Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Review: The Calling by Kelley Armstrong


The Calling (Darkness Rising #2) by Kelley Armstrong
Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is -a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.
Now Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.
In THE CALLING, the sizzling second book in the Darkness Rising trilogy,New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong pumps up the romance, danger, and suspense that left readers of THE GATHERING clamoring for more.
”add
Publishes in US: April 10th 2012 by Harper
Genre: ya para
Source: library
Series? Darkness Rising #2
My Review of The Gathering

Buy it: Amazon  Barnes & Noble IndieBound Book Depository

Author stalk away:  ~site ~series ~twitter ~facebook ~blog


    I wanted to read this one because I enjoyed the first and I like Kelley's writing. It picked up right where the last one left off, and it continued with a bang. 
   
   It slowed down some after but it still kept my attention. We find out more about the powers of the teens and Maya has no choice but to face what she realized about herself, That she has healing powers over animals and that she shape shifts into a cougar. She has always understood cats and had relationship with the animals, so much that she helps her dad with the hospital for wounded animals. 

    Her friendship with Daniel was strong again in this one, and we see further proof that he is a leader, and has influence over them, Daniel is such a nice guy and I like his character. Rafe was in this one but we are in a lot of suspense with him and his sister and he's not really as big a character in the first part, We instead get a closer look at the others in the helicopter with them: Sam, Nicole and Corey. 

     The action did start to pick up and threw in a lot of twists and surprises. There were betrayals and of course they never knew who was telling the truth and who was out to get them. 

    Like the first, the book just kinda ended. I know that the third will pick right up, but its still hard not to get at least some closure. I mean I know why it stopped at sort of that place, but a little more or a little less would have been great. I will definitely read  the last and excited to get time. 

Bottom Line: Good 2nd book but some of the typical middle book issues.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
What animal would you shapeshift into?

Monday, September 29, 2014

Review: Plus One by Elizabeth Fama

Review: Plus One by Elizabeth Fama
It takes guts to deliberately mutilate your hand while operating a blister-pack sealing machine, but all I had going for me was guts.
Sol Le Coeur is a Smudge—a night dweller in an America rigidly divided between people who wake, live, and work during the hours of darkness and those known as Rays who live and work during daylight. Impulsive, passionate, and brave, Sol deliberately injures herself in order to gain admission to a hospital, where she plans to kidnap her newborn niece—a Ray—in order to bring the baby to visit her dying grandfather. By violating the day-night curfew, Sol is committing a serious crime, and when the kidnap attempt goes awry it starts a chain of events that will put Sol in mortal danger, uncover a government conspiracy to manipulate the Smudge population, and throw her together with D'Arcy Benoît, the Ray medical apprentice who first treats her, then helps her outrun the authorities—and with whom she is fated to fall impossibly and irrevocably in love.
Set in a vivid alternate reality and peopled with complex, deeply human characters on both sides of the day-night divide, Plus One is a brilliantly imagined drama of individual liberty and civil rights—and a compelling, rapid-fire romantic adventure story.

”add

Publishes in US: April 8th 2014 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Genre: YA dystopia
Source: library
Series? I don't think so

Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Author stalk away: Website | Twitter | Tumblr


    I was first drawn to Plus One because of the gorgeous cover, but then with the synopsis of the alternate reality along with the segregation of people into people who are allowed to be out during the day and those only at night cemented my interest. 

    Plus One was addicting for me. I read half of it in one sitting and wanted to read more, but had to go to bed. Sol's family loyalty and her bravery to get things done made me admire her. She was smart, but also she was a rule breaker, so she has been in a factory doing mindless work. She doesn't seem to mind too much because she is taking care of her grandpa, Poppu. Her parents passed when she was little and it had been them and her brother Ciel since. Ciel got into trouble and now he was recruited by the Rays (Day people) in order to hack, which is what he was locked up for. So Sol doesn't get to see him anymore and she's hurt by that because she'd always felt so close. 

   She goes through great lengths to get her brother's new baby to Poppu so he could hold her. He was gravely ill and wouldn't make it to the next Unity night, where Rays and Smudges could be out during their opposite hour. The world building for this was pretty good, I liked learning about how the Day/Night system was set up and it was harrowing how strict it was. There are what they call Hour Guards who checks ids and makes sure that each perspective group is where they should be. 

    When she is in the hospital she meets D'Arcy, who she refers to as Day Boy in her head, which made me smirk. He is the doctor's apprentice, but the way he gets wrapped up in Sol's life kept my attention. What made him stick around and continue to help her was admirable even if he did certain things following procedure that got her in more trouble at first. Also, his family brings another element of depth to the story. He is the apprentice of his mom, and his dad has such a story as to their differences and lives. 

