Dark Visions (#1-3) by L.J. Smith

Goodreads rating: 4.19

Paperback, Omnibus, 730 pages

Published September 3rd 2009 by Simon & Schuster (first published November 1st 1998)

Series: Dark Visions #1-3

Characters: Rob Kessler, Kaitlyn Fairchild, Lewis Chao, Anna Eva Whiteraven, Gabriel Borelli

 

GIFTED AND CURSED

Kaitlyn Fairchild has always felt like an outsider. Her haunting eyes and prophetic drawings have earned her a reputation as a witch. But Kait's not a witch: she's psychic. Tired of being shunned, Kait accepts an invitation to attend the Zetes Institute, where she can study with other psychic teens and have a fresh start.

As Kaitlyn learns to hone her abilities with four other gifted students, she starts to discover the intensity of her power - and the joy of having true friends. But those friendships quickly become complicated when Kait finds herself torn between two irresistible guys. Rob is a healer - kind and gentle, he's surrounded by good energy, while Gabriel is aggressive and mysterious - a telepath concealing his true nature.

Together, Rob and Gabriel's opposing forces start to threaten the group's stability, and when an experiment traps the five teens in a psychic link - a link that threatens their sanity and their lives - Kaitlyn must decide who to trust and who to love...  

 

4.5/5

 

I really liked this book and almost loved it, but the only thing keeping me from this was that I didn't feel as attached to the characters as I would have liked. The only people I really felt for were Kait and Gabriel. Not even Rob, when the ending came. I really enjoyed the concept of psychics though and how, as the cover says, not all vampires are out for blood. Apparently, energy is a very powerful thing that can build you up or break you, and both aspects were included here. It makes it easy when the whole trilogy is included in this one big volume, because the first and second books leave you with pretty decent cliffhangers. And I hate having to wait. The only thing that really bothered me (but in a good way) was that the chapters would end with a little cliffhanger where you HAD to go onto the next chapter and wait to stop reading until there was a quiet moment. All in all this was very enjoyable read. Truthfully, it was very hard to put down at times and I would probably read it again. Smith's writing style flowed easily.

I totally called the relationships and how they would be in the end. The first clue that gave away Kait and her guy was the fact that some of the story was being told from Gabriel's POV sometimes and Kait's most of the time, so I felt like that kind of gave it away. And the way that Smith described both Rob and Anna as being purely good and full of light gave that relationship away as well. But I love it when the generally good girl is able to break the bad boy and turn him good. Make him want to be good, for her if nothing else. And this novel certainly satisfied me.

It ended a little too perfectly, with the relationships and the plot in general. A lot of it was slightly predictable, but that didn't take away the enjoyment I felt and the satisfaction of the ending. The mind bond the 5 of them shared was interesting. I would NOT want my thoughts broadcasted to my 4 closest friends, but in the end it was a lot more helpful than hurtful. I can't count how many times it ultimately saved them and there were very few times where it was a hinderance. That part of the book was left unfinished though, but it's not enough of an issue to write a whole other book about it, so it's understandable why that remained unfinished.

 

This is actually all I've read of L.J.'s , even though I have lots of her books on my shelf. I'll have to make that another goal for this year and pray I'm overwhelmed! Anyway, definitely pick this one up.

My Top Ten 2011 YA Cover Poison

There were so many beautiful covers this year, so I'm doing two separate Top Ten's. One is books I've read, and the second list is books I haven't read. Click on the link for Goodreads, and on the books that I've read, click on the picture for my review. Enjoy the Cover Poison!

If I Die (Soul Screamers #5) by Rachel Vincent

Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1) by Josephine Angelini

The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa

Silence (Hush, Hush #3) by Becca Fitzpatrick

Darkest Mercy (Wicked Lovely #5) by Melissa Marr

Across the Universe (Across the Universe #1) by Beth Revis

[no review - 5/5]

Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1) by Tahereh Mafi

The Goddess Test (Goddess Test #1) by Aimee Carter

Possess by Gretchen McNeil

 Click the Read More button to see my not-yet-read gorgeous covers!

