Waiting on Wednesday (86) - Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: June 26, 2012

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Summary (from Goodreads):

** If you haven't read IF I DIE yet, it contains spoilers! **

I died on a Thursday—killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul.

The good news? He didn’t get it. 

The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school…

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent “recovering,” she’s back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.

But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won’t keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn’t just gambling with her own life….

Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series is among my absolute favourite paranormal books to read! I've read all the books countless times, and any time I'm re-reading one of the books, I always find myself making my way through the entire series all over again. There's a steady progression to these novels that continuously builds up the action and raises the stakes, while also allowing for the characters to grow.

I absolutely cannot wait to read Before I Wake! It may be the sixth novel in the series, but I'm so glad there's still one more to go afterwards because there's no way I can let go of these characters just yet. If I Die was simply pure perfection... but I have high hopes Rachel Vincent will once again amaze me!

Team Tod for the win! ^_^ 

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Title: Hallowed (Unearthly #2)
Author: Cynthia Hand
Release Date: January 17, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 416
Source: Bought

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn’t prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

In this compelling sequel to Unearthly, Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are. 

My Thoughts:
When it comes to angel books, I'm always more on the nervous side to read them because it's too often that they've left me disappointed in some way. But last year, when I first read Unearthly, my hope was once again restored in the genre and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. And oh my! Cynthia Hand's Hallowed was most certainly well worth the wait! 

Hallowed was everything and more I had hoped it would be! The aspects that frustrated me in the first book disappeared in this one, and I was so happy to learn more answers to the questions raised surrounding the angel mythology Cynthia Hand has created and the part Clara has to play in fulfilling her purpose. And after the surprising revelation at the end of Unearthly concerning Christian, I loved seeing him take on a greater role in this novel and seeing how Clara's previous actions the day of the fire had altered their futures. He's more than just a boy in Clara's visions who she thought she had to protect before.

I felt rather sympathetic towards Tucker this time around. He's still the incredibly sweet boy that we all grew fond of in Unearthly, but there are things about Clara's angel heritage which he'll just never be able to understand or relate with that Christian can on the other hand. But once again, I must give full credit to Cynthia Hand for not over-playing the love triangle between Clara, Tucker and Christian. Clara might have chosen Tucker by the time Unearthly finished, but that never stopped Christian from being a supportive friend. He knows not to over-step his boundaries when it wouldn't be right. And Clara had so much more on her shoulders than just boy problems, so I'm glad she had her priorities straight when she had difficult decisions to make.

I absolutely loved Cynthia Hand's Hallowed! As Clara continues to discover what destiny has in store for her, she faces emotional moments which will tear at your heart. It's not very often that I find paranormal novels as beautifully written as both Unearthly and Hallowed, but Cynthia Hand makes it all look so easy. I cannot wait to see how the trilogy will end!

In My Mailbox (59)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where we share any new books or goodies we bought, received, borrowed, etc. during the week.

This week, I got...

Received for Review:

• ARC of Balthazar (An Evernight Novel) by Claudia Gray
• Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould
• Darkest Light (Half World #2) by Hiromi Goto
• The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
• Half World (Half World #1) by Hiromi Goto
• Starters (Starters #1) by Lissa Price
• The Traitor in the Tunnel (The Agency #3) by Y.S. Lee
• You Deserve Nothing by Alexander Maksik

Thanks so much to HarperCollins Canada, RazOrbill / Penguin Canada, and Random House Canada for sending these novels for review!

Won:

• ARC of Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer

I was so surprised to see that I had won a copy of Bloodrose thanks to Penguin Canada's new RazOrbill Community they recently launched last month!  

Bought:

• Darkness Becomes Her (Gods & Monsters #1) by Kelly Keaton 
• Hold Still by Nina LaCour 
• Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver

I was happy to buy Pandemonium a few days early on Friday! I'm very excited to read it and see what has happened since that awful cliffhanger ending in Delirium. The early reviews for the book have been raving about it! 

And isn't the cover of Nina LaCour's Hold Still so pretty? I began reading it as soon as I bought it and couldn't put it down, finishing the book with tears in my eyes. It was so beautifully written. I still have to read LaCour's latest book The Disenchantments!