    I like though that the relationship between Sol and D'Arcy was slow. They had the banter that I enjoyed from the start, as well as D'Arcy's motives. It made me a little nervous not knowing why he kept helping her, but then meeting his dad, and realizing what a heart he has, it become more clear. I was so cheering for them especially with the desk situation and its resolution. 

   So. Normally I am all about a stand alone but I seriously hope that this one is not. The ending was sweet in ways, but it just didn't sit right with me. Maybe its brave to end that way and it shows just the depth of the loyalty of Sol to those who manage to weave their way into her heart. But still. It was sad to me, and I know it should be hopeful and giving that open end where you can argue with yourself about exactly how it will play out.



Bottom Line: Grabbed my attention. Loved the slow build, but had an issue with ending, which would be resolved with a 2nd book.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Are you an early bird or night owl?

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post, Bought Borrowed and Bagged


Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews,  check it out and sign up  here
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged is a weekly meme, hosted by TalkSupe, where I share with you the books I have bought, borrowed, or bagged. Link up with me here.

What I read:
Stay with Me (Wait for You, #3)
source: bought
Disciple: Becomings Disciples Through Bible Study
for bible study
source: bought
Burying Water
source: netgalley
The Calling (Darkness Rising, #2)
source: library
 Thanks Simon Teen
 Thanks Harper Teen


New Giveaways:
Sponsored Exclusive Giveaway: Reign of the Black Flame: Book I: The Waterglobe by B.B. Vayk

My week: Pretty good, its been cooler but gloomy. I am getting a haircut, and got to get pedi with my girlfriend and mom.


What are you reading? Any of my books new to you or have you read any of my books? If so, what did you think?
Also, feel free to link up your blog and mailbox post.


Giveaway and Interview: Reign of the Black Flame: Book I: The Waterglobe by B.B. Vayk


Reign of the Black Flame: Book I: The Waterglobe by B.B. Vayk
In an age when the mighty Forces of Nature rule, the eternal battle between Fire and Water flares into war. One human is chosen to regain the ancient equilibrium at any cost, but a dangerous love threatens to sabotage his mission.
The evil Fire, fueled by ancient jealousies and a lust for power, commits the ultimate treachery - the theft of the Waterglobe. Equilibrium between the Forces is lost, leaving a drought-plagued world that only one brave human can restore. Robert Ground, longing for adventure, lives in a peaceful, sleepy little village. One day, Fire appears, laying to waste everything Robert has ever known. Determined to find out why he has become a target of the Prime Evil, Robert begins a journey to uncover his family’s secrets, and soon discovers a link between his past and the elemental battle waging around him. Robert is joined by the lovely, secretive Marian as they forge an unlikely partnership. Unknown to Robert, Marian is a fireling, and Fire’s cruelest, most loyal apprentice. As Marian pursues her own dark mission, two others join the travelers: Gider, the vicious, coarse, fermad, and Shine, the brave and noble rainsteed.
Reaching the Cloud Realm, Robert is tasked with an impossible mission, one that will test him beyond the limits of his endurance. The four adventurers navigate the perilous realms of the Forces, gathering powerful weapons for the final battle with Fire. Each is forever altered, as they must choose between self-sacrifice and treachery. Ultimately, Robert faces Fire and finally learns why he is destined to fight the ultimate evil...


Find out more and view the trailer at: www.reignoftheblackflame.com



-- Tell us about your book:
Written for age 10 to young adult, my book is a fairytale/high fantasy novel that was first published in Hungary in Fall 2012, and has been very well received. Last year it was translated and edited into English, with the narrative adapted for publication in English-speaking markets. Its uniqueness is that the storyline was inspired by Hungarian lore (I am Hungarian), uniquely combined with personifications of the Forces of Nature - like Sun, Night, Wind King, Mother Moon, Cloud Queen, Water and Fire – in an ancient world of humans, watershapes and firelings.
I built a completely new fantasy world with new creatures and new realms – and I am sure these could not be found in any other novels.

