The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Title: The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: June 12, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 418
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spinoff series.

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.  

My Thoughts:
I'm a crazy fan-girl of Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series and the giddy rush of of excitement I feel just talking about the books can be most definitely applied to the Bloodlines series as well. I seriously only have gushing thoughts to share about The Golden Lily! 

After spending so much time around the Moroi and Dhampir these past few months, the world doesn't seem so black and white to Sydney anymore, making her question everything the Alchemists have ever taught her. She once believed that all vampires were evil and unnatural, while humans were always the side of good, but Sydney now realizes that isn't always the case. Humans are just as capable of being monsters and vampires can be kind of heart. She genuinely cares about Jill, Eddie and the rest of the gang, even when such an affection is bordering on being an act of betrayal against the Alchemists's doctrines. 

Adrian, oh Adrian... how I love you so! I've been a faithful Team Adrian supporter since he made his first appearance in Frostbite, the second novel of the Vampire Academy series, and my adoration for him has only gotten stronger. Adrian is much more perceptive than anyone really gives him credit for, and seems to know Sydney better than she even knows herself sometimes. Everyone thinks Sydney acts so perfectly, but he senses her insecurities and tries to protect her in his own way.

I loved the banter between Adrian and Sydney in The Golden Lily, delighting in the fact they had more moments together compared to Bloodlines. Sydney is intelligent when it comes to facts and academics, but she can be so oblivious when it comes to emotions and feelings. The chemistry between the pair really did seem to leap off the pages! I'm also sure fans of Dimitri will be glad to hear that he's in The Golden Lily. He and Sonya Karp have traveled to Palm Springs in order to study the effects of changing back from Strigoi using spirit... 

Richelle Mead always knows how to end her novels in a way that leaves you in emotional turmoil and completely desperate to learn what will happen next to the characters. In The Golden Lily, we continue to dig deeper into the world of the Alchemists, uncovering some of their secrets and also getting more of a glimpse into Sydney's talents with magic. I think it will only be a matter of time before Sydney's loyalties are truly put to the test in the Bloodlines series. I absolutely cannot for The Indigo Spell!

Thanks so much to Penguin Canada for providing this review copy!

Underworld by Meg Cabot

Title: Underworld (Abandon Trilogy #2)
Author: Meg Cabot
Release Date: May 8, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Scholastic Point
Pages: 336
Source: Copy provided by publisher

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, the dark reimagining of the Persephone myth begun in Abandon continues...into the Underworld.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn't dead.

Not this time.

But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.

Her captor, John Hayden, claims it's for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they've come back as Furies, intent on vengeance...on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.

But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there...and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.

And unless Pierce is careful, this time there'll be no escape. 

My Thoughts:
After the exciting finish to Abandon, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Underworld and learn what would happen to Pierce next! Now that we understood Pierce and John's complex history together, the storyline could progress in chronological order this time around without so many flashbacks. Any confusion I had felt while reading the first novel faded away in Underworld, to my relief! Fans of Greek mythology will be definitely eager to continue reading Meg Cabot's re-imagining of the Persephone and Hades myth!

Pierce is in the last place she ever wanted to find herself again: the Underworld. However, her desire to return to the land of the living with her family is warring against her love for John and wanting to be near his side, leaving her completely torn. In the meantime, the terrifying Furies haven't given up trying to torment and kill Pierce, and with her out of their reaches in the Underworld, they're going after the people she holds dear in her heart back in Isla Huesos.

John is just as manipulative and overprotective of Pierce as ever before, desperate to keep her in the Underworld with him. He would do absolutely anything for her, but sometimes he's not afraid of withholding the truth too because a part of him still disbelieves Pierce could truly care about him. John's past was always such a great mystery in Abandon, but we get more answers in this book, learning the tragic truth of how he became a death deity so many years ago. New characters with ties to when John was still a normal human are also introduced in Underworld! They seemed to lighten the mood of the book with their very presence and I loved their loyalty to John, helping him sort departed souls to their final destinations.  

Whereas Abandon felt more more like an introduction to the trilogy, Underworld quickly launches into the storyline and entices readers from the very first page. Meg Cabot has once again delivered a dark, alluring tale brimming with danger and romance. I'm now desperately waiting for the final book in the trilogy, Awaken!

Thanks so much to Scholastic Canada for providing this review copy!

