Book Trailer! - The Diviners by Libba Bray

The book trailer for The Diviners, the first novel in a brand new series by Libba Bray, was unveiled a few days ago on EW's Shelf Life! The Diviners is a mix of historical fiction along with mystery, the supernatural, and so much more. I'm really excited for its release this Fall, and the book trailer offers a creepy taste of what can be expected from Libba Bray's upcoming novel. Enjoy watching!

Release Date: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads): 

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.

  

Team Human by Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan

Title: Team Human
Author: Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan
Release Date: July 3, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 352
Source: Bought

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Summary:

Just because Mel lives in New Whitby, a city founded by vampires, doesn't mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. They stay in their part of town; she stays in hers. Until the day a vampire shows up at her high school. Worse yet, her best friend, Cathy, seems to be falling in love with him. It's up to Mel to save Cathy from a mistake she might regret for all eternity!

On top of trying to help Cathy (whether she wants it or not), Mel is investigating a mysterious disappearance for another friend and discovering the attractions of a certain vampire wannabe. Combine all this with a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and touching.

Acclaimed authors Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan team up to create a witty and poignant story of cool vampires, warm friendships, and the changes that test the bonds of love. 

My Thoughts: 
Just when you think you know everything about the vampire genre, Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan write a novel together which completely proves otherwise! Team Human is a highly entertaining standalone novel that will leave you torn between choosing Team Human... or Team Vampire.

When her best friend, Cathy, falls in love with a vampire named Francis, Mel makes it her mission to save Cathy's humanity before it's too late. Convinced Francis has started attending their school for a dark purpose, Mel does whatever she can to drive apart the smitten pair. And as if that weren't enough to keep a teenage girl busy, Mel must also help her other best friend, Anna, investigate why her mother has been acting so strange lately...

To say that Mel isn't crazy about vampires would be an understatement. They may be immortal, but she shudders at the thought of never being able to feel the sun on your skin, enjoying the bliss of food like chocolate, or a life without any sense of humour. Mel is also a truly loyal person, always sticking up for her friends and trying to protect them in her own way. She can be tough, witty and quick to come up with a snarky remark, but she also has her vulnerable moments, not that she would ever admit it.

Vampire satire aside, Team Human is also surprisingly thoughtful, showing that knowledge can help to overcome ignorance and discrimination. It's only after Mel meets Kit, a young man who's grown up among the living dead and lived his entire life in the vampire side of town, that she begins to see that maybe vampires aren't so bad as she'd always imagined, and in turn, she shows him what it's like to be human. Kit was adorable, sweet and totally clueless when it came to human customs, and the flirting between them was cute, making me smile whenever they were together.

Team Human is absolutely hilarious and I couldn't resist laughing aloud at Mel's antics. Along with a touch of mystery and tons of laughs, it's also a heartwarming story of friendship too. It may be my first time reading a novel by either Justine Larbalestier or Sarah Rees Brennan, but it certainly won't be my last. I'll be looking forward to reading more novels by the authors in the future!

A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton

Title: A Witch in Winter (Winter Trilogy #1)
Author: Ruth Warburton
Release Date: January 5, 2012 (paperback)
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Pages: 368
Source: Copy provided by publisher

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

Anna Winterson doesn’t know she’s a witch and would probably mock you for believing in magic, but after moving to the small town of Winter with her father, she learns more than she ever wanted to about power.

When Anna meets Seth, she is smitten, but when she enchants him to love her, she unwittingly amplifies a deadly conflict between two witch clans and splits her own heart in two. She wants to love Seth, to let him love her – but if it is her magic that’s controlling his passion, then she is as monstrous as the witch clan who are trying to use her amazing powers for their own gain.

When love is tangled up in magic, how do you know what’s real? 

My Thoughts:
When Anna Winterson and her father move from London to the small town of Winter, Anna isn't exactly thrilled that her new home, Wicker House, reminds her of a haunted house. After she invites a few of her classmates over for a sleepover and shows her new friends a damaged Grimoire that her father found while renovating, she learns the locals call it the Witch's House. The girls decide to have some fun, casting a spell that will bind an object of desire, and when it's Anna's turn, she can't help thinking about Seth Waters, the incredibly handsome boy who sits beside her in class.

