Illusions

Illusions

Author: Aprilynne Pike
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: May 3, 2011
Pages: 384
Series: Wings, book three
Source: ARC received from publisher  


***May contain spoilers for books one and two***


About the Book: Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice. 

But just as life is returning to normal, Laurel discovers that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail.

My Thoughts: My notes from while I was reading literally say, "Aprilynne! What are you trying to do to me?!?!?" That line is underlined and bolded and contains way more ??? and !!! but you get the idea. I enjoyed Wings and Spells but I adored Illusions... and not just because we get more Tamani (although that probably played a role!) It kept me totally engaged. I wasn't just interested in what happened to the characters; I was emotionally invested!

The book starts on Laurel's first day of senior year. She is barely through the door when she sees someone she never thought she'd encounter at school... Tamani. Yep, that's right... Laurel, David, and Tamani ALL TOGETHER! Oh how I love the romantic tension! Laurel is happy to see him but also worried because his presence:

a.) is kinda awkward since she still has feelings for him even though she chose David

and

b.) usually means she is in some sort of trouble!

Of course both a and b come to play in the story. Old friends, "friends," and enemies abound. We also meet Yuki, a "foreign exchange" student with secrets of her own. There mystery, danger, adventure and romance... oh, the romance!

You guys... I can't even begin to tell you how much I love the Laurel/David/Tamani thing. I mean, it would suck to be Laurel but to read about it... ***sigh*** I love that she wears the bracelet from David and the necklace from Tamani. It's such a great representation of how her heart (and life!) is divided. I am SO pro-Tamani. I love that he is unapologetically in love with her. He knows that she is with David but he flat out says he won't give up. Plus they have so much history! I can't imagine what it must be like for him to have to watch her with David. Oh, he just breaks my heart... the poor lovesick boy!

Okay, I could go on and on with the gushings... there are a lot of hearts surrounding my notes for this book! I'll just end by saying this was my favorite book so far. I love the growth that we see in the characters and the changes that occur. It definitely left me chomping at the bit for book four! I mean.... the ending? Aprilynne! What are you trying to do to me?!?!?

Read the first eight (that's right... EIGHT!) chapters of Illusions here. Click on "Read Now" under the cover image.

Follow Aprilynne Pike on twitter @AprilynnePike and her blog Apparently! 

An Abundance of Katherines

An Abundance of Katherines

Author: John Green
Publisher: Dutton Juvenille
Publication Date: September 2006
Pages: 227
Source: From the Library, then purchased


About the Book: When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton’s type is girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact.

On a road trip miles from home, this anagram-happy, washed-up child prodigy has ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a bloodthirsty feral hog on his trail, and an overweight, Judge Judy-loving best friend riding shotgun but no Katherines. Colin is on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which he hopes will predict the future of any relationship, avenge Dumpees everywhere, and finally win him the girl.

Love, friendship, and a dead Austro-Hungarian archduke add up to surprising and heart-changing conclusions in this ingeniously layered comic novel about reinventing oneself by Printz medalist John Green, acclaimed author of Looking for Alaska.

My Thoughts: Okay, according to goodreads I read this book in September of 2008. This was my response (as recorded on goodreads):

oh. my. goodness. I have a serious author crush on John Green (yes, I am aware that he is married...not THAT kind of crush!) I so thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story was great....funny without being ridiculous, interesting, intelligent and everything else I look for in a YA book. I really enjoyed the humor. Hassan is a great character and I liked the way that he and Colin interact in the story. Green is a great storyteller and I look forward to reading more of his work.
  
I think that may be the first book review I ever wrote! I just loved the book and John Green's writing style SO MUCH I had to share it. So yeah, I guess you can blame him for this blog! 


You might be wondering why I'm writing a review for a book I read almost three years ago. As I was updating my review master list I realized that the only John Green book I've reviewed is Will Grayson, Will Grayson (fabulous book!) Now, you may not know this but John Green is my favorite author. No, really... like my most favoritest author EVER! I just feel the need to share the love :)


This book cracks me up. A lot. Every time I read it. I can't get past page one without a smirk. By page two I have tears forming in my eyes. Once Colin's best friend Hassan enters the scene I am all out laughing... like, getting weird looks from people laughing. I can't help it. Take a look at the start of chapter one in google books preview and you'll see what I mean. If it doesn't make you laugh your sense of humor is broken! 


