Top Ten of 2012!

This year I have read a total of 128 books. I have laughed, cried, and bonded with the characters throughout my reading. I want to share with you, the top ten that impacted me the most and I hope you enjoy and find the time to check them out!

 

1. CAMP

by Elaine Wolf

Goodreads

Camp is a story on bullying but it comes from many different sources and has a strong main character. In the end, it'll leave you truly touched, and shocked with the outcome of it all.

2. WONDER

by R.J. Palacio

Goodreads

 

 

In Wonder, you meet a boy named August that will take you into his life, and show the true meaning of being strong and courageous. He left me in awe at his bravery to take on anything that comes his way.

 

 

3. NEVER EIGHTEEN

by Megan Bostic

Goodreads

 

 

In this book, the main character shows how to be completely selfless and reach out to make a difference in others lives, to better themselves before he is bedridden on his deathbed.

 

 

4. TELL ME A SECRET

by Holly Cupala

Goodreads

 

 

 

A teen having to measure up to her deceased sisters footsteps, ends up getting pregnant and struggles throughout her pregnancy, feeling alone despite her family. Finding love and compassion where she least expects, makes all the difference.

 

 

5. BEAUTIFUL CHAOS

by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Goodreads

 

 

 

A truly wonderful series that is dark and addictive, Beautiful Chaos is the third book in a four part series. I enjoyed this one the most, and I encourage everyone to check it out!

 

 

 

6. SPLINTERED

by A.G. Howard



Goodreads

 

 

 

Oh, so enchanting and delectable, Splintered tells a tale a tad bit different then the same ol' Alice in Wonderland story that we all know so well.

 

 

 

 

7. DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN

by J.A. London

Goodreads

 

 

 

 

I loved the main character and her braveness to stand up to the villain in this series. I also loved how she could open up and let her heart grow fond to someone that she most certainly shouldn't. Darkness Before Dawn is mysterious, and gripping!

 

 

 

 

8. ASUNDER

by Jodi Meadows

Goodreads

 

 

 

Jodi Meadows is so amazingly talented! I just love this series to pieces. It's full of uncertainty, hope, and so much more.

 

 

 

 

9. DARK COMPANION

by Marta Acosta

Goodreads

 

 

 

Marta Acosta has written a story so unlike others, so full of energy, mystery, and unexpected events. What you think will happen, doesn't and what you never imagined comes to light. With such wonderful characters, it's hard to put down.

 

 

 

 

 

10. THE FARM

by Emily McKay

Goodreads

 

 

 

 

The Farm slightly reminded me of Darkness Before Dawn, yet had a different storyline and unique characters. I loved Emily's writing and her characters where just amazing!

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy and find the time to check them out!

 

 



 



 



 

 



 



 

 

 



 



 



 

 





Review: Skinny by Donna Cooner

Skinny
by Donna Cooner

Published by: Point
Released on: October 1st, 2012
Hardcover
260 Pages
Rating: 4/5









  Skinny is the type of novel that makes you look deep inside yourself to find your true thoughts and feelings. The main character named Ever, has a voice that has been created inside of her head, calling her out whenever the voice chooses. Ever has named the voice Skinny. Being overweight and still in school, she battles life everyday dealing with her weight, yet she can't stop eating to prevent her weight gain. She lost her mother and now lives with a stepsister who is popular and ignores her due to her size. I could feel her pain and suffering.
  When Ever made the final decision to go under the knife, she thought her struggles would be over. She thought it would make everything better. She hoped to live like a normal teen. What she found was something entirely different, with a best friend and a great guy by her side, Ever learns that what counts is on the inside and having the voice inside named Skinny is up to her to let go.


Received from Destiny Phillipose.

Review: Beautiful Redemption

Beautiful Redemption
by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Published by: Little, Brown and Company
Released on: October 23rd, 2012
Hardcover
453 Pages
Rating: 4/5








  It was almost devastating to me to read the last book in the Caster Chronicles series. This series has been so different, dark, fabulously beautiful. Working together, Kami and Margaret have perfectly written such an amazing and unforgettable series.

