BOTM #15

Here is my December Book of the month post. I have done a vlog of the books that I have read and also books that I am going to read in January.



Here's the books I read in December:

• Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black 4/5
• Love Sucks by Sage Collins 3.5/5
• Echo by Alyson Noel 2/5
• First Frost by Liz DeJesus 4/5
• Lullaby by Amanda Hocking 4/5
• Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout 5/5
• Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett 3/5
• Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan 3/5
• Ruby Blue by Julie Cassar 3/5

And the book of the month goes too...

So in December I only read one book that was 5/5 so it was easy to chose which book was the best of this month. I really enjoyed this book as there was always something going on and it kept playing with my emotions. For my full review click here.

2012 Top 12

Hey everyone so now we are coming to the end of 2012 and so I decided to do a Top 12 of 2012 of the books that I have read in 2012. The video above is slightly different to the list below as I never had actual books for a couple of them so I decided to use the ones I couldn't in my list on my blog.

12. Candlewax by C. Bailey Sims
11. Ascend by Amanda Hocking
10. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
9. Immortal City by Scott Speer
8. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
7. Divergent by Veronica Roth
6. Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
5. Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
4. Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles
3. The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers
2. Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout
1. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

So that's my top 12 what do you think of my list? what's yours? leave me links to you top 2012 post.

Book Review: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Format: Paperback (arc)

Publishers: Mira Ink

Published: 5th October 2012

Pages: 260

Main Characters: Dash, Lily

Date Started:24th December 2012

Date Finished: 26th December 2012

Rating Given:

 

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

I've left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you dont, put the book back on the shelf, please.

Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions? Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.
 

 I have been after this book for a while now and I was really happy that I was given it for review from the lovely publishers at Mira Ink and yes I enjoyed it but I was a little disappointed.

I love the cover as it just looks like a photograph from a moment in time which I find very eye catching. I love that the title looks like a street sign and it fits in well with the rest of the cover.

To start with I was really enjoying this book but I felt once it got to the half way point it started going down hill. The beginning was cute and fun and I loved where the story was leading too. I found myself laughing out loud for most of the book even when it started going down hill. I didn't like the first meeting of Lily and Dash as it just didn't feel right or even believable. There was also other things that happened which was unbelievable. I was very much disappointed with the ending as I felt that there was a lot of unanswered questions making me feel like there should be another book but I don't think there is. I think that this book would be better suited as a film which I wouldn't mind watching.

The characters was alright but I didn't like them all the way through. Dash seemed like a smart guy but he wasn't that likable throughout the book but there was times when I did like him. Lily was alright but there was times when she would act like a spoilt brat. I only got the chemistry between them when they hadn't met but once they did I just didn't believe it. The side characters was a lot more interesting especially Boomer he was so funny and really sweet too.

Overall the beginning was really good I just wish the ending was as good but it just fell a bit short for me.

Showcase Sunday #24

Showcase Sunday is a new weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea and for more info click on the SS image which will take you straight to the blog. Click on the titles of the books to take you to Goodreads.

Books Mentioned

Christmas Book Gifts
My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris
Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Kindle Books
Yes I got a Kindle for Christmas and then went a little crazy
Hollowland by Amanda Hocking
Gravity by Abigail Boyd
Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle
Starfire Angels by Melanie Nilles
Beautiful Demons by Sarra Cannon
The Mind Readers by Lori Brighton
Meant to be by Tiffany King
Marked by Kim Richardson
Lonely Souls by Karice Bolton
The Fallen Star by Jessica Sorensen
Ethereal by Addison Moore
Promise by Kristie Cook
Glimpse by Stacey Wallace Benefiel
Significance by Shelly Crane
Transcendence by Michelle Madow
Exiled by RaShelle Workman
Beguiled by RaShelle Workman
The Boys of Summer by C.J. Duggan
Nobody's Damsel by E.M. Tippetts
The Perfect Game by J. Sterling

Book Review: Confessions of an Angry Girl (Confessions #1) by Louise Rozett

Format: Paperback (arc)

Publishers: Mira Ink

Published: 4th January 2012

Pages: 266

Main Characters: Rose

Date Started: 21st December 2012

Date Finished: 23rd December 2012

Rating Given:

 

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

This is a story about ROSE. About the occasional panic attack and being fourteen in the suburbs without a mobile phone. Read it and weep Rose's first year at Union High isn't exactly going to plan. Her family's broken, her supposed best friend's going boy crazy and Rose is so far behind socially that she might as well be moving backwards. Until her brother's friend Jamie offers her a ride home - and a way into the world of his popular clique - if only it weren't for his perfect cheerleader girlfriend. Now Rose is learning how to climb the wobbly high-school social ladder, while struggling to hang on to what matters the most...
 