Five Reasons to Read this Book:
1. There is a road trip. 
2. It has really awesome footnotes.
3. Math is involved (Note: I am not a math person but I still loved it!)
4. Anagrams!!! Many, many anagrams!
5. It's full of "sophisticated humor" (even when it's about puke!) It's witty... dry... sarcastic... fabulous!


Okay, now I'm just gushing. Honestly y'all. John Green. Read his books!! Also, watch his youtube videos. This one is a personal favorite of mine :) You can follow him on twitter @realjohngreen and check out his website too :) But the books... be sure to read the books.

Waiting on Wednesday (26)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. It's a weekly meme to talk about what upcoming book we're most looking forward to reading

Waiting on Wednesday

April 27, 2011

Uncommon Criminals

 By: Ally Carter 

Release Date: June, 2011

Published by: Hyperion Books

Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life. Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.

There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long, and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous and that is simply… the emerald is cursed.

Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all she has her best friend—the gorgeous Hale—and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses, realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.

Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.

I love Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls novels so of course I had to read Heist Society. I listened to the audiobook and absolutely adored it! I must admit... I've got a bit of a thing for Hale! I'm excited to see what Ally has in store for Kat and her crew. 

Bumped

Bumped

Author: Megan McCafferty
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: April 26, 2011
Pages: 336
Series: Bumped, book one
Source: E-galley requested from netgalley


About the Book: When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. 

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common. 


My Thoughts: So, yeah... this book was totally disturbing in the best possible way. The idea of encouraging teens to get pregnant just floors me. The idea that it is popular and that a teen would get press for it sickens me. I don't watch television so I wasn't really in the know about shows like "16 and Pregnant." I honestly don't really know what to say about it. I'm glad someone like Megan McCafferty does. She possesses the skills, style and creativity to create a world that reflects this. 


I have to admit, I was a bit confused in the beginning of the book. You kind of have to learn the lingo and get acclimated to the world. This wasn't a bad thing, it just took me a bit to "get it." Once I figured things out it was smooth sailing. I couldn't put the book down! I was captivated by the society portrayed and the main characters struggles to figure out who they are and what they believe. 


Obviously much of the book centers around teen pregnancy. It's not just a necessity for continuing the human race; it's the cool thing to do. Society encourages it through ads, celebrity status, fashion, and more. It's a bit ridiculous... and that's kind of the point. Yes, teen pregnancy is the "issue" but it's more than that. Bumped shows society's obsessions in an extreme way. 


Megan McCafferty has written an intriguing and original dystopian novel. Once you're immersed in world you won't want to leave. If you're not good with open endings you may want to wait for the next book to be released... there are a lot of questions left unanswered! 

Top Ten Mean Girls

Top Ten Mean Girls

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by

The Broke and the Bookish

Okay, apparently I block mean girls out when reading books. I only have five this week.

1. Caroline Bingley from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Stuck up, selfish, manipulative... She's like the quintessential mean girl.

2. The girls from The Clique series by Lisi Harrison: Snobby little rich girls. 

3. The girls from the Gossip Girls series by Cecily von Ziegesar: Snobby older rich girls.

4. Tori from The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong: Mean girl + supernatural powers = DANGER! I don't want to give plot details away but this girl is a piece of work!

5. Sophie from Just Listen by Sarah Dessen: You know how sometimes mean girls redeem themselves by the end of the book? Yeah, not Sophie. I hated her just as much at the end as I did at the beginning! 

Looking over my list I realize that most of the mean girls' cruelty has something to do with insecurity or a boy. This seems very authentic to the teenage me! 

The Last Little Blue Envelope

The Last Little Blue Envelope 

Author: Maureen Johnson
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 26, 2011
Pages: 304
Series: Companion to 13 Little Blue Envelopes 
Source: E-galley requested from netgalley


**This is a companion to 13 Little Blue Envelopes so there may be some spoilers for book one**


About the Book: Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.

Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions.

