Come visit me-Book Bully Week

I wanted to let all of you know that I am a bully! Well only for today. I took part in Book Bully Week, a super cool event -where I get to gush over my favourite series and bully you into reading it- hosted By Ruby over at Ruby's Reads. 

Find out which series I'm pushing and enter the giveaway- did I mention that there are giveaways? Well there are so HEAD ON OVER, and join the fun.

~Happy Reading Everyone! 

My Thoughts: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.


**eArc received from NetGalley.**








I had absolutely no interest in reading Marissa Meyer's debut novel, when it first showed up on my reading radar. Robots and moon people were not really my thing. I am in no way a Sci Fi fan, and Cinder screamed Sci Fi to me. But than I started hearing more about this book and how wonderful it was. A lot of esteemed bloggers were calling this their favourite read of 2011, and how they couldn't wait until it hit the shelves so they could buy their own hard copy. These were bloggers whose judgement I trusted and respected. So, when I saw that it was available on NetGalley I thought I'd give it a try. Even after I was approved for the galley, I didn't begin reading it until it was almost expired. I was dragging my feet the whole 55 days it was available to me, it was only the realization that it was about to expire that had me thinking about reading it.

WHAT THE HECK TOOK ME SO LONG?!?!?! 

Cinder was SO good. I am telling you the truth. This book is as good as everyone is saying it is. Take my word on it. 

Cinder is a retelling of the popular Cinderella fairy tale. I was going to call it a modern day retelling, but there is nothing modern day about it. 

The story introduces us to Cinder; a cyborg- a human with robotic parts- and she lives in an era of a terrible plague that is taking the lives of humans at a rapid pace, with no cure in sight. How Cinder became cyborg is a grand mystery as she was "adopted" by a man who died soon after he returned home with her. Therefore Cinder is now the property of his wife- her evil step mother. Anywho, after a series of unfortunate events Cinder finds herself at the palace of their nations monarchy as a test subject. It is here she meets Dr. Erland who helps Cinder discover the truth about herself and her past. 

Meyer does such a wonderful job of telling this story. She puts a wonderful spin on this fairy tale retelling, one that isn't boring or trite- something that can sometimes happen when attempting to tell a story that's already been told. I loved the futuristic aspect to the story, I also really appreciated how it wasn't overly sci fi, everything was described well enough to keep confusion limited. 

The characters that Meyer created were fantastic. Every single one. From Cinder herself to her evil step mother, From Prince Kai all the way to Iko the robotic servant. They were all original and well developed, even the crazy lunar queen was a fascinating character. 

There were so many amazing things about Cinder. It really was a pleasure to read. Even if you think that it's not really your style, I would encourage you to give it a try. It might surprise you! 

~Happy Reading Everyone! 

My Thoughts: Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.
Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

**ARC received by Simon and Schuster Canada**

When I read Wither early last year I was surprised with how much I liked the book. It was most definitely one of the best books I had read in 2011. I mentioned in my review that I wasn't a huge fan of dystopian novels, and I was leery of reading them because of the theme of hopelessness that seems to be an innate quality in dystopian novels. However, what Lauren DeStefano did with Wither and again with Fever was incredible. She made me love the genre. In case you're curious you can find my thoughts on Wither here. In saying that, I was very eager to read Fever when it came in the mail a few weeks ago. Wither ended on an ok note, but I knew that as soon as the sequel came out I was going to read it. I wanted to know what was to become of Rhine and Gabriel, also of Linden and the sister wives.

If you've gone and read my review of Wither, you are aware that I am a huge fan of DeStefano's writing. I raved about how flawless her writing was and how easily I forgot that I was reading a novel that was intended for teenagers. That has not changed. Even with all the books I have read between Wither and Fever, DeStefano's writing is still as magnificent at it was in Wither and it continued to awe me in Fever.

Fever picked up right where Wither ended. Gabriel and Rhine on the run from Housemaster Vaughn. However things don't go as they planned and they run into some interesting situations.  What I really enjoyed about Fever was that the world building continued. Wither introduced us to a society where women die at 20 and men at 25. As a result of the low life expectancy, girls are not really safe, and Rhine is kidnapped and forced into a marriage with two other women. In Wither Rhine resides on one floor of a vast mansion. This is the world that we get to know in the first novel. Fever introduces us to the outside world, what society is like for the less privileged. For the people who are trying to live life as normally as possible. DeStefano does an amazing job in describing this new world, and finding a place for Rhine in it. As a reader we know that this is where Rhine came from, however this is the first time we get to see her in her natural habitat. I was impressed with how easily the story progressed from the mansion to the outside world.