When this book was up for review I thought it sounded like a book that I would enjoy and although I never enjoyed it that much I still thought it was a good read.

I do like the cover but I don't think it's the best cover. I do think this one is better than the American version as i prefer the font on this one as it's very eye catching.

For most of this book I was thinking I would be rating this between 2-2.5/5 but towards the end it picked up which has made me want to read the next book to find out what is going to happen next. The beginning was rather slow and I didn't find that she was that angry but when she was I could understand where she was coming from. There was a bit of a love interest which was interesting to see what was going to happen between them but I would have liked more chemistry as it was quite believable enough for me. I actually didn't know that this was apart of a series until I finished the book which was lacking in answers so I thought I would look on Goodreads to see if there was anymore which there was which in another reason why I didn't rate it any lower.

I only liked the main character Rose as she seemed like a nice person that was dealing with a lot. The other characters I didn't really like as they all seemed to use her or let her down including her friends and family. I hope that in the next book the other characters are better than in this one.

Overall a decent book that was just a bit too slow with only one likable character but once you get into it, it does pick up.

Book Review: Pure (Covenant #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

May contain spoilers from the first book!

Format: Paperback

Publishers: Spencer Hill Press

Published: 3rd April 2012

Pages: 329

Main Characters: Alex, Aiden, Seth

Date Started: 18th December 2012

Date Finished: 21st December 2012

Rating Given:

 

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

There is need. And then there is Fate
Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.
When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude or killing her.
When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.
 

 I had this book before I even read the first one but once I had read Half-Blood I was even more excited to read the rest of this series and I had every reason to be excited as I loved this book loads more than the first.

This cover was my favourite in this particular series but I am starting to prefer Apollyon's cover. I love the colour of this book it makes the cover stand out although I'm not sure what the cover has in common with the actual story.

With Half-Blood I enjoyed it but for some reason I couldn't get into it to start with, but, with Pure I got into the story straight away and I also loved it from the beginning. Also in Half-Blood the pronunciation annoyed me but not so much in Pure for some strange reason. There was so much going on within the book that I just didn't want to put it down as I wanted to find out what was going to happen next. I loved the will they-won't they with Alex and both Aiden and Seth, I know a lot of people don't like that but I'm not one of them plus it made for a very thrilling book. Pure had me on emotional roller coaster ride from the moment I started it as I was in tears at one point. The ending was amazing and I can't wait to find out what is going to happen in Deity which I'm pleased to say I bought before I started Pure.

The characters are pretty much the same as the first book but they have grown a bit more during Pure. Alex was still the same feisty character but we did see a more vulnerable side to her this time around which was nice to see. Aiden again was the same lovable guy that I'm sure everyone fell for in Half-Blood. Seth grew on me a lot more in this book as he was really funny but it wasn't until the end when he said something that made me think twice about him.

Overall Pure was a lot more thrilling and entertaining than Half-Blood. Pure sure did leave me wanting more.

Showcase Sunday #23

Showcase Sunday is a new weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea and for more info click on the SS image which will take you straight to the blog. Click on the titles of the books to take you to Goodreads.

Books mentioned in video

Review Books
The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna (Thanks to Random House)
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (Thanks to Random House)
Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett (Thanks to Mira Ink)
The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa (Thanks to Mira Ink)

Books I won
A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton (Thanks to Book Passion for Life)

Books I bought
Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

So these are all the books that I have received in the last few weeks let me know what you received in comments below or leave a link.

Changing Covers #6

Hi everyone welcome to my new weekly feature which all about covers that change either in the middle of the series or even when the series had finished. (The covers will mainly be UK changes but also from the USA.) I decided to do this feature as there has been so many cover changes it's hard to keep up.

I am not sure if anyone has done this particular feature so feel free to let me know so I can start linking it up to them. It is similar to other features that are out there but I'm hoping that this is different enough.

