The Flyleaf Review

Book Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

2012-02-01T23:00:00.000-06:00

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

by Michelle Hodkin

Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing/ September 27, 2011

452 pages

Source: Library loan

Synopsis

Mara Dyer doesn't think life could get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed. There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love. She can. (Taken from jacket flap.)

Opening Line:

"My name is not Mara Dyer."

My Take On It:

So, where to begin. This is going to be difficult to write. You see it is my first negative review. Let me start by saying I really, really wanted to like this book. All the hype and glowing reviews that have been circulating the blogosphere since the book's release last fall didn't go unnoticed on my part. I'm a big fan of paranormal reads. And I adore some good old fashioned romance and swoonworthy love interests. I love thrillers and mysteries and I like surprises and lots of "A ha!" moments. I love big, "Holy crap, did that just happen?" endings. All of that. Which is what about 90% of the reviews I read seemed to indicate happened in this book. But unfortunately, my thoughts were of a very different variety. It went a little something like this: "I'm confused, what?" and a whole lot of "That's really beginning to annoy me" accompanied by an eye roll and lastly "Good God, it's just a freaking kiss!"

The good, the bad, and the ugly...

Ok, first the good. I liked most of Mara's inner snark. I thought she was quick and witty (for the most part) and that's always fun to read. I did catch myself grinning at some of her zingers. I also liked the relationship between Mara and her brothers. Even though Daniel is a pompous ass and know it all, especially when it came to his "superior intelligence" and influence over his parents, he does seem to love Mara and want what's best for her. Ditto for Joseph. He's sort of a non entity throughout the majority of the book (except for a couple of specific scenes) but Mara seems to have genuine love and concern for him. However both of these characters, as with most in this book, felt flat and one dimensional in my opinion.

I also enjoyed the scenes when Mara isn't sure what is reality and what is her warped mind playing tricks on her. I'm thinking of the after the club/ party scene back at her house. I thought it was disturbing and a little chilling, and that was a good thing since this book was billed as being super creepy.

The bad. Well, there was of course a whole lot of insta- love going on with this book. But, I can get past that sometimes. Why didn't it work for me in this case? One reason was all the bickering and mixed signals. The "I hate you! (but really I love you)" type sentiments that went on ad nauseum between Mara and Noah. Look honey, you aren't convincing anyone of that. Especially after the first 20 times you said it. Not him. Not yourself, and most definitely not me. Enough with all the mixed messages already.

I also didn't like how Noah wouldn't leave her alone. The following her around, sitting in on her classes, and all the STARING. It didn't seem sexy to me. It seemed creepy. I know she didn't really want him to leave her alone (or did she? Again, mixed messages) even though she told him that over and over, but shouldn't he have at least tried to seem less stalkerish and back off a little? Maybe it's just me, but it rubbed me the wrong way.

And then there were those moments that really elicited far too many eye rolls on my part. The first one that comes to mind: the art class scene. The one where he happens to walk in (again uninvited) and proceeds to show off his abs much to the delight of all the female students. It reminded me of a similar scene in Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Except I prefer that version (and what ended up happening to the smug prick who tried that move on Karou) much better. Here again, it didn't feel sexy. It didn't feel hot. It felt cheesy. And I am pretty sure I muttered something not so polite under my breath and quit reading for the night.

And for the love of God, I know that it is YA, but what is with the no kissing thing? I know, I know, there is some sort of explanation as to why she can't kiss him, but it really felt like nothing but a ploy to try and drag out the sexual (or non-sexual in this case) tension between Mara and Noah. And frankly, I found myself beginning not to care whether they ever kissed or not. More than that, I was starting to feel resentful and just plain shafted. I know a kiss does not romance make, but for all the Noah Shaw love and adoration I witnessed among readers and reviewers, I was hoping for more.

And the ugly. And that, really, was the crux of the problem for me. The potential for this book to knock my socks off was there. Instead it just left me wanting more, but not in a good way. The story, the characters, the romance, all felt like they could have been more. I kept reading, hoping something would make me fall in love with this book, but in the end it just wasn't meant to be.

1/5 stars

Cover Thoughts:

Let's end this downer on a lighter, more upbeat note! I LOVE this cover! It's Gawgeous...It even made my Pinterest Cover Love list!

This book wasn't for me, but there are many other reviews out there. Some positive, some negative. Here's a sampling:

And you can find the author's website here!

Waiting on Wednesday (5)

2012-01-31T23:00:00.000-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

and features upcoming releases.

The Disenchantments
by Nina LaCour
February 16, 2012

Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev's band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she's abandoning their plans - and Colby - to start college in the fall.

But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie- Colby struggles to deal with Bev's already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what's next?

Morris Award—finalist Nina LaCour draws together the beauty and influences of music and art to brilliantly capture a group of friends on the brink of the rest of their lives. (Taken from Goodreads.)

"Road Trip!!!"

Ah, the road trip. A rite of passage for so many American youth. Not only is it the subject of many of my favorite teenage and twenty something memories but it is a favorite theme in YA lit as well. As with so many road trips, music always plays a big factor. Back in my day it was making sure you were stocked up on your favorite cassette tapes and cds. Today it's more about satellite radio and ipod playlists. Music plays a central role in The Disenchantments too. But here, it's a portrait of a band hitting the road. BONUS! I can't wait to read this book. It sounds like they hit up little dive bars and clubs around the Pacific Northwest, an area of America I have a particular fondness for. My dad is a Pacific Northwester and I spent many summers and Christmas breaks with him. Plus it's told from a guy's point of view, so DOUBLE BONUS! And, it has an awesome cover to boot! (That's three, count them, three exclamation points my friends...:)

That's my pick for the week! What book(s) are you waiting on?

Don't forget about my giveaway going on now! Win a signed copy of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars. Head to my giveaway page to enter!

2012 Support Your Local Library Challenge

2012-01-31T16:31:00.000-06:00

Okay kids, I thought I was done with the challenges (I mean I have signed up for four already) but then I discovered the 2012 Support Your Local Library Challenge hosted by The Eclectic Bookshelf. So, if you have ever checked out any of my IMM's or reviews, a vast majority of the books I read come from my local library. And I am all about giving libraries and their hardworking staff and volunteers their due! So on with the challenge!

The rules are pretty simple:

Audio, ebooks (some libraries allow ebooks to be checked out), bound books are ok.
No re-reads
Challenge goes from January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

Levels:

Level 1 - Read 12 library books

Level 2 - Read 24 library books

Level 3 - Read 36 library books

Level 4 - Read 37+ library books

I think I will probably finish the year somewhere around Level 1 or Level 2.

Here' a preliminary list (based on recent IMM'S) of what I will be reading:

1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

2. All These Things I Have Done by Gabrielle Zevin

3. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

4. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

5. Accomplice by Eireann Corrigan

6. Finnikan of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

7. Shipbreaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

8. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

9. What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

10. The Black Stiletto by Raymond Benson

11. Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

Shoot, that's 11 books right there! So are you game? Want to join The 2012 Support Your Local Library Challenge? Zip over to The Eclectic Bookshelf to sign up!

Pinterest: The Wave of the Future for Book Bloggers?

2012-01-29T23:00:00.000-06:00

I recently read a post that Mandy from Well Read Wife wrote concerning the social networking site Pinterest and how it has the potential to become a valuable tool for book bloggers hoping to bring more traffic to their blogs. Until recently, my experience with Pinterest has been limited. I had heard about it a couple of months back on Facebook, and I even checked it out, but it didn't go any further than that. But after reading Mandy's post, I decided to give it another try.

For those who may not know, Pinterest is described as a virtual pinboard. Users can pin and organize selected images onto an individual board. Like Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks, you can follow other members and re pin their images onto your own boards. Do it yourself projects, recipe searches, and event planning are all popular topics people search for at Pinterest. So, as Mandy points out, why not use it to search for a good book to read?

I have a visual arts background, but even if I didn't, how does the saying go? A picture is worth a thousand words. As book bloggers we have access to amazing pictures: the covers of the books we read and review. And when you pin them onto a board, they can attract people, who in turn re pin them for even more to see. You can add a link, and when the image is clicked on, the viewer can be directed back to your blog and your review or thoughts on the book. You can link your Pinterest account to your Facebook or Twitter account as well.

I read a CNN article regarding Pinterest and did you know that Experian Hitwise, an Internet analytics firm, estimates that Pinterest received nearly 11 million total visits during the week ending December 17, 2011? 11 million hits! Now imagine if just a fraction of that audience came across your book related boards that linked back to your blog. We are talking big numbers, here.