Follow Friday (11)

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

Question of the week: The New Year is here -- and everyone wants to know your New Years Blogging Resolution! What are you going to try to revise, revamp, and redo for 2012 on your blog?

I already wrote a little post about this yesterday, but there are a few things I definitely need to work on. First, I need to comment on people's posts more. Often times I read them, and don't comment, and I know how much that matters to the blogger. I'm also participating in reading challenges for the first time, so that's something to live up to, and I'm upping the anti on my Goodreads reading goal.

 

For the actual blog, I did most of the revamping when I had a trial version of Photoshop recently, so the look has been tweaked as much as it's going to for a while. I'd also really love to get 400 followers by the end of next year. I love all of my amazing followers, and I hope my blog is awesome enough for more people to want to follow! Also, having more followers will give me better incentives to host giveaways, which is good for you guys.

 

I'm going to make a promise to go to any author signings I have time for, to give you guys some insight on authors that you'd love to meet but haven't yet! That's one of my favorite parts of blogging to be honest. I love sharing not only my reviews of these author's books that I meet, but also giving you videos and telling you a little about them.

Cover Poison: Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6) by Rachel Vincent

If I Die was such a game-changer in this series, and I'm really interested to see where this is all going. And to get you all excited, here's the cover for the next in the Soul Screamers series, Before I Wake.

PUBLICATION DATE: JUNE/JULY 2012

No synopsis at this time, but Rachel gives us some insight:

I'm not planning to reveal the back cover blurb until around March, so those in the UK (at least) will have had a chance to read If I Die. Because the plot summary for Before I Wake is the most spoilery plot summary in the history of spoilery plot summaries. Seriously.

But I will say this: the decision to have Kaylee alone on the cover of this one was very well-thought-out. After what went down in If I Die, Kaylee is in a sort of adjustment period, during which she needs to focus on herself, at least for a little while. And if you're familiar with Kaylee, you know just how hard that will be for her.

And if you know the Soul Screamers world, you might guess that she won't exactly have peace and quiet while she adjusts. There's plenty of action, plenty of friends, and plenty of...chemistry. So don't worry about things getting dull. Kaylee doesn't have time for dull. Ever. ;)

As much as I hate pink, I love the backwards look from Kaylee. This series has some of the prettiest covers! What do you guys think? Love it? Hate it? Let me know in the comments!

Blogging Suprises of 2011 and Looking Forward to 2012

This is my first year of blogging, and really it's only been 6 months. But it has been an amazing 6 months! I couldn't have asked for better followers and better blogging friends. You all made this experience amazing :) So now I'm going to tell you about some surprising statistics since I started blogging.

Above was my first banner that I was toying with, but to be honest, I really liked the snow theme. And I hope you guys do too!

First off, I wasn't expecting so many awesome followers! I was expecting like 50 people at the most by this time of the year, but I have 177 instead! This amazes me and I'm so humble to everyone that's followed me. Your guys' comments make it all worth it!

My top post: Hush, Hush series book 4??

This was a huge surprise for me, but apparently it's one of the top choices for when you search those words on Google, which is beyond awesome! Some other posts that had surprisingly high views (besides the few giveaways) were my review of Silence (Hush, Hush #3) by Becca Fitzpatrick, my review of Vampire Academy & Frostbite (Vampire Academy #1, 2) by Richelle Mead: review, In My Mailbox (19), Lauren Kate Cover Reveals and a special surprise, In My Mailbox (16), and my review of If I Die (Soul Screamers #5) by Rachel Vincent. I was so excited to see that my reviews are being read! That's what I was striving for as a blogger, because that's what matter most to me on this blog.

What I hope for the next year: I always hope for more followers, whether it's through GFC or you check back on the blog some other way. I love all my followers now, but it's nice to know that people follow my blog not just because the Follow Friday meme tells them to. I also hope to do more giveaways. I want you guys to know how much I appreciate you, but I'm a college student, so I'll do my best :) It will be a goal of mine to read more as well. It's such a strange thing, reading a book because someone sends you a copy for review, but it's motivated me to read more. I met my goal of 100 books for 2011, and I'm hoping I can do more for 2012.