Canada Day Blog Hop & Giveaway!

 

I'm really excited to be taking part in the 2nd annual Canada Day Blog Hop hosted by Chrystal at Snowdrop Dreams of Books, Aislynn at Stitch Read Cook and Carmel at Rabid Reads!

Over the next few days, beginning June 28 and running until July 1, you can visit the participating Canadian blogs below for giveaways to win some awesome novels! All the giveaways will be open to Canadians but international folks, don't feel too left out because I'm sure many of them will be open to everyone! 

For the Canada Day Blog Hop, I'm giving away ONE book out the following nine choices below to a lucky follower. All of the novels are written by Canadian authors... and I've tried to mix up the genres, from the supernatural and dystopian to contemporary and historical fiction!

~ Above by Leah Bobet (hardcover) 

~ Blood Red Road by Moira Young (ARC)

~ This Dark Endeavour by Kenneth Oppel (paperback)

~ Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen (paperback) 

~ Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom by Susin Nielsen (paperback)

- The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross (hardcover)

~ Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock (hardcover)

~ My Beating Teenage Heart by C.K. Kelly Martin (hardcover)

~ The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe (hardcover)

Giveaway Details:

• one winner will receive ONE (1) book out of the nine choices 
• please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter
• giveaway is INTERNATIONAL
• giveaway will end at 12:00 a.m. on July 2, 2012
• winner will be contacted by email afterwards
• do not leave your email address in the comments

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Here are the blogs participating in the Canada Day Blog Hop! Happy hopping! ^_^ 

Waiting on Wednesday (103) - Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

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

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

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Summary (from Simon & Schuster Canada):   

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole introduces The Arcana Chronicles, post-apocalyptic tales filled with riveting action, the dark mysticism of Tarot cards, and breathtaking romance. 

She could save the world—or destroy it. 

Sixteen year old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can’t do either alone.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side….

I haven't read any of Kresley Cole's adult novels, but her first foray into the YA market with Poison Princess sure has me eager to get my hands on a copy of the book. Poison Princess, the first novel in The Arcana Chronicles, sounds like an awesome mix of the paranormal, romance and suspense! I'm very interested in hearing more about how the Tarot cards will be incarnated in the teenagers and just what kinds of powers will be manifested.

Spotted! Cover of The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Golden Lily was only released in stores a couple weeks ago but the book cover for The Indigo Spell, the third novel in the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead, was officially revealed today on MTV's Hollywood Crush!

 Release Date: February 12, 2013

Publisher: Razorbill

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There's no summary to be found yet but I'm sure I'll be loving The Indigo Lily no matter what because Richelle Mead hasn't let me down yet! All of the colours for the covers in the Bloodlines series have been really fitting so far, and The Indigo Spell is no exception! Red for Bloodlines, yellow for The Golden Lily and now blue for The Indigo Spell, it definitely has me thinking ahead to what colours might be used for later books.

In the meantime, what are your theories on the character featured in the back, behind Sydney and Adrian? I'm thinking it's either Eddie or a new character who will be introduced in the novel. I guess we'll have to wait and see to find out!

Also, I'm super glad that The Indigo Spell is being released in February 2013! Just imagining the thought of waiting a complete year to find what happens next between Sydney and Adrian makes me shudder...

Spotted! Cover of Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

The title and book cover of the third novel in Ally Carter's Heist Society series, Perfect Scoundrels, was revealed earlier today on MTV's Hollywood Crush!

Release Date: February 5, 2013

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

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Summary (from MTV's Hollywood Crush):

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it’s that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting—or stealing—whatever they want.

No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale’s family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother’s billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there’s no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won’t let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother’s will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company’s fortune. So instead of being the heir—this time, Hale might be the mark.

Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she’s willing to save her boyfriend’s company if it means losing the boy.

I absolutely adore Ally Carter's Heist Society series (and her Gallagher Girls one too!), so I was really excited to see the cover for Perfect Scoundrels. Ally Carter's books are a breath of fresh air on the YA market because you just simply cannot find any other books with a storyline like the ones she consistently writes. And I'm sure Perfect Scoundrels will be no exception!

I cannot wait to see what sticky situations Katarina and her crew will find themselves in, especially when everything has become more personal with Hale being a potential mark in someone else's schemes. And who am I kidding? I need to see more of Kat and Hale together!

