Upcoming Release

Social Suicide (Deadly Cool #2) by Gemma Halliday

Release Date: April 24th/2012

272 pages

What It's About!

Call me crazy, but I figured writing for the Herbert Hoover High Homepage would be a pretty sweet gig. Pad the resume for college applications, get a first look at the gossip column, spend some time ogling the paper’s brooding bad-boy editor, Chase Erikson. But on my first big story, things went... a little south. What should have been a normal interview with Sydney Sanders turned into me discovering the Homecoming Queen-hopeful dead in her pool. Electrocuted while Tweeting. Now, in addition to developing a reputation as HHH’s resident body finder, I’m stuck trying to prove that Sydney’s death wasn’t suicide.

I’m starting to long for the days when my biggest worry was whether the cafeteria was serving pizza sticks or Tuesday Tacos...

Torn Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

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When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself—that she’s a changeling switched at birth—she knows her life will never be the same. Now she’s about to learn that there’s more to the story…

She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined—and they’ll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to master her magical powers—and marry an equally powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who’s strictly off limits…and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction.

Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she’s ever wanted…in both worlds.

Compared to the first novel, Switched, Torn feels a little slow. One or two exciting things do happen though, and many of the characters have grown and/or matured a lot since the first book. To me, Elora and Wendy were the ones that grew the most. Wendy is starting to realize her kingdom and her people need her, and Elora realizes she's dying and treats Wendy better than she did in Switched. We are also introduced to a few new characters, like the Vittra king, who turns out to be Wendy's father, and Loki, who's basically a Vittra prince. 

One of the things I had a hard time with was the "relationship" between Loki and Wendy. They both feel this "connection", which I can sort of understand, but then he proposes to her, pretty much out of nowhere. I feel like the idea of Wendy and Loki having some forbidden attraction is a good twist to the book, but it was rushed way too much. The characters didn't really have enough interaction with each other, or been through anything, really, to have the feelings they do. 

Another thing I felt was rushed, was Wendy, Matt and Rhys being held captive by the Vittra. They were in and out too easily, it was like, what was the point in that? We are hit with a few unexpected twists like the Vittra king being Wendy's father, as I mentioned already, but there are also a few more. I was definitely not expecting Tove to be gay. Like really?! 

Overall it was pretty good. I'd say the rating is more like 3.5/4 hearts. I couldn't really decide. I hope things pick up somewhat in the last book in this trilogy. 

Mockingjay Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

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Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plains - except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay - no matter what the personal cost.

I was so sad when the book ended. I didn't want it to end!!! I liked the way it ended, but not really how the characters ended up. I was sad when Gale and Katniss eventually grew apart, I was hoping they would have at least stayed friends! I'm glad she ended up with Peeta. Speaking of Peeta, I was a little thrown by the way his character wound up not being the original Peeta I fell in love with, what with all the torture he went through after being taken prisoner by the capitol.

OMG I wanted to cry when some of the beloved characters died! SUZANNE HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?! Especially Prim!!! With Boggs and Finnick I was upset over it, but there wasn't really any other way I guess. But PRIM?!! OH and at the very end when we find out Annie, Finnick's lover has their child, I wanted to die.

This third and final book in the Hunger Games trilogy really threw me for a ride! The first book is nothing compared to the events that happen in this one! Katniss's mother really isn't in it much, I was kind of expecting more of her.

I have to admit, I was so glad when Katniss killed Coin instead of Snow. Snow deserved to die, but I'm glad he suffered to death instead of getting an easy way out. I had originally planned on reading the first book before the movie, but I ended up reading all 3 in a row. This trilogy is so amazing, I literally couldn't put them down most of the time. If anyone hasn't read this trilogy, you really, really should. It's better than Harry Potter and Twilight combined!! I can honestly say this is my most favourite book trilogy of all.freaking.time.!!

Cover Reveals!

I don't think Heaven has a description yet, so I will update this post when it's available. These covers are so amazing!! What do you think about these covers?

Heaven (Halo #3) by Alexandra Adornetto

Release Date: N/A

What It's About!