When Anna arrives to school after the weekend, she is shocked by Seth's sudden attention. But magic can't really be real, right? Frantic to undo the damage and reverse the love spell, she casts more enchantments, unaware of her own awakening powers as a witch. Emmaline, a classmate who keeps to herself and a witch in her own right as well, is understandably standoffish to Anna at first for the havoc she's wreaked in such a short time. Her family takes Anna under their wing, teaching her how to properly focus when using her powers and that they must keep their abilities a secret from non-magical people. Emmaline soon warms up to Anna though, becoming the loyal kind of friend you always want on your side.

I couldn't help rolling my eyes when Anna and Seth were declaring their feelings because the strength of them came a little too soon for my tastes, but I went along with it instead of questioning it too much. Anna's a kind person, confused about her new powers as a witch and how she's inherited them, but no matter how hard she tries to convince herself that Seth's feelings are true, a part of her still can't help believing it's only because of the spell.

I loved how Ruth Warburton has vividly brought the fishing town of Winter to life, with beautiful descriptions that practically make you feel the wind blowing from the sea. The Old English incantations were also really cool, and it was evident how much research Ruth Warburton has poured into folk traditions.   

Ruth Warburton's debut novel, A Witch in Winter, is an addictive read brimming with witchcraft lore, romance, and magic on each page. The Winter trilogy is off to a promising start and delivers an enchanting tale that will cast a spell on readers! I hope A Witch in Winter will eventually be published in North America because it definitely deserves more exposure and readers to enjoy it!

Thanks so much to Hachette Children's Group UK for providing this review copy!

Soulbound by Heather Brewer

Title: Soulbound (Legacy of Tril #1)
Author: Heather Brewer
Release Date: June 19, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Dial
Pages: 304
Source: ARC provided by publisher

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Summary:

A brand-new fantasy with a kick-butt heroine from the author of The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod.

Tril is a world where Barrons and Healers are Bound to each other: Barrons fight and Healers cure their Barrons' wounds in the ongoing war with the evil Graplar King. Seventeen-year-old Kaya was born a Healer, but she wants to fight. In Tril, and at Shadow Academy, where she is sent to learn to heal, it is against Protocol for Healers to fight. So Kaya must learn in secret. Enter two young men: One charming, rule-following Barron who becomes Bound to Kaya and whose life she must protect at all costs. And one with a mysterious past who seems bent on making Kaya's life as difficult as possible. Kaya asks both to train her, but only one will, and the consequences will change their lives forever.

Heather Brewer has created a thrilling, action-packed, and romantic first installment of the Legacy of Tril series, where one strong heroine must break the rules to claim her destiny and her heart. 

My Thoughts: 
Soulbound is an exciting introduction to the Legacy of Tril series, where a secret society of Barrons and Healers live apart from the Unskilled, raging a costly ongoing war against the Grapular King. Kaya grew up in the Unskilled village of Kessler with her parents, both Barrons who left Skilled society long ago because of their forbidden love. It's only after Kaya's family is discovered and she's sent to Shadow Academy that she learns what it really means to be a Healer bound to a Barron, and the responsibilities that come along with it.

Kaya was an awesome heroine! She may have been born a Healer, but she's always wanted to learn how to fight and defend herself, even if it's against Protocol, the Skilled societal rules governed by the Zettai Council. Kaya's a fierce young woman, unwilling to back down and follow the Zettai Council's rules without protest. I was just as outraged as Kaya when she learned the Barrons expected her to be a helpless damsel, overconfident in their beliefs they were the only ones capable of fighting and thinking Healers were only meant to heal them, nothing else.

It's also at Shadow Academy where two handsome young men become intertwined in Kaya's life: Trayton and Darius. Trayton was sweet and charming, but ever the rule follower. Darius was the opposite, infuriating and seeming to dislike Kaya's very presence, even though she'd done nothing to warrant it. There's a certain tension in the air whenever they were together, but Darius is the one who pulls through for Kaya, agreeing to help train her how to use a katana. (I loved how this fantasy world has a touch of Japanese influence!) I also really liked Maddox's character. She's supportive, not afraid to bend the rules, and just the kind of friend that Kaya needed. 