What do you think about the cover for Perfect Scoundrels? I really like how it's just as fun, yet elegant, as the previous two books in the series. And if you take a closer look, you can see Hale's reflection in Katarina's shades! 

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Title: Masque of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death #1)
Author: Bethany Griffin
Release Date: April 24, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pages: 336
Source: Bought

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population, and those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery makeup . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club, and Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find not just something to live for, but something to fight for—no matter what it costs her. 

My Thoughts:
Just when I began to think the dystopian genre had already begun to exhaust itself, Bethany Griffin comes along and impresses me with her novel Masque of the Red Death. The book takes its inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe's short story The Masque of the Red Death, giving it a new awakening. While I haven't read the original, I have no doubts fans will be more than satisfied with Bethany Griffin's rendering of the tale.

In the frightening world Bethany Griffin has imagined, danger is always lurking in the shadows and traveling through the ruined city in Prince Prospero's domain is a risk not everyone is willing to take. The poor struggle to make ends meet, living without the protection of the expensive masks which could save them from the plague that continues to kill more people everyday. Meanwhile, the wealthy continue to live their opulent lifestyles in the safety of their homes.

Ever since Araby lost someone she held dear in her family to the terrible sickness, she hasn't been able to push aside the numbness that has taken a hold of her. She doesn't know how to be close to her parents anymore, not when she's still lost in her depression and reliving old memories of a time when she didn't feel so alone. It's at the Debauchery Club that she finds an escape from her problems, where she can dress herself in pretty dresses and pretend that everything's okay.

However, there's unrest in the city and Araby finds herself caught in the delicate situation of working with the rebels who wish to stop Prince Prospero's oppressive reign, even though it puts her family in harm's way. And as if that wasn't already enough, Araby finds herself drawn to two very different young men: the sweet and kind Will, who's fiercely protective of his younger siblings... and Elliot, the charismatic and calculative older brother of Araby's best friend. Yes, there's a love triangle in the novel, but I never thought it took central focus. Instead, Bethany Griffin has intricately woven it into the storyline, complementing Araby's struggle to pick up the pieces of her broken life and find a sense of purpose again.

Dystopia meets steampunk in Bethany Griffin's Masque of the Red Death, delivering a dark and haunting story that is simply addictive to read. Everyone seemed to be hiding a secret in the novel, only adding to the suspense too... I absolutely cannot wait to see what will happen next in Dance of the Red Death!

A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

Title: A Midsummer's Nightmare
Author: Kody Keplinger
Release Date: June 5, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Poppy
Pages: 304
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

Whitley Johnson's dream summer with her divorcé dad has turned into a nightmare. She's just met his new fiancée and her kids. The fiancée's son? Whitley's one-night stand from graduation night. Just freakin' great.

Worse, she totally doesn't fit in with her dad's perfect new country-club family. So Whitley acts out. She parties. Hard. So hard she doesn't even notice the good things right under her nose: a sweet little future stepsister who is just about the only person she's ever liked, a best friend (even though Whitley swears she doesn't "do" friends), and a smoking-hot guy who isn't her stepbrother...at least, not yet. It will take all three of them to help Whitley get through her anger and begin to put the pieces of her family together.

Filled with authenticity and raw emotion, Whitley is Kody Keplinger's most compelling character to date: a cynical Holden Caulfield-esque girl you will wholly care about.  

My Thoughts:
Kody Keplinger has written yet another addicting contemporary novel which had my eyes completely glued to every single page! The chemistry between Nathan and Whitley is electric and leaves you waiting for the moment they'll give into their feelings for each other. If you loved reading Kody Keplinger's novels in the past, I'm sure you'll be loving A Midsummer's Nightmare too!

Whitley is angry with the world and upset that her father doesn't seem to bother noticing her anymore. So instead of being grateful for the supportive people she already has by her side, she tries to push everyone away, even when she actually needs them more than ever. Sometimes, I just wanted to knock some sense into her, but I guess part of the appeal of A Midsummer's Nightmare was trying to relate to someone who could be just so unlikeable sometimes.

I know Nathan and Whitley weren't related by blood or anything, but I was still rather unsettled by their slowly blossoming relationship because they would soon be step-siblings. Nathan was sweet and genuinely cared about Whitley, even during the times she probably didn't deserve it. His little sister, Bailey, was adorable and endeared herself to me with her innocence!