What about YOU? Any new reads/finds this week?

And as always... Happy Reading!  

Spotted! Cover of Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

The cover for Leigh Bardugo's debut novel Shadow and Bone, the first novel in the Grisha Trilogy, was officially revealed over at The Story Siren today where you'll also be able to read a quick Q&A with the author as well!

 Release Date: June 5, 2012

Publisher: Henry Holt & Company

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Raincoast): 

Alina Starkov doesn't expect much from life. Orphaned by the Border Wars, all she's ever been able to rely on is her best friend and fellow refugee, Mal. And lately not even that seems certain. Drafted into the army of their war-torn homeland, they've been sent on a dangerous mission into the Fold, a swath of darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh.  

When their convoy is attacked, all seems lost until Alina reveals a dormant power that not even she knew existed. She is torn from everything she knows and whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. He believes that she is the answer the people have been waiting for: the Sun Summoner. Only her power can destroy the Fold.  

Overwhelmed by luxury, envied as the Darkling's favorite, Alina struggles to keep her wits about her without Mal by her side. But nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her mastery of her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha—and the secrets of her heart.

Aren't you completely in love with this cover? I know I sure am! They've done an absolutely wonderful job designing this book cover... and it should have a wide appeal for both girls and guys to want to pick up a copy when it's released. Every day, I've been getting more and more excited to read Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone and I just can't wait to see if this fantasy novel (with Russian influence!) will meet the high expectations I've set for it.

Spotted! Cover of The Unfailing Light by Robin Bridges

The book cover of The Unfailing Light, the second novel in The Katerina Trilogy, by Robin Bridges was officially revealed earlier today over at Page Turners! There's also some interesting facts about the beautiful dress the model is wearing below for the cover, so if you'd like to learn more, definitely check out their post...

Release Date: October 9, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Random House Canada): 

Having had no choice but to use her power has a necromancer to save Russia from dark forces, Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, now wants to forget that she ever used her special powers. She's about to set off to pursue her lifelong dream of attending medical school when she discovers that Russia's arch nemesis--who she thought she'd destroyed--is still alive. So on imperial orders, Katerina remains at her old finishing school. She'll be safe there, because the empress has cast a potent spell to protect it against the vampires and revenants who are bent on toppling the tsar and using Katerina for their own gains. But to Katerina's horror, the spell unleashes a vengeful ghost within the school, a ghost more dangerous than any creature trying to get in.

I'm so glad we don't have to wait a full year for the next book in The Katerina Trilogy to be released! I was surprised to learn that it's coming out in October and not in the beginning of 2013, since there's usually a one-year waiting period between books in a series. The first book, The Gathering Storm, was just released earlier in January and was such a wonderful blend of the supernatural meeting historical fiction. And what made it extra special was that it took place in Imperial Russia! I'm definitely looking forward to reading The Unfailing Light and seeing what happens next!

If you'd like to read my thoughts on The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges, here is my review.

Waiting on Wednesday (85) - Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: May 1, 2012

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Summary (from Goodreads): 

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. 

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so. 

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

Insurgent is easily one of my most anticipated reads of the year! I immediately fell in love with Veronica Roth's Divergent last year, completely blown away by everything from the world-building to the characters and writing style. I'm pretty sure everyone must have Insurgent on their TBR lists and is anxiously awaiting the release of book two in the trilogy just like me!  

What Boys Really Want by Pete Hautman

Title: What Boys Really Want
Author: Pete Hautman
Release Date: January 1, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 304
Source: Copy provided by Scholastic Canada

Overall: 2.5 Stars

Summary:

National Book Award-winning author Pete Hautman lets us in on the secret.

Lita is the writer. Adam is the entrepreneur. They are JUST FRIENDS.

So Adam would never sell copies of a self-help book before he'd even written it. And Lita would never try to break up Adam's relationship with Blair, the skankiest girl at school. They'd never sabotage their friends Emily and Dennis. Lita would never date a guy related to a girl she can't stand. They'd never steal each other's blog posts. And Adam would never end up in a fistfight with Lita's boyfriend. Nope, never.