Here are the boards I have up at this time:

The possibilities for book related boards really seems limitless. Fellow bloggers Forever Young Adult have an account, with one board just related to the upcoming The Hunger Games movie. (Check it out, the captions are a riot!)

The Well Read Wife has put together a directory of book bloggers using Pinterest. You can contact her to have your blog added to the list. Currently Pinterest is by invite only, so if you would like to join, email me and I'll send you an invitation.

So what do you think? Is Pinterest the next big thing for book reviewers and bloggers? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Don't forget to check out my Giveaway page to win The Fault in Our Stars by John Green!!!!

In My Mailbox (4)

2012-01-29T09:11:00.000-06:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature hosted by The Story Siren

Here's my haul for the week:

Purchased from Barnes & Noble:

The Summer I Turned Pretty and
It's Not Summer Without You
by Jenny Han
(These were both on sale for $1.99 each!)

Hourglass by Myra McEntire
(Got this one with a 20% off coupon)

From Paperback Swap:

The Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
(This has been on my wishlist a looong time)

Changeless ( The Parasol Protectorate, Book #2)
by Gail Carriger
(Not YA, more like paranormal romance lite, with lots of Steampunk goodness)

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
(This one looks super creepy, just LOOK at the cover, and has gotten great reviews)

From my local library:

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
(Everyone raves about this one)

Accomplice by Eireann Corrigan
(Picked this one up on a whim, looks interesting)

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
(To be such a fan of sci fi, it's really shameful that I haven't read ANYTHING by this author. This shall soon be remedied...)

That's it for me! Which one should I read next? What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Book Review: The Name of The Star by Maureen Johnson

2012-01-27T10:37:00.001-06:00

The Name of the Star
(Shades of London #2)
by Maureen Johnson
Putnam Juvenile/ September 29, 2011
372 pages
Source: Purchased

Synopsis

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.
Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities. (Taken from Goodreads.)

Opening Line:

"The eyes of London were watching Claire Jenkins."

My Take On It:

What is it that I adore about Maureen Johnson? Having read two of her contemporary books (Suite Scarlett and 13 Little Blue Envelopes,) I can say she has a very distinctive voice and writing style, and that same style is evident in her latest: The Name of the Star. Her tone is unlike any other, and I think even if she wrote something under another name I would be able to tell it's her work. Quirky, witty, sarcastic, likeable protagonists and supporting characters abound. We already know she can write some amazing contemporary. But what about a paranormal thriller? The answer: a resounding YES. American girl decides to spend her senior year in a British boarding school. That in itself could constitute a decent YA novel. Now imagine that scenario with a Jack the Ripper copycat killer stalking present day London. That, my friends, is a double whammy of pure awesomeness.

Our MC Rory has a rather unconventional background, complete with a slew of eccentric relatives that make for great conversation pieces with her new British classmates. And I love her classmates. There's her roommate Jazza, who is very proper, but also very sweet and is quick to assimilate Rory into her group of friends; annoying "Head Girl" Charlotte, who is just a little too good at detestable field hockey; and Jerome, a prefect, who immediately stands out from the rest of the bunch with his crinkly eyes and rock and roll style.

Rory spends the first part of the book getting settled and learning the ropes at the school but a secondary story is playing out at the same time. A series of ghastly murders has Londoner's plunging headlong into Rippermania, and soon Rory's life at Wexford School and the strange murder's begin to merge into one. While I liked all the cool intro into the world of an English boarding school and the fish out of water scenario, it was the paranormal element that really sucked me in. At a certain point, it becomes impossible for Rory and her friends to not get drawn into what is going on around them and that was when the story got REALLY good.

I read this book around Halloween and I can tell you, it is uber creepy. Without giving away too much, the murder's are not only performed in the exact same manner as the infamous 1888 killings, but also occur on the same date and time. What this essentially means is the police, and every Jack the Ripper scholar and enthusiast in the world (who have descended on London like flies,) can patch together a timeline of sorts predicting when the next murder is to take place. In addition, with the advent of modern technology and security systems, CCTV cameras located around the city have managed to capture the murders taking place. But there is a hitch: the murderer can not be seen on the recordings. And the perpetrator (note my fancy Law & Order speak) throws in another wrench by changing up the location of the murders.

What this does is slowly build the tension and suspense as Rory and all of London wait and watch in horror for the murderer to make his next move. There is an absolutely spine-tingling scene in which Rory, Jessa and Jerome climb to the roof of the dorm building in hopes of catching the murder in action. You see, Wexford is smack dab in the middle of the Whitechapel District in East London, where the 1888 Ripper murders occurred. Ms. Johnson graciously leaves the reader a very detailed map at the start of the book detailing the school and it's proximity to each of the Ripper murders. (I love maps. I'm a visual aid kind of girl. I wish more authors would include them. Where would we be without Tolkien's map of Middle Earth? Or Cashore's map of the Seven Kingdoms?)

Rory eventually becomes directly involved with the case and in turn meets a secret sector of the London police who deal with paranormal and supernatural activity. This introduces us to even more awesome characters that it seems will feature heavily in the next Shades of London installments. I won't say more, but these people are way cool and I am so excited to see what Johnson has in store for us.

What kind of fell flat in my opinion was the romance between Rory and Jerome. Although I really like Jerome, the scenes between Rory and him were odd and a little confusing. That being said, I was more than okay with letting the romantic arc take a backseat to the rest of the story. Plus I think we may be seeing something develop between Rory and another character in future books, and that possibility is way more appealing to me.

What absolutely worked for me on every level was all the little details Johnson deftly weaves into the story, infusing delicious layers into her characters. Primary example: Alistair. Oh Alistair, with your punk rock look (I keep imagining Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and love of classic alternative tunes. You are a boy after my own heart. Mention The Smith's or make references to The Cure and The Clash, I melt. Alistair, love, could I ever make a mixed tape for you.

And the "Ripper" himself, yep, we get to meet him. He is dark and disturbing, and I really enjoyed getting a glimpse into his history and warped mind. Since I went with the James Marsden reference for Alistair, I'm assigning Anthony Hopkins (aka Dr. Hannibal Lecter) to this role. As I said, creeeepy.

And the ending. Wow. Definitely left me wanting to read more. Like NOW. (fyi: The Madness Underneath (Shades of London #2) hits shelves September 27. How's that for a wicked title?)

I imagine researching all the Ripper history and 19th Century lore was an absolute blast for Johnson. I know it has made me want to travel to London and take a Ripper Tour to hear all the gruesome details myself!

Before I close, I have to encourage you to not skip reading Maureen Johnson's acknowledgement's at the end of the book. If you do, you are depriving yourself of some cool shout outs to some of your favorite authors. I learned to always read this page from Keirsten White (of Paranormalcy and Supernaturally,) because I'm in awe of what a close knit community the YA world is. We have John Green, check. Scott Westerfeld, check. Holly Black, Cassandra Clare, Ally Carter. Check, check and check. (Feeling sorta awestruck right now....)

Cover Thoughts:

LOVE it! It's mysterious and atmospheric. Plus I like that version of Rory. And the ghostly image of the "Ripper" in the top hat is strangely reminiscent of my husband back in the day. I showed it to him, and he concurs:)

4.5/5 Stars (really it's more like 4.75 stars. It's that good:)

Check out Maureen Johnson's website here or follow her on Twitter!

Check out some other reviews of The Name of the Star:

The Book Smugglers

The Mimosa Stimulus
Book Sake

The Page Sage

Don't Forget to check out my giveaway of
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
Read my review here!

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

and features upcoming releases.

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare
by Melissa Jensen
February 16, 2012

Pretty in Pink meets Anna and the French Kiss in this charming romantic comedy

Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that's just fine by her. She's got her friends - the fabulous Frankie and their sweet cohort Sadie. She's got her art - and her idol, the unappreciated 19th-century painter Edward Willing. Still, it's hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school: Alex Bainbridge. Especially when he is your French tutor, and lessons have started becoming, well, certainly more interesting than French ever has been before. But can the invisible girl actually end up with a happily ever after with the golden boy, when no one even knows they're dating? And is Ella going to dare to be that girl?(Taken from Goodreads.)

Why am I waiting on The Fine Art of Truth or Dare? Did you read the description's first line? "Pretty in Pink meets Anna and the French Kiss..." Hello? Child of the 80's over here! I shed tears when I heard John Hughes died a couple of years ago. TEARS, people. It was like somebody got right in my face and said "Well, if you didn't think you were already getting old, the voice of your generation has just kicked the bucket, so what do you think now?"

But, I digress. In addition to the Pretty in Pink reference, it is also being compared to Stephanie Perkin's Anna and the French Kiss, which is one of my fave books of 2011, and is universally hailed (or so it seems to me) as being full of awesome and amazing-ness.

