Becca Fitzpatrick

I don't know about you, but I luuuurve Becca Fitzpatrick's series Hush, Hush and Crescendo. Now the third book in the series is coming out soon! I can't wait! Aren't the covers soo beautiful? I think they're some of the best covers I've ever seen on books. What are your thoughts? Here is the cover and summary:

The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, 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.


Also, does anyone know if this is the last book? I thought it was a trilogy but it doesn't say on any website that it's the last book. I don't know.

In My Mailbox (10)

IMM is a meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's for us bloggers to show everyone the new books we got his week. This week I got:

The Chaos by Rachel Ward
From Scholastic-thanks so much!



What did you guys get in your mailboxes this week?



Clockwork Angel

Author: Cassandra Clare
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Summary: Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all. (From Goodreads.com)

     So about a year ago I picked up City of Bones by Cassandra Clare because I've heard so many good things about the series, and that pretty much everyone loved it. And it was okay, but I didn't really get into it. But now that I've read Clockwork Angel, I am in love with the world of these books and I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series. Clockwork Angel is one of the best books I've read in awhile; I just couldn't put it down.

    I was in love with every single one of the characters. Even the villains I loved to hate. I loved Tessa, and I loved how the group at the Institute was like a family, and I especially love Jem and Will. I NEED to get the next book in the Infernal Devices series because I NEED to know what is happening with that love triangle!
    I really don't think that I can say one bad thing about this book, I loved it so much. I even love the cover, with the clockwork angel necklace and the guy tipping his hat, with London in the background. Is that supposed to be Will? I don't know.
    There was never a dull moment in this book, whether it was the creepy parts in the beginning, or the budding romances, or the different missions the Shadowhunters were going on. And each part of the plot and each little mystery was woven together so perfectly, I don't know how the author did it.
     I would reccomend this book for anyone. I think that middle schoolers and adults alike will love this, because it has a little of everything, and the writing is such good quality, it's hard not to like this book, and I really cannot wait for the second in this series. I'll be getting the rest of the Mortal Instruments series and reading them soon, and I'll be posting about those as well. Have you read this yet, and if you read her other series, which one do you like better?

Prophecy of the Sisters

Author: Michelle Zink
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Summary: An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-

One good...

One evil...

Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other. (From Goodreads.com)


Hmmm, what to say about this one. Well, first of all, the setting. From reading the summary, I did not expect this to be taking place in the late 1800s to early 1900s time period. I thought it was present day, until they started talking all old and everyone was dressed in floor-length skirts. But I thought that the historical setting was really well done. I think it's pretty hard to do that, and Zink did it perfectly. I really felt like I was in that time period.

     I also really liked the imagery in the writing. I can picture perfectly the grand house the family lived in, and the cold gushing river that drowns people. I love when authors have good imagery, it makes it all the more real.

    The plot was very mysterious, and I was constantly guessing what was going to happen. It was like trying to fit together a puzzle. But that made the plot move very slowly, and it only picked up at the end. Also, I know this isn't a romance novel, but the main character did have a boyfriend from whom we heard like two sentences out of! Well, maybe I'm exhaggerating, but he was barely part of the book at all. If the plot is going to lag a little so that the plot will go smoother, then at least have some romance in there!

    Then, the cover. LOVE the cover. It's so... creepy and mysterious, which is the feeling of the whole book, so it's a perfect cover for the book. At first glance, you think the two statues are the same, but if you stare at it for a little, you realize that there are subtle differences in the faces, which the main character talks about. She and her sister are identical twins, but there are some small differences in their faces, and big differences in their personalities.

    If you really like fantasy, and don't mind there being no romance and the plot lagging a little, then this is the book for you. I enjoyed it, but it won't stand ou tto me when I think of my favorite reads this year so far.

By the way, check ou this website dedicated to this series! http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/features/prophecyofthesisters/index.html

Waiting on Wednesday (15)

Wow is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to generate buzz about all the awesome books that are coming out soon. This week I'm waiting on:

Fracture by Megan Miranda

Summary: Delaney Maxwell survives a fall into a Maine lake, and subsequent brain injury, only to discover she now has a strange and frightening affinity with the dying.