 

 

 

Beastly by Alex Flinn

First Published (2007)    Film Tie In (2011)        New (2012)

 

 

This book was first released way back in 2007 and I actually really liked the cover but it wasn't until a film was released until it changed into the tie in. I don't really like the tie in cover as I don't imagine the beast looking like that and I think in the book he never either so to change the cover to that was not necessary. Then this year it has been changed again probably because it's been made into a series so it needed to match. The only thing is I have the first published cover so now my series won't match, however, I do love the new covers so I will most likely get those especially seeing as the new one is a deluxe edition with Lindy's Diary in it plus my copy is a bit battered as I keep reading it. I love that both the first edition and the new one have the same style font as I love the font as it's in keeping with the story and even the Disney version. I do love the simplicity of the first edition but my eye keeping going to the new one.

 

 

That's my thoughts on these cover changes, do you agree? or disagree? let me know in the comments below.

Book Review: Lullaby (Watersong #2) by Amanda Hocking

May contain spoilers from the first book!

Format: Hardback (arc)

Publishers: St. Martin's Griffin

Published: 27th November 2012

Pages: 290

Main Characters: Harper, Gemma

Date Started: 13th December 2012

Date Finished: 18th December 2012

Rating Given:

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

Harper only wanted a safe, normal life. But when her younger sister Gemma runs off with a dangerous clique of beautiful girls, Penn, Thea, and Lexi, everything changes. Vowing to get her sister back no matter what the cost, Harper must face dangers unlike any she's ever experienced. Fortunately, she has Daniel by her side, a gorgeous guy who's devoted to helping her find her sister—and who's immune to the girls' dark powers.

While Harper searches for her sister, Gemma struggles to adjust to her new life. Gemma's powers are growing by the day, and the longer she lives with her new "sisters," the harder it is to resist entering their magical world. It's a realm both dark and beautiful, and where she's plagued by strange hungers and unspeakable needs. Just as she's drifting far away from her old life, Harper and Daniel find her...but no one can deny how much she's changed. All she wants is to return to her family and the mortal world, but how can she do that when she's become something else entirely—and will they still love her once they learn the truth?

Prepare to fall under the spell of Lullaby, the second book in the Watersong series from New York Times bestselling author Amanda Hocking.
 

After finishing and loving the Trylle series by Amanda Hocking I fell in love with her work and had to read her other series. I enjoyed the first one in this series Wake but I didn't love it and I was hoping that I would like this one more and I did.

I love the covers for this series and this one is no different. I love the colours and the setting as it ties in with the book. I do prefer the cover for Wake but I still love this one.

This book very addicting and I am surprised about that as I love a bit of action in my books but there wasn't much of any in this book but in this case it didn't matter as what was happening had me intrigued. Like in Wake, Lullaby is from the sister's point of view but this time it was a little bit more from Harper's where as Wake was more of Gemma. In Harper's part it was showing her and Alex and Daniel trying to find Gemma. There was a will they won't they relationship happening between Harper and Daniel which I loved as the chemistry was undeniable and there was also a bit of light banter which was a welcome. In Gemma's part it was her journey on becoming a siren with some shocking things happening along the way. The ending was also a little shocking and I can't wait to find out what is going to happen next.

The characters was more likable in this one which I am pleased about. Harper was pretty much the same as she was in the first book but she seemed to loosen up a bit. Gemma was also better than she was in Wake but sometimes she was worse. With having a big bulk of the book from Harper's Point of view we got to see a lot more from Daniel and if it's at all possible I love him even more as he is funny but he is also dependable. Daniel is different from the rest of the boys in this series so I am looking forward to seeing what that is. I don't feel we got to see much of Alex this time around but when he was I loved him just as much as I did in the first book I just hope we still get to see him in the next book but looking at that ending I'm not so sure we will.

Overall a huge improvement from the first book which has me extremely excited to read the next book.

 

Teaser Tuesday #52

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! To find out more about the books click on the picture which will take you to Goodreads.




My Teasers:
This week I had already finished one book and getting ready to start another so I thought I would use a teaser for both of them.