My Thoughts: Have I told you lately that I love Maureen Johnson's books? If not, I've been remiss. If you've never read anything of hers drop whatever you're reading and pick up 13 Little Blue Envelopes... or Suite Scarlett... or The Key to the Golden Firebird... or... well, you get the picture. Her books are oh so clever and basically just made of awesome. The Last Little Blue Envelope was my incentive to workout. I have it on my nook and only allowed myself to read it while on the elliptical machine. Suddenly I went from struggling to stay focused for 30 minutes to making myself stop after an hour!


According to my goodreads account I read 13 Little Blue Envelopes in April 2009. I've been hoping for The Last Little Blue Envelope ever since! I fell in love with Ginny and her story. The travel, the quest, the people she meets along the way... it all worked for me. Who wouldn't love to be able to just pick up and go on a scavenger hunt-like tour of Europe? I was so shocked when she didn't get to read the last envelope and complete the "quest" Peg had sent her on. I loved the book but that was just SO WRONG to me. Ginny had to know! She had to get that closure. I needed it (even if she didn't.) That's why I was so thrilled to hear that Maureen Johnson was writing a companion novel about that last envelope. The Last Little Blue Envelope totally exceeded my expectations.


It was so fun to once again follow Ginny's adventures. I wanted to hop on a plane and go visit all the places she and her motley crew went. It was good to "see" Keith again and I enjoyed "meeting" Oliver and Ellis. It was interesting to see the way my feelings about each character changed throughout the book. I thought I knew some of them from book one but I got to see a different side of them. I really liked that. People grow and change. They have all sorts of reasons for doing the things they do. It's nice to see books reflect that. 


I highly recommend this and all other books by Maureen Johnson. I don't recommend reading it at the gym. It's very hard to keep a steady pace when you are laughing out loud and/or crying. Also, people look at you funny. 


Follow the ever hilarious @maureenjohnson on Twitter and check out her fabulous website. It's one of my favorite author websites!

Waiting on Wednesday (25)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. It's a weekly meme to talk about what upcoming book we're most looking forward to reading

Waiting on Wednesday

April 20, 2011

You Against Me

 By: Jenny Downham 

Release Date: September, 2011

Published by: Random House

If someone hurts your sister and you’re any kind of man, you seek revenge, right? If your brother’s accused of a terrible crime but says he didn’t do it, you defend him, don’t you?
When Mikey’s sister claims a boy assaulted her, his world begins to fall apart. When Ellie’s brother is charged with the offence, her world begins to unravel. When Mikey and Ellie meet, two worlds collide.This is a brave and unflinching novel from the bestselling author of Before I Die. It’s a book about loyalty and the choices that come with it. But above all it’s a book about love.

I didn't love Before I Die but I did think it was interesting. This one sounds amazing to me! Can't wait to read it!!!

Top Ten Rewind

Top Ten Rewind

Top Ten Favorite Authors

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by

The Broke and the Bookish

This weeks top ten gives bloggers a chance to go back and participate in a top ten that they missed. I chose my top ten favorite authors. I did a similar post WAY back in October (when I had just started blogging) called Top Ten Authors that Made me Love YA Literature.  There are so many authors that I couldn't resist this one! They aren't really in order of "favoritness" :) It was REALLY hard to limit it to ten. 

1. John Green: If I had to pick one all time favorite author I think it's be John Green. I basically love everything about his books. 

2. Neil Gaiman: Stardust is one of my all time favorite books. I love the variety that Gaiman writes. Picture books, a Newbery winner, graphic novels, fantasy, an episode of Dr. Who... he does it all!

3. Holly Black: If you follow me on twitter or have read my blog before you probably know that I adore Holly Black's books. The Curse Workers series is one of my favs. I love the worlds she creates. Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous.

4. C.S. Lewis: I've grown up reading his works. He has long been a favorite. 

5. Meg Cabot: She's my top read author on goodreads. I've read nearly everything she has published and I think there is only one of her books I didn't love!

6. Tamora Pierce: The Alanna books were some of my first high fantasy reads. I then proceeded to read anything I could get my hands on by Pierce. It was love! 

7. Louisa May Alcott: I've collected antique books since I was in middle school. Little Men was one of the first ones I ever bought with my own money. I just adore reading books written in the past. I love the language and learning more about what life and society were like.