  As Ethan tries to find himself and just were he is. He comes to realize that he is living in a completely different realm. Confused, he isn't sure if all dead people end up here or if this is only a period of waiting. I was surprised and happy to find out that he again meets his mother, only to know that this realm, a realm that looks so much like home, just isn't where he belongs.

  With help from friends, strangers, and unexpected enemies, Ethan struggles to make it back to the real, living world. The world that Lena and his Gran are in. And as both of the girls long for Ethan, they know signs when they see it, signs that Ethan sends just for them. But the journey back to them is long, hard, and full of so many obstacles, Ethan may find himself in even worse shape then dead.



Purchased from Amazon.

A New Year is Coming-Wishlists, Anticipation, and Whatnot

2012 is almost at an end, and throughout this year, I have came across so many wonderful books that I have wanted to add to my shelf. Unfortunately, I still don't have super reading skills. Therefor, some had to be scratched off my list, and some are still sitting on the shelf to be read. I have also worked hard this year to get my reading pile down. I have accomplished this task, but still have a few to get to. What can I say? I LOVE READING!

With all that being said, we are about to embark on a new year. A new year means new releases and debut authors! This excites me so! I wanted to share a few on the top of my list that I'm looking forward to.

Favorite series coming to an end:

 

Sever by Lauren DeStefano

 

 

 

Most anticipated YA debut author:

 

In the After by Demitria Lunetta

 

 

 

2013 release I have already read and fallen for:

 

Splintered by A.G. Howard

 

 

 

Newest release from previously read author:

 

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

 

 

 

Most anticipated 'girl' book:

 

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

 

 

Most anticipated contemporary:

 

Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt

 

 

and the list can go on...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



2012 YA Story Scavenger Hunt Day 17!

(Find out more at Fiction Fervor)

 

 

 

Looking for this, hunters? I have today's trivia questions from Fiction Fervor's 2012 YA Story Scavenger Hunt here for you. 2012YASSH challenges you with your knowledge of young adult books published this year, and if you enter, you might win a prize! Check out it here for more info. And be sure to read the rules!

Without further ado, today's questions come from Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey.

Easy: Why is Jessica having nightmares and hallucinations?

Medium: What nickname does Mindy call Raniero?

Hard: What does Lucius leave on Jessica's parents' grave?

Enter your answers in the form below!

 

 



Review: The Farm by Emily McKay + Giveaway

The Farm
by Emily McKay

Published by: Berkley Books
Released on: December 4th 2012
Paperback
420 Pages
Rating: 5/5








  In the very beginning pages, The Farm has the ability to grip ahold and suck the reader into the storyline so deeply that it's practically irresistible to set this book down. Fast paced and full of constant action, it holds the readers attention at all times.

  We meet Lily who has taken it upon herself to take charge and protect her sister, Mel who has autism. Since coming to the Farm and having so many crucial and life altering changes, Mel has become even more enclosed and more difficult to communicate with. Lily doesn't let this stop her. Having lost both parents, she clearly shows how brave she is and will do anything to protect her sister.

  The Farm is supposed to keep people safe. Not necessarily from vampires but from the gruesome things mysteriously created, called Ticks. Having a twisted human like form and a nearly everlasting and uncontrollable hunger, they attack brutally.  Being on the Farm does protect from these beasts but getting constant threats to be thrown out to them, and having strict rules and regulations isn't and easy life.

  Lily plans for an escape but her plans become altered when a past friend shows up. Carter claims that he is there to help. Dressed as a Collab, it's hard for Lily to put her guard down and put her trust into him. Mel is her first and only priority. Carter has his own objectives and claims he's been searching for Lily for a long time. His reasoning is far fetched and hard to believe. Lily can't be that special, but in some odd way, what he says makes sense.

 When the escape goes down, and reality comes to surface, it's even harder to believe. And Mel shows her true colors like never before. I enjoyed every page of this book, can't wait to see what else is in store, and highly recommend!


*Received for review purposes from the publisher*

 

1 copy of The Farm

US Only

*Donated by Penguin*

13+

Winner must respond within 48 hours

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2012 YA Story Scavenger Hunt STOP!

 

 

 

You've landed on the next stop in the 2012 YA Story Scavenger Hunt!