Adam and Lita might never agree on what happened, but in this hilarious story from Pete Hautman, they manage to give the world a little more insight into what boys and girls are really looking for. 

My Thoughts:
I really did want to like Pete Hautman's What Boys Really Want so much more, but sadly, it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. I read Hautman's The Big Crunch last year and thought it was a delightful, quirky contemporary novel that deserved some more love than it had received... so when I began reading his latest novel, I was hoping it would be along these similar lines. That didn't happen.

There was nothing really likeable or endearing about any of the characters, which made it rather difficult for me to actually care what happened to them. When Adam suddenly decides that he'll write a book about relationships, Lita scoffs and laughs at the idea. And for good reason, because he's such an unlikely person you'd ever expect to spend time writing anything. Surprisingly, he doesn't give up on the idea though... but he's completely clueless that most of his book is actually plagiarized and taken from a blogger named Miz Fitz who gives relationship advice on her blog. I mean, how does any high school student not know what plagiarism is?

And then there's Lita, whose biggest secret is that she's the mastermind behind the Miz Fitz blog, a fact nobody else knows. As Miz Fitz, she replies to reader questions with the kind of sarcasm she never would have used in person. (These were fun to read!) When she learns that Adam is writing a book, she becomes jealous and starts pulling away from him because she's always wanted to be a writer. Instead, she turns her attentions to helping her best friend, Emily, go out with the fellow student she's been seriously crushing on. Normally, I would think Lita was being a supportive friend... but I just couldn't agree with the superficial methods she told her to do.

It hurts to say it, but I was disappointed with how What Boys Really Want turned out to be. There wasn't really any character development and I found it hard to find acceptance in their actions. The novel had a great premise with tons of potential to really explore relationships... but in the end, the result just didn't live up to my expectations.

Dead to You by Lisa McMann

Title: Dead to You
Author: Lisa McMann
Release Date: February 7, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 256
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

A page-turning realistic novel with a shocking twist from bestselling author Lisa McMann.

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It’s a miracle…at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn’t going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he’d be able to put the pieces back together. But there’s something that’s keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...  

My Thoughts: 
Lisa McMann's Dead to You marks her first departure from anything paranormal-related in this short standalone novel that you'll be sure to finish reading quickly. I've enjoyed reading all of Lisa McMann's previous YA novels, so when I first heard about Dead to You, I was quite curious to see just what kind of contemporary novel she would write!   

What really makes Dead to You such a page-turner was the way Lisa McMann focused on building up the tension in the De Wilde family once Ethan returns home. It's not the peaceful transition that everyone would have hoped it could be, but rather, a fragile relationship between Ethan and his family members. Ethan is not the same boy he was before his abduction and his past is made up of blurred memories; his parents have a strained marriage; and his younger brother is more suspicious than overjoyed to see his return. The two brightest spots in Ethan's life are his adorable little sister, Gracie, and his childhood friend, Cami. 

And as Dead to You progresses, we notice the psychological effects that have taken their toll on Ethan as he tries to adjust to a normal lifestyle again and the strain it causes with his family. When I finished the novel, I was left completely stunned and speechless! I immediately began to frantically turn the pages, in a state of disbelief that Lisa McMann could so suddenly end the book that way. And for days afterwards, it was still all I could think about because I wasn't prepared for it to end the way it did...

In a haunting portrayal of a family trying to become whole once more, Lisa McMann's Dead to You stands out among other contemporary novels. McMann's signature writing style, glossing over the rich descriptions and heading straight to the character's emotions, made the novel all the more compelling and gave it just the right intense edge it needed. I can't wait to read her next novel! 

Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me this review copy! And if you missed it before, you can read my author interview with Lisa McMann where we talk more about Dead to You.

Waiting on Wednesday (84) - Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: July 10, 2012

Publisher: MTV Books

Summary (from Simon & Schuster Canada): 

The wildly popular author of Going Too Far, Forget You, and Love Story returns with a sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers.

High school senior Leah Jones loves nothing more than flying. While she’s in the air, it’s easy to forget life with her absentee mother at the low-rent end of a South Carolina beach town. When her flight instructor, Mr. Hall, hires her to fly for his banner advertising business, she sees it as her ticket out of the trailer park. And when he dies suddenly, she’s afraid her flying career is gone forever.