But wait, there's another reason! It's got art themes in it. Not just the cover, which is killer, but the MC is an artist, and pines for a dead 20th century artist. I have an art background too, and have all sorts of love for any books that have this in common with me.

With all that in mind, I think this book is a shoe in for my 2012 Favorite Reads list. I know, I know. High expectations and all that, but I have a good feeling about this and will stand by my words:)

What about you? What book(s) are you waiting on?

Don't forget to check out my review of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and enter for a chance to win a signed copy of the book!

Book Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green plus GIVEAWAY:)

2012-01-23T23:30:00.000-06:00

The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green
Dutton Juvenile/January 10, 2012
312 pages
Source: Purchased

Synopsis

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumors in her lungs... for now.
Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumors tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.
Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind. (Taken from Goodreads.)

Opening Line:

"Late in the winter of my seventeenth year, my mother decided that I was depressed, presumably because I rarely left the house, spent quite a lot of time in bed, read the same book over and over, ate infrequently, and devoted quite a bit of my abundant free time to thinking about death."

My Take On It

See that sentence above? That is a shining example of why I include the opening line of every book I review in my post. In that one sentence, we the reader instantly get a feel about our protagonist Hazel, thereby setting the tone of what is to come in this book. Yet, it's not a book about death. Cancer, and how Hazel and the other characters in the book deal with it, plays a role to be sure, but this book isn't just about that either. It is about hope and about life. It's not merely about the business of dying, but the business of living.

I have read all of John Green's works, but this is the first review of one of his books I have ever written. Why the wait? Well, he's sort of a tough act to follow isn't he? I used to waitress and tend bar at a comedy club. And I can tell you that no headlining comedian ever appreciated being outshone by his opening act. So, I guess I always felt that there was no way on this sweet earth that I could ever come up with a review that would do justice to the writing of John Green. And I still feel that way. But I couldn't not say something in response to a book I think one day may be hailed as Green's finest written work.

So what is it about John Green? What makes him stand out in the massive sea of authors writing YA literature today? I think it's because no matter whose voice he writes, be it a geeky heartbroken child prodigy with a knack for anagrams; a wayward boarding school student obsessed with the famous last words of people throughout history; the geeky boy next door trying to solve the mysterious disappearance of his neighbor and childhood crush; the awkward boy who tries to act as if he doesn't care but has a larger than life best friend who makes it his mission to prove otherwise; or a seventeen year old terminally ill girl who meets the love of her life in a cancer kids support group she has nearly given up on; no matter whose voice it is, it's authentic. It's someone you or I know, or could know. John Green keeps it REAL.

Hazel is the first female protagonist Green has written but I didn't even pick up on that right away. Because it didn't matter. Green can write the voice of a teenage girl just as effortlessly and legitimately as that of a teenage boy. Through his words he can transport a reader into the hearts and minds of his characters.

I nodded. I liked Augustus Waters. I really, really, really liked him. I liked the way his story ended with someone else. I liked his voice. I liked that he took existentially fraught free throws. I liked that he was a tenured professor in the Department of Slightly Crooked Smiles with a dual appointment in the Department of Having a Voice That Made My Skin Feel More Like Skin. And I liked that he had two names. I've always liked people with two names, because you get to make up your own mind what you call them. Gus or Augustus? Me, I was always just Hazel, univalent Hazel.

And what a cast of character's he creates for us. Hazel, like many of Green's MC's, is the epitome of studious sarcasm. But she's lived so long with her disease it's become all that she is. Until she meets Augustus Waters. What can I say to express the love that I feel for Augustus? Like Tiny Cooper (Will Grayson, Will Grayson) and Hassan Harbish (An Abundance of Katherines), he sort of steals the show. And I am hard pressed to say that I have ever read a more romantic character in a John Green book, or any book for that matter, than Augustus Waters. He seems too good to be true, but then you remember: he's in remission, falling for a dying girl. He doesn't have time for small talk or small sentiments. He is loyal, generous, and kind. And like Hazel, I fell for him too.

"I'm in love with you," he said quietly.
"Augustus," I said.
"I am," he said. He was staring at me, and I could see the corners of his eyes crinkling. "I'm in love with you, and I'm not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things. I'm in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we're all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we'll ever have, and I am in love with you."

Yeah. Holy Cow.

Heartbroken friend and fellow gamer Isaac is also really well written and through him we see other facets of Hazel and Gus' personality. I also loved the inclusion of Hazel's parents in this book. Parental figures don't always play a large role in Green's books, but I absolutely adore Hazel's mom and dad. I'm a mom, and this book hit me hard in that regard. The sacrifices that her parents make to give their daughter as normal a life as possible coupled with the guilt Hazel feels for being such a stress and emotional burden on her parents is heartbreaking. But even in that heartbreak, there are still moments of profound hope and joy and love.

So, in closing, John Green has done it again. I loved this book and chose to write about it because it made me laugh out loud. It made me cry my eyes out. I grinned and I swooned. I ran the full gamut of emotions. And I walked away feeling changed. It's not a book about cancer and loss and death. It's a book about life. Read it.

5/5 stars

Check out the author's website here:

Check out what some other reviewers had to say:
The Book Smugglers
The Allure of Books
YA Bibliophile
Radiant Reads

You might also like:
Looking for Alaska by John Green
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Paper Towns by John Green
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

So, you've heard all the talky talk and you want a copy for your very own? Well you are in luck my friend, because I've got a signed first edition just for you!

This is my first giveaway, and I am so stoked to be able to do this with such an epic book!

I don't believe in requiring anyone to follow or subscribe to enter a giveaway. If you liked the review, or had time to check out the blog and liked what you see, thank you and I would love for you to visit again. If you're just in it for the book, that's okay too:) But for those who may want to earn an extra entry you can leave a blog post comment or tweet about the giveaway.

Rules and Conditions:

Open to US entrants only
Giveaway ends on February 24, 2012
Must be 13 years of age or older to enter
Winner will be notified via email and has 48 hrs to respond or another winner will be selected.
Please see my Giveaway and Privacy Policy page here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stop, you are making me blush...

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-06:00

The fabulous Jen over at Jen Ryland/YA Romantics nominated me for The Versatile Blogger Award yesterday. A big, giant, mushy thank you to Jen who made my day:) If you haven't already checked out her blog please do so. She has got some great content and, unlike me, Jen doesn't suffer from a book hording condition. Instead she has awesome giveaways to keep her shelves clear for more amazing books! I have only been blogging since January 2 and Jen has left some thoughtful comments and feedback, things that really mean a lot to a newbie blogger like me :)

So according to the rules at The Versatile Blogger, I am to nominate fellow bloggers and post 7 random things about me that you may not know. I'm going to nominate ~~five~~ six blogs who I recently became acquainted with and I think are doing great things!

1. The Page Sage- because Sara loves John Green as much as me:)
2. Glitter Lit- because Ashley just discovered the amazing world of YA Lit and I can't wait to read about her journey!
3. The Book Barbies- because Racquel always leaves me awesome comments and thoughts about books we love:)
4. Attack the Stacks- because Karen's reviews are snarky and sarcastic (in the best way) and I love it.
5. Hooked On Books- because Christa unabashedly loves science fiction just like me:)
6. Ashley Loves Books- because I wholeheartedly agree with Ashley's belief that YA fiction is the best thing out there!

Please take a moment if you can and check out these awesome book blogs!

Okay, so seven random things about me:

1. I love spicy food, especially Mexican and Indian.
2. I have a tattoo of an hieroglyphic symbol on my ankle.
3. I'm a HUGE fan of alternative and indie rock music (and subsequently addicted to Sirius/XM).
4. I make a mean Red Velvet cake.
5. My favorite job while I attended college was waitressing and tending bar at a comedy club.
6. I am obsessed with Jack Skellington.
7. I love to collect cocktail recipes (but usually don't ever make them:)

Be sure to check out the blog tomorrow because I will be hosting my first giveaway: A signed copy of John Green's latest: The Fault in Our Stars!

In My Mailbox (3)

2012-01-22T00:00:00.000-06:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature hosted by The Story Siren.

This week I got a couple more great books from my rockin' local library
and the remaining are courtesy of Paperback Swap:)

From Paperback Swap

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen- This was one of my favorite reads last year, and is without a doubt, my favorite Sarah Dessen book (so far.) I think I like it because the protagonist, Remy, is unlike any MC I have read in Dessen's other works. Or it might be Dexter, because I'm sort of a sucker for geeky-cute musicians. Either way, I figured if I wanted to stay on good terms with my library, I had better return their copy and get one my own.

