Showcase Sunday #112

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

This may look like a lot of books for just one week but this is from the last few weeks.

Physical Books

  

The first two where surprise review books as I hadn't even requested them but I'm so happy that I have them as I have wanted to read them for awhile now so I'm very excited to read them. The las two books my mum brought them for me which I am so pleased about as I have loved both of these series and I can't wait to see how it ends especially The Ruby Circle.

Bought Kindle Books

I loved Lost & Found so when Finders Keepers was only 99p I had to get it. Although Near & Far wasn't as cheap I had to get it as I can't have book 3 without book 2.

Free Kindle Books

  

  

Free Samantha Young and Sawyer Bennett you can't go wrong!

Kindle Review Books

  

  

  

What did you receive this week?

Waiting on Wednesday - Dance of Fire by Yelena Black

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's this week's book I can't wait for...

Dance of Fire (Dance of Shadows, #2) by Yelena Black

Expected Publication - 12th March 2015

Synopsis:
All dancers dream of the chance to try out for the Royal Court Ballet Company. Only two dancers from the elite New York Ballet Academy will have this honour. Vanessa is one of them. She dances with grace and elegance, and a fury that is unmatched. Justin - strong, sexy and caring - will be her partner. But the thrill of travelling to London for this once-in-a-lifetime competition is shrouded by their past and the demands of an ancient organisation. The Lyric Elite needs them to win the contest and to infiltrate the Royal Court Ballet in order to seek out a dark society of Necrodancers. Vanessa will dance like she has never danced before, but not for them. Vanessa is there to find her missing sister, Margaret, and she won't let anything get in the way of that ...Fierce rivals, dark forces and hidden motives weave together in a gripping thriller for fans of Black Swan and Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments.

I have been keeping my eye open for this one as I enjoyed the first one. I must admit I did get this in the post yesterday so it's a bit of a cheat but I am still looking forward to reading it and that cover is just as stunning as the first book!




What are you waiting on? 

Top 10 of 2013: Day 2

 

So this is my first time doing one of these but I have wanted to join one for ages and although I'm a day late I thought I would join in anyways. This is hosted by Two Chicks On Books click on the above button to heard over to their blog.

 

Best Book Covers of 2013

 

This was a hard one as most books that I read this year wasn't brought out this year so what I have done is add covers that I have on my shelf as well as a few of ones I have read.

 

 

10.

Hidden by Marianne Curley - I love the feathers on this cover as well as the colours it all blends really well and kind of ties in with the story.

 

9.

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout - This series covers are one of my favourite ever as they are all dramatic. This one isn't as dramatic but it still stands out, I love it!

 

8.

Tidal by Amanda Hocking - I have always been a fan of every single one of Amanda Hocking's covers they are always stunning and this one is no exception!

 

7.

Shudder by Samantha Durante - I still prefer the first one in this series but still this is one stunning cover.

 

6.

Teardrop by Lauren Kate - As soon as I saw this cover I loved it even the arc copy that I received was gorgeous but the final version is loads better.

 

5.

Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black - I actually read this in 2012 but before anyone says anything that was an arc copy and it wasn't realeased until February 2013! I have been a fan of this cover for a long time it is simply beautiful.

 

4.

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare - Another series of covers that I am a huge fan of. There is always something new to see in this cover.

 

3.

Definitely, Maybe in Love by Ophelia London - I never thought I would love a contemporary cover as usually they are not as stunning as the paranormal covers but this one in the acception as its beautiful.

 

2.

Kinetic by S.K. Anthony - I must admit the cover was what made me want to read this book although it never lived up to the cover I still adore this cover.

 

1.

Splintered by A.G. Howard - I think that this cover may feature in everyone's top 10 cover list as it is stunning. One of the best covers I have ever seen.

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.

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: 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.

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.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #58

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)

 

Phoenix by Jennifer Mason-Black

Breathe by Sarah Crossan

League of Strays by L.B. Schulman

 

 

Currently Reading

 

Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

It was a little slow to start with but now I am really into it and it's full of intrigue.

 

Love Sucks by Sage Collins

This is a bit different to other paranormal books but the same in other ways but I am enjoying it.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Echo by Alyson Noel

 

First Frost by Liz DeJesus

 

 

 

 

So that's my week of reading planned, let me know what your reading below.

 

Showcase Sunday #17

 

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 vlog:

Swap book
Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

Review Books
Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black
Devil's Bargain by Rachel Caine
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan



That's what I received this week let me know what you got.

Book Cover Talk: Dance of Shadows

This week's book cover that I am talking about is...

 

 

Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

 

I only saw this cover last week but as soon as I saw it I asked if I could review it. I now have a review copy of this book which is just the picture the title is on the spine as well as the back. I actually don't mind that I have this version as I get to see the image uninterrupted.

There are a few covers that have the dress turning into petals and I love them all and this one is no exception. I love the bold colour of the dress/petals as it just draws my eye straight to it. You also know that this book is going to be about dancing not just because it has it in the title (which doesn't always mean anything) but because of the ballet shoes that the girl is wearing. I do think that the bottom half could have been lightened up as I have to look really closely to even notice the shoes. I know that the mist is covering them so you shouldn't be able to see them but it could have been just a little darker so that we know that the girl is a dancer/dancing. Apart from that little bit I love the mist it makes the whole cover look more dramatic, it makes me desperate to read what the book is going to be all about.

I like that the title's font has been kept simple but put a bit of a pattern around it giving it a more elegant feel which when you think of ballet dancing you (well I) think of elegance.

This book isn't out until 12th February 2013 so a long wait, glad I have mine now but I won't be reading it until the end of November early December as that's when they want the reviews!

What does everyone else think of the cover? do you agree with me? or do you not like it?