8. Mark Twain: I love how witty and intelligent his books can be! Such an interesting man!

9. Sarah Dessen: Her books have the girly-ness I crave as well as interesting and engaging stories. Love!

10. Robin McKinley: I just think she is fantastic. I love her fairy tale retellings. Pretty sure I've fanned girled about her plenty of times!!!

Abandon

Abandon

Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: April 26, 2011
Pages: 420
Series: Abandon, book one
Source: ARC requested from publisher


About the Book: New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld.

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

My Thoughts: Meg Cabot can do no wrong! That was my first thought upon finishing this book. When I first picked it up I was just going to read a chapter or two. A couple hours later I was done without really realizing any time had passed. It's an engaging story that kept me interested until the last page (and beyond! I need the next book!)

As I said in my review of The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter I love me some mythology. In Abandon Meg Cabot takes the story of Hades and Persephone and sets it in the modern day. Pierce is Persephone. She's the type of girl I love to see in YA lit. She's not just going to sit back and wait for some prince to come rescue her. She lives her life and deals with all the hard stuff (like having died and come back to life!) John is Hades. He's moody, dark, brooding... all those yummy adjectives that make us love bad boys! What I love most is that, while Pierce is a bit intimidated by John (remember... he's HADES) she doesn't let his smolder control her. Yes, he's beautiful and powerful. Still, it's not just John's smolder = Pierce does whatever he wants. Pierce has an inner strength based on who she is and he things she has been through that helps her find her voice.

I loved so much about this book... the characters, the setting, the mythology. I cannot wait to read what Meg Cabot has in store for us next!

In My Mailbox (23)

In My Mailbox

In my Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea of In My Mailbox is to bring books to the attention of blog readers and to encourage interaction with other blogs. 

My allergies have been kicking my butt this week so no vlog (I sound like a man!) 

ARC Tour:

Stay by Deb Caletti

Author Blog Tour:

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Thanks to Ms. Angelini for signing the ARC and including some Dark Days Tour bookmarks!

Bought:

   

The Girl Who Was On Fire edited by Leah Wilson

I ordered this one a while ago and it came in this week :)

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

One of my 8th grade girls has read the Darkest Powers series four times since last year. She has been DYING for this release and since we have no more library monies I picked a copy up to loan her. I totally want to read it too :)

Hope your mailboxes were filled with awesome this week!

The Goddess Test

The Goddess Test


Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: April 19, 2011
Pages: 304
Series: Goddess Test, Book One
Source: E-galley requested from netgalley


About the Book: It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

My Thoughts: There are times when I think books like The Goddess Test are written specifically for me. I just adore retellings... particularly myths. I vividly remember studying mythology in eighth grade. I read anything I could get my hands on and was hooked from then on. I love how extreme everything is. I think this is why ancient myths lend themselves to contemporary YA retellings so well. When you're a teen everything that happens to you takes on somewhat mythic proportions. (I am by no means knocking this feeling. It is your whole life at that point and time!)


So, needless to say, I was really looking forward to reading this one. I loved that it wasn't just a retelling of a myth but a continuation. The whole Hades and Persephone myth is basically the same but things didn't work out so well. It is modern day and Hades (Henry) is alone. Enter Kate, a mortal girl who may hold his future in her hands. I absolutely adore the way Ms. Carter writes their relationship. NO INSTA-LOVE! It starts out as an agreement. Henry and Kate each possess a skill or ability the other values. The make a bargain and it grows from there. Throughout the book they treat each other well. Henry may be prone to brood a bit but never in a way that is disrespectful. I mean, he's Hades for goodness sake! As the summary says he's all dark and tortured.Still, he doesn't get all stalkery, uber-possessive, or hot 'n cold like too many YA bad boys. Kate thinks through her actions. She doesn't just jump to conclusions or act in ways designed to get a rise out of Henry. It was so refreshing that they actually had a relationship. It wasn't just "I want you, I need you. Oh baby. Oh baby." (10 Things I Hate About You... anyone?) 


The Goddess Test is a treat to read. Aimee Carter builds a strong story that leaves the reader with satisfied with the resolution yet begging for book two! If the prologue doesn't hook you the first paragraph of chapter one will! 


Check out the authors website here and follow her on twitter!