The Off Season (Dairy Queen #2) by Catherine Gilbert Murdock - Before Catching Jordan was all the rage, there was Dairy Queen, a story about a girl who just wanted to play football with the boys. A really funny, touching story with lots of great girl power moments. I've been looking forward to reading this sequel.

The Boyfriend List (Ruby Oliver #1) by E. Lockhart- I'm reading this because a) I've heard good things about it and b) I LOVED The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau- Banks. Like, really loved it. Really, really. If this one is even half as good I'll be stoked.

The Fetch by Laura Whitcomb- I liked the premise of this book, Death falling in love with one of his "assignments," set during the Russian Revolution. Plus it's by the same author who wrote A Certain Slant of Light which I read years ago and still think about.

Crusade (Crusade #1) by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie- So this one sounds a little like The Vampire Academy books, except I think there aren't any good vampires. Just bad, nasty ones. It's been a while since I have read a vampire book so I'm kind of looking forward to it.

Fourth Comings (Jessica Darling #4) by Megan McCafferty- It's book four of the Jessica Darling Series, and I'm starting to feel a little panicked because I am nearing the end of Jessica and Marcus Flutie's story (only one more book to go!) What am I going do then???

From My Local Library

Finnikan of the Rock (The Lumatere Chronicles #1) by Melina Marchetta- Ok, Melina Marchetta, who is a rock star, has written a piece of high fantasy. Need I say more? I think not. Just gimme the book and point me to the door, please.

Ship Breaker (Ship Breaker #1) by Paolo Bacigalupi- I can't say this guy's name to save my life but that's okay because I have heard glowing reviews on this book. Dystopic. Steampunkish. Takes place in a futuristic America on the Gulf Coast (I have lived most of my life on the Florida Gulf Coast.) And Maggie Stiefvater (you know, she wrote a couple of little books named Shiver, Linger and Forever as well as The Scorpio Races, yeah, that Maggie Stiefvater) gave it 5 stars. Here's her Goodreads review. So, I think I'll give this one a try:)

Another amazing week for me! What did you get in your mailbox??

Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1)
by Marissa Meyer
Feiwel & Friends/ January 3, 2012
390 pages
Source: Purchased

Synopsis
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. (Taken from Goodreads.)

Opening Line:

"The screw through Cinder's ankle had rusted, the engravedcross marks worn to a mangled circle."

My Take On It

Let me preface this by saying I am not really a fan of fairytale retellings. I have read a few I liked, Beastly by Alex Flinn comes tomind. I have also read a few that I didn't care for much but I'm going to playnice and refrain from citing examples of those. I have a book or two at my house written byauthors I love, like Robin McKinley's Beauty, that I just can't seem to pickup and read. My point being, fairy tale retellings don't do much for me. Until now. Marissa Meyer's Cinder hastaken all my preconceived notions regarding fairy tale retellings and tossed them out the window.

Cinder isn't your typical rehash of the children's classic.Meyer has given us cyborgs, androids, a decimating plague, and moon people!This isn't some hokey fable. This is fantasy with a generous helping of sciencefiction my friends. Cinderella as a cyborg? Titanium legs and arms and hands?Yes! The little girl that used to watch Star Wars (that would be the early episodesIV, V, and VI) and old Star Trek reruns with her dad just gave a loud whoop ofjoy!

But don't you fret, traditionalists. Along with all thosecool additions, Cinder still respects its roots. There is a cruel stepmotherand stepsister, but also friends and allies in the form of a kinder stepsisterand an endearing android pal. There may not be a glass slipper per se but thereis a troublesome cyborg foot that has issues staying attached for one reason oranother. And while a fairy godmother may not be evident (or is she/he? Dr. E I'm thinking of you…) there ismost definitely a dashing, charming Prince.

Our story takes place on Earth, post World War IV, where cyborgsare the lowest class in the social strata. And our girl Cinder is more thanhalf machine. Her internal gauges and thermometers keep her body fromoverheating and warn her of impending panic attacks and adrenaline overload. Asa result, she can't blush, or even cry, for her tear ducts have been removed.But even with all her robotic parts, she's still a teenage girl, full of hopesand desires. Cinder's stepmother and stepsister are unbelievably cruel to her,they treat her with such contempt, it's truly heartbreaking. Therewere parts of the book that were hard for me to read, she really suffers through some horrible experiences at the hands of many people. But does she give up? Does she meekly hideaway and shuffle through her sad existence? Heck no! Even with all the cardsstacked against her, she perseveres. And because of that, it's so easy to root for her. We cheer on her romance with the prince; her desire toleave her horrible home life; her quest to help her beloved friends and herneed to find out about her own mysterious past.

Even though I, like most everyone else I imagine, figuredout some of the key twists in the plot very early on, it didn't detract fromthe many things I enjoyed about the book. For starters, a sweet, loyal andwonderfully sarcastic little droid by the name of Iko. Iko you rock! I lovedthe inclusion of the evil, deceptive villianess, Queen Levana.I can't wait to see that bish go down before it's all said and done (I feel pretty strongly about this, can you tell?) I also loved the exotic city of New Beijinginstead of a more traditional Americanor European setting. I loved the Lunar plague storylineand look forward to seeing that arc develop in future books. And what's up withthese "Escort" droids? They are mentioned a couple of times. Are theywhat I think they are? I'm sort of revolted and yet weirdly fascinated at the same time…

On the con side, while I liked the romance between Cinderand Prince Kai, I thought his character could have been a little more developed.I thought he was very sweet and had his heart in the right place, but many ofhis thoughts and actions were unclear at times.

And I would have liked to read more backstory on the Lunarpeople (hello, I'm a sci- fi girl, remember?) Like exactly how long have theybeen up there? How did they revolt and form their own nation? When and why didthey develop their special "gifts?" And what about these weirdmutant beast/soldiers? Maybe (hopefully) more will be revealed in the futureinstallments. (Of which there will be FOUR, not three, how's that for breakingwith tradition?) And I say hopefully because these future installments appearto be more retellings of three other classic fairy tales: Little Red Riding Hood,Rapunzel, and Snow White. But surely Cinder will play some part in them, right?If not, it's going to kill me, because I'm really itching to know how everything turns out in the end.

To sum it up, Cinder is a completely unique retelling of thechildren's classic fairy tale, with a spunky, intelligent, brave heroine; somestrong supporting characters, evil villians, in an ultra cool, futuristicsetting. I have been converted and can't wait to find out what happens next!

Cover Thoughts

I really like this cover. I don't think a red shoe isactually worn in the story, but the candy apple color and the cyborg bonespeeking through are awesome! And I love the fairy tale font (see, I really have been converted.)

4/5 stars

Check out the author's website here.

Check out what some other reviewers had to say about Cinder:

Wondrous Reads

I Swim for Oceans

Angieville

You may also like:

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Beauty:A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast

by Robin McKinley

Excerpt from Black Heart (The Curse Workers, #3)

2012-01-18T13:16:00.000-06:00

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

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

So I am a big fan of Holly Black's Curse Workers series and I am super stoked for the release of Book # 3, Black Heart, this April. I am planning on rereading and reviewing White Cat and Red Glove prior to the release of the final book in the trilogy.

Are you like me and can't wait to find out what happens with Cassel, Lila, Barron and the rest of the crew? Ms. Black has graciously provided us with a excerpt from chapter one of Black Heart. You can read it and see what she has to say about the new cover designs for the series.

If you haven't discovered these amazing books, time to get on board before the last installment hits the shelves!

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

and features upcoming releases.

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
February 14, 2012

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in. It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

So when I first read about this a few months back I wasn't initially swept off my feet. Robin Hood stories haven't always piqued my interest. But then a week or so later it popped up again. And I took a second look at it. Then a third. And I can't say what changed for me, but now Scarlet is one of my most anticipated reads of 2012. Maybe it's just the total revamping of the legend by making the character of Will Scarlet a girl. Bye, bye Christian Slater:)

That's it for me! What books are you waiting on??

Book Review: The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

2012-01-16T00:00:00.000-06:00

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
(Book # 1 Fire and Thorns Series)
Greenwillow Books/ September 20, 2011
423 pages
Source: Purchase

Synopsis
Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness. Elisa is the chosen one. But she is also the younger of two princesses. The one who has never done anything remarkable, and can’t see how she ever will. Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome worldly king- a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs her to be the chosen one, not a failure of a princess. And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies, seething with dark magic, are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior, and he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake. Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young. Most of the chosen do. (Taken from book jacket)

Opening Line:
"Prayer candles flicker in the bedroom."

My Take On It

I had been really anticipating reading this book, not only because of all the rave reviews it has been receiving, but because I kept hearing comparisons to Kristin Cashore and Robin McKinley, who I LOVE. And I am happy to report that the rumors are true, The Girl of Fire and Thorns is a great piece of epic fantasy complete with brave protagonist, amazing world building and an intricate plot.