If I had to fault A Midsummer's Nightmare though, I'd have to say a part of me is exasperated with the way Kody Keplinger has once again used similar elements that can also be found in her previous two novels. Whitley is like a cross between Bianca from The DUFF and Lisa from Shut Out with her attitude problems and making assumptions about people's actions that lead her to poor decisions. And once again, the conclusion is wrapped up too neatly with a heart-to-heart conversation. I'm going to give the novel a free pass this time around, but I'll be definitely looking for more originality in Kody Keplinger's next novel, Goldfish!

Thanks so much to Hachette Book Group Canada for providing this review copy! You can learn more about Kody Keplinger's A Midsummer's Nightmare on Hachette's website, and if you're not already doing so, don't forget to follow HBG Canada on Twitter and "like" their Facebook page! 

Stacking the Shelves (4)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by fellow Canadian blogger Tynga at Tynga's Reviews where we share any new books or goodies we bought, received, borrowed, etc. during the week.

This week, I got...

Received for Review:

• Devine Intervention by Martha Brockenbrough
• Grim by Anna Waggener
• The Orphan King (Merlin's Immortals #1) by Sigmund Brouwer
• ARC of Skinny by Donna Cooner
• The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt
• Wild Ink: Success Secrets to Writing and Publishing in the Young Adult Market by Victoria Hanley

Thanks so much to Random House Canada, Scholastic Canada and Sourcebooks for sending these novels for review!

HCC Frenzy Presents:
Earlier this week on Tuesday (June 19), I was invited to a blogger event at the offices of HarperCollins Canada in downtown Toronto! It was an amazing night where they talked to us about the upcoming Fall YA titles they're most excited about and Tahereh Mafi, author of Shatter Me, was a surprise guest. We were also given goodie bags to take home with us and this is what I received:

• ARC of Debutantes by Cora Harrison
• Excerpt of What's Up With Jodi Barton by Hayley Long
• HarperCollins Canada Fall 2012 catalog
• Frenzy Spring 2012 edition 
• Divergent faction temporary tattoos
• signed Lauren Oliver bookplate
• Pretty Little Liars lip chap
• HCC Frenzy button

Thanks so much to HarperCollins Canada for hosting such an awesome event! As soon as I have more time (I have exams to study for right now), I'll write up and post a recap of the night.
 
Gifted:

• ARC of Unraveling (Unraveling #1) by Elizabeth Norris 

Sara from Geek Girl's Book Blog was so sweet to give me her ARC of Unraveling! 

Borrowed:

• ARC of Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles #1) by Gene Showalter  

Eeek! I've been so excited for Alice in Zombieland and Sara also kindly offered to let me borrow her ARC so I can read it. Isn't the cover absolutely gorgeous?

Bought:

• The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead
• Once Burned (Night Prince #1) by Jeaniene Frost 

I was fortunate to receive an ARC of The Golden Lily awhile ago, but I couldn't resist buying a finished copy of the book to add to my bookshelves. My fan-girly review is scheduled to go up at the end of the week and only has gushing thoughts for Adrian and Sydney!

I also spotted Once Burned in stores a few days early at my local Chapters location and snatched up a copy right away. Vlad is one of my favourite characters in the Night Huntress world, so I've been excited for this book for quite some time. I read it Friday night and then re-read it again the next day because I LOVED it so much. If you're a fan of Jeaniene Frost's novels, then I'm sure you'll be feeling the same way too.

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

And as always... Happy Reading! 

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

Title: The Last Princess (The Last Princess #1)
Author: Galaxy Craze
Release Date: May 1, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Poppy
Pages: 304
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 3 Stars

Summary:

Happily ever after is a thing of the past.

A series of natural disasters has decimated the earth. Cut off from the rest of the world, England is a dark place. The sun rarely shines, food is scarce, and groups of criminals roam the woods, searching for prey. The people are growing restless.

When a ruthless revolutionary sets out to overthrow the crown, he makes the royal family his first target. Blood is shed in Buckingham Palace, and only sixteen-year old Princess Eliza manages to escape. Determined to kill the man who destroyed her family, Eliza joins the enemy forces in disguise. She has nothing left to live for but revenge, until she meets someone who helps her remember how to hope-and love-once more.