Heather Brewer's Soulbound was an absolutely thrilling and suspenseful read, with danger always lurking in the shadows. My jaw literally dropped when I reached the conclusion of Soulbound, caught in a state of utter disbelief and shock. Heather Brewer ends the novel with a stunning revelation which leaves you desperate for answers. I absolutely must find out what happens next in book two, Soulbroken!

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

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Title: Of Poseidon (Of Poseidon #1)
Author: Anna Banks
Release Date:  May 22, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 336
Source: ARC received from publisher

Overall: 3 Stars

Summary:

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen - literally, ouch! - both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom...

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

My Thoughts: 
Despite the faults I might have found with Of Poseidon, I still enjoyed reading the novel. There's an addictive quality to Anna Banks's words that makes it difficult to set the book down for even a moment! The cover for Of Poseidon, while absolutely beautiful, is rather misleading though as it suggests a darker theme for the storyline, but the book is actually surprisingly light.

Humans have always fascinated Galen, but after he literally bumps into Emma at a beach, he's taken aback when he notices the violet eyes which mark her as one of the Syrena, a mermaid. It's only after he witness a deadly encounter in the water that he becomes more determined than ever to find out more about Emma, because if his suspicions are right, she could be the key to uniting two kingdoms: the houses of Triton and Poseidon. Because of Emma's ability to speak to and command fish, Galen believes she's somehow a descendant of Poseidon.

I was very much intrigued by the mythology behind the Syrena, so I was certainly just as attentive as Emma when it came to explanations of their underwater world. I couldn't really take any of the characters too seriously though; they acted so childishly at times when the situation really did call for them to be more mature. Galen and Emma were cute together, but I didn't feel anything particularly passionate that would make me swoon. Maybe that will change in the next book though... 

I usually don't find it too difficult to read dual narration, but it took some adjusting to get used to it this time around as Emma's point of view was written in first person, whereas Galen's was in third person. There's also enough description to visualize what's happening in the book, which is absolutely great, but when it came to the emotional aspects, I felt the writing only began to brush the surface.

Of Poseidon had lots of potential, but in the end, I couldn't shake the feeling of being disappointed in a way because I had been expecting something different. I'm still not really convinced about the appeal of the mermaid genre, but maybe it's just because I haven't found the right book yet. Anna Banks's debut novel Of Poseidon is perfect if you're looking for a summer read that is lighter on the paranormal side. There's also a twist at the end of the book that's left me really curious to see what will happen next in book two, Of Triton!  

Thanks so much to Raincoast Books for providing this review copy!

Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols

Title: Such A Rush
Author: Jennifer Echols
Release Date: July 10, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: MTV Books
Pages: 336
Source: Bought

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:  

A sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers. 

When I was fourteen, I made a decision. If I was doomed to live in a trailer park next to an airport, I could complain about the smell of the jet fuel like my mom, I could drink myself to death over the noise like everybody else, or I could learn to fly. 

Heaven Beach, South Carolina, is anything but, if you live at the low-rent end of town. All her life, Leah Jones has been the grown-up in her family, while her mother moves from boyfriend to boyfriend, letting any available money slip out of her hands. At school, they may diss Leah as trash, but she’s the one who negotiates with the landlord when the rent’s not paid. At fourteen, she’s the one who gets a job at the nearby airstrip. 

But there’s one way Leah can escape reality. Saving every penny she can, she begs quiet Mr. Hall, who runs an aerial banner-advertising business at the airstrip and also offers flight lessons, to take her up just once. Leaving the trailer park far beneath her and swooping out over the sea is a rush greater than anything she’s ever experienced, and when Mr. Hall offers to give her cut-rate flight lessons, she feels ready to touch the sky. 

By the time she’s a high school senior, Leah has become a good enough pilot that Mr. Hall offers her a job flying a banner plane. It seems like a dream come true . . . but turns out to be just as fleeting as any dream. Mr. Hall dies suddenly, leaving everything he owned in the hands of his teenage sons: golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson. And they're 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. 

My Thoughts:
Jennifer Echols is one of my favourite YA contemporary authors and Such A Rush certainly didn't disappoint! The book was everything I hoped it would be and more. If you're looking for your latest romantic drama fix, Such A Rush is the perfect contemporary novel to choose next! 