When Delaney is pulled from the icy waters of Falcon Lake by her best friend, Decker, she is blue and her heart isn’t beating – everyone knows she’s dead. And yet.... Six days later, she awakens from her coma, healthy enough to look at scans of her own damaged brain. Is she a miracle, a freak of nature – or something much more frightening?

And this is not the cover. The cover hasn't been released yet and I didn't know what to put, so here is a picture of someone's fractured femur (is that how you spell it?)!! I know tons of people got ARCs of this, and the cover just had the title and author on it. Sadly, I did not get one. :( What are you waiting on this week?

In My Mailbox (9)

IMM is a meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's for us bloggers to show everyone the books we got this week. This week I got:

The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt from Random Buzzers

















What did you get in your mailboxes this week?

The Body Finder

Author: Kimberly Derting
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Summary: Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes that the dead leave behind in the world... and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find the dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer... and becoming his prey herself.


    I started out reallly liking this, but then in the middle of the book, everything pretty much came to a complete stop and got really boring. But I can see how that would be nessecary so that there was not an insta-romance. Speaking of the romance, I loved it! Usually it's the same thing over and over with the romances, but Violet and Jay had been best friends thier whole lives, so it wasn't so sudden.
    I really did like the aspect of the main character being attracted to dead bodies, because it's so different from anything I've read in YA lately. Plus, there was a serial killer on the loose, and every couple of chapters was in his point of view, which was creepy but interesting.
    But other than that, it was kind of following the same standard format for all YA novels. It was predictable. But I know a lot of people will like this book, because it is similiar to contemporary fiction, and it's like a murder mystery without the scary parts. I think this is a really good book to give to the younger group of YA readers, as it's easy to read, and exciting in parts, but not too scary. It's good for readers in between moving from Middle grade literature to YA literature. I just felt like it was a little too watered-down if you know what I mean.
    That being said, my TBR pile is almost gone, and I need you guys to reccomend some good books for me that you want reviewed that are relatively new. I can't really buy any books right now though, because it'll just be more stuff to move. But I can order it from the library or get it when I move. Also, I'm really really bad with formatting websites, as you have nopticed. I just figured out how to put those count down thingies of the sidebar. So if you have any suggestions on improvements, they are welcome!

The Seven Rays

Author: Jessica Bendinger
Rating: 5/5 Stars
 Summary: You are more than you think you are.

THAT IS THE ANONYMOUS MESSAGE that Beth Michaels receives right before she starts seeing things. Not just a slept-through my-alarm-clock, late-for-homeroom, haven't had-my-caffeine-fix kind of seeing things. It all starts with some dots, annoying pink dots that pop up on and over her mom and her best friend's face. But then things get out of control and Beth is seeing people's pasts, their fears, their secrets, their desires. The images are coming at Beth in hi-def streaming video and she can't stop it. Everyone thinks she's crazy and she's pretty sure she agrees with them. But crazy doesn't explain the gold envelopes that have started arriving, containing seeing keys and mysterious tarot cards. To Beth, it all seems too weird to be true. You are more than you think you are? But here's the thing: What if she is?(From Goodreads.com)

I've been waiting to read this book for ages and when I finally finished it, it didn't disappoint. I was intrigued from the first page of this book. I felt like I read a huge whopper of a book in just a few hundred pages. That's how fast the pace was. I was never bored. I was always trying to figure out what would happen next, and it was hard to because I've never read a book like this before. Other reviews I've read on this book called it weird and odd, but that just made me love it even more! First I was caught up in Beth's new romance, then when she started seeing things, and then she fought with her best friend, all the while trying to figure out what secrets her mom was keeping from her. The list goes in, but I don't want to summarize the plot for you. But while the book was a whirlwind of events, I still connected with the characters; they were very well developed.
    I also loved the main character, Beth. She was pretty much a clone of me, haha. She was just going with the flow, even if people thought she was crazy. She was impulsive, but all the while kept her eye on what she wanted. I really connected with her, and that's something I rarely do with main characters, because they're usually shy and timid at first, but then break out of their shells a little, but not much.
     Another reason why I loved this was because the events that happened felt like they were unfolding like a journey, and that's exactly what it was. The first half of the book was completely different from the second half, but they were so perfectly woven together I didn't even notice the change until I looked back on the story.
    I think fans of action and adventure books will really like this book. I thought that the writing and the way the plot played out reminded me of Libba Bray's Going Bovine and James Patterson's Maximum Ride series. By the way, here is the book's website. I really like the playlist; I think it captures the book's events perfectly. And just because I feel like it, the new Coldplay song, Every Teardrop is A Waterfall captures the whole book perfectly, if you're into playlists for books. Here's the link: http://www.thesevenrays.com/

Between

Author: Cyndi Tefft
 Rating:1.5/5 Stars
 Summary: Sometimes death is just the beginning...

