the day, three years later, that changes Adam's life. Even though this book only takes place in the space of barely two days, there is enough of a story to keep you completely hooked, because yes it is only two days but there is the flashbacks from the past three years that are also there.

Adam has to be my favourite character here in Where She Went. Yes, I know he is the protagonist, but still, he is my favourite. Adam goes through a complete change, mentally, going from a happy life to complete rock-bottom. Gayle does a fantastic job in the diversity of this character and the way she can portray how devastating one event and the aftermath can truly be. The complete change from Adam in 'If I Stay' to Adam in 'Where She Went' is profound. 
Mia also plays a big role in this novel, and even though she has changed too, I feel it is Adam that has changed the most.

I enjoyed the way this was written and the way in which Adam and Mia meet and how they revel in the past. It is written so beautifully, that I could not think of any other scenarios in which the events of this book could have taken place.  

My dislikes are few and honestly I can't remember now what they were or it was. It was something very small anyway. Possibly something to do with the pace of the story at a certain time. That sounds sort of familiar. Anyway it was nothing that spoiled the 'enjoyment' of this book. 'Enjoyment' is in those commas because well, it's a sad book with a lot of devastation and a grimness.

Then the ending....I'm not going to tell you all how it ended because that would be a major spoiler. I'm not going to even say if it was a happy or sad ending. All I'm going to say is that the ended was perfect. And even at the very end it glimpsed forward three more years, which I found answered a lot of questions. Overall, a perfect ending to the books of 'If I Stay' and 'Where She Went'.

I enjoyed both these books and I'm usually not a fan of contemporary, so that should tell ya'll something. Yes, these are good!!! And I would completely recommend both books, and if you have read 'If I Stay' and enjoyed it and are just on the fence about the sequel, don't be, you are going to enjoy 'Where She Went' just as much, maybe even more. 

So guys, have you read Where She Went or are you planning to? Let me know in the comments :)

Wishlist Wednesday #8

Wishlist Wednesday #8

Wishlist Wednesday is hosted by Pen to Paper and it is where you talk about one book which is on your wishlist.

My Wishlist Wednesday book is...

THE WINNER'S CURSE BY MARIE RUTKOSKI

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love 
As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. 
One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. 
But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. 

I discovered this book a few months ago, possibly just after it was released and then I added this book to my wishlist on April 26 2014. 

There was a lot of hype about this book. Everywhere on Goodreads there was beaming reviews and people reading it. Now, I haven't seen much about it, but still the hype was there and even though I'm suspicious about hype, I decided to add it to my wishlist anyway.

I find the world that has been described in the blurb very appealing. A world stricken with war and the main character with only two dreadful, ultimate choices. Join the military or marry. This is what has drawn me most to the book and continues to peak my interest.

The cover is so gorgeous also, and unique in it's way. Having the title font run sideways instead of the usual way captures the eyes as does the girl's hand which clutched the 'R'. It is a unique take on the normal girl on the cover, which has been used on many, many books.

I am intrigued with the blurb. It is that type of blurb that just screams "I'M AN ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT BOOK!! BUY ME!! READ ME!!"  And that's the way I feel about this book so hopefully *finger's crossed* I won't be disappointed.

Marie Rutkoski is a new author to me (A lot of new authors have been added to my wishlist lately) and I haven't read anything by her.

So guys, have any of you read this book??? If so, what did you think of it? Or if not, would you read it?? :)

Teaser Tuesday #8

Teaser Tuesday #8

This meme is hosted by MizB at ShouldBeReading and what's involved is that you pick up the book you're currently reading, flip to a random page and write down a little teaser. 

And this week's book is....

All Our Yesterdays 

by Cristin Terrill

"I blow the director a kiss as best I can without the use of my hands. I know very well that the moment I tell them where the documents are, my last bargaining chip is gone. That I have that information and they don't is the only thing that's kept Finn and me alive this long." - Chapter 2

"I guess she's right. I have come a long way. James used to be my only real friend at Sidwell, until the stupid genius graduated when I was still thirteen and left me stranded. But then Tamsin and Sophie took me under their wing, and now everyone turns their heads when I walk into a room." - Chapter 4

On My Shelves #8

On My Shelves #8

These are books which are on my shelves at home but which I haven't got around to reading yet :(

For this week the book is.....