With her mother always gone off with her latest boyfriends, Leah has lived a lonely life in various trailer parks across South Carolina over the years. Used to fending for herself, Leah's outlook on life has been toughened, making her wary of allowing anyone to ever get too close to her. At school, she's gained a reputation among the boys for being "easy", even if it's far from true, and all the girls hate her, with the exception of her best friend, Molly. However, even though she's afraid to voice it aloud, a part of Leah still believes Molly is only nice to her because she can be treated as a charity case.

Ever since Leah moved to Heaven Beach three years ago though, she was given hope for a better future thanks to Mr. Hall, the only father-figure she's ever really had. Leah's dream of one day becoming an airline pilot means the world to her and her passion for flying is certainly infectious! She's watched Mr. Hall's boys from afar whenever they came to Hall Aviation, but when Mr. Hall suddenly dies, Grayson unexpectedly decides to take over the family business. For reasons he refuses to say, Grayson blackmails Leah into flying for him and to date his twin brother, Alec.

It may seem like there's a love triangle, but there really isn't. Alec is charming and sweet, acting quite differently from his brother, but there's no question you'll be rooting for Grayson and Leah to be together from the start. Grayson is both infuriating and downright hot, with a magnetic personality and an energy that cannot be contained within the pages. There are times he'll make you swoon one moment and then want to throttle him the next, but I definitely fell hard for him in the end.

Such A Rush is one of Jennifer Echols's best novels to date and I'll absolutely be reading it again and again in the future! The chemistry between Grayson and Leah is off the charts, and there's a certain tension present that leaves you holding your breath and wondering what will happen next. If you still haven't read a book written by Jennifer Echols, then you're truly missing out!

Waiting on Wednesday (107) - Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

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

Release Date: October 1, 2012

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads): 

Parker Shelton pretty much has the perfect life. She’s on her way to becoming valedictorian at Hundred Oaks High, she’s made the all-star softball team, and she has plenty of friends. Then her mother’s scandal rocks their small town and suddenly no one will talk to her.

Now Parker wants a new life.

So she quits softball. Drops twenty pounds. And she figures why kiss one guy when she can kiss three? Or four. Why limit herself to high school boys when the majorly cute new baseball coach seems especially flirty?

But how far is too far before she loses herself completely?

I absolutely LOVED reading Miranda Kenneally's debut novel Catching Jordan last year (here's my review!) and it instantly became one of my new favourite contemporary novels to read. I've already re-read it several times and I'm sure I'll be reading it again at least once more as I feverishly await the release of Stealing Parker, a companion novel to Catching Jordan.

I'm looking forward to meeting our new protagonist, Parker, and hearing more about her mother's scandal and how it has influenced Parker's sudden change in behaviour. I hope it will be another fun read with romance, but also still have a lot of heart and offer emotional meaning. I have no doubts it will be great. I'm definitely excited to read Stealing Parker! 

Endlessly by Kiersten White

Title: Endlessly (Paranormalcy #3)
Author: Kiersten White
Release Date: July 24, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 400
Source: Bought

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

Evie's paranormal past keeps coming back to haunt her. A new director at the International Paranormal Containment Agency wants to drag her back to headquarters. The Dark Faerie Queen is torturing humans in her poisonous realm. And supernatural creatures keep insisting that Evie is the only one who can save them from a mysterious, perilous fate.

The clock is ticking on the entire paranormal world. And its fate rests solely in Evie's hands.

So much for normal. 

My Thoughts:
I've always loved the fun writing style that makes the Paranormalcy series such a breath of fresh air to read, and Endlessly is no exception! The fast pacing of the novel doesn't allow you to pause for a breath; as soon as there's a lull in the action, Evie quickly finds herself in the thick of things all over again. Endlessly captured my full attention and I couldn't tear my eyes away even for a moment!

Evie has come a long way since Paranormalcy and she continued to grow as a character in Endlessly as well. She hates feeling like a chess piece in other people's plans all the time, but she realizes she's going to have to stop fighting her own destiny. Once someone she cares about is in danger, she's quick to jump into the fray and holds nothing back. Time is running out for every paranormal on Earth, and Evie is the only one who can help them. No pressure, right?