Reading Challenges: This is the first time I'm doing any sort of reading challenge, besides the Goodreads one. I'm actually really excited, and I'm hoping that I can actually read all the books that I want to this year. Check out my reading challenges page, and see what I'm planning on reading for those. So far I have 57 books, which is at least half of my goal. I haven't decided my Goodreads goal yet, but I'm thinking maybe 125? What are your guys' reading goals for 2012?

I get the feeling 2012 is going to be an awesome year to be a reader of YA, and I'm so excited for all the books coming out this year. I can't wait to spend a whole new year with you all :)

Waiting on Wednesday (11)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where you feature an upcoming release that you're highly anticipating.

Sadly, I have no IMM this week because I'm not home, but I get the feeling I'll have an awesome one when I get back to California! This week on my WoW, I'm featuring the final book in a beloved series...

The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3) by Kimberly Derting

 In the end, all that’s left is an echo.

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice.

When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye....

What are you guys waiting on this Wednesday? Let me know in the comments or leave me a link! 

Cover Poison: A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis (paperback)

A Million Suns isn't even out yet, and already here's the cover for the paperback! I love how they completely change the covers of the paperbacks from the hardcovers. Enjoy!

 

Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies. 

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.


In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

HARDCOVER VERSIONS

 PAPERBACK VERSIONS

Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore: review

Goodreads rating: 3.63

Hardcover, 240 pages

Published October 25th 2011 by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alander, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alander band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

3/5

This novel was full of fluff! That's not necessarily bad. There are always those moments of sweetness, and those moments of great emotional tension. I think what bothers me in books with a lot of fluff is that it's lacking in the description area. It's all about feelings, and I really can't see myself in the place they're in. But actually, Dolamore does a decent job of giving imagery. There's just something about this one; as much as I wanted to, I couldn't love it.

I did love the idea that it's not only a human and mermaid world, but also with these strange half-human flying creatures. It added a very interesting layer to the story that I wasn't expecting, and it made it more of a fantasy book. A fluffy fantasy. Never thought I'd say that phrase. There was little intrigue, and the only thing that really kept me reading was the possible relationship between Esmerine and Alan. I didn't find myself caring very much about the sister's fate among the humans. I didn't feel like we got to know her well enough in the beginning to really care. I was much more focused on Esmerine, and even then I didn't find myself as invested as I thought I'd be.

One of the sweetest things about this novel was Esmerine's determination, which led her to her new/rekindled relationship with Alan. It had just the right amount of tension, and even though his wings kind of creeped me out, I ended up forgetting about them. They didn't define him (even though he used them quite a bit), and what mattered more to Esmerine was the past they'd had, and an impossible future that she desperately wanted. And you wanted it to work out between them, which is why I was annoyed when the happy ending was rushed. I think that's one thing that really bothered me. One minute she was questioning her sister's decision to be human, and the next she... well, you'll have to read to find out!


To be clear, 3 is a good rating for me. The reason a lot of the books I review on here are 4 and above is because of what I hear about them, which turns out to be true. But then there's this book, and a few others, that I have been given for review for an honest review, and sometimes they aren't up to par with the books that I hear are amazing. While this one wasn't my favorites of this year, it's still a light, sweet read that I would recommend to those of you who are into mermaid books.

Shattered Dreams (Midnight Dragonfly #1) by Ellie James: review

Goodreads rating: 3.58

Paperback, 352 pages

Published December 6th 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin

Series: Midnight Dragonfly #1

Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn’t as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She is special. She sees visions, and for those she’s seen, it’s already too late.
Trinity arrives on her aunt’s doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. She begins settling into life at a new school and even starts making friends. But all too quickly her dreams accelerate; twisted, terrifying visions of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader, Jessica, goes missing, Trinity knows she has no choice but to step forward with what she’s seen.
But people believe that Trinity has information about Jessica’s disappearance not because of a dream, but because she is involved. She is kind-of dating Jessica’s ex-boyfriend, Chase, and Jessica did pull a nasty prank on Trinity. Revenge seems like the likeliest scenario.
Nothing prepares Trinity for the dark odyssey that ensues while searching for Jessica, including the surprising romance she finds with Chase, or the shocking truths she learns, not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her. 