First off, a rocking heroine. I adore the contradiction in the character of Elisa. On the one hand she is very insecure and unbelieving in herself, yet she also recognizes that she is chosen and destined for greatness. She is a devout believer in the power of the Godstone, yet she often questions God, and whether she will ever recognize her divine purpose let alone be able to achieve it. She is the perfect mixture of vulnerability and strength and I loved witnessing her growth into a courageous woman. She is brave, strong, loyal, intelligent, fierce, and driven.

In addition to Elisa, Rae Carson assembles an endearing cast of supporting characters. Alejandro, Elisa’s handsome yet failingly indecisive husband; nursemaid Ximena, both loyal and loving, yet scarily fierce to her charge; Lord Hector who is courageous, faithful and trusting of both his king and queen; Cosmé, who is strong, brave, cynical and unyielding; and the sweet, caring and tragic Humberto. I was as fully invested in each of these characters as I was Elisa, and for me, that is something rare.

Now this book has garnered a lot of attention, much of it negative, in regards to it’s strong religious tones as well as the subject of Elisa’s weight and negative body image. I don’t really have issue with this. Yes, Elisa is a very religious girl. The book centers around the fact that she has been chosen, by God, to achieve great things for her people during her lifetime. It seems that author Carson did her homework studying up on many of the worlds monotheistic religions, specifically Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Elisa, and the people of her world, are strong believers in fate and destiny as well as a belief in higher power and faith. I thought all of these ideas were vital to the story and written without being “preachy” at all.

As for Elisa’s weight and the subsequent loss of it, I thought it seemed pretty realistic. She was overweight as she had always turned to food as a source of comfort and solace. Elisa was purposefully left in the dark by her family and caretakers regarding her role and duties as a “chosen one.” She was always left out of court politics, knowing she would never be Queen of her own country; that would be her thin, cunning sister’s office. I can imagine that being raised that way, choosing what and how much she ate was one of the few things she did have control over. And it’s clearly painful for her. At the book’s opening Elisa is not only mortified at the prospect of being married off to a man she doesn’t know, but of what he will think of her when he sees her at their wedding as well as the wedding night. After she loses the weight, I thought the reactions of the people around her to this dramatic change in appearance to be pretty realistic. And can I just say that the scene in which she is reunited with Alejandro, where she discovers that her new appearance wields new control over him, I found to be a pretty significant moment for Elisa. She no longer feels inferior, she is empowered. It was a very “I am woman, hear me roar!” moment and I dug that!

A side note, I must gush about the beautiful names of places and people for a second. In many high fantasy books I’ve read I tend to get bogged down by the fictional names, especially when I can’t even pronounce them. But that was so not the case with The Girl of Fire and Thorns. It was a total Latin love fest on my part! Alejandro, Lucero-Elisa, Rosario, de Vega, de Riqueza. Love, love, love it! (I recently started reading the Perfect Chemistry Series by Simone Elkeles, I blame her for this…)

The ending of the book leaves everything wide open for Elisa, and it’s anyone’s guess where Carson will take us in book two, but I for one, am ready for the ride!

Cover Thoughts

So I have seen three different versions, my cover is the one pictured above. Really, I’m not head over heels for any of them. To me, the version with the girl in the purple dress is the worst, and the UK version with the darker skinned model is the best of the three.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars　

Check out the author's website here.

Check out some other reviews of The Girl of Fire and Thorns.
1. The Mimosa Stimulus
2. Steph Su Reads
3. The Book Smugglers

If you like The Girl of Fire and Thorns you might also like these titles:
The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

In My Mailbox (2)

2012-01-15T00:00:00.000-06:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature that is hosted by The Story Siren

This week's In My Mailbox is actually a love post dedicated to my local library who ROCKS:) For a little library in a little town, they sure do make me happy with their YA selection! I visited this week and proceeded to do a happy dance with my four year old right there in the stacks :)
Here's what I got:

The Black Stiletto by Raymond Benson

This isn't actually YA, but the premise sounds amazing. Son finds a secret room containing the diaries of his elderly mother who is suffering from Alzheimer's. And mom has some secrets. Like crimefighter extraordinaire (think Batman) secrets. Can't wait to read it.

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

This book was published in 2008 and is a National Book Award Winner. It's historical fiction, which I love, but is set in post WWII America, which is a nice change from all the Victorian Era historical fiction that is so popular now. Think Mad Men.

Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

This was the first book I found in the stacks that initiated the Dance of Joy. I have been wanting to read this for a while, I have heard nothing but good reviews from fellow bloggers. Plus it's a road trip book. Sold!

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Holy Cow, I was THRILLED to find this at my library. Sometimes I feel like I am the only person on the face of the earth that has not read this book. I've read mixed reviews so I can't wait to crack it open and see what all the hype is about!

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

This is a middle grade book that earned awards from Publishers Weekly for Best Children's Fiction Title, 2011 and from Horn Books for Best Fiction Books of 2011. I think it's a coming of age story, set in the early 1960s, and is supposed to be quite funny.

All These Things I Have Done by Gabrielle Zevin

I have read one other Gabrielle Zevin title: Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac (which was good) and I have been wanting to try something else of hers. Plus this has Mafiaesque plot lines which is always a draw for me!

In addition to those awesome library loans I also purchased:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Which I am reading right now and is all sorts of wonderful (like I knew it would be, because all of John Green's books are) and who I am going to see this Wednesday the 18th in New Orleans on his Tour de Nerdfighters book tour!

AND (it was good week friends) I also received a book through my old pal Paperback Swap:

Monarch by Michelle Davidson Argyle

This is not YA but is a thriller with CIA operatives which I have an affinity for:)

That's it for me! Did I score or what? How about you? What did you get in your mailbox?

2012 Reading Challenge #4 - Sophomore Challenge

2012-01-13T05:00:00.000-06:00

So I am officially challenging myself as a reader this year and have signed up for a few of the challenges out there in the blogosphere:

Sophomore Reading Challenge

Hosted by Chick Loves Lit

Here is a tentative list of the books I am planning to read as part of the challenge:

1. Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

2. A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis

3. Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns #2) by Rae Carson

4. Dearly, Beloved (Gone with the Respiration #2) by Lia Habel

5. Rebel Heart (Dust Lands #2) by Moira Young

6. Fated by Sarah Alderson

7. The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

8. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

9. The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

10. Timepiece (Hourglass #2) by Myra McEntire
11. Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
12. The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

That's it! I'm ready to get started, how about you? Any reading challenges in your future?

Book Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

2012-01-12T00:01:00.000-06:00

Daughter of Smoke and Bone
by Laini Taylor

(# 1, Daughter of Smoke and Bone Series)
Little Brown and Co./Sep. 27, 2011
420 pages
Source: Purchased

Synopsis
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky. In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low. And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war. Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out. When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself? (Taken from Goodreads.)

Opening line:

“Walking to school over the snow-muffled cobbles, Karou had no sinister premonitions about the day.”

My Take On It

“Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love. It did not end well.”

Ok, let me just start by saying this is the first review I have sat down to write where I am kind of clueless as to where to start. I am just going to go ahead and join the ranks of countless others who absolutely adored this book. I think this review will basically be one giant gush-fest, so maybe the easiest way to start would be listing all the things I loved and see how it goes.

The Story: What a creative genius Laini Taylor is. I think she may be in the running for goddess of the written word. She's that good. The story is 100% original, unlike any other I have read or heard about in the massive sea of YA fantasy and paranormals out there. Chimeras, seraphs, and quirky, witty art students who can speak 10 languages, now THAT my friends, is a unique combination. I think there are probably many writers out there smacking themselves in the head wishing they could have come up with this concept. I love the world building, I love how the book is divided into two parts, the human world and "Elsewhere", the world of the chimera and angels. I love the whole idea of bartering teeth for wishes, I mean, who comes up with that? It's hard to say much more regarding the story and remain spoiler free, but suffice to say the plot is completely unique, unexpected and engrossing.

The Characters: Taylor has written incredible, substantial, complex characters. Karou, Karou, Karou. You had me at page one girlfriend. Eccentric art student, with a mysterious past, and mysterious friends in a mysterious city equals complete awesomeness. Having an art background myself, I totally bought into the characters of Karou, Zuzanna, and ex-boyfriend Kaz, hook, line and sinker. Not only is Karou a kick ass MC with a vengeful streak in her (I would LOVE to been able to exact Karou's particular type of revenge on an ex or two of mine) she also is vulnerable, lonely and longing for what is missing in her life: to know her own history. Karou feels incomplete, she has so many unanswered questions. It is so easy to fall for her, cheer her on when she triumphs and cry when she fails.