But Mr. Hall’s teenage sons, golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson, are determined to keep the banner planes flying. Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business—until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers—and the consequences could be deadly.

Engrossing and intense, Such a Rush is a captivating story from an author with a rising star.

Jennifer Echols is one of my absolute favourite contemporary authors, so I've been extremely excited for Such a Rush for quite awhile now! I can't wait to read her latest romantic drama and learn just what kind of secret Leah had been trying to hide that has given Grayson power over her.  Why must July be so far away until it's released?

And if you still haven't read a novel by Jennifer Echols yet, I'm just going to gasp in shock and recommend you change that soon!

I've Got Your Number Blog Tour! Author Interview with... Sophie Kinsella

I'm very excited to be taking part in the Canadian blog tour for Sophie Kinsella's latest novel, I've Got Your Number, which is officially out in stores today! I've Got Your Number is a hilarious romantic comedy of a novel filled plenty of laughs and moments where I was giggling uncontrollably. I stayed up until the middle of the night reading the book because I was loving it so much!

Thanks to Random House Canada, I was able to ask Sophie some questions... 

I’ve lost it. :( The only thing in the world I wasn’t supposed to lose. My engagement ring. It’s been in Magnus’s family for three generations. And now the very same day his parents are coming, I’ve lost it. The very same day! Do not hyperventilate, Poppy. Stay positive :) !!

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry her ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her “happily ever after” begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring in a hotel fire drill but in the panic that follows, her phone is stolen. As she paces shakily around the lobby, she spots an abandoned phone in a trash can. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!

Well, perfect except that the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, doesn’t agree. He wants his phone back and doesn’t appreciate Poppy reading his messages and wading into his personal life.

What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other’s lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls, and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents . . . she soon realizes that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.  

Hello! Happy Valentine's Day and thank you for having me! 

1) Who was your favourite character to write about in I've Got Your Number? 

Oh, that's hard! I loved writing all the characters. I think my favourite 'minor' character was Wanda. As for major characters, I couldn't really choose between Poppy and Sam. My favourite scenes were the ones where they were sparring with each other. There was such a connection between them (not just their phone line!) 

2) Technology plays an important part in your latest novel with the texting and emailing between Poppy and Sam. How much does it affect your own life? 

I am addicted to technology! It's a love-hate relationship. I can't function without my phone and get panicky if I mislay it. I text and message all day. But sometimes it feels overwhelming and I feel bombarded. What I find amazing is how quickly our entire lives have transferred into technological devices. Most people's phones contain an entire world of information about them, from emails to texts to voicemails to embarrassing photos. That's why it's a good idea not to lose them! 

3) I've Got Your Number is your newest novel since the release of Mini Shopaholic in 2010. What was the writing process like for this book? 

Writing this book was a lot of fun. I love writing stand-alone novels because I have such freedom in them to explore new ideas and develop new characters. I was excited to be tackling a whole new world and creating Poppy and Sam. I spent a long time planning the plot and only started writing when I felt the story was practically bursting out of me. 

4) Was there a deleted scene from the novel that you wish had made it into the final version? 

I would have loved to write Poppy and Sam at the dentist :) 

5) What is it about the contemporary genre that you enjoy writing the most? 

I love reflecting the world and writing about aspects of modern life that intrigue me. My writing changes as society changes. I wouldn't have written this book fifteen years ago, because technology wasn't nearly the force it is today. It's exciting to feel that what you're doing is evolving with the world. 

6) What is a day in the life of Sophie Kinsella like? 

My days are different depending on whether I'm writing, promoting or on holiday. When I'm writing, I like to start first thing, with a cup of coffee and some loud music. I aim to complete 1,000 words and then I'm 'done' for the day. But writing is very unpredictable so I never know how long this will take. Sometimes an hour or two. Sometimes all day. Sometimes I have to give up for the day! If I get really stuck I go out with my husband for cocktails. We discuss the plot and usually iron out the glitches. He has the same sense of humour as me, which really helps. Then it's home and into the mayhem of family life with five kids. I get them all into bed and then maybe go back to the book and look at what I did that morning. It's quite addictive.