2.5/5

I honestly can't remember the last time I gave less than a 3 for a book. But there's a reason. It looks promising right? Not so much. The story idea was actually pretty great, but it was so poorly executed that I couldn't get past the botched writing style. SO frustrating!

First, what I liked: The setting. It took place in New Orleans and while I've never been there, I love the rich history. This author did a pretty good job of embodying that culture and it really added mystery to the story. Also there was a good amount of mystery, and I'm still not sure what Trin is. Despite, my low rating, if I can get a review copy of the second in the series, I will likely read it, if only in the hope that the writing will get better. My favorite character was Dylan. Chase, Trin's supposed boyfriend-ish person, was really annoying, and her relationship with Dylan is one I was hoping for, where he's being distant yet caring with her. He was the only character I didn't hate.

What I didn't like: I didn't know what was going on for most of the novel. In one paragraph we'd be in one place, and the next we'd be in another place with no explanation, and all of a sudden something crazy would happen and I'd be totally lost. Everything was totally random, including the writing. It's like everything was a surprise to Trin, and really, you can only have so many surprises in a book. And to be honest I wasn't all that surprised. And Chase was sooooooo annoying. With everything that happened, his go-to answer was "Jesus". Do you not have any other words in your vocabulary when it comes to expressing surprise or pain or any other emotion ever?

What was the most frustrating is that there were moments of pure genius; an insightful phrase, amazing imagery. And then it went back to being the random and botched writing, and it drove me insane! If it was consistently bad, then I probably wouldn't have finished it. But there were moments where I thought it was going to get better, and then James just had to go and prove me wrong.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I know all of my reader's don't celebrate Christmas today, but I am, so tonight and tomorrow will be post-free. Hopefully you're not too relieved... If you don't celebrate Christmas, enjoy your time off and your families :)

And Snoopy, because my boyfriend has a beagle, and I miss them both.

Cover Poison: Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker

Today I'm featuring a new title by Melissa Walker, the author of Small Town Sinners, called Unbreak My Heart.

 

PUBLICATION DATE: May 22nd, 2012

Sophomore year broke Clementine Williams’ heart. She fell for her best friend’s boyfriend and long story short: he’s excused, but Clem is vilified and she heads into summer with zero social life.

Enter her parents’ plan to spend the summer on their sailboat. Normally the idea of being stuck on a tiny boat with her parents and little sister would make Clem break out in hives, but floating away sounds pretty good right now.

Then she meets James at one of their first stops along the river. He and his dad are sailing for the summer and he’s just the distraction Clem needs. Can he break down Clem’s walls and heal her broken heart?

Told in alternating chapters that chronicle the year that broke Clem’s heart and the summer that healed it, Unbreak My Heart is a wonderful dual love story that fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Susane Colasanti will flock to.

What do you guys think of the cover? 

Follow Friday (10)

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

Question of the week: If you had to spend eternity inside the pages of a book, which book would you choose and why?

I get the feeling people are going to say Twilight, and to be honest the only reason I would want to live in that world is that Washington seems like a very beautiful place. Otherwise, no thank you. Way too much drama. I have two books where I'd love to live inside the pages, and that's the Harry Potter series and The Mortal Instruments books. 

Why Harry Potter? You have to admit that the moment you started this series, you wish you were Harry, whether you were a boy or a girl. Every kid wants magic to be real, and because people my age (over 18) basically grew up with the series and being the same ages as the characters, it was very easy to relate. But mostly, I think it's the idea that you could go away to a magical castle after thinking you're just a normal human. I think we were even willing to put up with the Dursley's if it meant we got to use magic and go to Diagon Alley.

Why The Mortal Instruments? I've always loved the world of the Shadowhunters. Despite all the darkness of it, I think it'd be awesome to be Nephilim. They have the coolest adventures and rich history. There's a kind of magic to it, even if it's not magic like it is in Harry Potter. But like Harry Potter, it has this place where they can use their angelic powers with other people like them. Also, any world with Jace is a world worth living in, even if he's in love with Clary. At least he'd be a good laugh.