Lullaby by Amanda Hocking

"I should've done more," Alex said, growing frustrated. "I'm her boyfriend. I should be helping her."
"And you are," Harper said, then corrected herself. "Well, you're doing everything you can."
"It doesn't feel like enough."
She let out a deep breath. "I know. I feel the same way. But this is all we can do right now. So it has to be enough." - Page 45
 

Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Leon moved his massive body forward, looking like the poster child for steroids. "There's been a daimon attack."
Aiden tensed. "Where?"
"Here at the Covenant." - Page 10

2013 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge

 

Reading Challenge Details:

• Runs January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013 (books read prior to 1/1/2013 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime. Sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to read at least 10 contemporary romance novels. As per Pearl’s original post:

  “by contemporary romance I mean straight contemporary, so without paranormal, fantasy or time-travel elements. Sexy, steamy contemporaries are eligible and so are category romances. (i.e. Harlequin Blaze, Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Super Romances, Silhouette Desires, etc.).”

  
  I’m going to elaborate on this a bit just for the sake of clarification: Books read for this challenge can be young adult, new adult, or adult. Romances with the following elements do not qualify for this reading challenge: paranormal, historical, time-travel, fantasy, science fiction, or mystery/suspense/thriller.
• Books can be any format (bound, ebook, audio).
• Novellas that are at least 100 pages in length, as well as full-length novels, will count for this reading challenge.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• Grab the reading challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads or LibraryThing.

In the year 2012 I discovered a new love of Contemporary Romance so I decided to join this challenge so I can find and read new books in this genre and I for one can't wait to start. I'm going to try 10 books but I hope to read more just the 10 books will be more than I have read in 2012!

Good luck everyone!

1. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
2. Dare You To by Katie McGarry
3. The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines
4. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

New Authors Challenge 2013

Artwork used (with permission) for the button is Anglerfish by Vlad Gerasimov.

 

This 2013 challenge is hosted by Literary Escapism and to join in with this challenge just click the image above.

 

Here's the guidelines for the New Author's challenge:

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.
2. Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels. Anthologies are a great way to try someone new, but only a third of your new authors can be from anthologies.
3. I want this to be an easy challenge, so you can pick to do either 15, 25 or 50 new authors. It all depends on how fast you read and how adventurous you want to be. If you reach your goal halfway through the year, don’t stop. Any new author you try can be added to Mr. Linky. We all want to know about your new experience.
4. After reading your new author, write your review and then come back here and add your link to Mr. Linky. Make sure you include your name and the author, but adding the title is completely up to you.
5. Bloggers or Non-Bloggers alike are welcome. You don’t have to have a site to participate. You can link up via Facebook, GoodReads or even Amazon if you’d like.

Once you reach your goal, you don’t have to stop. Any new author you try, go ahead and head back here and add it to the list. Introduce us all to whoever you find. After all, there’s no reason to stop trying new authors, right?

In 2013 it will be my first joining any blog challenges and this one sounded like a great one to try considering I keep reading new books by new authors. I am going to start with challenging myself with 25 new authors but I'm sure I will read more than that!

Good luck everyone!

1. Goining Too Far by Jennifer Echols
2. Persistence of Vision by Liesel K. Hill
3. Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson
4. The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines
5. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
6.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #60

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

Echo by Alyson Noel

First Frost by Liz DeJesus

 

 

Currently Reading

 

Lullaby by Amanda Hocking

Not much going on yet I am enjoying it more than the first book.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I can't wait to read this book as I really enjoyed the first one and I also loved the Lux series. Well it will be this or Opal but I don't have that yet.

 

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

I am hoping to read this over the next weekend just in time for Christmas.

 

 

 

 

So that's what I'm planning over the next week let me know what your reading in the comments box below (or leave links to your post).

Book Review: First Frost by Liz DeJesus

Format: ebook

Publishers: Musa Publishing

Published: 22nd June 2012

Pages: 274

Main Characters: Bianca

Date Started: 6th December 2012

Date Finished: 13th December 2012

Rating Given:

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

Fairytales aren’t real…yeah…that’s exactly what Bianca thought. She was wrong.

For generations, the Frost family has run the Museum of Magical and Rare Artifacts, handing down guardianship from mother to daughter, always keeping their secrets to “family only.”