And the story:
In an age when the mighty Forces of Nature rule, the eternal battle between Fire and Water flares into war. One human is chosen to regain the ancient equilibrium at any cost, but a dangerous love threatens to sabotage his mission. 
The evil Fire, fueled by ancient jealousies and a lust for power, commits the ultimate treachery - the theft of the Waterglobe. Equilibrium between the Forces is lost, leaving a drought-plagued world that only one brave human can restore. Robert Ground, longing for adventure, lives in a peaceful, sleepy little village. One day, Fire appears, laying to waste everything Robert has ever known. Determined to find out why he has become a target of the Prime Evil, Robert begins a journey to uncover his family’s secrets, and soon discovers a link between his past and the elemental battle waging around him. Robert is joined by the lovely, secretive Marian as they forge an unlikely partnership. Unknown to Robert, Marian is a fireling, and Fire’s cruelest, most loyal apprentice. As Marian pursues her own dark mission, two others join the travelers: Gider, the vicious, coarse, fermad, and Shine, the brave and noble rainsteed. 
Reaching the Cloud Realm, Robert is tasked with an impossible mission, one that will test him beyond the limits of his endurance. The four adventurers navigate the perilous realms of the Forces, gathering powerful weapons for the final battle with Fire. Each is forever altered, as they must choose between self-sacrifice and treachery. Ultimately, Robert faces Fire and finally learns why he is destined to fight the ultimate evil...

--How did you get the idea for the story?
The storyline was inspired by my old childhood imaginations and my love for the folklore of my Hungarian ancestors. Growing up with those stories helped me to see the world in a different way, a place where things existed beyond our knowledge. As a child, I created characters in my mind that represented the forces of nature – the sun, the wind, the water – always imagining them to be actual people who ruled magical realms above and below. One of my first memories of this was when I was seven and spent a summer vacation in Italy with my parents. While watching the waves of the sea, I imagined an Ocean Queen – young, beautiful and powerful. Everything began with this vision.
Years later, with children of my own, these forces of nature recaptured my imagination. I drew them. I created every little detail about them: what they looked like, where they lived, who their servants were, how they used their power, and most importantly, how they worked with – or against – each other.
One day, during a rainy afternoon of writing, the hero of my story appeared on the page. Robert, a young man, with no real purpose to his life beyond living in a small sleepy village where nothing ever happened. That village was much like the one where my own grandparents lived; just as simple, just as peaceful, and where I spent many holidays as a child. Robert was clever and talented, but his abilities were not really needed in the human world in which he lived. Then, I created Marian, Robert’s adversary. Beautiful yet cruel, alluring yet evil; I really enjoyed her character! They represented two different worlds and together forged a strange, yet necessary partnership, as they journeyed through an age of castles, kings, knights and war, all ruled by the mighty forces of nature.
--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?
I love all of my characters. However I really would like to have dinner with Fire himself. However I would not want to have a snack with a fermad – these are my own creatures: mutant bear-wolf hybrids, with supernatural strength and vigor, a limitless appetite and a tiny brain.
--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?
Book 2 of The Reign of the Black Flame trilogy is complete and will be published in Hungarian in the near future. I currently work on Book 3. I have several children’s educational and short story books published in five countries (Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Hungary). Additionally, I have written and illustrated two children’s fairytale books, which will also be published in the European market.

--What book(s) is your book’s “cousin”? (Similar kind of read, set-up or style)
The target reader’s age of Reign of the black flame is similar to that of the Harry Potter series; however, the subject, characters and setting are very different. My novel is a unique combination of European folklore and the fantasy world building of Tolkien.
--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?
I do not have much time to read but I must read as reading is my passion. I usually read at nights – before or after writing my own novels. My favourite authors are Tolkien, Rowling and Robin Maxwell.

--If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?
I would choose the age of Anne Boleyn – such an interesting and exciting era with lots of intrigues at the Royal Courts.

--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?
When I write, I just need my computer, nothing else. During writing I enter my fantasy world as if I would step into another dimension.

--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
No more sleeping! Without sleeping I would have much more time!

--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?
I love playing with my two children (my daughter is 8, my son is 4), and I love drawing and painting – especially portraits.
--What is one thing you would tell your 15 year old self?
Read and write as much as you can!

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?
As I always draw my characters, I would really appreciate any feedback about my booktrailer capturing my own illustrations. And first of all I would like to say THANK YOU to my readers. I have learned to believe in dreams, to work for them and to never give them up. And now, I have a new dream, to add to the rest: that those who read my book will experience the same feelings I did when I wrote it; a desire to see a world of fantasy and possibility and to experience, side-by-side with Robert and Marian, their adventures as they travel realms never before explored! 
Achievements:
-          Honorable Mention at the Hollywood Book Festival 2014,
-          5 star review from Kim Anisi at Readers Favourite
website: www.bbvayk.com
youtube book trailers (capturing the author’s illustrations – how she imagined the characters during writing) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvfQJqGdv-o   and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akRkegj7mJE (narrator: Andy Hefner, US actor)
Available on e-book and paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Reign-black-flame-B-B-Vayk-ebook/dp/B00IFV9ZI4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1410938771&sr=8-2&keywords=reign+of+the+black+flame