“She had been innocent once, a little girl playing with feathers on the floor of a devil's lair. She wasn't innocent now, but she didn't know what to do about it. This was her life: magic and shame and secrets and teeth and a deep, nagging hollow at the center of herself where something was most certainly missing.”　

Akiva—I liked him. Now I know that of all the characters he is the one that most fits the paranormal love interest status quo, but I could really sympathize with him and his circumstances. And though there is what seems to be insta-attraction between he and Karou, I bought it anyway and understood it as the story played out.

“Until a few days ago, humans had been little more than legend to him, and now here he was in their world. It was like stepping into the pages of a book -- a book alive with color and fragrance, filth and chaos -- and the blue-haired girl moved through it all like a fairy through a story, the light treating her differently than it others, the air seemed to gather around her like held breath. As if this whole place was a story about her.”

I loved Karou's best friend Zuzanna:
“Hey! My body may be small, but my soul is large. It’s why I wear platforms. So I can reach the top of my soul.”

I pitied the tragic Izil and Razgut, and despised the treacherous Thiago and Chiro. But, hands down my favorite supporting role goes to Brimstone. Scary appearances aside (I couldn't help but think of Hell Boy when I was reading), I really thought he was a big old softie wrapped up in a monsterish package. Many, many unanswered questions are left regarding him and his role in Karou's story and I look forward to discovering them in future installments.

Finally, it would be remiss to not speak about Madrigal. Wow. Just, wow. I love her feisty spirit, strength, courage and wise insight. Her story is tragic yet hopeful at the same time.

"Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there's no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.”

Argh… I can't say more without divulging too much info.

World Building- We all know it's crucial in a work of fantasy. I thought a lot about Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instrument Series when I was reading this, another author who really excels at putting her reader in a new world. Being able to stretch the reader's imagination to the point that it's almost easy to believe an alternate reality exists just beneath the surface of our own is no easy trick, yet Taylor pulls it off flawlessly. I loved reading about the politics and intrigue between the chimeras and the angels in Elsewhere. I loved the contradictions: the chimera rebelled because of their treatment at the hands of the angels, yet they are guilty of discriminating against their own kind. Like our own world, Elsewhere is neither black or white, just as the chimera and angels are both good and evil in equal measure.

So Daughter of Smoke and Bone scores a winning trifecta in my opinion. Amazing, original story; well developed, endearing characters; and awe-inspiring world building. All three work together to raise thoughtful questions about difference and discrimination, loyalty and sacrifice, and love and vengeance.

Gripes or complaints? Well, one. I cannot believe I have wait until Fall of 2012 to find out what happens to Karou, Akiva, Brimstone and the rest---gah!

　
Cover Thoughts

I have the U.S. version seen above- and I like it well enough. It sort of reminds me of both Karou and Madrigal so it seems to serve its purpose. And it's nice to see a YA read that doesn't have a model in a prom dress splashed on the cover :)

5/5 stars (Totally Bad Ass period.)

　
Check out the author's website here.

Check out some other reviews of Daughter of Smoke and Bone here:

Presenting Lenore (She did a great interview with Laini Taylor as well)
I Swim for Oceans

Good Books and Good Wine

The Allure of Books

If you liked Daughter of Smoke and Bone you might also like:
City of Bone (The Mortal Instruments, Bk. #1) by Cassandra Clare
White Cat (The Curse Workers, Bk. #1) by Holly Black
Paranormalcy by Keirsten White　

Rebel Heart (Dust Lands #2) by Moira Young Cover Reveal

2012-01-11T16:00:00.000-06:00

Book 2 in the Dust Lands Trilogy, Rebel Heart, unveiled it's cover and release date. This is the sequel to one of my favorite books of 2011, the awesome Blood Red Road.

Rebel Heart (Dust Lands #2) by Moira Young

Margaret K. McElderry/October 30, 2012

The paperback cover for Blood Red Road has been updated as well.

Not sure how I feel about the updated versions (I liked the old version just fine) but I am glad to see anything relating to the upcoming release of the sequel because I am dying to know what happens to Saba and Jack next! What do you think?

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

2012-01-11T00:00:00.000-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features upcoming releases.

Born Wicked
(The Cahill Witch Chronicles, #1)
by Jessica Spotswood
February 7, 2012

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word . . . especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other. (Taken Goodreads.)

I love a good witch story, especially when it's a whole family of witches. So I am eagerly awaiting Born Wicked's release. Plus look at that gorgeous cover!

What book(s) are you waiting on?

The Fault in Our Stars Release Day

2012-01-10T04:00:00.000-06:00

It is at hand my friends! Today John Green's latest, The Fault In Our Stars, releases. I, being the raging John Green fan that I am, pre-ordered the book and can not wait to read it. Times like these make me wish I had gone ahead and gotten an e reader because I could be reading the book at this very moment. But I have promised myself to at least try to whittle down my TBR pile before making an e reader purchase.

But back to the topic at hand. In addition to being super excited about reading the book, I discovered a few days ago (via Southern Book Bloggers) that Green and his brother Hank will be in New Orleans on January 18 as part of the The Tour de Nerdfighting 2012. So I, brand spanking new book blogger,will be making the four hour drive to The Big Easy for my very first bookish event with one of my all time favorite authors EVER. I have roped my sweet mom into driving over with me and I can only hope I don't embarrass her too much because I'm probably going to revert back to my teenage self and exhibit a bit of fangirly behavior (ahem.)

I hope to get a couple of shots with the man and will walk away with an extra signed copy of the book (remember I pre-ordered a copy like 6 months ago) so I am thinking a giveaway may be in order. Stay tuned!

The Tour de Nerdfighting 2012

In January of 2012, Hank and I (and the Katherine and occasionally the Yeti) will be going on tour to celebrate the publication of The Fault in Our Stars, and also because we haven’t been on tour together since 2008. These events will feature music, readings, hilarity, free posters, fancy programs, crossword puzzles, book signing, and many other things.

January 18, 2012- 6:00 pm
Octavia Books is holding the event at Temple Sinai, 6227 St. Charles Avenue (at Calhoun), New Orleans, LA
For tickets or info call 504-899-READ (7323)

Anybody else planning on attending the NOLA event on January 18? Hope to see you there :)

Book Review: Heist Society by Ally Carter

2012-01-09T19:43:00.000-06:00

Heist Society by Ally Carter

(Heist Society #1)
Hyperion, 2010
287 pages
Source: Library loan　

Synopsis
When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre…to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria…to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving “the life” for a normal life proves harder than she’d expected. Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring Kat back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has a good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help. For Kat, there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family's history--and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way. (Taken from Goodreads.)

Opening Line:

“No one knew for certain when the trouble started at the Colgan School.”

My Take On It　

Take one part The Thomas Crown Affair, one part Oceans Eleven, a smidge of The Usual Suspects, shake (not stir) them all together and you have Ally Carter’s Heist Society. I picked this up at my local library and burned through it in the course of one evening. Heist Society is fast paced with loads of twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge of her seat, and features a cast of unforgettable characters. I have not read Carter's Gallagher Girls Series but may just have to pick it up now that I have been introduced to Heist Society. Ok so let’s get to it.

First off: Characters. Talk about a great female protagonist! Katarina Bishop is smart, funny, feisty, gutsy, loyal and remarkably moral for a girl who has been pulling cons with her family since she was old enough to walk. I love that she is one of the best con artist’s around yet she still decides to toss it all aside for a chance at a normal life. And I love that when she discovers her father is in trouble, she has no qualms about turning her back on that very decision to stand beside her family when they need her.

Next up: Hale. Hello, Mr. Perfect. I mean what's not to like about him? He’s clever, handsome, funny, and completely loyal to Kat. In short: best "boy" friend/ potential "boyfriend" EVER. Oh, and he’s loaded. Hale has homes across the globe, complete with personal jet, hot car, and awesome manservant, Marcus (who is the perfect Alfred to Hale's Bruce Wayne.) The flirty scenes between Hale and Kat are some of my favorite in the book.

"Why are you doing this Hale?"

"What?" he said. He was still too close.
"You could do anything," she said softly, looking down, wanting him to hear but not see her. "Why are you doing this?"
His arm was warm against hers. "I always wanted to do the Henley."
"Can you be serious for a second?"
"Dance with me."
"What?" she asked, but his arms were already going around her waist. He was already holding her tightly against him.
"Dancing. Come on. You can do it. It's a lot like navigating through a laser grid. It requires rhythm." He moved her hips to the beat of the distant music. "And patience." He spun her out slowly and back toward him. "And it's only fun if you trust your partner." The dip was so slow, so smooth, that Kat didn’t know it was happening until the world had already turned upside down and Hale's face was inches from her own.
"Count me in, Kat." He squeezed her tighter. "You should always count me in."