Thank you - great questions!

Sophie x  

*****

Thanks so much to Sophie Kinsella for answering my questions! Don't forget, I've Got Your Number is out in stores today and I'd wholeheartedly recommend you read it! It's the perfect choice for both YA and adult readers alike looking to read a fun contemporary novel!

If you'd like to learn more about Sophie Kinsella and her novels (which includes the Shopaholic series, Can You Keep a Secret? and Twenties Girl), you can check out her author website. 
 

Switched by Amanda Hocking

Title: Switched (Trylle Trilogy #1)
Author: Amanda Hocking
Release Date: January 3, 2012 (paperback)
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: 336
Source: Bought

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Summary:

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She's not the person she's always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel - all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken... though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she'd ever admit. But it isn't long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth - and he's come to take her home.

Now Wendy's about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that's both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she's meant to become...

As a special gift to readers, this book contains a new, never-before-published bonus story, "The Vittra Attacks," set in the magical world of the Trylle.

My Thoughts:
Because I don't really read self-published novels, I wasn't all too familiar with the Trylle series until I heard they were going to be published by a traditional publisher. I sure am happy that I get the chance to read the novels now that they'll soon all be available in print! I had no idea what expectations I should have Switched, but as soon as I began reading, I completely lost myself in the storyline.

It really is easy to see why Amanda Hocking's Trylle series has been met with such enthusiasm and success along with strong online support. I don't think Switched necessarily offered anything particularly new to the supernatural genre... yet there's an addictive quality to the book that makes it so difficult to tear your eyes away from the pages for a single moment.

Wendy has always felt that she's not like other people, but with her protective older brother and loving aunt always taking care of her, she has never let that get to her. But when Finn Holmes informs Wendy that she's a changeling and that he's to return her to her rightful home, she can't deny the feeling in her heart that has always secretly known she's not human. Leaving everything behind to learn more about her newly discovered heritage, Wendy is suddenly thrust into a world that will test her strength and capabilities. You can't help admire Wendy's determination to stay true to herself while others try to make her change her ways...  

With a teenage girl discovering a destiny she could never have imagined and a touch of forbidden romance, Amanda Hocking has created an enchanting world that will captivate readers right away. A gathering storm brews beneath the surface of Trylle and you know it's just a matter of time before violence will spill, if not in this book... then further down the line. I am absolutely looking forward to reading the second novel in the trilogy, Torn, and seeing Wendy continue to grow into her potential!

I've also included the book trailer below because after I first watched it, it helped convince me that I just had to buy the book and read it!

 

Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Title: Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1)
Author: Veronica Rossi
Release Date: January 3, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 384
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Summary:

Since she’d been on the outside, she’d survived an Aether storm, she’d had a knife held to her throat, and she’d seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland—known as The Death Shop—are slim. If the cannibals don’t get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She’s been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He’s wild—a savage—and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile—everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria’s help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

In her enthralling debut, Veronica Rossi sends readers on an unforgettable adventure set in a world brimming with harshness and beauty. 

My Thoughts:
Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky really took me by surprise! I've been growing rather weary of the dystopian genre lately... so I might have let the book sit on my shelf for longer than I had originally planned. I wish I had read the book sooner though because Under the Never Sky turned out to be a much better read than I had expected!

The first few chapters are the hardest to get through, but once the novel shifts to The Death Shop, the land outside the Pods, events begin to get so much more suspenseful and clearer. Calling Under the Never Sky strictly a dystopian novel wouldn't be an apt description because there were tons of fantasy and science fiction elements as well. The Dwellers who live in the enclosed cities spend their lives in the Realms, a virtual reality with advanced technology where almost anything is possible. Meanwhile, the Outsiders live a more primitive life, a harsher one where food is scarce and people who are Marked have special abilities. But no one is safe from the Aether storms which continue to rage and threaten everyone...