It just figures that the love of Lindsey Water's life isn't alive at all, but the grim reaper, complete with a dimpled smile and Scottish accent.

After transporting souls to heaven for the last 300 years, Aiden MacRae has all but given up on finding the one whose love will redeem him and allow him entry through the pearly gates.

Torn between her growing attraction to Aiden and heaven's siren song, Lindsey must learn the hard way whether love really can transcend all boundaries.


So this is the first book I've ever reviewed where the author emailed me and asked me to review it. How exciting! But the thing is, I didn't like this book. There was absolutely no character development, first of all. The book just jumped into where the main character all of a sudden is in a car that's hurtling off the road. Then, she meets Aiden and BAM they're in love. Everything is just so perfect that she doesn't even have one thought about her life before she died. It was a little unrealistic and cheesy. Then, like two chapters in when they were in the blissful lovey stage, they visited old Scotland and France, and that was just boring.
     I feel kind of bad writing this bad of a review, but I'm just being honest here. The book really did have potential. The premise for the story is interesting, but it was kind of just...empty. I had not connection with Lindsey or Aiden. I just didn't care what happened to them. Maybe it was just me. I'm other people with different tastes than me might like it. If you're into that whole fantasy wizards thing. That's kind of what it reminded me of.
     I think that if you like fantasy, you'll like this, but fantasy's not really my thing.

Wanted and an update

 Author: Sara Shepard
 Rating: 5/5 Stars
 Summary: In Rosewood, majestic estates sprawl for acres, and Tiffany toggle bracelets dangle from every girl's wrist. But not all that glitters is gold, and the town harbors secrets darker than anyone could imagine—like the truth about what really happened the night Alison DiLaurentis went missing. . . .
Back in middle school, Ali plucked Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer from obscurity and turned them into the beautiful, popular girls everyone wanted to be. Ali was the best friend they ever had. But she also made them do terrible things and taunted them with their worst secrets. Now, three years later, all their questions about Ali have finally been answered and they can put this awful chapter of their lives behind them. Or so they think.
Not every story has a happy ending, especially when four pretty little liars have done so many wicked things. In the dramatic conclusion of Sara Shepard's bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer could get everything they've ever wanted—unless A has one more horrifying twist in store. (From Goodreads.com)


Woah. I'm in shock. I mean, woah. I just finished the last book in the Pretty Little Liars series and I loved it and can't believe what just happened. I did not see that one coming. I wanted to mention on here that I'm done with the series and loved the whole thing, but I can't really review it specifically or I'll give everything away and ruin it. Also, my review of the book before this one is up here and pretty much reviews the whole series.
    Also, an update. Since this isn't technically a review I'll just add this in. At my school, they give everyone our own mac laptop to keep from September until June. And now the school year is ending and I'll have to give back my laptop and blog from my crappy home PC. :( Also, In July and August I won't be able to post often because I'll be going on vacation, then as soon as we come back, my family is moving to Tennessee. I don't think I'll have access to my computer until we move into our new house, which will be in mid-august, and that's right when I start school. So that's what's up. What are your summer plans? :)

Bumped

 Author: Megan McCafferty
 Rating: 4/5 Stars
 Summary: When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.
Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.
Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.
When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.
From New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty comes a strikingly original look at friendship, love, and sisterhood—in a future that is eerily believable. (From Goodreads.com)

     I was soo looking forward to this book, and it was different than I expected. Not bad, just different. I really liked the plot, though. I hope Megan McCafferty writes more of these books. The whole virus-causing-sterility-and-teens-have-to-have-the-babies thing was so cool and so fun to read about. I especially liked it is because I want to be a Physician's Assistant for obstetrics, and I'm a teenager, so it was fun living in that world where all the teenage girls were pregnant, and proud. In fact, it was even considered pretty to be pregnant in that society, and you could buy fake bellies at the mall.
     The two main characters, Harmony and Melody, were also really different. They were identical twins, but they were complete opposites. I really liked Melody, but oh my god was Harmony annoying. I kind of dreaded reading her point of view every other chapter because she got on my nerves so much.
     Wow, this is a really short review, but I can't think of anything else to say about it, as it was a good book, but not a very exciting one, as far as dystopians go. It was more like a contemporary within another world. It only took me a few hours to read this book from start to finish; it was a fun, quick read.