Whew! Hot.

I love the cast of co-conspirators as well: brothers Angus and Hamish who provide comic relief, the brilliant but perpetually geeky computer genius Simon, the cunning siren Gabrielle, the mysterious Nick, and my favorite member of the family, patriarch Uncle Eddy, who is just the right combination of endearing and intimidating. Lastly we have Uber villain and Godfather-ish Arturo Taccone to round out the cast of characters.
But, wait! It would be so wrong to leave out our mystery/enigma character that is Visily Romini. Aptly described by Uncle Eddy:

“He is no one, he is everyone.”　

I love the inclusion of this shadowy figure. He reminds me of the mystery figure of Keyser Soze in one of my all time favorite film's, The Usual Suspects.

So while this book is a classic heist/crime caper, and has some great romantic undertones, it is above all else a book about family. Kat walks away from her family for the promise of a better life, but in the end realizes that family, the good, the bad and the ugly of it, is all that really matters.

Ok, so here's a little tidbit about me: I have a degree in Art History, and I worked as an associate curator at an art museum. So let's just say that any book that features a story line about art, or better yet art theft, is going to be something that appeals to me. Add to that the back story of Old Master’s artwork looted by the Nazi’s during WWII, all the cool in's and out's of museum security systems, and brazen art theft and you have a winning combination in my opinion! But honestly, even if I wasn’t an art historian, I think I would have enjoyed Heist Society. Cat burgler's in crepe soled shoes slinking around in rooftop shadows. Jet-setting con artists and art thieves schmoozing in casinos. Yes, please! It's just all so Cary Grant and James Bond and I love it.

Some of my favorite parts: the little names for all the various cons the crew discuss: The Benjamin Franklin, the Fallen Angel, the Five o'Clock Shadow, the Smokey the Bear… that’s just plain awesome. I liked trying to guess what these particular cons are. I also liked the countdown aspect in the chapter titles to help build the suspense.

All that being said, there were a couple of minor things with which I had issues. I had a bit of a struggle suspending my reality that these were actual teenagers traipsing all over the world, planning outrageous heists and living such a big adventure. They just didn't seem like teenagers in their actions and reactions. No way does Kat seem like a fifteen year old girl. I know she grew up in an unconventional family who makes their living through lies and deceit, but still. And Hale. Come on. I was a teenager once (a long time ago, ahem) and I never, ever, no matter how hard I may have wished and hoped for it, came across a sixteen year old boy that is as smooth and suave as Hale. Now, is this a deal breaker for me? Nope. Does this detract in any way from how great I think the book is? Not at all. Does it work as a young adult book? Yes. Would it have worked as an adult or "New Adult" book if you had raised Kat and the rest of the character's ages say five or ten years? Absolutely.

Which brings me to my second minor gripe. Well, it's actually more of a whine or whimper. Lack of physicality. I am all about the slow burn, and I know this is written for a teen audience, but I cannot tell you how many times I just wanted to shout " Kat. Just shut up already and kiss him!!" I feel pretty sure I am not alone in this feeling of frustration. So, I am hoping for, at the very least, some heavy petting in the sequel, Uncommon Criminals.

The good thing about not catching on to a book when it's first released is that, more times than not, the sequel has already been published, so yay for that! I have heard that this book has been optioned for a movie, and I can easily understand why. A few pages in, I thought to myself how very easily this could transfer to the big screen.

Cover Thoughts

Truth be told, I am not so crazy about this cover. I think the model is cute and mischievous looking, and I like the reflected image of a painting in her sunglasses, but it really screams “teenager” to me. Yes, this is a YA book, but as I said, it definitely could be (and was, in my case) enjoyed by an older audience. Plus I hate it when the model on the cover is just not what I envision the MC to look like. And in my mind’s eye, Kat Bishop doesn’t look like this. Ah, well.

4/ 5 stars

Check out the author's website here.

Check out more reviews of Heist Society here:
Good Books and Good Wine
Reading Cause I’m Addicted
Makeshift Bookmark　

　　
If you like Heist Society you might also like:

White Cat (The Curse Workers Book 1) by Holly Black
Red Glove (The Curse Workers Book 2) by Holly Black
All These Things I Have Done by Gabrielle Zevin 　

2012 Reading Challenge #3 YA Contemporary Challenge

2012-01-09T00:00:00.000-06:00

So I am officially challenging myself as a reader this year and have signed up for a few of the challenges out there in the blogosphere:

2012 YA Contemporary Challenge

Hosted by Reading Angel
and Katies Book Blog

Now if you had told me last year that I would be participating in a YA Contemporary reading challenge I would have laughed out loud because it was only very recently that I was converted. I always snubbed the contemp titles for their paranormal counterparts. Then I read some Sarah Dessen. And some Stephanie Perkins. And some John Green. And some Maureen Johnson. You get the picture. As a result, I am planning on reading more books for the YA Contemporary Challenge than any of the other four challenges I am participating in!

Here's my list:

1. Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom

2. Welcome Caller This is Chloe by Shelly Coriell

3. The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

4. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

5. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

6. The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

7. Wanderlove- Kirsten Hubbard

8. A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

9. Thou Shalt Not Road Trip by Antony John

10. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

11. The Waiting Sky by Lara Zielin

12 Supergirl Mixtapes by Meagen Brothers

13. The Stalker Chronicles by Carley Moore

14. Adorkable by Sarra Manning

15. Flirting In Italian by Lauren Henderson

Woo Hoo! I am ready to go! How about you? Any reading challenges in your future?

In My Mailbox (1)

2012-01-08T00:01:00.000-06:00

This is my first IMM post, yay! Since I'm just getting started I thought I would share books I have borrowed, swapped and purchased during the past month or so. Normally I don't receive this many per week unless it's a really GOOD week (ie: when lots of B & N online coupons show up in my inbox:)

Received through Paperback Swap:

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness  I'm reading this one now and it's a nail biter!

Legacy by Cayla Kluver Had this one for a bit but haven't quite gotten to it yet.

India Black, A Woman of Espionage Mystery by Carol K. Karr  Not YA, but is about espionage (hence the title), Madame's (as in brothels) and takes place in the Victorian Era, so I'm in!

Shelter (Mickey Bolitar #1) by Harlan Coben  This is a YA spin off from the author's adult fiction Myron Bolitar Series. I have never read the latter series but the premise of this book sounded interesting. Plus I always like to check out "Adult" fiction author's when they venture into YA.

The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch  This one has been compared to The Hunger Games. Those are big shoes to fill but I have high hopes!)

Charmed Thirds (Jessica Darling Series #3) by Megan McCafferty I finished this book this week (review to follow). This series is amazing and if it hadn't been for all those great recommendations by some awesome bloggers I probably wouldn't have discovered it.

Ready Player One by Ernest Kline  I have heard this book rocks. I'm a child of the 80's and this is supposed to be chock full of awesome pop culture references, so I'm in!

Borrowed from my public library:

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen  I'm am steadily making my way through Sarah Dessen's books (this book will be number five for me) Luckily my library seems to carry most of her work.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern I started this one and am liking it, but was distracted into reading something else. I have read glowing reviews, so I need to pick it back up here soon (like before I have to return it in 2 weeks.)

Purchased:

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins  bought this (with one of the aforementioned B&N online coupons) and DEVOURED it in a day. LOVE! Gotta get Lola and the Boy Next Door asap!

Not Pictured:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer just received this one on Friday, woo hoo! Can't wait to start it. This will be my first 2012 Debut Author Challenge read.

That's it for me! What did you get in your mailbox?

Favorite Reads of 2011

2012-01-07T17:50:00.000-06:00

Image Source here

Last month most of the YA blogs I follow posted year end lists of favorite reads from 2011 and upcoming books they are anticipating in 2012. Since my blog didn't go up until this past week, I missed out on all this fun (insert pouty, sad face here.) But instead of wallowing in self pity or chiding myself for not getting the blog up sooner, I have decided to post my own list of fave reads from 2011 just because I can:)) Plus I'll have a nice little record of it for future reference! I hope to post a "Looking Foward To in 2012..." list later this week.

In 2011 I read 138 books (a great year for me!) and these are the top 33. I tried but I just couldn't cap them at 30. No way could I rank them, I loved them ALL, so they are in no particular order. I hope to write reviews for all 33 over the course of this year.