It really helped that the novel was told in dual perspectives because it was so much easier to understand the character's actions and see the contrast between life as a Dweller and an Outsider. Aria grows from being a naive girl to a strong young woman who can protect herself against the dangerous world she's been exiled into. Perry is headstrong and just as stubborn as Aria can be... but he's hesitant to let others get too close to him. As they journey into the wilderness on their own missions, Aria and Perry become closer than they ever could have imagined given their completely different backgrounds. 

Thrilling and heart-pounding, Veronica Rossi's debut novel Under the Never Sky is an adventurous tale which had me completely enthralled by its final pages. I'm already eagerly anticipating Through the Ever Night, the second novel in the trilogy, to see what exciting events will happen next to Aria and Perry!

Thanks so much to HarperCollins Canada for providing this review copy! To learn more about Under the Never Sky, you can find more information about the book on HarperCollins Canada's website, "like" their Facebook page, and visit The Savvy Reader!

In My Mailbox (58)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where we share any new books or goodies we bought, received, borrowed, etc. during the week. 

The past few weeks, I've gotten...

Received for Review:

• The Boy Project: Notes and Observations of Kara McAllister by Kami Kinard
• Gil Marsh by A.C.E. Bauer
• I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
• The Iron Thorn (Iron Codex #1) by Caitlin Kittredge
• The Nightmare Garden by (Iron Codex #2) by Caitlin Kittredge
• What Boys Really Want by Pete Hautman
  

Thanks so much to Random House Canada and Scholastic Canada for providing these novels for review! I also received a Croak bookmark and signed bookplate thanks to Gina Damico for participating in The Apocalypsies YAmazing Race. 

Gifted at Random House Canada's Blogger Love Fest:

• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
• The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (signed!)
• The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (signed!)
  
• Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
• Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World's Best Bargain Wines by Natalie MacLean 
• The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay (signed!)
• ARC of The Watch by Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya 

Thanks so much to Random House Canada for hosting such a wonderful event yesterday (February 11) to celebrate book bloggers! During the event, I also got some signed bookplates, and a Random House Canada mug and pens. I should have a recap of the event on my blog soon!   

Bought:

• Angelfire (Angel Fire #1) by Courtney Allison Moulton
• The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols 

And reading some enthusiastic tweets lately  for Courtney Allison Moulton's Angelfire novels, I thought I'd pick up the paperback. And I've been so excited for The One That I Want for months now! I read it as soon as I got it and loved it!

I have 3 midterms to write this week, so I'll try to post if/when I can. I know it's been sort of quiet of the blog lately but that's because I've been so busy with school! I'm looking forward to Reading Week so I can take a bit of a break.
 
What about YOU? Any new reads/finds this week?

And as always... Happy Reading! 

Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald

Title: Getting Over Garrett Delaney
Author: Abby McDonald
Release Date: January 24, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pages: 336
Source: Copy provided by publisher

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

Can a twelve-step program help Sadie kick her unrequited crush for good? Abby McDonald serves up her trademark wit and wisdom in a hilarious new novel.

Seventeen-year-old Sadie is in love: epic, heartfelt, and utterly one-sided. The object of her obsession — ahem, affection — is her best friend,Garrett Delaney, who has been oblivious to Sadie’s feelings ever since he sauntered into her life and wowed her with his passion for Proust (not to mention his deep blue eyes). 

For two long, painful years, Sadie has been Garrett’s constant companion, sharing his taste in everything from tragic Russian literature to art films to ’80s indie rock — all to no avail. But when Garrett leaves for a summer literary retreat, Sadie is sure that the absence will make his heart grow fonder — until he calls to say he’s fallen in love. With some other girl! A heartbroken Sadie realizes that she’s finally had enough. It’s time for a total Garrett detox! 

Aided by a barista job, an eclectic crew of new friends (including the hunky chef, Josh), and a customized self-help guide, Sadie embarks on a summer of personal reinvention full of laughter, mortifying meltdowns, and a double shot of love. 

My Thoughts:
I've enjoyed reading all of Abby McDonald's previous YA novels but Getting Over Garrett Delaney has easily become my new favourite of hers to date! It was a fun and cute contemporary novel that left a smile on my face, capturing the lightness of summer and all the aspirations it holds.