N/A

Serpent's Kiss (Witches of East End #2) by Melissa De La Cruz

Release Date: June 12th/2012

What It's About!

The intriguing Beauchamp family, introduced in the New York Times bestselling Witches of East End, returns in Serpent’s Kiss, with dizzying plot twists and spellbinding magic.

Joanna and her daughters, bookish Ingrid and wild-child Freya, are just settling into the newfound peace that has been cast over their small, off-the map town of North Hampton. With the centuries-old restriction against practicing magic lifted, casting spells, mixing potions, and curing troubled souls has never felt so good for the three witches. That is, until everything gets turned upside down—from Joanna’s organized kitchen to Ingrid’s previously nonexistent love life to Freya’s once unshakeable faith in her sexy soul mate, Killian Gardiner.

When Freya’s twin brother, Freddie, suddenly returns, escaped from Limbo and professing innocence on a long-ago crime, Freya should be ecstatic. The golden boy can do no wrong. Or can he? Freddie blames no other than her fiancé Killian for his downfall, and enlists Freya’s help to prove it. Now Freya doesn’t know who to believe or trust.

And for the first time in—well, forever, really—Ingrid is also busy in love. Matt Noble, the handsome and charming police detective, has won her heart. But can romance work between a virgin witch and a mortal who doesn’t believe in magic? Things get even more complicated when it appears Ingrid is harboring the prime suspects in Matt’s police investigation.

To add to the chaos, a dead spirit is attempting to make contact with Joanna—but does it mean to bring harm or help? Joanna asks her sort-of ex-husband Norman to help figure it out, only to accidentally invite him to a Thanksgiving dinner with a dapper gentleman she’s recently begun dating.

As the witches pull together to discover the serpent within their midst and the culprit behind Freddie’s imprisonment, everything is thrown into peril. Will the discovery come too late to save those they love most?

Melissa de la Cruz weaves all this and more in a blockbuster sequel that is not to be missed by her fans, and one that is sure to enchant new readers of the series.

Catching Fire Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn.

This 2nd novel in the Hunger Games trilogy, was just as epic and amazing as the 1rst book, though it is a little slower. I had to start reading Catching Fire as soon as I finished the other one, because it was so good and I couldn't get enough of Katniss and Peeta. I used to be Team Gale but I've slowly started to lean more toward Team Peeta :) 

I kind of liked the slower pace after reading the Hunger Games, before it speeds up at the end. Gives you a bit of a breather after so much excitement. I was SSSOOOO furious when they had the winning tributes thrown back into the arena!!! But at the same time, it gave the story a great angel. I was so, so glad when Katniss got rescued, it was such a relief, but then Peeta goes missing, being kidnapped by the Capitol, and the nice feeling of relief quickly disappeared.

I came to like Finnick and Haymitch somewhat, I hated Haymitch since book 1, then slowly began to warm up to him. With Finnick, I didn't really care for his "I'm so good with the ladies" attitude, but after helping Katniss and Peeta stay alive in the arena, he's not so bad. And then there's Gale and Cinna, O.M.G.!!!! The abuse and torture they go through made me wanna cry! Actually, there is quite a bit more violence in this 2nd book. There was a lot with the 1rst book, since they were in the arena and everything, but just in normal, everyday life, there's more beatings, whippings, etc that go on. 

I was so glad when the people in the districts started to rebel, although I didn't think they would. Seems like people would generally rather cower down, than to stand up and fight for their rights. Suzane Collins has done such an amazing job with this trilogy, I have no doubt the 3rd and final book is just as amazingly epic as the first two.

Skinned Review

Rating: ♥.5

The Download was supposed to change the world. It was supposed to mean the end of aging the end of death, the birth of a new humanity. But it wasn't supposed to happen to someone like Lia Kahn.
And it wasn't supposed to ruin her life.
Lia knows she should be grateful she didn't die in the accident. The Download saved her--but it also changed her, forever. She can deal with being a freak. She can deal with the fear in her parents' eyes and the way her boyfriend flinches at her touch. But she can't deal with what she knows, deep down, every time she forces herself to look in the mirror: She's not the same person she used to be.
                                                        Maybe she's not even a person at all.