What about you guys? What books would you love to live in? Tell me in the comments section or link me your FF

Building My Bookshelf (8)

If you want to know more about this meme, please refer to the link ironically labeled Building My Bookshelf. But here's the gist:

This is a meme I've created here at The Reader's Antidote, which was inspired by the meme Dusty Reads from Giselle at .Xpresso Reads and the meme Books to Pine For from Kristi at The Story Siren.

~ Feature two books I have on my shelf but haven't read yet. These have likely gotten noteworthy praise or they just sound like they'd be a great read.

~Feature two books that are on my Wishlist, one that is already released and another that will be released within the next year.

With all the books, I'll give a synopsis, and if they haven't been released then I'll include a publication date.

On my shelf:

The Demon Trapper's Daughter (The Demon Trappers #1) by Jana Oliver

Demon Trapper Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself—and that’s exactly what Lucifer is counting on…

It’s the year 2018, and with human society seriously disrupted by the economic upheavals of the previous decade, Lucifer has increased the number of demons in all major cities. Atlanta is no exception. Fortunately, humans are protected by Demon Trappers, who work to keep homes and streets safe from the things that go bump in the night. Seventeen-year-old Riley, only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing attraction to fellow Trapper apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving citizens from Grade One Hellspawn. Business as usual, really, for a demon-trapping teen. When a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood, she realizes that she’s caught in the middle of a battle between Heaven and Hell.

Eyes Like Stars (Théâtre Illuminata #1)

All her world’s a stage.
Bertie Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater. She’s not an orphan, but she has no parents. She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own. That is, until now.
Enter Stage Right
NATE. Dashing pirate. Will do anything to protect Bertie.
COBWEB, MOTH, MUSTARD SEED, and PEASEBLOSSOM. Four tiny and incredibly annoying fairies. BERTIE’S sidekicks.
ARIEL. Seductive air spirit and Bertie’s weakness. The symbol of impending doom.
BERTIE. Our heroine.
Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the actors of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book — an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family — and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.
Lisa Mantchev has written a debut novel that is dramatic, romantic, and witty, with an irresistible and irreverent cast of characters who are sure to enchant the audience.
Open Curtain

On my wishlist:

Dearly, Departed (Gone with the Respiration #1) by Lia Habel

Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

Destined (Wings #4) by Aprylinne Pike

 Laurel now knows the truth: Yuki is a rare Winter faerie, the most powerful—and deadly—of all, and she is working with Klea to conquer and destroy Avalon. With Tamani, David, and Chelsea by her side, Laurel prepares for a fight she never thought she would have to face.

Filled with heart-pounding action, sweeping romance, and higher stakes at every turn, Destined is the series conclusion that readers have been clamoring for—with a twist that will leave them breathless.

Have you read any of these? Let me know what you think in the comments! :)

Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu: review

Goodreads rating: 4.12

Hardcover, 305 pages

Published November 29th 2011 by Putnam Juvenile (first published November 1st 2011)

Series: Legend #1

Characters: Tess, June, Day

Setting: Los Angeles, California, Republic of America, 2130

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

4/5

  

I wasn't sure what to think going into Legend. Before I read this, the author's launch party was literally an hour away from my house! But it was my boyfriend's birthday, and I couldn't ditch him. Luckily, my amazing Fiction teacher lives right near the bookstore, and so I asked her to pick me up a signed copy, and she did! Then, a week later, I won an ARC of Legend, which I read instead of the signed copy because my parents commandeered the other one for Christmas. So this review comes to you by sheer luck. 

If you've been following my IMM's, you know that I've been getting into dystopians. I feel like everyone is jumping off this bandwagon now, but lucky for you I'm just starting my journey! But I do see the argument that people are giving, where every dystopian is the same. There's never a love triangle in a dystopian, and the only book that really comes close is Adam and Warren in Shatter Me. But I liked this love story. It's not exactly forbidden, only to June. I also loved the multiple POV's. Day fell in love way before June did, which I thought was sweet. 