While I was reading Wither I wasn't all that convinced by the relationship between Rhine and Gabriel. I can't say that has changed for me much since finishing Fever. I still find Gabriel a weak character, and the chemistry between him and Rhine is non-existent for me. I felt more chemistry between Linden and Rhine and later Silas and Rhine. After reading Fever, I actually find Gabriel a little annoying.

If you've read Wither, Fever will not let you down. If you haven't read Wither- What are you waiting for? Fever is due to hit shelves Feb 21st, 2012.

In My Mailbox #22 (Vlog #15)

Hello, and welcome to another year of In My Mailbox. For those of you who are new. In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren, and it gives us the opportunity to share with all of you the books that were bought, borrowed, gifted or stolen (that was a joke) that week.

I have a few things to share this week, and it's a collective haul involving some Christmas gifts. I hope you enjoy. 

Books Mentioned

Swapped:

A Need so Beautiful by Suzanne Young

For Review:

The Humming Room by Ellen Potter

Girl, Stolen by April Henry

Gifted:

The Priest's Graveyard by Ted Dekker

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Blogger's Mentioned:

Ruby from Ruby's Reads- Saturday Swap

Natalie from Songs and Stories



That's all for me this week. Till next time.

~Happy Reading Everyone!

Many Books in a Year: December

So, December was a good month for me. It basically made my year. I had a good time reading. So lets get to it. I read a total of eight books in Dec, however, one was a reread. So lets get to it.  This brings me to a total of 87 books read. But actually I think I've read 91. I've missed three somewhere. Oh well. Better luck next time.

1) But I Love him by Amanda Grace (My Thoughts)
2) Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon (My Thoughts)
3) The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Caroline Mackler (My Thoughts)
4) Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
5) Fever by Lauren DeStefano (My Thoughts coming soon)
6) Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
7) Divergent by Veronica Roth (My Thoughts coming soon)
8) Lover Eternal by JR Ward (reread)

Wanna know what I'm planning on reading for Jan. Head on over to my Youtube channel and find out.

~Happy Reading Everyone!

End of Year Book Survey: 2011

I can hardly believe that it's the end of the year already! Like really?!?!?! It's amazing! I love thinking about all the books that I have read in the past year. So this End of Year Book Survey is one of my favourite things to participate in. You can find all the info about the survey over at The Perpetual Page-Turner.

So onto the survey...

1) Best Book You Read In 2011?

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta, hands down!

One of the best books I have read ever, never mind just this year. It was incredible!

2) Most Disappointing Book/Book You Wish You Loved More Than You Did?

Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon.

I really enjoyed this book for the most part, however the end really ruined it for me. I really wanted to like this book more than I did. But the end ruined it for me.

3) Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011?

Witchlanders by Lena Coakly.

I am not usually a fan of high fantasy. Actually I usually find it a little boring. So when I read this book and loved it, I was SO surprised. The writing is beautiful and the two protagonists are fantastic. I really enjoyed this book. 

4) Book you recommended to people most in 2011?

a) Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma.

This book tore me to pieces and I recommend it to anyone who has the strength to read it. but the writing it incredible.

b) Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta.

As I said, this book was amazing. It was the book that I gave as RAK gifts the most, I raved about it, and I push it on everyone. It's FANTASTIC, go read it! 

5) Best series you discovered in 2011?

This is a hard one, because I haven't read to many series this year, I mean I have begun a series- many series. I also completed a trilogy (but it wasn't my favourite, so not worth mentioning).

But in the spirit of answering this question:

The Chemical Garden Trilogy by Lauren DeStefano.

I read Wither earlier this year and I loved it, and I recently finished Fever and it was amazing. So considering I am two thirds done the series and I think it's amazing.

6) Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?



I hate to sound like a broken record and everything but...

Melina Marchetta- I have read three books by her this year and I have loved every single on of them. She is a phenomenal story teller. Really.

Ellen Hopkins- I love her writing style. When I first read it I wasn't sure I was going to like it. But I do, I love it, and her stories always leave me in tears.

Alms Katsu- I read her debut this year, The Taker, and it was fantastic. I loved every minute of it. I can't WAIT for The Reckoning to come out later in 2012.

7)  Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

Wither by Lauren DeStefano.

believe it or not, but I was not a fan of Dystopian novels before I read this book. In all honesty, I hated them. I thought they were horrible and hopeless. But Wither was really good, and I loved the world that DeStefano created. It was fascinating.