For two years, Sadie has been in love with her best friend, Garrett Delaney, and during this time, she's watched him go out with different girlfriends while she can only secretly pine away. But when Garrett goes away to summer camp and calls her to say he's fallen in love with yet another girl, Sadie decides enough's enough and that it's time to crush her unrequited love for good. And when Sadie actively makes a plan to distance herself from Garrett's influence, you can't help but feel proud of her for trying to stop centering her world around a boy who doesn't feel the same way about her.

I absolutely loved the support of Sadie's friend Kayla and her coworkers at her new summer job at a coffee shop. There was such a great group dynamic between them all with their easy companionship and fun personalities that made me laugh out loud. Sadie is a sassy, intelligent teenage girl who was always quick with a comeback... but her feelings for Garrett blinded her from seeing just how much she had changed herself just for a boy. Her friends were up to the task of keeping Sadie on track for her goal to get over Garrett, but they also didn't let her mope around either, making sure she was having fun and pushing her to open herself to new experiences during the summer as well.

With each new release, Abby McDonald's novels seem to be only getting better and better. Getting Over Garrett Delaney is her best novel yet! The romance is light in the novel, but I didn't mind that all because it was still adorable to watch Sadie stumble and have own turn of being oblivious that another boy could possibly like her. But really, this is a novel more focused on self-discovery and of a teenage girl finding herself once again. I cannot wait to read Abby McDonald's next YA novel!

Thanks so much to Random House Canada for providing this review copy!

Enter Simon & Schuster Canada's "Lone Wolf" Sweeps!

Are you a fan of Jodi Picoult? Simon & Schuster Canada is celebrating the upcoming release of Jodi Picoult's latest adult novel, Lone Wolf, by giving Canadians the chance to meet the author and win some amazing prize packs!

There will be 2 grand prizes given away, available to residents of the GTA only, who have the possibility to win: 

• a pre-event meet and greet with Jodi Picoult for you and a friend
• two tickets to her Toronto event on March 13
• a complete Jodi Picoult library of books including her latest novel Lone Wolf

If you don't live in the GTA, don't be sad! There are still more prizes to be won! You can win 1 of 3 nationwide prize packs which include:

• a complete Jodi Picoult library of books
• a signed copy of Lone Wolf 

Doesn't that sound awesome? The sweepstakes is currently running now but will end on March 2, 2012. Don't forget to enter! If you're interested in entering the contest, you can find the entry form on Simon & Schuster Canada's website HERE.

If you'd like to learn more about Lone Wolf, you can find more information on Simon & Schuster's website or check out Jodi Picoult's website.
 
Details on Jodi Picoult's Upcoming Event 
As already mentioned above, Jodi Picoult will be coming to Toronto next month for a signing!

• Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Church of the Redeemer: 162 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON.
• Note: This is a ticketed event. Tickets cost $5 each and may be purchased via TicketWeb.
• You can also find more details on the Facebook event page.

Waiting on Wednesday (83) - The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: April 10, 2012

Publisher: Doubleday Canada

Summary (from Goodreads):

On the heels of the wildly popular The Gathering comes the second in the "Darkness Rising" YA trilogy from NYT bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is--a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

I simply cannot wait to get my hands on The Calling, the second novel in Kelley Armstrong's Darkness Rising trilogy! The Gathering was a great introduction to the trilogy, raising questions about the St. Cloud Corporation and building up the mystery for later on. If it progresses in a similar fashion to the Darkest Powers series, I just know the books are only going to get more and more exciting! And I just have to know what happens next after the way The Gathering ended...

Dead to You Blog Tour! Author Interview with... Lisa McMann

I'm very excited to be taking part in the Canadian blog tour for Lisa McMann's latest release, Dead to You, which is officially hitting shelves today! If you're a fan of Lisa McMann, I'm sure you'll be eager to get your hands on a copy of Dead to You right away. Unlike her previous novels, Dead to You doesn't have any paranormal elements but the novel will still leave you wide-eyed and stunned by the time you finish the book! Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada, I was able to ask Lisa some questions... 

A page-turning realistic novel with a shocking twist from bestselling author Lisa McMann. 