I read this a long time ago, just after the 3rd book had come out. I guess I went in expecting too much, but I didn't care for it at all. It was just so weird, what with the whole being turned into a robot after she should have died thing going on. It's set really far in the future where technology is far more advanced than it is today, and instead of having money, they have "credit", which I think is supposed to be like a credit card type thing, but a little different.

I can't totally remember, but I think they had basically taken who she used to be and put it in a chip that now serves as her brain or some crap. Most of the book is weird and boring and I never did get into it much. 

She gets treated really different from her friends and family and wishes she had just died like she was supposed to in the car accident. But then she meets other "skinners" and begins to fit in with them and starts to think it's not so bad being a skinner herself. The last few pages in the book end in a bit of a cliffhanger and started to actually grab my interest somewhat, but I never did pick up the 2nd book  and probably never will.

Zombie Love The Outbreak Review

Rating: ♥♥♥

A copy was provided for review

Zombie Love is the story of a widespread virus, in a way that has never been done before. As people lose loved ones, some decide that sometimes the people you love are the only ones worth fighting for. As factions form, and the world crumbles, people must choose sides. Help or destroy. When a virus is developed as the ultimate cure all by reversing death itself, the world is plunged into a crisis of faith, dedication, and love. In book one we meet Summer Strom, a normal high school teenager who is thrown cruelly into a set of circumstances that nobody should have to deal with. She has to fight back against everybody she knows as she battles for the only thing worth fighting for. Love.

It's not my normal genre, I think the last time I read anything involving zombies was the Strange Angels series. It wasn't too bad, although sometimes I found myself having to reread something, because the writing could be a little confusing. In the beginning, we are introduced to the story about how the whole disease and zombie stuff started. It actually helped to understand the book as a whole, and made me wanna know what happened because of it.

  

I ended up reading and finishing this book the same day I started it, it's such a fun, quick read with lots of humor and other emotions you can't help but feel when your reading. It was so easy to get attached to the characters! Especially Daniel, he was my favorite by the time I finished the book.

I have to admit, the cover didn't do much for me, but the story definitely did! I recommend this book to zombie lovers for sure!

Book Reveal!

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Released: Feb 7th/2012

330 pages

What It's About!

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 six months 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 stars 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.

**This is definitely high on my wanna-read list!! I've heard a lot of good things about it, so I'll have to get myself a copy after I finish reading the Hunger Games trilogy! :)**

The Hunger Games Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Lately everyone has been telling me I HAVE to read this trilogy, so finally I bought the box set and got reading. I cannot say how much I absolutely LOVE this first book in the trilogy. I don't think I have loved a book so much since I read the Harry Potter series way back when!

I love Katniss. She feels like a real person, not just a character in a book. I feel like after reading the hunger games, I really got to know her, and come to really like her. There's probably not much I can say about this book, that somebody hasn't already said, but I'll say anyway.

The Hunger Games is definitely a fight of the fittest and a true fight for survival. Suzanne Collins has done an amazing job at creating such a unique world that sort of combines past and present in a way no one really has before. If you think about it, "the seam" isn't that far off from what times used to be, little food and money, and generally the man is the main breadwinner. Only everyone is tightly controlled by the capitol, no matter where you live.

At first I dreaded the idea of the "Hunger Games", but the book just wouldn't have been the same without it. I was so emotionally thrown about with all the twists and turns this novel had. In some dark part of my mind, sometimes I feel like we're not really so far off from some of the ideas in the hunger games. With the capitol controlling everything and everyone.

I just loved this book so much I don't really know if there are words for it! Actually, the games ended way better than I expected, I thought for sure Peeta was gonna be a goner! I was SO excited when they said 2 people from the same district would be able to win, only to be torn apart when they changed their minds. As soon as i finished reading it, I had to start Catching Fire, it's THAT good! I seriously canNOT wait for the movie!!!

Special 2012 Doomsday Post

So, since there's been so much talk and debate about the big "December 2012", I thought I'd post my thoughts on it, even though it's not book related. I've actually done a little research, too. I have to admit, ever since the last 2012 movie they did, what? 2 yrs ago, now? I have been just a little up tight (haha), even though I didn't really believe or understand it. 