Now she must risk everything to ensure that she does not become . . .

The Last Princess.  

My Thoughts:
When I first read the plot description for The Last Princess, I was immediately captivated by the dark future Galaxy Craze had envisioned for Great Britain. Unfortunately, I don't think the novel lived up to the expectations I had set for it. I mean, the premise was definitely intriguing and left me eager to learn more about the uncertainty of Eliza's future, but the execution of the storyline was less than impressive.

The pacing for The Last Princess was so fast that it didn't allow for enough world-building and character development. I did like Eliza's bravery and determination in the aftermath of her father's sudden assassination in her family's own home. She does all that she can to fight back against her enemies, even pretending to join the ranks of the rebel Tudor forces so she can learn where her older sister and younger brother were being held captive. 

However, because of the rushed feeling of the pacing, there wasn't enough details to really flesh out the story and make it seem plausible. I would've loved reading details about the events which led to England being cut-off and its people so desperate, but we were only given rather vague descriptions that were quickly glossed over. And I'm usually not one to complain about romance, but I felt like The Last Princess didn't really need it, or at the very least, should have been much more developed because I just couldn't find the connection between Eliza and Wesley believable.

With so many post-apocalyptic and dystopian novels on the YA market right now, it's easy to see why The Last Princess seems to have rather slipped under the radar. I may have liked escaping away to another world for a few hours while I read the novel, but I don't think anything about it particularly stood out in the end. Despite finding faults with The Last Princess, I'm still curious to see how Eliza's story will continue in the sequel...

Thanks so much to Hachette Book Group Canada for providing this review copy! You can learn more about Galaxy Craze's The Last Princess on Hachette's website, and if you're not already doing so, don't forget to follow HBG Canada on Twitter and "like" their Facebook page!

Spotted! Cover of Boundless by Cynthia Hand

Cynthia Hand revealed the book cover for Boundless, the third and final novel in the Unearthly series, earlier today on her blog!

Release Date: January 2, 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen

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There is no official summary available for Boundless yet, but that's perfectly okay because I'm still super excited for its release, regardless! I'm so glad HarperTeen has stuck with the theme of the previous book covers, choosing the same model wearing a pretty dress, but changing up the background and her expressions. And what's even more awesome is that the book covers are always even more gorgeous in person!

Are you loving the book cover for Boundless? Are you on Team Tucker or Team Christian? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

You can also read my reviews of Unearthly and Hallowed. This series is one of my favourites featuring angels!

Purity by Jackson Pearce

Title: Purity
Author: Jackson Pearce
Release Date: April 24, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 224
Source: Copy provided by publisher

Overall: 3 Stars

Summary:

A novel about love, loss, and sex -- but not necessarily in that order.

Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby's father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives -- in other words, no "bad behavior," no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.

Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision -- to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping her dad plan the ball, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her purity.  

My Thoughts:
After reading a whole bunch of rave reviews singing the praises of Jackson Pearce's first contemporary novel, Purity, I was definitely hoping I would feel the same way as well. But while I did like reading the book, a part of me still felt disappointed when I reached its conclusion. Purity had so much potential to take a philosophical approach to universal themes of friendships of friendship, loss and sexuality, but in the end, I don't think it completely rose to the occasion.

The lack of communication between the characters was so infuriating at times in Purity, even though I kept trying to remind myself how it was needed to add conflict in the novel. I couldn't really agree with any of Shelby's choices and the rush she feels in trying to lose her virginity before the Princess Ball, where she'll have to give a vow saying she'll lead a "pure" life. Her often callous personality made it further more difficult for me to try and relate to her. Some of the guys she threw herself at didn't deserve to be used for her ulterior motives and I wasn't impressed that her friend Ruby could be so encouraging without really thinking about the consequences.

Thank goodness for Jonas because he was the voice of reason in Purity! I really wished Shelby would open her eyes and see just how lucky she was to have him in her life. He always tried to help Shelby accomplish Promise Three, living without restraint, but I understood why he couldn't support Shelby in trying her best to exploit the loophole of giving away her purity. Surprisingly, I think my favourite aspect about Purity was seeing Shelby and father trying to bridge the gap of their distant relationship and become closer again. While Shelby thinks her Dad doesn't care about her, it's completely obvious to readers just how much he loves her, only he has no idea how to convey that affection because Shelby has never given him a chance.