Waiting on Wednesday (14)

WoW is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's for us bloggers to show everyone all the new books we're excited for. This week I'm waiting on:

Author: Kelly Creagh
Summary: While Varen remains a prisoner in the dream-world, Isobel is haunted by his memory. He appears to her in her dreams and soon, even in her waking life. But is she just imagining it? Isobel knows she must find a way back to Varen. She makes plans to go to Baltimore. There, she confronts the figure known throughout the world as the Poe Toaster—the same dark man who once appeared to Isobel in her dreams, calling himself "Reynolds."
Isobel succeeds in interrupting the Toaster's ritual and, in doing so, discovers a way to return to the dream-world. Soon, she finds herself swept up in a realm which not only holds remnants of Poe's presence, but has also now taken on the characteristics of Varen's innermost self. It is a dark world comprised of fear, terror, and anger.
When Isobel once more encounters Varen, she finds him changed. With his mind poisoned by the dream world, he becomes a malevolent force, bent on destroying all—even himself. Now Isobel must face a new adversary, one who also happens to be her greatest love. (From Goodreads.com)

 I read and reviewed the first in this series, Nevermore, and you can read my review here. The summary sounds really good, but this cover.... well frankly it's crap. Sorry, but it is. I always hate when there is a full on face on the cover, and the way these are edited together just is not good. Hopefuly they'll change it before the book comes out, but that's not likely. :(

Skunk Girl

 Author: Sheba Karim (Sheba's my dog's name!! haha)
Rating: 4/5 Stars
 Summary: If Nina Khan were to rate herself on the unofficial Pakistani prestige point system – the one she’s sure all the aunties and uncles use to determine the most attractive marriage prospects for their children – her scoring might go something like this:

+2 points for getting excellent grades
–3 points for failing to live up to expectations set by genius older sister
+4 points for dutifully obeying parents and never, ever going to parties, no matter how antisocial that makes her seem to everyone at Deer Hook High
–1 point for harboring secret jealousy of her best friends, who are allowed to date like normal teenagers
+2 points for never drinking an alcoholic beverage
–10 points for obsessing about Asher Richelli, who talks to Nina like she’s not a freak at all, even though he knows that she has a disturbing line of hair running down her back In this wryly funny debut novel, the smart, sassy, and utterly lovable Nina Khan tackles friends, family, and love, and learns that it’s possible to embrace two very different cultures – even if things can get a little bit, well, hairy. (From Goodreads.com)

     So, I thought this book was about a girl who turned into a skunk-like creature. You know, like those books where the character turns into a mermaid or a fairy or something. I thought that this was a really unusual thing to  turn into, so I've been trying to find a copy of this book for forever. But once I got it and started reading it, it turns out it's actually about a Pakistani girl and her conservative Muslim family and their life in a small town. Whatddya know?
     This book really taught me a lot about the Muslim culture and lifestyle. I had no idea they were so traditional! They even still arrange the marriages for the girls! I never knew.  I did enjoy reading about the main character's life because my life in the complete opposite. I've been raised super duper liberal and encouraged to do anything I want to, and Nina and her family were the complete opposite. Although this was not one of those books where the main character wants to rebel and ditch her lifestyle. Nina was loyal to her family and her religion the whole book. Also, Nina's personality was the complete opposite of mine. She was so hesitant to do everything, and she was shy and kind of bitchy to some people some of the time. I was shouting in my head to her "JUST DO IT ALREADY STOP BEING SO TIMID". But I know a lot of people could relate to her because many people are really shy, especially those who read often.
     I really did enjoy reading this book, and I think others should read it too, because the Muslim religion is so misunderstood in these times. Also, it was a cute coming-of-age novel. You should pick this one up if you see it at your library.