If you think about it, it's totally true, and makes a lot more sense! 

I was actually watching a show the other day, about the Mayans, (it randomly caught my attention, hows that for fate.) and they talked about how all the Mayan writing and sculptures, etc. stopped. Actual Mayan researchers found a lot of the sculptures, writing, whathaveyou, unfinished. Like they just up and left...or did they?

No, they didn't. According to the show I was watching, a few of the researchers were starting to find clues as to what happened. It sounds like the Mayan civilization slowly started to overpopulate and starve. So, as with everything else they were unable to carry on making, they could no longer go on writing the calender. So the last day on the 2012 calender doesn't mean the last day of earth, it means the last day the Mayans wrote on the calender before they could no longer write it. 

I love how people just automatically assume the worse. How do you know it wasn't a new beginning, and not an ending? It's actually the end of a 26,000 year period, and the start of a new Era, a new beginning, the start of another 26,000 year period. What are you afraid is going to happen on that one day, anyway? Natural disasters happen every day, somewhere on this earth, and most people live through them. One day is not gonna change anything just because it's the end of the calender.  

I also think it's funny how the date changes from one website/show to the next. For the longest time, it was December 21rst/2012. Now I've seen/heard dates anywhere from May 2012 to December 2012. 

Let The Hunger Games Begin!!

Anna & The French Kiss Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home

I haven't read chick-lit in what feels like such a long time! I usually have my nose stuck in something paranormal-or-other, so it was a nice change. Anna is an amazing, funny, easy-to-love character. Actually, this book reminded me a lot of what I love in most of Meg Cabot's books. I liked it so much that I ended up reading it in just a few hours, I was so absorbed into the story. There were a lot of things that Anna said or did, that I had done, said, or felt like when I was a teenager. 

At first, I really liked Toph (that's his name right?? her almost-bf from back home? lol), but then I reeeaallyy started to like St. Claire! He's so adorable, how can you not like him, even just a little? I love how Anna would pretty much rather die than go to Paris for boarding school, but in the end, she totally loves it. Between her new friends, St. Claire, an amazing city, and all the movie theaters she could wish for. 

This book was so fun and enjoyable to read, I didn't once find myself tired of reading blah blah blah, about sick puppy love, etc. It's a very simple, but awesome read. I also really liked how the characters were so relateable, like they were based on real people. I would highly recommend this to everyone, especially Meg Cabot fans. You will not be disappointed!

In My Mailbox

I bought the box set, so I could buy them all at once instead of one at a time. Saves money too! I also bought Torn by Amanda Hocking, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it after reading Switched!

Silence Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Fitzpatrick delivers the breathtaking conclusion to the "New York Times"-bestselling Hush, Hush saga. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in each other, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for--and their love--forever.

I am SO glad this isn't the last book in the Hush, Hush series!! With each book, the series gets better and better and I love it even more. Silence has so many things that happen, I couldn't put this book down! When the story begins in Silence, Nora has absolutely no memory of anything that has happened in the last 5 months. She doesn't even remember Patch!! Since it took me so long to read Silence, sometimes I felt like I forgot a lot of stuff right along with her. She also annoyed me a lot less, since in the first too books, she was such a whiny, stupid brat, I couldn't stand her, so I read for Pacth, haha.

Even though Nora has no memory of Patch, they randomly run into each other here and there. Kinda seems like fate is trying to say something, if you ask me. Nora without Patch and vice versa is like a smarty without the shell. I was soo happy when they started being Patch and Nora again, and stopped calling him Jev. 

  

I wish there had been more of Vee, but I can see why she wasn't in it much. There was just too much that she couldn't be involved in. Hank is also back in this book, and I wanted to wring his ugly little neck. I am SO glad of the outcome of him! I was hoping the whole book somebody would finally off him, and I'm glad they did. He deserves to rot in hell! I think I liked Patch more in this one than the others, he doesn't act like a jerk or anything. 

Silence was so unbelievably good! I don't know if I'll be able to wait for the 4th one!!