Gathered within museum’s walls is a collection dedicated to the Grimm fairy tales and to the rare items the family has acquired: Cinderella’s glass slipper, Snow White’s poisoned apple, the evil queen’s magic mirror, Sleeping Beauty’s enchanted spinning wheel…

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Frost wants none of it, dreaming instead of a career in art or photography or…well, anything except working in the family’s museum. She knows the items in the glass display cases are fakes because, of course, magic doesn’t really exist.

She’s about to find out how wrong she is.
 

When asked which books that I wanted to read from Musa Publishing this book stood out the most as it sounded like a book that I would love and I wasn't far wrong.

I love this cover as the blue is very eye catching. It also reminds me of a mixture of a looking mirror and frost which is very fitting for this story.


When I first started this book I wasn't actually sure that I was going to enjoy it as nothing was happening and everything was very much mundane. When Bicanca found out her and her families history it did start to pick up and it built up to a brilliant story that I very much enjoyed. When things did get better I found that there was a lot happening and enjoyed everything that was happening and kept me entertained. There was a bit of romance that was done in a way that had me gripped from the moment it started I would have liked to have had a bit more but only because I enjoyed it. I love the twist on the fairytale classics that we all know and love it brought out the inner child in me even if this was aimed for the Young Adult genre.

 

I thought the characters where very entertaining. Bianca started out going about her life not knowing who she really was and it was great to see her change once she found out. Her best friend was really sweet and very trusting which everyone needs. Terrence was a great male character and another sweet person who I really did feel for him. The Prince was really funny and reminded me of the Princes that are in the fairytales. Bianca's parents where great and it was nice to see that they wasn't evil like in most fairytales and even most other books that I have read.

 

Overall I found it a captivating story once it got started and I can't wait to read more from this author.

Changing Covers #5

 

Hi everyone welcome to my new weekly feature which all about covers that change either in the middle of the series or even when the series had finished. (The covers will mainly be UK changes but also from the USA.) I decided to do this feature as there has been so many cover changes it's hard to keep up.

I am not sure if anyone has done this particular feature so feel free to let me know so I can start linking it up to them. It is similar to other features that are out there but I'm hoping that this is different enough.

 

 

 

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

First Published                New UK                     Latest Edition

 

 

 

Here in the UK we had the same cover that was used for the first published which I kind of liked especially the colours it made it look like it was out in the universe which was very fitting. Then when the next book was released it was the same as the New UK cover which I didn't mind so much as only the first one was released so it made it a lot easier to get the one new cover than a whole new series. I do like the New UK covers but I think I may prefer the First Published cover. Then there was another book cover change and this time I don't like it at all the other two a far better than the Latest Edition. It really does annoy me when the publishers change the covers but when they keep changing them it's even more annoying can't they just stick to the original it would be a lot easier for us readers and a lot cheaper!

 

 

These are my thoughts on this cover that keeps on changing. What are your thoughts do you agree with me? or do you disagree? Let me know in the comments below.

 

 

Book Review: Echo (Soul Seekers #2) by Alyson Noel

May contain spoilers

Format: Paperback (arc)

Publishers: Pan Macmillan

Published: 22nd November 1012

Pages: 396

Main Characters: Daire, Dace

Date Started: 6th December 2012

Date Finished: 12th December 2012

Rating Given:

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

Daire Santos has already saved her grandmother's life and her soul. But at a cost: the Richter family has been let loose in the Lowerworld. Daire and her boyfriend Dace Richter must work together to find them before chaos ensues and the balance between good and evil is destroyed. As their relationship deepens, Dace's evil brother Cade grows stronger than ever, building his power and forcing Daire and Dace to confront the horrifying prophecy that has brought them all together. It will leave Daire no choice but to claim her true destiny as Seeker, but only by making an unthinkable sacrifice.
 

With me reading and kind of liking the first book in this series (Fated) I thought I would give the second one a go hoping that it would be better, however, for me that wasn't the case... it was worse.

 

I love the cover it's stunning and also Christmasy which being around Christmas it was a fitting cover and the story is around the Christmas time period. I love that the only colours used are blue and white as those two colours are very complimentary of each other.