Jackson Pearce also managed to tie in Shelby's religious beliefs and how her mother's death has shaken up her faith. However, due to the limited length of the novel, I don't think there was enough pages to fully develop the storyline and characters to a greater degree... Purity was a short, quick read with some heartfelt moments along the way. Fans of Jackson Pearce will surely enjoying reading her latest book! 

Thanks so much to Hachette Book Group Canada for providing this review copy! You can learn more about Jackson Pearce's Purity on Hachette's website, and if you're not already doing so, don't forget to follow HBG Canada on Twitter and "like" their Facebook page! 

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Release Date: April 24, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 485
Source: Bought

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die…or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for. 

My Thoughts:
A part of me was hesitant to start any new series centering around vampires, but since Julie Kagawa is one of my favourite authors, there was no way I could resist reading The Immortal Rules. If there was ever an author who could manage to bring a new spin to the vampire genre, it would surely be Julie Kagawa. The term "cinematic" first comes to mind when describing The Immortal Rules. The book was thrilling and action-packed, and with Julie Kagawa's excellent world-building skills, the dark post-apocalyptic setting is brought completely to life before your very eyes.

When Allie finds herself attacked by rabids while venturing for food on the outskirts of New Covington, she's unexpectedly saved by a Master Vampire named Kanin who gives her a choice: live and become vampire as the price... or die. Allie's will to survive is stronger than her hatred of vampires though, and she soon learns what it really means to be a vampire. However, Kanin is secretly on a mission of his own in the city, determined to undo a past mistake, and when his enemies find them, Allie and himself are forced to part ways.

Allie's escape from the city she's lived her entire life in takes her on an unexpected journey, one in which she must hide her vampiric nature from the ragtag group of humans she suddenly finds herself traveling with. They're trying to find Eden, rumoured to be the last place of human salvation and untouched by vampire influence, but after years of fruitless searching, it's beginning to seem more like they're chasing a legend. And as Allie struggles with her new immortality and the monster she feels she's becoming, she finds herself drawn to the very much human Zeke. In a world where everyone is selfishly only looking out for themselves, Zeke's kindness is a novelty to her. I'm just not too sure how I feel about the spark of romance which developed between them because I still see him more as a good friend than anything else...

Despite the fact that The Immortal Rules is almost 500 pages in length, I was still wishing the book would never end! I am absolutely looking forward to reading the second novel in the Blood of Eden series, The Eternity Cure. Julie Kagawa has imagined true creatures of the night who inspire terror and fear at their mere mention. The Immortal Rules is written with an intensity that is simply pure addicting to read!

Spotted! Cover of Everbound by Brodi Ashton

Brodi Ashton revealed the cover for Everbound, the second novel in the Everneath series, on her blog today!

Release Date: January 22, 2013

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

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Summary (from Goodreads):

**Contains spoilers if you haven't read Everneath!**

Two months ago, the Tunnels of the underworld came for Nikki Beckett. That night, Nikki's boyfriend, Jack, made the ultimate sacrifice. All Nikki wants is to save Jack before it's too late. All Cole wants is to find his queen - and he thinks Nikki is the one. Both determined, both desperate, Nikki and Cole form a tense alliance, leading them on a dangerous journey to The Heart of The Everneath.

Oh. My. Gosh. I thought the cover for Everneath was really pretty, but the cover for Everbound is downright GORGEOUS. I love the black dress and how it's billowing behind her, building into a dark, stormy effect. I seriously can't stop staring at it.

If you're a fan of books inspired by Greek mythology, you'll definitely want to check out Everneath if you haven't already done so because it's a modern take on Persephone...

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the cover in the comments!

Waiting on Wednesday (102) - The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

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

Release Date: December 18, 2012

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

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Summary (from UnRequired Reading):

When Ruby wakes up on her tenth birthday, something about her has changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

The first novel in a brand new trilogy, Alexandra Bracken's The Darkest Minds instantly captured my interest with the mere mention of teenagers gaining powerful abilities after surviving a deadly disease. It sounds like the book will be quite the thriller! Now add in romance, danger, and intrigue, and what you get is an irresistible combination that has left me impatiently awaiting the release of this book. Why is December so far away?