After meeting Jack and his mischievous personality in Supernaturally, I was quite ready to see him return in Endlessly. Even if he won't admit it right away, he's ready to atone for past mistakes and help Evie as much as he can this time around. Lend is just as adorable and lovable as ever before, always supporting Evie's decisions and giving her the confidence to believe in herself when she has her doubts about the future.

Oh, Reth! How could I ever have overlooked you in the past? While there's no question that Evie's heart belongs to Lend, I really don't think she's given the handsome faerie enough credit. His methods may be manipulative and his motives questionable at times, but there's no denying that they spur Evie into motion when she'd rather sit back and do nothing. Reth can be misunderstood sometimes, and he's had his creepy moments in past books, but he really does care about Evie and tries to protect her in his own way. 

I'm sad to see the series end, but I couldn't imagine a more exciting finish! Kiersten White wraps up the Paranormalcy trilogy in a bleeping awesome fashion, pulling out all the stops to deliver a stunning conclusion that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

Stacking the Shelves (5)

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. 

It's been awhile since I last had a chance to write a Stacking the Shelves post, so these are the books I've added to my shelves the past four weeks!

Won:

• ARC of Rift (Nightshade Prequel #1) by Andrea Cremer 

Thanks so much to the Razorbill Community for their monthly giveaways!   

Received for Review:

• Blood Magic (The Blood Journals #1) by Tessa Gratton
• ARC of The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron
• Emily for Real by Sylvia Gunnery
• Laura Secord: A Story of Courage by Janet Lunn
• ARC of The Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch
• ARC of The Obsidian Mirror by Catherine Fisher
• One Good Hustle by Billie Livingston 
• ARC of The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
• ARC of The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen by Susin Nielsen
• ARC and finished copy of Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
• A Witch in Love (Winter #2) by Ruth Warburton
• A Witch in Winter (Winter #1) by Ruth Warburton

Thanks so much to Hachette Children's Books UK, Pajama Press, Random House Canada, Scholastic Canada and Tundra Books for sending these novels for review! I was ridiculously excited to receive an ARC of Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Boys, nestled inside a box which features the gorgeous cover art for the novel. I read it later that night and stayed up until 4:30 a.m. because there was no way I could set it down until I was finished, completely enchanted and lost within its pages. I only have gushing thoughts for The Raven Boys!

Joanne Levy Book Launch:

• ARC of Dead Cat Bounce by Nic Bennett
• Frostbite: The Graphic Novel (Vampire Academy: The Graphic Novel #2) by Richelle Mead
• swag (signed/unsigned bookmarks, bracelets and buttons)
• delicious red velvet cupcake

Last Saturday, I was able to attend the book launch for Joanne Levy's debut MG novel, Small Medium at Large, in Hamilton! Joanne Levy surprised the bloggers who had VIP passes (myself included) with awesome bags that held tons of swag and a couple books. It was so generous of her! I had a fun time meeting Joanne Levy and seeing the Ontario Bloggettes again.  

My Sister's New Books:

• 52 Reasons to Hate My Father by Jessica Brody
• Cold Fury by T.M. Goeglein (won from Razorbill Community!)
• My Life in Black and White by Natasha Friend
• Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham
• Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson 
• The Thing About The Truth by Lauren Barnholdt
• Wicked Jealous: A Love Story by Robin Palmer 

Usually, I'll mix in the books my sister got into the section below, but she got enough this month that I thought she should have her own section for this post! After she's finished reading them, I'll be able to afterwards. I've already read The Thing About The Truth and it was exactly the sort of book I would expect from Lauren Barnholdt!

Bought:

• Archangel's Blade (Guild Hunter #4) by Nalini Singh
• Endlessly (Paranormalcy #3) by Kiersten White
• A Perfect Blood (The Hollows #10) by Kim Harrison 
• A Sliver of Shadow (Abby Sinclair #2) by Allison Pang
• Small Medium at Large by Joanne Levy
• Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
• Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan
• Wicked Nights (Angels of the Dark #1) by Gena Showalter  

After reading Jeaniene Frost's Once Burned, I was definitely in the mood to read some more adult urban fantasy books. I'm not sure how Kim Harrison does it, but The Hollows series continues to only get better and better, even after ten novels!  

Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols was one of my most anticipated contemporary YA books of the year, and I absolutely LOVED it. It was well worth the wait. And I spotted Kiersten White's Endlessly in stores a few days early yesterday and quickly snatched up a copy, reading and finishing it last night. It was a fantastic, heart-pounding finish to the Paranormalcy series and you're all going to love it too.

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

And as always... Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday (106) - Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans

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

Release Date: January 15, 2013

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads): 

Since her untimely death the day before her eighteenth birthday, Felicia Ward has been trapped in Level 2, a stark white afterlife located between our world and the next. Along with her fellow prisoners, Felicia passes the endless hours downloading memories and mourning what she’s lost—family, friends, and the boy she loved, Neil.

Then a girl in a neighboring chamber disappears, and nobody but Felicia seems to recall she existed in the first place. Something is obviously very wrong. When Julian—a dangerously charming guy Felicia knew in life—comes to offer Felicia a way out, she learns the truth: a rebellion is brewing to overthrow the Morati, the guardians of Level 2.

Felicia is reluctant to trust Julian, but then he promises what she wants the most—to be with Neil again—if only she’ll join the rebels. Suspended between Heaven and Earth, Felicia finds herself in the center of an age-old struggle between good and evil. As memories from her life come back to haunt her, and as the Morati hunt her down, Felicia will discover it’s not just her own redemption at stake… but the salvation of all mankind.

Lenore Appelhans's debut novel Level 2, the first novel in The Memory Chronicles, sounds like a fantastic new spin on the afterlife! With a rebellion in the works against the Morati, guardians of Level 2 who can probably be likened to corrupt angels, I'm sure the book will offer plenty of thrills for readers. But even better, I think we'll get an emotional story about a girl trying to come to terms about her death as she watches her memories of the past. And while Felicia may have loved Neil on Earth, I have a feeling I'll be falling for Julian once we get to know him more... 

I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of Level 2 and see if any of my predictions will be coming true!

Book Trailer! - The Kill Order by James Dashner

The book trailer for the highly anticipated prequel to the Maze Runner series, The Kill Order, by James Dashner was revealed yesterday on EW's Shelf Life! Are you all excited to see what happened before WICKED was formed, when the world began to fall apart and no one could stop it? I sure am! In just a few more weeks, we'll all get to finally see what really happened when the sun flares hit and humanity descended into madness...

Release Date: August 14, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Random House Canada): 

The prequel to the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series.

Before WICKED was formed, before the Glade was built, before Thomas entered the Maze, sun flares hit the earth and mankind fell to disease.

Mark and Trina were there when it happened, and they survived. But surviving the sun flares was easy compared to what came next. Now a disease of rage and lunacy races across the eastern United States, and there’s something suspicious about its origin. Worse yet, it’s mutating, and all evidence suggests that it will bring humanity to its knees.

Mark and Trina are convinced there’s a way to save those left living from descending into madness. And they’re determined to find it—if they can stay alive. Because in this new, devastated world, every life has a price. And to some, you’re worth more dead than alive.

Wild Ink by Victoria Hanley

Title: Wild Ink: Success Secrets to Writing and Publishing in the Young Adult Market
Author: Victoria Hanley
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Prufrock Press Inc.
Pages: 350
Source: Copy provided by publisher

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

What do you need to know to break in to the flourishing young adult (YA) market? With humor and a solid grounding in reality, author Victoria Hanley helps readers understand the ins and outs of the YA genre, how to stay inspired, and how to avoid common mistakes writers make in trying to reach teens. The book includes unique writing exercises to help readers find their own authentic teen voice and dozens of interviews with YA authors, blogging experts, editors, and agents to give inspiration and guidance for getting published. Chapters include writing exercises and self-editing techniques tailored to YA, along with encouraging words on dealing with self-doubt, rejection, and lack of time.  

My Thoughts:
Victoria Hanley's Wild Ink: Success Secrets to Writing and Publishing in the Young Adult Market is an excellent resource for aspiring writers and those individuals simply curious to learn more about the ever-growing YA market. In a clear, concise manner, Hanley uses her own personal experience as a published author as well as Q&As with literary agents, editors and other authors in explaining all the steps from deciding to write a book to the ultimate accomplishment after arduous efforts, having your work being published.