I like the concept of this society. It's not about love or mates or anything involved with procreating. It's about a disease. A disease that the government has vaccines for, but only for people that are high up in government and those that can afford it. Day belongs to a family that could never afford the treatment. He's been helping them out secretly (they think he's dead), but then his family's home gets a red X over it, and his brother Eden is sick. What is Day willing to do to save his brother. And before he knows it, he's launched himself into a lot of political trouble, and he's fallen in love with the girl that wants him dead.

June assumed her brother would come back from a routine check at the hospital. But somehow, he gets killed. And all evidence leads to Day, a notorious criminal in the Republic. I liked June, she's one of my favorite heroines of this year. She's very strong, and stubborn, but she's not like her superiors. She still has a heart. Thomas disappointed me, because of who he became after what happened to June's brother. But I really think June grew throughout this book, despite how short it is. I wonder where the plot will go from here. And where Day and June will go from here. There are so many books that I'm waiting for the sequel, it's kind of heart-wrenching. It can't be healthy.

Definitely pick up a copy of Legend! If you want to add another great dystopian to your collection, read this!

Cover Poison: The Girl in the Clockwork Collar, Destiny's Fire, & Hunger Games Companion

Today I'm featuring the covers for the sequel to The Girl in the Steel Corset and a new dystopian called Destiny's Fire!

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2) by Kady Cross

 

no synopsis at this time

Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe

Sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—a part of a nearly extinct race of Kythan descended from ancient guardians who protected the pharaohs of Egypt. As Shythe, they must keep their shape-shifting ability and electric power hidden from the humans of their steam-powered world.

It’s the year 2040 and the Shythe Council has lowered their barrier, allowing the Narcolym—the dominant race of Kythan whose Flame ushered in the steam era—to enter their haven. As the Narcolym airships get closer, Dez secretly trains for an attack that her best friend Jace believes is coming despite the Treaty Act. Not only is Dez wary of war, and her growing affection for Jace, but she fears the change her fast-approaching birthday will bring.

When her power rockets out of control, Dez knows she’ll never attend the Shythe Academy with her friends, and worse, her mother’s planning to run. But a Narco named Reese could change her fate . . . if she can trust him. After Dez discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, her guarded world crumbles. She’s forced to choose between the race who’s raised her and the enemy she’s feared her whole life.

DESTINY'S FIRE is an emotional journey of Dez’s struggle to overcome her fear and embrace her power—her destiny.

The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion

The New York Times bestseller by Suzanne Collins is now a major motion picture -- and this is your guide to all of the movie's excitement, both in front of the camera and behind it.

Go behind the scenes of the making of The Hunger Games with exclusive images and interviews. From the screenwriting process to the casting decisions to the elaborate sets and costumes to the actors' performances and directors' vision, this is the definitive companion to the breathtaking film.

What do you guys think?

In My Mailbox (20)

As I'm away on vacation right now, I took these pictures before I left my house last Saturday. I'm expecting at least one package at my house, and may feature that next week if it gets there before my parents leave to come out. It's an awesome one, so *crossing fingers*

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren, where you create a post of the books you either received in the mail, bought at a bookstore, or borrowed from the library.

 NOTE: If you're unfamiliar with how I do things with my IMM, I basically give a little back story to the books I have pictured. Also, if there are ARC's, I'll give a synopsis and date published.

BOUGHT

~Wake and Fade (Dream Catcher #1, 2) by Lisa McMann: So I bought Gone, the final book in this series, from one of the Borders that was closing on the very last day. It's hard to pass up when it's 90% off! Thankfully, I found these two in Barnes & Noble's online bargain section, so I bought them. I'm interested to start this series. I may be reviewing these.

~Evercrossed (Kissed by an Angel #4) by Elizabeth Chandler: I remember loving this series in my early high school years and hating that in ended. But to be honest, I can't see it going any farther than where the trilogy ended. The premise for this one sounds strange, but I'm willing to give it a go. I may be reviewing this one.

~The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman: I'm about to make a confession, so hopefully you won't hate me for it. I've never read a book by Neil Gaiman *prepares self for death by virtual rotted vegetables*. I've heard he's really amazing and I hear all these great authors talk about him, but I've never felt inclined to pick one up until I saw it in the B & N online bargain bin. I'm hoping he's as good as everyone claims!

~Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2) by J.K. Rowling: Yes, I've already read this series. If you haven't, I'm liable to smack you. The only problem is that I've been unable to find my copy of The Chamber of Secrets, so I found it for bargain price and bought it! I really want to re-read this series...

~The Red Pyramid (Cane Chronicles #1) by Rick Riordan: I loved his Percy Jackson series, and seeing this one on the bargain page as well, I decided to get it! I don't know very much about Egyptian mythology, so I'm interested to see what Riordan can come up with. I may be reviewing this one.

FREE FOR KINDLE

~A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: So after reading Clockwork Prince, I was convinced to read this one. It's a classic that I know I should have read a long time ago, but now I have a good reason. I think Cassie Clare is sending subliminal messages to her readers. Well, Cassie, it worked!

WON

~Unlovable (Port Fare #1) by Sherry Gammon: I won this over at Fictional Distraction, so a special thanks to Carina for hosting the giveaway. Also a special thanks to Sherry, who sent it out and even signed it!

I really like the cover and it looks promising! I may be review this one.

FOR REVIEW

~Hushed by Kelly York: I've been requesting this from NetGalley and it finally got approved! I've been hearing mixed reviews and I think it's an LGBT YA novel (which I've never read) so I'm interested to start it. I will be reviewing this one.

~Revealing Eden (Save the Pearls #1) by Victoria Foyt: Another title from NetGalley. It sounded interesting so I requested it. It's a dystopian, which seems to be the thing with me lately. Check out the synopsis, it sounds pretty crazy. I will be reviewing this one.

 PUBLICATION DATE: January 10th, 2012

Eden Newman must mate before her 18th birthday in six months or she'll be left outside to die in a burning world. But who will pick up her mate-option when she's cursed with white skin and a tragically low mate-rate of 15%? In a post-apocalyptic, totalitarian, underground world where class and beauty are defined by resistance to an overheated environment, Eden's coloring brands her as a member of the lowest class, a weak and ugly Pearl. If only she can mate with a dark-skinned Coal from the ruling class, she'll be safe. Just maybe one Coal sees the Real Eden and will be her salvation her co-worker Jamal has begun secretly dating her. But when Eden unwittingly compromises her father's secret biological experiment, she finds herself in the eye of a storm and thrown into the last area of rainforest, a strange and dangerous land. Eden must fight to save her father, who may be humanity's last hope, while standing up to a powerful beast-man she believes is her enemy, despite her overwhelming attraction. Eden must change to survive but only if she can redefine her ideas of beauty and of love, along with a little help from her "adopted aunt" Emily Dickinson.

~Pure (Pure #1) by Julianna Baggott: The cover really drew me in first. And what do you know, another dystopian! I have a serious problem, people. It's not good! I will be reviewing this one.

PUBLICATION DATE: February 8th, 2012

We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . .
Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.
Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . .
There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.
When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.

 What did you get in your mailbox? Have you read any of these? Let me know in the comments!

Hunted: a YA paranormal fantasy/dystopian by Cheryl Rainfield

~Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield~

Caitlyn, a telepath, lives in a world where all paranormal talents are illegal. She is on the run from government ParaTroopers. When Caitlyn falls for Alex, a Normal, and discovers dangerous renegade Paranormals, she must choose between staying in hiding to protect herself or taking a stand to save the world.

Early praise:

"Spellbound by this one! HUNTED’s got my vote for the sharpest, most thought-provoking fantasy I’ve read in a long time. It’s hard not to fall in love with resilient, defiant Caitlyn, whose voice is as tough as it is pure.

Vividly realized and tightly wound, HUNTED builds tension on the edge of a knife. Its cut-glass style will hook you, and its brave and provocative themes are sure to stir up both emotions and conversation."

-Adele Griffin, Author of Where I Want to Be, National Book Award finalist, Kirkus Best Book, ALA Best Book

“In this suspenseful parable of prejudice and oppression, Rainfield creates unique, appealing characters we root for until the satisfying end.”