 

To be honest maybe if I had reread the first book I might have started of on a better footing but I never and I forgot almost everything that happened. There was some reminders of what had happened but it just wasn't enough for me. Although the further it went into the book I didn't need reminders until the very end which I can't even remember that person. With it having a Christmas setting I thought it would have been a more light hearted read how wrong was I it was just so depressing and then there was the ending I think my chin may have hit the floor I wasn't expecting that ending. There was a few moments in the book which did pick up especially towards the end but then the ending just ruined it. Apart from those few moments that I enjoyed the rest of the book I didn't want to continue reading it and there was times when I seriously didn't want to finish it and other times I would just skim the book I just wanted it to end. With the ending being so shocking it has made me want to read the next one but I won't be rushing out to get a copy.

 

I think that if it wasn't for some of the characters I wouldn't have got through the book as they where what made the book worth while even if I didn't like them all. The only thing is about half of the characters was their names I couldn't even pronounce them which was annoying. Daire was my least favourite as for me she was annoying and really I didn't see the point of her. There was times especially the ending that I actually liked her as she was very selfless and I liked her for it. Dace I liked he was sweet and was always trying to protect Daire even if that meant sacrificing his own happiness. There was also some other characters that was in this book that at times made me laugh which was definitely needed.

 

Overall I didn't really like this book but there was times when it was enjoyable.

Teaser Tuesday #51

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! To find out more about the books click on the picture which will take you to Goodreads.




My Teasers:

Echo by Alyson Noel

The water hammering so hard, it drives at my shoulders, pushing me down-and then down farther still. Plunging me into depths that surpass all reasonable limits, causing my lungs to swell so large, I'm sure they'll soon burst. And there's nothing I can do to stop it. The water's rendered me powerless, helpless-dissolving my strength until all that remains is my will. - Page 138
 

I have just over a hundred pages left and I still can't seem to get into it. Every time I put it down I don't want to pick it up again but I do as I want to know what is going to happen.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #59

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

 

Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Love Sucks by Sage Collins

 

 

Currently Reading

 

Echo by Alyson Noel

I just can't seem to get into this book and I'm nearly halfway through, hopefully it will pick up by the end.

 

First Frost by Liz DeJesus

I have only read the first chapter so nothing has really happened yet but I think I'm going to like it.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Lullaby by Amanda Hocking

Looking forward in seeing how this story continues.

 

 

So that's what I'm planning on reading this week, let me know what you're reading (or leave links to you post) below.

 

Book Review: Love Sucks by Sage Collins

Format: e-arc

Publishers Musa Publishing

Published: 27th April 2012

Pages: 258

Main Characters: Mailee, Eric, Logan

Date Started: 27th November 2012

Date Finished: 6th December 2012

Rating Given:

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

Mailee Jones is about to answer the age old question: "How much love would a love sucker suck if a love sucker fell in love?"

Mailee is a Haustrix, an otherwise normal girl with a demon gene that causes her to consume love from any human she touches. Afraid of draining anyone completely, she's been leading an isolated life, relying on Eric, a hunky lust-draining Haustor and the only person she can safely touch. She's content to avoid humans for all but the quickest possible hand-brushes with the dreaded cheerleaders to keep from starving.

Until she meets Logan, a diabetic who is the first human to understand Mailee's anguish over her diet. But growing close to him means risking his love for her. Mailee's convinced it's time to do something--anything--to become human. But the only antidote requires her to release and be systematically infected by demons representing each of the Seven Deadly Sins. Sloth and Pride? Okay, fine, but sins like Wrath and Envy aren't so easy, as proven when possessed-Mailee punches the cheerleader who's making eyes at Eric. Can she honestly get through all the sins?

Not to mention this new issue--is she interested in Eric instead? Because if she turns human, she'll lose him. Forever.
 

When looking through the books from Musa Publishing this one kind of stuck out as it sounded interesting and different so I thought I would give it a try and I'm glad I did as it was an enjoyable read.

The cover is very eye catching which made me want to read this book. I love the heart and the hand in the image as it symbolizes what the story is about. I also love the different font of the title as it looks effective.

When I first started this book I thought it was a bit cheesy which I thought I wasn't going to like but in the end it grew on me. It is similar to the vampire books that are out there but this story isn't about vampires it's about a girl who can't even touch anyone and if she does she sucks the love from them these are called Haustor. There wasn't much action in this book which I would have liked a bit of action but there was other things that made up for this. I love the whole idea of using sins in a book it was fun to see how they would effect her and it did add much needed drama to the story. The ending I wasn't too sure about as it seemed a bit rushed and unbelievable. Throughout the story it was saying that once you have the love sucked out of you it doesn't come back and for most that was the case but somehow there was someone who wasn't with the most it just didn't make sense to me.