If you ever had any questions about writing and the publishing industry, you can be assured that Victoria Hanley has likely covered the topic in Wild Ink. As a book blogger and avid reader, I've learned many things about publishing over the years, but reading Wild Ink only reaffirmed that there is still so much more to learn. Finishing the first draft of a novel is only the first series of hurdles to cross! 

Without getting caught too much in the really technical details, the book gives you the confidence to fulfill your dreams of writing a novel and provides details on the next steps to be taken afterwards. Acquiring a literary agent, traditional vs. self-publishing, marketing tips, and more, it's all included in Wild Ink as well. And if you're eager to learn more writing tips and information about the publishing industry, but feel there's not enough provided in Wild Ink, Victoria Hanley has also given recommendations to other novels that may prove to be useful as well.

Wild Ink provides an informative overview of just what it really takes to write a novel and the long process required to see it finally reach shelves and eReaders. Victoria Hanley is both encouraging and straightforward in her approach to stating the common mistakes writers often make, overcoming obstacles and rejection, and the realities of what can be expected if you dream of being a published author. If I ever set out to write my own novel, I'll certainly be referring to Victoria Hanley's Wild Ink for some help and guidance. 

Thanks so much to Sourcebooks for providing this review copy!

Spotted! Cover of Afterparty by Ann Redisch Stampler

Ann Redisch Stampler revealed the book cover for her sophomore YA novel, Afterparty, late Saturday night on her blog!

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Add to Goodreads

There isn't an official plot summary available yet, but if you click on the link above to Ann Redisch Stampler's blog post for the cover reveal, she briefly talks about the characters in Afterparty and it definitely has me eager to learn more!

If you're really good with your contemporary books and you're thinking to yourself something along the lines of, "Wait. Why does this cover seem so familiar, like I've seen before?" then you might be able to recall that this image was originally used for Lauren Barnholdt's One Night That Changes Everything, also another novel published by Simon & Schuster. 

You can see that cover for yourself on Lauren Barnholdt's blog when she blogged about the change and reasons behind it. When I heard they were changing covers, I was disappointed because the one they ended up choosing wasn't as pretty... Anyways, that happened OVER 2 YEARS AGO and I can still recall this exact image because that's just how OBSESSED IN LOVE I was with that cover.

Needless to say, I'm incredibly happy that Ann Redisch Stampler's second contemporary YA novel will be using this cover art. It's absolutely gorgeous and I love the range of colours it uses, and the dark tones of the shadows and the girl's silhouette. This is the kind of cover that makes me want to buy a book regardless of what it's even about, though I'm sure I'll be loving Ann Redisch Stampler's writing too!

What are your thoughts on the cover?

Waiting on Wednesday (105) - Mind Games by Kiersten White

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

Release Date: February 19, 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads): 

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

Yay! There's a more detailed plot summary available for Mind Games now... and doesn't it just get you even more excited to read the book? Two sisters gifted with extraordinary abilities, but not having the freedom of choice how they can use them? To point out an understatement, that would really suck for Fia and Annie. I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for them and how the sisters will work together to protect themselves. And while I loved the lighter tone of writing for Kiersten White's Paranormalcy series, Mind Games already seems like it's going to be darker...

Spotted! Cover of Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

In what must have been one of the coolest cover reveals I've ever seen, the book cover for Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Princess, the third and final novel in the bestselling The Infernal Devices trilogy, was revealed yesterday afternoon on ShadowHunters.com! By using the hashtag #ClockworkPrincess on Twitter, TMI and TID fans helped to unveil the cover, leading to a #1 worldwide trending topic and over 140,000 tweets (at the time of writing this post). Crazy awesome, right?

Release Date: March 19, 2013

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads): 

In Clockwork Princess, Tessa and her companions travel all over the world as they race to stop the clockwork army before it’s too late. As Jem’s health worsens alarmingly and his friends search desperately for a cure, can Tessa choose between the two boys she loves—even if it means never seeing the other one again?

Isn't the book cover for Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Princess absolutely gorgeous? I love love LOVE it! It complements the covers for Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince perfectly, and I think it's very fitting this one features Tessa holding the Codex.

Are you Team Will... or Team Jem? I honestly still cannot decide! Either way, I'm pretty sure I'll be heartbroken and crying my eyes out by the time I finish Clockwork Princess next year...

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the cover or your theories on what will happen in the final book!

My 2nd Year Blog Anniversary!