EDEN BY KEARY TAYLOR

Before the Evolution there was TorBane: technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter. It had the ability to grow new organs and limbs, to heal the world. Until it evolved out of control and spread like the common cold. The machine took over, the soul vanished, and the Bane were born. The Bane won't stop until every last person has been infected. With less than two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction.
Eve knows the stories of the Evolution, the time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. But she doesn't need memories to know this world is her reality. This is a world that is quickly losing its humanity, one Bane at a time.
Fighting to keep one of the last remaining human colonies alive, Eve finds herself torn between her dedication to the colony, and the discovery of love. There is Avian and West – one a soldier, one a keeper of secrets. And in the end, Eve will make a choice that will change the future of mankind.

I believe I got this book close to the time I got Birthmarked, which is so long ago that I'm shamed to say it. I was going through a high dystopian type phase and had to get every book that sounded the littlest bit like a dystopian. I'm still intrigued by this book though and hopefully I'll get around to it soon. 

*P.S: Seriously, that cover is just captivating!!!*

July 2014 Wrap Up

July 2014 Wrap Up

Hey guys!!! This is the first time I've done a wrap up at the end of the month and so what I'm going to post up here is a recap on what I read for the month along with a link to the reviews, another recap on what books I got during the month, a little summary of any book or author event I was at along with the link to the full post and of course the progress I am making or ruining on shortening that lengthy to be read pile I have in my room!!

What Was Read:

• Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong
• The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
• The Fledgling Handbook 101 by P.C Cast
• Where She Went by Gayle Forman
• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
• Prodigy by Marie Lu

*Reviews for Where She Went, Shadow and Bone and Prodigy will be posted this week.*

What Was Bought:

• More Than This by Patrick Ness - July Book Haul

Events:

Unfortunately, I was at no events this month. I wished I was at Comic Con though!!! :p

To Read Pile Progress:

I only bought 1 book which helped greatly and I finished 6 books so at the moment I have 139 books in my room waiting to be read!!

July Book Haul 2014

July Book Haul 2014

It is the 1st of August!! And here is my Haul for July. I have put myself on a book buying ban because there are loads of books in my room that I have not read yet which need to be read first. I must admit that it was hard, every time I passed a book shop I craved to go in and buy a book. I have admitted to my problem :P So instead I walked in on numerous occasions and walked out empty handed (most of the time).

And because I wasn't a complete saint - here is a picture of my Haul for July 2014!!

• More Than This by Patrick Ness

A boy drowns, desperate and alone in his final moments. He dies.

Then he wakes, naked and bruised and thirsty, but alive.

How can this be? And what is this strange deserted place?

As he struggles to understand what is happening, the boy dares to hope. Might this not be the end? Might there be more to this life, or perhaps this afterlife?

I heard about this book a while back and recently I have heard more and more about it, so I went to the book store with my brother because I was getting him the 'Book of Dragons' book and because it was on the offer of buy one get one half price I got 'More Than This.' I'm excited to read it though and I will hopefully get it read before the year is up.

Friday Finds #7

Friday Finds #7

This is a meme hosted by MizB at ShouldBeReading :) What you do is post up books that you have discovered from bookstores, friends or the web or whatever way you discovered them. You post the books you've only discovered during the week period.

The Books I Discovered This Week:

I discovered a good few books this week from Goodreads and here they are:

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton

Foolish love appears to be the Roux family birthright, an ominous forecast for its most recent progeny, Ava Lavender. Ava—in all other ways a normal girl—is born with the wings of a bird.
In a quest to understand her peculiar disposition and a growing desire to fit in with her peers, sixteen-year old Ava ventures into the wider world, ill-prepared for what she might discover and naïve to the twisted motives of others. Others like the pious Nathaniel Sorrows, who mistakes Ava for an angel and whose obsession with her grows until the night of the Summer Solstice celebration.
That night, the skies open up, rain and feathers fill the air, and Ava’s quest and her family’s saga build to a devastating crescendo.