A Girl Named Digit by Annabel Monaghan

Title: A Girl Named Digit
Author: Annabel Monaghan
Release Date: June 5, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages: 192
Source: Copy provided by publisher

Overall: 4.5 Stars  

Summary:

Farrah "Digit" Higgins may be going to MIT in the fall, but this L.A. high school genius has left her geek self behind in another school district so she can blend in with the popular crowd at Santa Monica High and actually enjoy her senior year. But when Farrah, the daughter of a UCLA math professor, unknowingly cracks a terrorist group's number sequence, her laid-back senior year gets a lot more interesting. Soon she is personally investigating the case, on the run from terrorists, and faking her own kidnapping-- all while trying to convince a young, hot FBI agent to take her seriously. So much for blending in... 

My Thoughts:
As soon as I read the plot description for A Girl Named Digit, I knew I would enjoy reading the book, but what I did not expect was absolutely falling in love with it! Annabel Monaghan's A Girl Named Digit was a fun, cute novel made of pure win! It's a perfect romantic comedy with laughs and adorable characters, but also balanced with tons of excitement and times of seriousness too.

For the past few years, Farrah has been pretending to be a perfectly normal high school girl, enjoying being one of the popular students for the first time in her life and the anonymity she feels blending into their group. What her friends and classmates don't know is that Farrah is actually a math prodigy nicknamed "Digit", bound for MIT in the fall. But when Farrah notices some numbers flashing during the opening credits of a teen drama, her brain immediately slips into Digit mode, working out the number sequence. Unknowingly, she cracks the code of an ecoterrorist group and puts herself in danger. To keep her safe, the FBI fakes her own kidnapping and hides her away so she can help catch the criminals alongside John, the hot, young FBI agent who's also been assigned to the case.

I loved Digit's rambling inner monologues and her absolutely quirky personality! I found everything about her character just so endearing and the rapid way her thoughts fired through her head left me smiling as I read along. I also really liked how John was more than just a pretty face and someone Farrah could truly feel comfortable to be herself around. He's very dedicated to proving himself as an FBI agent, especially since this was his very first field assignment. And you know what I also liked about A Girl Named Digit? The parents actually had an active role in helping their children solve the case when Farrah and John were starting to get in over their heads. I'm glad the young couple weren't above asking for help when they really needed it.

Despite being a quick, short read, I was very much invested in the storyline and kept wishing more pages would magically appear so I didn't have to reach the end. Sure, the novel may have had its predictable moments, but I simply did not care! I'm very happy to hear that Annabel Monaghan is also working on a sequel because I'm not read to say goodbye to Digit just yet!   

Thanks so much to Thomas Allen & Son for providing this review copy!

Rapture by Lauren Kate (& Giveaway!)

Title: Rapture (Fallen #4)
Author: Lauren Kate
Release Date: June 12, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages: 464
Source: Copy provided by publisher

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Summary:

The sky is dark with wings. . . .

Like sand through an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past, they must find the place where the angels fell to earth.

Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again. Yet together they face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed.

And suddenly Luce knows what must happen. For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now is the only one that truly matters. In the fight for Luce, who will win.

The astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series. Heaven can’t wait any longer.

My Thoughts:
I've had a shaky relationship with the Fallen series in the past, but after reading Passion last year, it renewed my faith and left me anticipating the final book. After finally beginning to get some answers in the third book, and seeing the depth of the Luce and Daniel's long history together, Rapture builds off its momentum and continues full force to the finish!

I was really proud of Luce in this novel. She has grown so much over the course of this series, from a clueless and lovesick teenage girl to a young woman fighting for what she believes in, who doesn't shy away from potentially dangerous situations. She will always be comforted by the knowledge that Daniel is by her side, but I was glad to see she wasn't so dependent on him to do everything for her this time around. With Lucifer's plans to erase the past and begin everything anew, there was too much at stake for Luce to be doubting any of Daniel's intentions, like she had in the previous novels.

Daniel is just as sweet and overprotective as ever before in Rapture. His character may have frustrated me in the past with all his secrets, but I finally understood why he's always had to keep so silent, waiting for Luce to remember her past lives and the details of the curse on her own. And while I know this has always been Luce and Daniel's timeless love story, I did miss seeing Cam as he didn't appear as often in the storyline this time around. Since the very first book, Cam has always had a magnetic personality which lured me in right away, and there was something just so compelling about the way you could never tell if he was a friend or foe.