Goodreads (rating 4,56): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21417838-reign-of-the-black-flame



Giveaway is for: paperback of Reign of the Black Flame: Book I: The Waterglobe by B.B. Vayk
Open to Int.
 If under 18, must have parent's permission.
No Purchase Necessary
Open: 9/27-10/25
The Sponsor: Vayk and publicist
Winners will be chosen by Giveaway Tools and notified by email. They will have 48 hours to respond.
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Brandi Breathes Books Giveaways are hosted in Holly Springs, NC USA
Void where prohibited by law
-If you win a review on your blog and/or amazon is appreciated but not required.


Friday, September 26, 2014

Review: Adrenaline Crush by Laurie Boyle Crompton

Adrenaline Crush
Adrenaline Crush by Laurie Boyle Crompton
When a daredevil teen pushes herself too far, she must choose between two boys: the one who wants to keep her safe, and the one who dares her to return to her old self.
Seventeen-year-old Dyna comes from a family of risk takers and is an avid thrill-seeker herself, until the day she splinters her ankle in a terrible fall. Her whole life goes from mountain biking and rock climbing to sitting at home and attending group sessions at the bizarre alternative healing center that her hippie mother found. The boy who witnessed Dyna’s accident believes her injury is a wakeup call and he encourages her mild new lifestyle, but a young Afghanistan War veteran she meets at the healing center pushes her to start taking chances again. Forced to face the consequences of her daredevil impulses, Dyna finds herself in danger of risking the one thing she’s always treated with caution—her heart.

”add

Publishes in US: September 23rd 2014 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Genre: YA contemp
Source: MacMillan
Series? No

Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound Book Depository

Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~blog

 

    I wanted to read Adrenaline Crush because I am drawn to books about injuries or illnesses, so when I saw that she was slowed down by the pretty serious ankle injury it peaked my interest... And then mentioning the war vet, it sealed the deal. I like to read about men in uniform esp the younger ones, they bring a unique perspective and I have all respect for the military heroes. 

    I liked Dyna, and although I am certainly not a daredevil nor do I enjoy high adrenaline things like biking and rock climbing. She is a big risk taker and she loves the natural high from pushing herself and being outdoors. Personally I would almost always rather be inside curled up with a book, its nice to hear from the other camp of girls. She goes through a big trauma and injury and through these things we get to see her grow and overcome fears. 

    It was a fast read and I read it in a few sittings. It kept my attention but the romance was a bit problematic. Slight spoiler... There is one boy, very much a protector and he is with her after she races him on bikes and then she shows him her secret swimming hole. After she pushes beyond what even she normally does at this location, Jay is there and he pulls her from the water and is with her to the hospital. They form a friendship and then relationship pretty quickly when he comes around to the house and with her for her recovery. And I liked him, he was a nice guy, smart and funny. But I knew from the synopsis he's not the vet, so I didn't let myself get attached to him even though he's such a great guy. But he doesn't challenge the part of her that is wild and wants to be outdoors. And of course that turns into a problem.

    And then there is Pierce. Dyna meets him during therapy, where they open up and talk during the first part, a talk therapy type thing, and then they do the physical therapy the last part. The group is very diverse and there are all sorts of reasons for the members to be there. They all learn from each other, and help each other face their fears and overcome injury by doing assignments, developed to help them face whatever it was to get them into therapy. I liked this aspect because we have people from all walks of life, all different personalities, but they are brought together because some part of their body isn't working right. 

   But back to Pierce. He is intense and he pushes himself. He offers quiet advice and for Dyna, she has someone to help her get back, to go just a bit further through the pain. And ultimately he helped her realize what she was holding back and missing from her life. So, there is some cheating in this one. And that made me mad because even though I felt the chemistry and saw how good they could be together, there is above mentioned boyfriend. I guess it serves to add the extra tension, but I wish it could have just been Pierce instead of the love triangle. I also wanted to pull for Pierce because that interest and chemistry grew over a bit more time than her and Jay. But I guess I was warned in the summary that it was going to be chosing between two boys, I just hate when one never really seems to have a fair shot. And also, I know that him saving her made a huge impact on the speed in which they connected and started dating, but it did feel like it was a bit of insta-love since they hadn't really talked much before then.