I have since read many dystopians and there have been some that I have not liked, but others that I loved. I don't find them so hopeless anymore!

8) Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin.

If you have read this book, you know why. This book had me on the edge of my seat from page one. I had no idea what was going on, who was Mara Dyer? What happened? It was insane, and I loved every minute of it. Truly I did. Once I started this, there was no way I was putting it down.

9) Book you most anticipated in 2011?

We'll Always have Summer by Jenny Han.

I loved this series. The Summer I Turned Pretty is a book I loved reading. I loved the story and the characters. I loved it all. So the conclusion to this trilogy came out this year and I was eager to get my hands on it. I was insane for the last half of April, I needed to know who Belly ended up with. It was driving me insane.

10) Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?

Collide by Megan Hart.

I love this cover, I think it's incredibly hot, and having read the book, I find the cover suits the story. I think the cover suggests a lot without being sleazy/raunchy. It's gorgeous.

11)  Most memorable character in 2011? 

Georgie Mackee from The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta.

Georgie is one of my most favourite characters from any book I have read. I loved her. She was a brilliant lady with real problems and she handle them with all the class that a normal individual would (which was with none at all). She fell into bed and didn't come out for a week. She was human and grieving and she worried about her family. She was amazing.

12) Most beautifully written book read in 2011?

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.

What a fantastic book. Beautiful story, beautiful characters.

13) Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011?

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher.

This book made me realise how much the actions of others (no matter how small) can affect the life of another. Some called Hannah selfish and petty, I don't think so. The actions of others hurt her, and it was how she perceived them; it's different for everyone!

14) Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2011 to finally read?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

I know, I know.

But I finally got to it last month, and I plan on reading the rest of the series in the new year.

15) Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2011?

This is where I fail. There are to many to name.

16) Book That You Read In 2011 That Would Be Most Likely To Reread In 2012? 

The Taker by Alma Katsu.

This was such an amazing book and I can't wait to have the chance to reread it, I am hoping to before the sequel.



17)  Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!

The end of Mara Dyer was a huge WTF for me. Actually the biggest, the sequel is my most anticipated for 2012, I am dying to know what happens next. 

Well, that's been my year. I read many amazing books this past year. So many that I didn't name. I am looking forward to many more in the year to come!

~Happy Reading Everyone!

 



 

My Thoughts: Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon

On a soft summer night in Vermont, twelve-year-old Lisa went into the woods behind her house and never came out again. Before she disappeared, she told her little brother, Sam, about a door that led to a magical place where she would meet the King of the Fairies and become his queen.
 
Fifteen years later, Phoebe is in love with Sam, a practical, sensible man who doesn’t fear the dark and doesn’t have bad dreams—who, in fact, helps Phoebe ignore her own. But suddenly the couple is faced with a series of eerie, unexplained occurrences that challenge Sam’s hardheaded, realistic view of the world. As they question their reality, a terrible promise Sam made years ago is revealed—a promise that could destroy them all.






I first saw Don't Breathe A Word by Jennifer McMahon at the bookstore back in the fall. Upon reading the back I thought it looked really good and I really wanted to read it. I didn't buy it right then, I actually wanted to see what it had rated on Goodreads before I took the plunge. I did add it to my wishlist and was pleasantly surprised when I received it as a gift in the Fall Book Exchange. Even with my mountainous TBR pile this book quickly moved to the top of the pile. I was suprememly curious about the story.

The story is told by two different narrators- by Pheobe, Sam's girlfriend which takes place in present day time and by Lisa the missing sister, her story is told 15 years prior to the present day and it recounts the events leading up to her disappearance. This aspect of the book was ok, however I would often find myself becoming bored with Lisa's story. Mostly because I wasn't all that convinced about the faries. When I was reading from this 12 year old girls perpective I felt like it was very much make believe. That none of it was real. It was only when reading from the perspective of Pheobe and the present day realities did I wonder what was going on, and whether this really was a messed up fantasy.

There were a few things about this book that I wished were different. One being the end. I did not like how this book ended. Some people would say that is was brillant. I thought it was a misguided attempt at making this book a little more mysterious. To me, this book didn't end. I mean, it ended or I felt like it ended, and everything was winding down, but then all of a sudden you're not sure. I hate when that happens. For me if a book is not part of a series, there should be a definit end to things. To go along with the end, I thought that McMahon went a little to dramatic in places.