 



Looking for this, hunters? I have today's trivia questions from Fiction Fervor's 2012 YA Story Scavenger Hunt here for you. 2012YASSH challenges you with your knowledge of young adult books published this year, and if you enter, you might win a prize! Check out it here for more info. And be sure to read the rules!

Without further ado, today's questions come from UnWholly by Neal Shusterman.

Easy: What organization created Cam?

Medium: What does Miracolina’s name mean in Italian?

Hard: What part of the unwind order do Juvey-cops read out loud to the soon-to-be unwind?

Enter your answers in the form below!

 

 

 



Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard

Splintered
by A.G. Howard

Published by: Amulet Books
Released on: January 1st, 2013
Hardcover
384 Pages
Rating: 5/5



*Please note, this review was based from an ARC*



  Splintered will capture you with it's mystical and enchanting storyline. From the beginning, we learn that Alyssa is the great many-ish granddaughter of Alice from Carroll's Wonderland story. Alyssa prefers the title of Underland instead of Wonderland and after finding out what she must go through, her title is rightly justified. Although Alyssa knows that she's related to Alice and this fact and all that it holds along with it has driven her mother mad in a sense, what is soon to be found out is that there is more to her family line than ever dreamed.

  Alyssa isn't like the women of her past. She is bold and won't run from anything. Facing them head on, she sets out to put an end to all of the nonsense once and for all. With her best friend and long time crush along-side her, Jeb is there to protect her every step of the way. Alyssa doesn't realize that she has been somewhat prepared for Wonderland since she has been born until she falls down the hole. Things just come naturally and somehow, it all just makes sense in an odd sort of way.

  Meeting up with Morpheus, an ally and an enemy in one, Alyssa is forced to go through several obstacles in order to free her family curse. What she uncovers is shocking and there are so many surprises and twists, it makes perfect sense why everyone acts so nutty in Wonderland. Alyssa isn't finished just yet. She won't be until she comes full circle.



Received for review purposes.

RIVEN Tour Stop!

I'm proud to announce that I am a stop on the RIVEN Blog Tour! Alivia Anders is nothing shy of remarkable and simply THE BEST!

I have an excerpt to share with all of you today. First, let's find out more about Riven.

RIVEN Blurb:

Captured, imprisoned, and left to burn.
You know what they say- where there's smoke there's fire...

For the last two weeks, Essallie Hanley has been a prisoner, in more ways than one. Held hostage by the Queen, she is forced to endure the mind-numbing pain tearing her body- and soul -apart, killing her with every tick of the clock. It seems all hope is lost, until one chance moment gives Essallie a name, Rinae Decante, the final person needed for the Queen to unveil her master plan to end Essallie. Armed with this name, and with the help of Ari and Kayden, Essallie breaks free from her captivity and launches in a search for this mystery girl.

But their search doesn't go as smoothly as planned, and the three soon find themselves fighting against an impenetrable course of fate aimed to destroy them all from the inside out. When Essallie falls victim to her altering soul, they all begin to wonder of there's any chance at all to save themselves from the burning effects of their actions.

Love, lies, and betrayal.
No one is safe from the undoing of secrets surrounding Essallie.

Find RIVEN at

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

and add to

Goodreads

Excerpt:

Ari and I lit up, white and blue fire cresting over our arms and hands. Kayden exploded into smoke, racing in front of us both, gathering behind a figure mounted in the shadows and grabbing him around the middle.

Red hair gleamed under a dance of white flames, a petite form hardly five feet tall sprinting through the dark. Crystal wings identical to mine spread from her back, shielding her as stabs of an inky black substance hurled toward her.

“Rinae!” I called out, racing forward. Her fingers locked around a pale, ghostly neck, hosting her catch into the air without so much as a blink of the eye.

“Oy, leggo, leggo!” The captor wailed, kicking and flailing. “I ain’t going to hurt you!”

“Bullshit,” Rinae sneered, tightening her hold. The man started to gag. “You’re a vampire, all you do is feed and hurt.”

Between gags, the vampire desperately tried to plead his case. “Arielle sent- sent me! She said you- you’d be here!”

The Siren’s name clicked at something in my head. Ari sprinted forward, knocking over Rinae and catching her before she could fall, her hands releasing exactly who we were told to look for.