    I liked the family aspect as well. Both of her parents were present in her life. They weren't cookie cutter parents though, which was nice. They rode harleys and her dad is a tattoo artist. I like that they are tough but they are also present and involved in their kids lives. Her brother Harley also provides another secondary character arch that I enjoyed seeing him realize his own dreams and potential even if that didn't come right out of high school. 

    It was good overall and I liked the growth of Dyna, as well as the chemistry between her and Pierce. 

Bottom Line: Fast paced and fun to read.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Are you an outdoors or indoors sort of person?

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Review: If I Stay movie and book and Where She Went by Gayle Forman

If I Stay (If I Stay, #1)  If I Stay (If I Stay, #1) Wanted to add the movie tie-in edition not only because that is what I read, but it is powerful summary of the book/movie in my opinion.

 If I Stay Gayle Forman
Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.
I open my eyes wide now.
I sit up as much as I can.
And I listen.
Stay, he says.
Choices. seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?
Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.
If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

”add

Publishes in US: April 2nd 2009 by Dutton Juvenile
Genre: YA contemp
Source: bought
Series? If I Stay #1

Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound Book Depository

Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~blog

 

    Okay, so short and sweet, but not quite tweet. I read this book before I started blogging, so no review is already on my blog. This is a re-read but I think that I feel a lot of the same things. Yes, a few things may be colored because this is a re-read after I watched the movie. 

    Which, yes, I enjoyed the movie. I think that the casting was dead on, and I was emotional for the whole thing. I couldn't remember what detail the end of the book went into that the movie didn't but that is the one thing my mom complained about going into the movie without reading the book. 

   I loved the realistic nature of the relationship between Adam and Mia. They are both so in love with music and I think that the draw of seeing someone else your age just get it is believable and made me totally immerse into their relationship. Music, and the importance on their life wasn't watered down for them, the book explored so many issues that would have been sources of possible problems for teenagers in love. The fact that she wants to get into Julliard and Adam and his band are on the brink of something huge. 

   The emotions of Mia, having to make a choice, to stay without her mom, dad and brother, who were such a close family. They did life together, they were open and honest with each other. But most of all, they loved each other hard, no matter their differences. I don't know what I would have chosen in her place, and it was all powerful and beautifully written. 

Bottom Line: Emotional and powerful story about a girl with an impossible choice.


Where She Went (If I Stay, #2)
Where She Went by Gayle Foreman
It's been three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life.
And three years he's spent wondering why.
When their paths cross again in New York City, Adam and Mia are brought back together for one life-changing night.
Adam finally has the opportunity to ask Mia the questions that have been haunting him. But will a few hours in this magical city be enough to lay their past to rest, for good - or can you really have a second chance at first love?

”add

Publishes in US:  April 5th 2011 by Dutton Juvenile
Source: bought

Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound Book Depository


    I don't know how I have gone this far and still not read the follow up. I think that I was afraid of it being from Adam's point of view because then I wasn't so used to the dual narrative and getting into the heads of our guy protagonist. But I have grown to love so much the second chance stories of love, especially first love. 

   I wasn't easy to be in his head because he was pretty messed up and that was apparent from the beginning. Stardom hasn't been as easy on him and he'd hoped. He is anxious and feels awkward and has an issue getting through one day much less facing down a 67 day tour. 

   It's obvious that this is a few years after the first book, but I just don't know what sort of decisions led him where he was and what became of Mia. The story is told like If I Stay, partly in the present and then flashbacks. It is interesting to get Adam's perspective for what drew him to Mia, what he thought about her more reserved nature. It was also heartbreaking to see him so messed up and wanting resolution to her disappearance without a word. 

    The night that they spent together reveals so much and it made my heart lighter and also hurt at different times in their talking. Its hard to see how both of them are dealing with the loss of her parents and Teddy as well as their relationship. It is neat to see them on their own  paths, following dreams and love of music. How the experience changes them both and little by little showing them what's important and worth fighting for. 

     There was a good bit in this one that I didn't think that I was going to get the ending that I wanted, but I think that the weighted conversations needed to be had and the pink elephant talked about. The tension was so well written but also painful and heavy. I knew the ending I wanted for them I just didn't know how I wanted for it to come about, but I think that this way resolved it in ways that the simpler path would have left too many avenues unexplored and issues swept under the rug.

    I enjoyed this and can't wait to see if they make this one into a sequel movie, I will surely read it because I loved Adam's character and how Mia grew and changed. 

Bottom Line: Raw, emotional, but conclusion I can be happy with even if a bit different than I imagined.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Could you stay alive without your whole immediately family or do you think you'd join them?