Mailee's character was sweet for the most part but when she was infected by the sins I found she was a much stronger and funny character. She did annoy me at times too as I just wanted to shake her and tell to open her eyes. Eric I liked he was always looking out for Mailee. Logan was very similar to Eric only he had diabetes making him even more endearing. I didn't think any of the relationships/friendships was that believable which was a bit annoying.

Overall a sweet but cheesy novel that had me laughing for most of the book. I am looking forward to reading more from Sage Collins.

Book Review: Dance of Shadows (Dance of Shadows #1) by Yelena Black

Format: Paperback (arc)

Publishers: Bloomsbury

Published: 14th February 2013

Pages: 389

Main Characters: Vanessa, Zep, Justin

Date Started: 2nd December 2012

Date Finished: 6th December 2012

Rating Given:

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

Vanessa doesn’t believe that her sister is a runaway. She wouldn’t leave her family behind without saying a word. The only way Vanessa can discover the truth behind her mysterious disappearance is to follow in Margaret’s footsteps, but to do so she risks her sanity and maybe even her life . . .

Vanessa Adler is one of the talented few to get a place at the acclaimed New York Ballet Academy. Between backbreaking rehearsals for the school’s production of The Firebird she desperately tries to find out what happened to her sister before she vanished. There are rumors that the pressure of performing the lead role, the same role Vanessa is now rehearsing for, drove her mad. Other girls have gone missing too. Can the role be cursed? Vanessa’s new relationship with leading-man Zep only seems to complicate things further. What is he hiding from her and can she really trust him?

Black Swan meets Gossip Girl in this thrilling first book in a new series. Sexy, sinister and full of secrets, readers will be hooked on Dance of Shadows from the first page. Look out for the sequel in 2014.
 

A couple of months ago I received an email asking for reviewers for a new novel called Dance of Shadows which i thought sounded very interesting so I said I would like to review it. I am pleased to say I am so glad that I read it as I loved it so thank you to Emma over at Bloomsbury for sending me a copy to review.

 

I must admit it was the cover that drew me to this novel at first as it is a stunning cover. So far I would say that this cover is the most eye catching cover of 2013.

 

When I first started this book I thought there was plenty of mystery but I just couldn't get into it as it was a bit slow. That didn't last long though as once it got going I was gripped and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. There was so many twists and turns that I never saw coming which I love it when a book can surprise me and this one sure did. I loved that for most of the book I felt it was a mystery book but then towards the end there was a paranormal twist that I would like to see even more of in the coming books. I really found it a different to what I have read and I agree with Black Swan meets Gossip Girl and I for one loved it.

 

There wasn't many characters that I didn't like as I just never knew who was the good guy and who was the bad one making me like everyone. Vanessa seemed like a strong person who was trying to find out about her missing sister. I did find her a bit annoying at times but apart from that she was a sweet character. I am not going to say anything about the boys as I don't want to give anything away but I will say I liked them both. There was also some other characters in this book that I thought was sweet but I didn't think all relationships/friendships was believable.

 

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to continue on in this series which I am sure will only keep getting better and better. A brilliant debut from Yelena Black definitely an author to look out for.

Changing Covers #4

Hi everyone welcome to my new weekly feature which all about covers that change either in the middle of the series or even when the series had finished. (The covers will mainly be UK changes but also from the USA.) I decided to do this feature as there has been so many cover changes it's hard to keep up.

I am not sure if anyone has done this particular feature so feel free to let me know so I can start linking it up to them. It is similar to other features that are out there but I'm hoping that this is different enough.

 

Divergent by Veronica Roth

First Published/USA                  UK                

 

Divergent was first published in 2011 and it took me ages to find a copy here in the UK but when I did I jumped at the chance to buy it. Usually in the UK we have to get them online for the first published ones but I found mine in a shop so I didn't think anything of it until Insurgent was being released. When Insurgent was released it was a completely different cover to the one released in USA so therefore being completely different to the copy of the first book. As usual UK got a cover change and I would have ordered the one from USA but that would have been a hardcover when my first book was paperback so I ended up getting the new UK cover for the second one and left the first one as the old cover but I will eventually get that one in the new UK covers so that they match.