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It’s a miracle…at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn’t going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he’d be able to put the pieces back together. 

But there’s something that’s keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

1) What kind of research was needed to understand the psychological effects Ethan experienced?

I had several conversations with a child/teen social worker and spoke with someone at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. I also did a lot of online research.

2) As a parent, would you consider Ethan's abduction as one of your fears come to life for your own children? 

Absolutely. The thought of losing a child like that is beyond horrifying. 

3) Which character in the novel has a personality that most closely resembles your own?

I asked my husband this question. He said Gracie. :) I said yay, because I freaking heart that little girl. 

4) In Dead to You, Ethan experiences a rather embarrassing (or in his terms, "humiliating") event when he returns to school. So on a lighter note, were there any memorable moments in high school you might be able to share with us?

Oh dear. There were so many unfortunate events. One involved a handful of snot.

5) Your next upcoming novels include Crash, another YA book, and Island of Silence, the second MG book in your The Unwanteds series. Can you tell us some more about what they'll be about?

CRASH (March 2013) is the first in a new series about a girl, visions, a meatball food truck, forbidden love, and nine body bags in the snow. I can’t wait! 

The Unwanteds: Island of Silence (Sept 2012) – After the battle, things don’t go quite like everyone had hoped, Alex gets a shocking request from Mr. Today, and Aaron is out for revenge. This story ramps up the stakes in a big way. I hope you like it! I’m working on book 3 in the series now.

*****

Thanks so much to Lisa McMann for answering my questions! And don't forget, Dead to You is out in stores today! You can also find yesterday's stop on the blog tour at YA Book Shelf.

If you'd like to learn more about Dead to You, why not check out the author video below, created by Simon & Schuster, with Lisa McMann discussing the novel or watch the book trailer? You can also learn more about Lisa McMann and her novels on her website.

 
 

Book Trailer for Dead To You:

Book Trailer! - Black Heart by Holly Black

The book trailer for Black Heart, the third and final novel Holly Black's Curse Workers trilogy, was released last week on MTV's Hollywood Crush but a YouTube version is now available for those outside of the US to watch! The book trailer is more of an overview of the entire trilogy, with a focus on the romance, but I love how they've incorporated the new covers to give the trailer a cool effect.

I'm nervous to see how Holly Black will end the trilogy! White Cat and Red Glove were such awesome books that took me by surprise by how much I enjoyed them, so I'm hoping the same will be true for Black Heart! Cassel has been through some tough times, but hopefully, he'll be able to pull through...

Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Summary:

Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy. 

But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—this time on love.

 

Mark Your Calendars! February Edition

To my fellow Canadians, are you ready to mark your calendars? Here are some upcoming bookish events to look forward to in February! (And wow! I just realized that it has been a few months since I've done a round-up post with upcoming YA events in Canada. Let's hope we continue to get more!)

Megan Crewe

Canadian author Megan Crewe will be celebrating the release of her latest novel, The Way We Fall, with a launch party in Toronto! The first in a planned trilogy, The Way We Fall centers around a deadly virus outbreak in a small island community.

• Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. ~ Bakka-Phoenix Books: 84 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON.
• You can also find more details on the Facebook event page for the launch party.

Marissa Meyer

Marissa Meyer will be promoting the release of her debut novel, Cinder, the first novel in the Lunar Chronicles series with a signing in British Columbia!

• Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. ~ Chapters Metrotown: Metropolis, Metrotown 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC.

Looking Ahead to March...

Tahereh Mafi will have a signing event in British Columbia to promote her debut novel, Shatter Me, the first in a dystopian trilogy!

• Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Chapters Metrotown (location details already above)

Canadian author Leah Bobet will be having a launch party in Toronto to celebrate the release of her debut YA novel, Above!

• Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. at Hotel Ocho: 195 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON.
• You can also find more details on the Facebook event page for the launch party.

*****

I probably won't be able to make it to the launch party for Megan Crewe's The Way We Fall, sadly, because I have too much school work to stress about this weekend. I'll have to hope I'm not so busy when the time arrives for the Above launch party at the end of March...

I hope some of you will be able to make it to these events and have fun meeting the authors! Are you looking forward to any of these events?