Rapture made me do something that I never imagined a book in the Fallen series could do: it brought me to tears. When I finished reading the novel, I had no idea if I was crying happy or sad tears before a state of emotional numbness eventually settled over me. It's one of those bittersweet endings that resonates in your head for days... Are you sure you're ready for the epic conclusion to the Fallen series?

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

*****

Giveaway! I have an extra finished copy of Lauren Kate's Rapture, so I'm giving it away to a lucky follower!

• please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter
• giveaway is INTERNATIONAL
• giveaway will end at 12:00 a.m. on July 3, 2012
• winner will be contacted by email afterwards
• do not leave your email address in the comments

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Stacking the Shelves (3)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by fellow Canadian blogger Tynga at Tynga's Reviews where we share any new books or goodies we bought, received, borrowed, etc. during the week.

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

Received for Review:

• ARC of The Blessed (The Blessed #1) by Tonya Hurley  
• ARC of Enshadowed (Nevermore #2) by Kelly Creagh

Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for sending these books for review... The cover for Tonya Hurley's The Blessed seriously creeps me out!

Bought:

• Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6) by Rachel Vincent
• The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2) by Kady Cross 
• Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1) by Leigh Bardugo
• Storm (Elemental #1) by Brigid Kemmerer 

I've already read all four of these books and they were all amazing good! I was really excited to find Rachel Vincent's Before I Wake on shelves almost two weeks early at Chapters and snatched up a copy right away. If you follow me on Twitter, then you'll know the latest book in the Soul Screamers series has left me completely gushing and fan-girly the past few days. You're going to absolutely LOVE the book if you're a fan of the series!! There are so many pages filled with Tod's pure awesomeness. *swoons*

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

And as always... Happy Reading! 

Belles by Jen Calonita

Title: Belles (Belles #1)
Author: Jen Calonita
Release Date: April 10, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Poppy
Pages: 368
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Summary:

Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she's ever known, and, unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous lifestyle of Emerald Cove doesn't go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn't thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and, in addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates' Southern charm, a secret is unfolding that will change both girls' lives forever.  

My Thoughts:
It's a lot more difficult to find fun contemporary novels which offer its readers pure entertainment, so when I first heard about Jen Calonita's Belles, I jumped at the chance to read it. And you know what? Belles completely delivered. It's a wonderful summer read filled with family drama and spoiled rich girls you would just love to slap in the face, or you know, have the satisfaction of seeing them completely humiliated.

I immediately sympathized with Izzie's character and took a liking to her right away. Raised in Harborside her entire life, Izzie has always loved her supportive friends and community, despite the town's reputation as one of the sketchier areas in North Carolina. She's a hard-working, sensible girl who cares for elderly grandmother and dedicates her extra time to her swim team and lifeguarding on the beach. When a social worker tells Izzie that her grandmother's Alzheimer's condition has progressed too far for her to handle on her own anymore, and that she'll be moving in to live with a long-lost uncle and his family, Izzie knows her life will never be the same.

On the other hand, Mira has always had everything handed to her and takes her privileged lifestyle in Emerald Cove for granted. She's never had to worry about money the same way her new cousin, Izzie, has always had to. Mira is also once of the most popular girls at her private school, partly because of her friendship to Savannah, who's the perfect definition of a mean girl. Savannah is one of those girls who can be sweet to your face one moment, and then stab you once your back is turned the next. But even though Mira knows Savannah can go too far in hurting others, she's still more content being a follower than growing a spine and speaking up for herself. If Mira had come to her senses sooner and tried to atone for some of her actions against Izzie in making her life more difficult, I would have probably liked her character more. I did love how her older brother, Hayden, wasn't afraid to call her out for acting like a clone of Savannah though!

If you're looking for a light contemporary read with Southern charm, a touch of cute romance, and a lot of heart, then I'm sure you'll definitely be interested in reading Jen Calonita's Belles! And did I mention there's a shocking revelation that will leave you gasping aloud by the end? I cannot wait to see how Izzie and Mira's story will continue in Winter White, the second novel in the Belles series!   

Thanks so much to Hachette Book Group Canada for providing this review copy! You can learn more about Jen Calonita's Belles on Hachette's website, and if you're not already doing so, don't forget to follow HBG Canada on Twitter and "like" their Facebook page!