–Pam Bachorz, author of Candor, 2011 YALSA Popular Paperback

“With its eerily contemporary themes, Hunted will set your pulse to pounding as Caitlyn, struggles to cling to a faith in the basic goodness of humankind in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.”
--Cinda Williams Chima, The Demon King, A VOYA Perfect Ten, VOYA's Best Science Fiction, 2011 ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults list.


Here's the book trailer, which is pretty awesome!

And then the video where the author explains what inspired her to write Hunted:

She's also been posting a ton of free HUNTED goodies here, including a free short story tie-in, a comic strip, a postcard story, a "newspaper article", a questionnaire, and a Teacher's Guide.

You guys should definitely check this one out! It's on my TBR soon list, and the author was sweet enough to send me a copy. Definitely look for it on my currently reading list on the side. Another dystopian! So excited :)

The Mephisto Covenant (The Mephisto Covenant #1) by Trinity Faegan: review

Goodreads rating: 3.74

Hardcover, 439 pages

Published September 27th 2011 by EgmontUSA

Series: The Mephisto Covenant #1

Characters: Jax, Sasha Annenkova, Eryx

Setting: San Francisco, California (United States), Telluride, Colorado

Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger—she is an Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat.

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant—God’s promise he will find peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he’s finally found the girl he’s been searching for: Sasha.

With the threat of Eryx always looming, Jax knows he has to keep Sasha safe and win her over.  But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?

4/5

  

I'm trying to remember the exact details of this one. I actually really liked it. The only thing you have to think about while reading The Mephisto Covenant is to suspend your disbelief. I know I'm already saying this to people who read YA and already know how to suspend their disbelief, because you do it every time you pick up a book. There are just some parts in this one where I had to tell myself to just go with the flow. The entire beginning is an example of that. Throughout the entire novel, Sasha is questioning most everything that's going on. She wants to understand. But in the very beginning, when Ajax (AKA Jax) shows up to save her from the Eryx puppets, she doesn't really wonder how he froze time or who they are and why they act like she's some kind of goddess. Nothing, not even a hint of suspicion. She's curious, but not suspicious. And that, to me, is suspicious.

That's really the only bad thing I can say about this one. Sasha gets a pretty bad lot in life all of a sudden: her mother is deported back to Russia, she moves in with an aunt and uncle she never knew existed, and her aunt is a total and complete beotch! Her uncle doesn't stand up to his wife, besides threatening to make some sort of phone call when she gets really out of control. It turns out that both the aunt and one of the sons are shadowed, one of Eryx's army recruits. And they're trying to get Sasha to join. But it turns out that Sasha is now living in the same area in Colorado as the loveable, swoon-worthy Jax. Again, suspending disbelief. 

Jax and Sasha's budding romance is really sweet. You can tell that he's totally into her, and despite the fact that he "doesn't know very much about wooing ", he does a pretty dang good job. I'd go out with Jax if I wasn't madly in love already! Sasha annoyed me at times, but it's because she's painted as Ms. Goody-two-shoes, but she's really very human. And completely in love with him, even though she won't admit it until later. I will warn you now, that because of some scenes later in the book, this is not meant for younger teenagers. It was refreshing that the author didn't cut that much out of certain parts and I blushingly have the urge to read them again. But be warned, is all I'm saying. It's a very short but important part.

I can't wait to see where this series is going. And more than anything else, I can't wait to see more of Jax and Sasha. They're good together, and I hope they become some sort of crime-fighting team. If you're into random angel mythology and a growing romance, pick this one up!

The Hunger Games movie poster!

I saw this poster on a couple other blogs yesterday and just had to share it with you guys! I cannot wait for this to come out in theaters, but I'm just hoping they don't mess it up. So far, the trailer and the poster are looking promising!

March 23rd is much too far away, but it'll come quicker than you think. As a side note, I will definitely be reading The Hunger Games again before the movie so that I can find everything that's different from the book and point it out to my unwilling boyfriend. As always. I did the same thing with Twilight, but it popped up too often that I just stopped comparing after a while. I'm counting on The Hunger Games not to suck :)