I just glimpsed by this book at my local book shop recently and then it popped up on my recommendations on Goodreads and I'm intrigued by it now. So I have added it to my wishlist for a later date.



The Young World by Chris Weitz

After a mysterious Sickness wipes out the rest of the population, the young survivors assemble into tightly run tribes. Jefferson, the reluctant leader of the Washington Square tribe, and Donna, the girl he's secretly in love with, have carved out a precarious existence among the chaos. But when another tribe member discovers a clue that may hold the cure to the Sickness, five teens set out on a life-altering road trip to save humankind.
The tribe exchanges gunfire with enemy gangs, escapes cults and militias, braves the wilds of the subway and Central Park...and discovers truths they could never have imagined.

I love dystopias where the world goes wrong but I'm still not sure whether I'll add this one to my wishlist or not. It has reminded me a lot of Gone (and I loved that series). So, I found out about this book, but I'm not sure whether I will read it or not. I'll wait for some reviews and then I'll decide.



Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Time is slipping away.... 
Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.
Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.
The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

A few of my friends have read this and though it good. I want to give it a go too. 




The Girl At Midnight by Melissa Grey

Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.
Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.
Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, but if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.
But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.

This book sounds so good!!! I just had to put it on my wishlist!! And that's where it is on my wishlist.


Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

In the three kingdoms of Mytica, magic has long been forgotten. And while hard-won peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest now simmers below the surface.
As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed... and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus are caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and even unforeseen love.
The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?
It's the eve of war.... Choose your side.
Princess: Raised in pampered luxury, Cleo must now embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of magic long thought extinct.
Rebel: Jonas, enraged at injustice, lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country cruelly impoverished. To his shock, he finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.
Sorceress: Lucia, adopted at birth into the royal family, discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.
Heir: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, firstborn son Magnus begins to realise that the heart can be more lethal than the sword....

I've heard so much good things about this book that I caved and added it to my wishlist.


The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Kelsea Glynn is the sole heir to the throne of Tearling but has been raised in secret by foster parents after her mother - Queen Elyssa, as vain as she was stupid - was murdered for ruining her kingdom. For 18 years, the Tearling has been ruled by Kelsea's uncle in the role of Regent however he is but the debauched puppet of the Red Queen, the sorceress-tyrant of neighbouring realm of Mortmesme. On Kelsea's 19th birthday, the tattered remnants of her mother's guard - each pledged to defend the queen to the death - arrive to bring this most un-regal young woman out of hiding...
And so begins her journey back to her kingdom's heart, to claim the throne, earn the loyalty of her people, overturn her mother's legacy and redeem the Tearling from the forces of corruption and dark magic that are threatening to destroy it. But Kelsea's story is not just about her learning the true nature of her inheritance - it's about a heroine who must learn to acknowledge and live with the realities of coming of age in all its insecurities and attractions, alongside the ethical dilemmas of ruling justly and fairly while simply trying to stay alive...

This is another book that I found this week that Goodreads recommended to me and some of my friends are reading it at the moment. It sounds interesting so on my wishlist it goes.


The 100 by Kass Morgan

In the future, humans live in city-like spaceships orbiting far above Earth's toxic atmosphere. No one knows when, or even if, the long-abandoned planet will be habitable again. But faced with dwindling resources and a growing populace, government leaders know they must reclaim their homeland... before it's too late.
Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents are being sent on a high-stakes mission to recolonize Earth. After a brutal crash landing, the teens arrive on a savagely beautiful planet they've only seen from space. Confronting the dangers of this rugged new world, they struggle to form a tentative community. But they're haunted by their past and uncertain about the future. To survive, they must learn to trust - and even love - again.

I love the premise of this book!!! 



So here's all the books I discovered this week. A lot, eh? Yes, it is a lot. I'm trying to cut down, god damn it. But hey, I'm going to avoid Goodreads recommendations next week!!