“Bartimaeus, I going to assume?” I asked the sputtering vampire, taking note of his ragged and disheveled appearance. Brown and black tattered clothing were layered one over the other, making it hard to tell just what exactly he was wearing. His hair was long, black as a raven breast and just as silky. Two long, delicate fangs extended longer than the rest of his teeth, yellow and rotting.

The vampire nodded, massaging his neck with a wince. “That’s goin’ leave a mark, y’know.”

“Let me go, let me at him!” Rinae screamed, shoving at Ari as he held her firm in his grasp. Kayden came to join him, carrying a disgruntled, yet oddly calm human. Rinae’s gaze instantly darted to him, her struggling slowing.

Bartimaeus took in the sight of us all, obviously confused. “Arielle mentioned two Nephilim, an’ a smart-ass demon. Who are these?”

Alivia Anders was thirteen when she fell headfirst into the world of internet fanfic and RPG-forum board sites that showed her the 'back door' into the world of writing. Four years and many hours spent glued to a computer screen later she found her true calling in writing.
Alivia currently lives with her family in her hometown of Coopersburg, PA. She frequently admits that if she wasn't so intolerant to dairy she'd live at her local ice cream shop called The Inside Scoop.

Blog  | Twitter | Facebook



Review: House of Night Oracle Cards- an interesting idea!

Wisdom of the House of Night
Oracle Cards

P.C. Cast + Colette Baron-Reid








   This is the first time really reviewing anything other than a book, and when Random House asked me to review these, I was very excited. I have read the first seven books in the series so I'm familiar with the characters and the storyline. There are fifty cards in the box along with a booklet explaining not only how to use them, and the meaning of each card, but the entire purpose of the cards in general and a powerful background of the cards. P.C. Cast is the author of this series, and Colette Baron-Reid is a well known spiritual intuitive that helped in the making of these cards. Jena Dellagrottaglia gets all props for digitally designing these beautiful cards.

  When I first opened the box, I noticed right away, a glittery silver sheen on the very top card that almost gave it a magical sense to it. Once pulling them out, I found that it must've been from the edges of the cards, as they are covered with a very pretty and thick silver. Every card is numbered, and has it's own purpose and meaning. The questions that you ask can not be yes or no questions but more like "What can I get out of this relationship?" "What can I do in this situation?" or "What can I expect from this outcome?" So, When I asked how to deal with a certain individual that I have difficulties with, I wash shocked that I pulled the STRENGTH card. Yet again, asking question after question, the cards seem to give me perfect answers that fit to my questions. And another thing that I liked is that the book explains that the cards might not always mean what you think, but may have a much deeper, hidden meaning and gave examples of that.
 
  Over all, I must say, whether you're a fan of the House of Night series or not, these cards are fun, beautifully crafted, and well worth the money.

Review: The Opposite of Hallelujah by Anna Jarzab

The Opposite of Hallelujah
by Anna Jarzab

Published by: Delacorte Press
Released on: October 9th, 2012
Hardcover
452 Pages
Rating: 4/5








  In The Opposite of Hallelujah, we meet the main character who goes by the name of Caro. I definitely felt as if I could bond with her right away for reasons that many others may not understand and for the exact same reasons as she clearly explains and tries to justify in the book. She is not an only child, but was raised as one. Having an older sibling who has never been around, Caro feels as if it's just her and her parents. I myself felt this same way but I have an older sibling that never seemed to take part in our lives because he simply chose not to. This is the exact reason for Caro's older sister so I can totally get her point as to why, when Hannah decided that she wants to come back into the picture like everything is perfect, Caro refuses to make nice. In all honesty, I feel like many would probably hold a grudge against Caro for this and I am not one. I felt her hard heart. I would've done the exact same thing in her shoes.
  Hannah now wants to make nice. But from where she came from? Being a nun and going back to a normal life? That can't be easy either. There are some serious underlying issues that need brought to the surface. As Caro struggles with accepting her sister, Hannah struggles with her own inner battles.
  I did hope for a bit more of a jazzed up ending and not a picture perfect one, but all in all, this was a really good read and I do recommend.



Received for review purposes from the publisher.