Today is my second year blog anniversary! When I first started blogging, I had no idea who would actually read what I wrote, but I'd always been a very active member of the Chapters/Indigo Community and loved talking about YA books with everyone. Fast-forward two years later and I still absolutely love the book community! There may have been some ups and downs this past year, but ultimately, we're a pretty supportive group and I've made some great friends during this time. 

Thanks so much to everyone who takes a little time out of their day to read the content I post here. It really means the world to me and I always love reading all your comments, even if I don't always get a chance to reply right away. And I'm so excited that I've reached 1000+ GFC followers on the blog! *jumps around excitedly* Hugs and cupcakes for everyone, okay?

In particular though, I want to give a shout-out to my fellow Ontario Bloggettes: Sara, Wendy, Nicole, Angel, Michele, Evie, Jen W., Christa, Brenna and Giselle. It's been so much fun meeting up with you ladies at different events! And I definitely can't forget Chandra and Ciara, fellow #TeamTodForAfterlife members; Crimson and Lucy, more friends I first made through Chapters and who've also since turned to book blogging too; Alex, whose comments on my posts always make my day; and more Canadian blogger friends, Ashley, Danya, Zahida and Audrey. (If I'm missing anyone, I'm sorry!!) And I'd love to thank all the publishers who have been so kind and supported me along the way, continuously fueling my book addiction.

I cannot wait to see what my third year of blogging will bring, but I'm glad I get to share it with all of you!

~ Liz    

Book Trailer! - So Close To You by Rachel Carter

HarperTeen posted the book trailer for Rachel Carter's debut novel, So Close To You, on their Facebook page the other day... I haven't heard too much about this book yet, but I was scrolling down its page on Goodreads and the reviews seem to be pretty positive so far! With a mix of time-traveling, romance and a mystery to be unraveled, So Close To You sounds great!

Release Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads):

Lydia Bentley has heard stories about the Montauk Project all her life: stories about the strange things that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and the people who've disappeared over the years. Stories about people like her own great-grandfather.

When Lydia stumbles into a portal that transports her to a dangerous and strange new reality, she discovers that all the stories she's ever heard about the Montauk Project are true, and that she's in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history.

Alongside a darkly mysterious boy she is wary to trust, Lydia begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the Project. But the truths behind these secrets force her to question all her choices--and if Lydia chooses wrong, she might not save her family but destroy them . . . and herself.

Waiting on Wednesday (104) - Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson

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

Release Date: October 9, 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads):

Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there.

What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.

Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age.

The plot summary for Ingrid Paulson's debut novel, Valkyrie Rising, instantly captured my attention the first time I heard about the book months ago, and ever since then, I've been keeping a close eye on it. I've only read a few novels which are inspired by Norse mythology so far, so I can't wait to learn more of the legends... and better yet, the book is set in Norway! With a mix of romance and thrills, I'm sure I'll be loving Valkyrie Rising when it's released later this year.

Book Trailer! - Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Harlequin Teen unveiled the book trailer for Katie McGarry's debut YA novel, Pushing the Limits, earlier today on their Facebook page! My interest only continues to grow for this edgy contemporary novel that promises both romance and an emotional storyline. It's a good thing the release date is approaching in a few weeks...

Release Date: July 31, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Add to Goodreads

Summary (from Chapters/Indigo):

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.

But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

July Release Picks

It's July, friends! It's officially summer and I have no school to worry about until September... YAY! There doesn't seem to be as many YA books released this month, but there a few that I've been especially excited to read like Jennifer Echols's Such A Rush and Kiersten White's Endlessly. It's been such a long wait for them to be finally released!

Here are this month's releases that I'm most looking forward to checking out! Once again, I've matched my Chapters/Indigo list. If you'd like to know what other novels will be releasing this month, you can find more on my Upcoming Releases page as usual.  

July 3

Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

July 10

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

So Close to You by Rachel Carter ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

The Thing About The Truth by Lauren Barnholdt ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

July 17

Spark (Sky Chasers #2) by Amy Kathleen Ryan ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

July 24

Endlessly (Paranormalcy #3) by Kiersten White ~ Goodreads / Chapters/Indigo

*****

What books are YOU most looking forward to reading in July? What books did I miss that you can't wait to read?