1. Saving June by Hannah Harrington
2. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

3. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

4. Dearly Departed by Lia Habel

5. Blood Red Road by Moira Young

6. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

7. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

8. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by
E. Lockhart

9. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (My review here)

10. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson (My review here)

11. Divergent by Veronica Roth

12. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

13. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

14. Bruiser by Neal Shusterman (My Review of
Bruiser here)

15. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David
Levithan

16. Heist Society by Ally Carter (My review here)

17. Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and
David Levithan

18. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

19. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

20. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

21. Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich

22. Unwind by Neal Shusterman

23. Paranormalcy by Keirsten White

24. Matched by Ally Condie

25. White Cat (The Curse Workers #1) by Holly Black

26. Red Glove (The Curse Workers, #2) by Holly Black

27. The Greyfriar (Vampire Empire #1) by Clay Griffith &
Susan Griffith

28. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

29. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

30. Second Helpings (Jessica Darling #2) by Megan
McCafferty

31. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and
David Levithan

32. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar
33. The Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by
Cassandra Clare

Of all the books I read these really resonated with me. So, so many of them came to my attention through my favorite YA blogs, and for that I am very grateful :)

2012 Reading Challenge #2 - The 2012 New Adult Challenge

2012-01-06T21:26:00.000-06:00

So I am officially challenging myself as a reader this year and have signed up for a few of the challenges out there in the blogosphere:

2012 New Adult Challenge

Hosted by A Tapestry of Words

I am ALL about some New Adult lit. I love YA, I really, really do, but being a thirty something, and having been both YA and a New Adult, I can tell you some of my favorite memories come from the latter. That wonderful time of new found independence before all the heavy responsibility of LIFE truly hits you. College. Road Trips. Getting into bars. Boys sleeping over. All that stuff. So, in the hopes of bringing some attention to (and encouraging more authors to write about) this magical time in a young adult's life, I said sign me up!

Here's my reading list:

1. Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

2. The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

3. Flat Out Love by Jessica Park

4. Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson

5. Charmed Thirds (Jessica Darling #3) by Megan McCafferty

6. Fourth Comings (Jessica Darling #4) by Megan McCafferty

7. Perfect Fifths (Jessica Darling #5) by Megan McCafferty

8. Eternal Starling by Angela Corbett

9. The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

10. Bloodlines (Bloodlines #1) by Richelle Mead

11. Laney (Brookehaven Vampires #1) by Joann I. Martin Sowles

12. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

That's it, let's do it! How about you? Any reading challenges in your future?

Mini Book Review: Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

2012-01-06T05:00:00.000-06:00

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore
Random House/ July 12, 2011
416 pages
Source: Purchase

Synopsis

Amy Goodnight knows that the world isn’t as simple as it seems- she grew up surrounded by household spells and benevolent ghosts. But she also understands that “normal” doesn’t mix with magic, and she’s worked hard to build a wall between the two worlds. Not only to protect her family, who are all practicing witches, but to protect any hope of ever having a normal life.

Ranch-sitting for her aunt in Texas should be exactly that: good old ordinary, uneventful, hard work. Only, Amy and her sister, Phin, aren’t alone. There’s someone in the house with them- and it’s not the living, breathing, amazingly hot cowboy from the ranch next door.
It’s a ghost, and it’s more powerful than the Goodnights and all their protective spells combined. It wants something from Amy, and none of her carefully built defenses can hold back. This is the summer when the wall between Amy’s worlds is going to come crashing down. (Taken from book's jacket.)

Opening Line

“The goat was in the tree again.”

　
My Take On It

So, growing up I loved reading any and all things vampire, witch and ghost (with a sprinkling of werewolf for good measure.) Today, not much has changed and it would be safe to say that I will always compare any paranormal books I read to some of those old favorites. My go-to authors regarding “witchy” type books will always be Anne Rice (The Witching Hour) and Alice Hoffman (Practical Magic.) These two ladies have the whole “family of witches” thing down pat in my humble opinion. So when I read the blurb earlier this year regarding Texas Gothic, I knew this book would be right up my alley.

Like Rice and Hoffman’s works, Texas Gothic includes eccentric relatives and cool family dynamics, which I loved. The relationship between Amy and Phin is fun to read and it’s nice to see two sisters close in age getting along in spite of all their differences. I liked Amy’s character and really sympathized with her struggle for normalcy in a decidedly abnormal family. I appreciated her desire to strike a balance in her life and enjoyed seeing her grow and develop, eventually accepting and embracing her inner witch by story’s end. I also really liked the bookish Phin and all her cool experiments and gadgets. I do wish however that I could have gotten to know more of the Goodnight clan. I enjoyed the inclusion of Cousin Daisy and would have liked to have learned more about Amy and Phin’s mom as well their Aunt Hyacinth.

As for the mystery that unfurls in the book, I really liked all the interesting facts about Texas history that the author included. However, I thought the mystery itself was a little elementary. Fellow reviewers The Book Smugglers summed it up best when they compared it to something between Nancy Drew and Scooby Doo. Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of both the girl and canine detectives, but I was hoping with a title like Texas Gothic (emphasis on the word Gothic) the story would have been a little more The Turn of The Screw and a little less The Secret of The Old Clock. That aside, I enjoyed the plot well enough, I think Clement-Moore's witty dialogue and interesting characters make up for my other issues.

There is some romance between Amy and the hot, yet somewhat jerk-ish, neighbor Ben. I liked the back and forth between them, and thought there was some pretty decent chemistry, but the romance didn't sweep me off my feet. In fact there were a few occasions when I preferred the character of Mark, the anthropology student interested in Phin, more than Ben. It may have been the whole Latino thing. Ever since I read the Perfect Chemistry Series, any character that uses the phrase “chica” gets my attention quick :)

So, to sum up my review of Texas Gothic: Clement-Moore delivers cool, quirky characters; humorous, witty dialogue; and a decent mystery and love story. I plan to check out more works by this author, including her work The Splendor Falls.

Cover Thoughts

I really, really dig the cover of Texas Gothic. I think it’s beautiful and a perfect rendition of Amy Goodnight. It has a haunted, ghostly quality to it which is a good match for the book.

3/5 stars

Check out more reviews of Texas Gothic here:
The Book Smugglers
The Crooked Shelf
Feeling Fictional

Visit the author's website here.　

If you like Texas Gothic you might also like:
A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
Graveminder by Melissa Marr

2012 Reading Challenge #1- Debut Authors Challenge

2012-01-05T16:16:00.000-06:00

So I am officially challenging myself as a reader this year and have signed up for a few of the challenges out there in the blogosphere:

2012 Debut Authors Challenge
Hosted by The Story Siren

My first official reading challenge ever. So excited!

Here is a tentative list of the books I am planning on reading:

1. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

2. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

3. Above by Leah Bobet

4. Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

5. When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen

6. The gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

7. Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

8. Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom

9. Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans

10. Grave Mercy by R. L. LaFevers

11. Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

12. Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe

13. Defiance by C.J. Redwine

14. Welcome Caller this is Chloe by Shelly Coriell

15. Mystique by Shari Arnold

I am SO ready to get started! How about you, any reading challenges in your future?

New Look for Holly Black's Curse Workers Series!

2012-01-04T12:05:00.001-06:00

I saw this over at The Story Siren today and since I am such a huge fan of this series I had to pass it on!

I liked the previous covers of The Curse Workers Series but these take it to a whole new level! Beautiful!

The final installment in the trilogy, Black Heart,

will be available on April 3.

Check out more about this series:

White Cat (Curse Workers #1)

Red Glove (Curse Workers #2)

Black Heart (Curse Workers #3)

Waiting On Wednesday (1)

2012-01-04T10:48:00.000-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features upcoming releases.

Waiting On: The Fault In Our
Stars by John Green

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumors in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumors tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind (Taken from Goodreads.)

OH MY GOD. John Green has a new book coming out!!! That's what I said when I discovered this a few months ago, and now the day is almost here! I am such a giant fan of this writer. My first experience with Green was An Abundance of Katherines ( so freaking awesome, Hassan you are my hero) followed by Paper Towns, Looking For Alaska, and Will Grayson, Will Grayson in rapid succession. The man can do no wrong in my humble opinion so I am so STOKED to read The Fault In Our Stars. I read somewhere that it is Mrs. Green's (as in his wife) favorite of all his works to date. Sold! I even pre-ordered because I heard he was signing ALL copies from the first printing for free. GOT to love that man. Nerdfighters Unite!!!!

So, what book(s) are you waiting on?

Hello There!

2012-01-02T15:50:00.000-06:00

Hey there! Welcome to The Flyleaf Review. I’m Heather and I’ll be your hostess!

I’m new to this blogging thing so I am sure this site will be a work in progress for a bit but I am excited to get rolling and post my first review.

So, thanks for stopping by and I hope you’ll be back soon!