At first I didn't like the UK covers but now that I have a copy of Insurgent as the UK cover it's grown on me. I do still prefer the first published cover as for me it is more eye catching and plus the UK cover has a bird on them and I don't like birds.

 

 

That is what I think of this weeks cover change. What do you think of this series cover change? Let me know in the comments below.

 

 

 

Teaser Tuesday #50

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! To find out more about the books click on the picture which will take you to Goodreads.




My Teasers:

Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Vanessa stumbled out of step. The figure beside her froze, her face twisted with terror. Vanessa watched, horrified, as the girl jerked left, then right, her body bending like rays of light refracting off a mirror. The glare engulfed the ceiling. Vanessa covered her face. The last thing she saw was the outline of the girl's lips, pursed open as her figure ripped into a blinding curse of light, the rays streaming from her mouth like a scream. - Page 226 (ARC copy so teaser may differ to the final copy)
 

This book started off a bit slow but very mysterious and now it's so much better I can't wait to find out what is actually going on.

2013 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

(Click on the image to join up to the challenge)   Welcome to 2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge!!!
6 BLOGGERS, 12 MINI-CHALLENGES, 24 BOOKS TO WIN!!!
We all have those books. We buy them, win them, they're gifted to us.. Then we put them up on a bookshelf and there they stay, collecting dust, waiting for the time when we'll finally decide to pick them up..

Join us on a quest to dust off your TBR Pile and read all the books you've been telling yourself you'll read next time you'll get a chance.. This is your chance! And we've got PRIZES!!! :D
  Challenge Guidelines:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 - Dec 31, 2013.
2. Anyone can enter! You don't have to be a blogger, as long as you review the book you've read! (On your blog, Amazon or Goodreads/Shelfari!)
3. Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that's been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Only books released in 2012 and earlier! NO 2013 ARCs and 2013 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 TBR PILE Reading Challenge. (If you don't have a blog, post about it on Facebook or Tweet!)
6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
8. On the 20th of each month one of the hosts will post a wrap-up. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from this month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. It's open to INTERNATIONALS. The giveaway will be open until the next wrap up post goes up! (i.e. the entire month)
9. If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month. Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking ;)
10. December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you'll link up in December will be entered into a HUGE giveaway - a box of books.
11. You don't have to follow all the hosts to join the challenge, but you do have to follow all of us to be entered in giveaways!

Levels:(how many books you're planning to read for this challenge in 2013)

1-10 - A Firm Handshake
11-20 - A Friendly Hug
21-30 - A Sweet Kiss
31-40 - Love At First Sight
41-50 - Married With Children

Schedule:

January 20th: Evie @Bookish (www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com)

February 20th: Rachel @Fiktshun (http://www.fiktshun.com)

March 20th: Justin @Justin's Book Blog (http://www.justinsbookblog.com/)

April 20th: Tiffany @Escaping.. One Book At A Time (http://escapingonebookatatime.blogspot.com/)

May 20th: Bonnie @Words At Home (www.wordsathome.ca/)

June 20th: Justin @Justin's Book Blog (http://www.justinsbookblog.com/)

July 20th: Emily @Doodle's Book Blog (doodlesbookblog.blogspot.com/)

August 20th: Tiffany @Escaping One Book At A Time (http://escapingonebookatatime.blogspot.com/)

September 20th: Rachel @Fiktshun (http://www.fiktshun.com)

October 20th: Emily @Doodle's Book Blog (doodlesbookblog.blogspot.com/)

November 20th: Bonnie @Words At Home (www.wordsathome.ca/)

December 20th: This one will be posted on all the blogs. There will also be a huge BOX OF BOOKS giveaway and this time you can link up ALL YOUR TBR Pile REVIEWS you wrote for the entire year!

 

I am going to aiming for the Married With Children! I will keep track of the books that I read on this post. I have put down the books that I am hoping to start with.

 

1. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

2. Devil's Bargain by Rachel Caine

3. Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson

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Looking forward to taking part in my first ever Blog reading challenge wish me luck!

Good Luck everyone taking part!