On My Wishlist

On My Wishlist is a great event that was created by Book Chick City. It is now hosted by Sarah over at Workaday Reads! 

It's where you list all of the books that you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. I thought that this was a fantabulous idea so I thought I would join in!

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Title: "Blackout"
Author: Robison Wells
Release Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 352

From Goodreads: "Laura and Alec are trained terrorists.
Jack and Aubrey are high school students.

There was no reason for them to ever meet.

But now, a mysterious virus is spreading throughout America, infecting teenagers with impossible powers. And these four are about to find their lives intertwined in a complex web of deception, loyalty, and catastrophic danger—where one wrong choice could trigger an explosion that ends it all."

"Drowning in You" by Rebecca Berto

Release Date: April 5, 2013
Publisher: Self-Pubbed

From Goodreads: "Secretly crushing

Crushed by a tragedy

Charlee May’s been crushing on Dexter Hollingworth since she was fifteen. Five years later, a horrific skiing disaster at Mason’s Ski Lift Resort leaves her millionaire dad critically injured and her mom dead at the hands of Dexter operating the lifts. Charlee is suddenly the sole caretaker for her little brother while their world falls apart.

Dexter couldn’t be more different from Charlee. He’s tattooed, avoids exclusive relationships and his Dad has a fair share of illegal dealings. With Dexter’s reputation, almost everyone believes he planned the Mason’s skiing disaster.

And after all these years he’s still crushing on Charlee May, the girl who’s too good for him.

When this cruel twist of fate ties Charlee’s family and Dexter’s reputation together, Charlee and Dexter wonder if their feelings are reciprocated, while Dexter discovers his dad is trying to steal the May’s millionaire fortune.

But like an addiction, one look, one touch, one taste—they’re hooked no matter the consequences."

With the last couple of months I have consumed more New Adult than what is probably healthy for one person. During that time I have, unfortunately, only encountered a few that have really moved/ impacted me and I am sad to say that that did not move me. While I do appreciate that this book was a tad bit different than what we typically see in New Adult, it wasn't near as much as I had hoped for- especially with the characters (Why do they always have to be tatted bad boys from the wrong side of town? Why can't they be kick-ass, tatted up female from the wrong side of town?). That being said, despite being somewhat of a cookie cutter character I did still quite like Dexter- I found that he was like an onion, we were constantly learning more about him as his layers peeled away and he truly did want to make Charlee happy.

Another complaint that I had was the writing style- I was never fully about to emerge myself into the storyline as every time I was about to something would pull me out of it. Overall I found the writing to be fairly chopping and lacking in any sort of description (the dialogue especially). Furthermore, there were at times instances where I was confused as to whose POV the story was being told in and/ or confused as to what exactly was going on (I did have to reread a number of different parts of the book to make sense of it)- I think that a more thorough editing could do wonders for the book.

All in all, while this book didn't quite work for me, I do think that diehard New Adult lovers will enjoy it- with a bit different storyline that we are used to seeing, a "bad boy" who is so much more, and characters that you can find yourself relating to a fair bit. Furthermore, despite my complaints I will read any future books from Rebecca.

Rating: 3/5

I received this book from the tour provider to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

"The Rising" by Kelley Armstrong

Release Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 406

From Goodreads: "Things are getting desperate for Maya and her friends. Hunted by the powerful St. Clouds and now a rival Cabal as well, they're quickly running out of places to hide. And with the whole world thinking they died in a helicopter crash, it's not like they can just go to the authorities for help.

All they have is the name and number of someone who might be able to give them a few answers. Answers to why they're so valuable, and why their supernatural powers are getting more and more out of control.

But Maya is unprepared for the truths that await her. And now, like it or not, she'll have to face down some demons from her past if she ever hopes to move on with her life. Because Maya can't keep running forever.

Old secrets are revealed and unexpected characters make a surprising return in this stunning conclusion to Kelley Armstrong's New York Times bestselling Darkness Rising trilogy."

Kelley Armstrong is one of my few go-to authors, from her "Women of the Otherworld" series, to her "Darkest Powers", to this series, her "Darkness Rising". However, I must admit that this is series is my least favourite of hers- however, this book is my most favourite of this series (a double-edged sword, of sorts). That being said, while this book is my most favourite of the series, that it is not to say that it is not without flaws. My two largest complaints about this novel were the presence of a love triangle and the ending.

In all honesty, I was quite blindsided to be faced with a love triangle in this book. I thought that Maya had dispelled any possibility of that in the previous books in the series- having eyes only for Rafe, seeing Daniel  as nothing more than her best friend. Furthermore, I think that didn't think that this book has near as satisfying of an ending as the "Darkest Powers" series did, in fact, I would go so far to say that this book has a cop-out ending. Withholding any spoilers, essentially the characters go against all of their beliefs/ everything that they have fought against for years, taking what many would consider the "easy road" out (additionally, I found that the ending was quite rushed, for years we had been told that there would be three YA trilogies in this overarching series, however, it appears that there will just be two, therefore perhaps leading to the many loose ends of these books having to be hastily tied together).

That being said, as mentioned, Kelley is one of my most favourite authors- basically I think that anything that she touches is gold. Therefore, despite my complaints, I did really enjoy this series and it is up there among the top YA series I have read to date- Kelley is able to do what so few authors are able to, successfully combine a number of different magical races in a realistic, not to mention not overwhelming, way (I personally love all of the references to her different series, for instance, Derek, Chloe, the Cabals, Sean, etc.). Furthermore, each of her characters are extremely charming in their own way, shape, or form, and all of whom the reader can truly connect to. I hope that one day Kelley will revisit this world, either in the promised third trilogy, or by adding these characters to her adult series, as I hate to let them go.

Rating: 4/5

On My Wishlist

On My Wishlist is a great event that was created by Book Chick City. It is now hosted by Sarah over at Workaday Reads! 

It's where you list all of the books that you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. I thought that this was a fantabulous idea so I thought I would join in!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Title: "Eat, Brains, Love"
Author: Jeff Hart
Release Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 352

From Goodreads: "Two teenage zombies search for brains, love, and answers in this surprisingly romantic and laugh-out-loud funny debut novel with guts.

Jake Stephens was always an average, fly-under-the-radar guy. The kind of guy who would never catch the attention of an insanely popular girl like Amanda Blake-or a psychic teenage government agent like Cass. But one day during lunch, Jake's whole life changed. He and Amanda suddenly locked eyes across the cafeteria, and at the exact same instant, they turned into zombies and devoured half their senior class.

Now Jake definitely has Amanda's attention-as well as Cass's, since she's been sent on a top-secret mission to hunt them down. As Jake and Amanda deal with the existential guilt of eating their best friends, Cass struggles with a growing psychic dilemma of her own-one that will lead the three of them on an epic journey across the country and make them question what it means to truly be alive. Or undead.

Eat, Brains, Love is a heartwarming and bloody blend of romance, deadpan humor, and suspense that fans of Isaac Marion's Warm Bodies will devour. With its irresistibly dry and authentic teen voice, as well as a zombie apocalypse worthy of AMC's The Walking Dead, this irreverent paperback original will leave readers dying for the sequel that's coming in Summer 2014."

"The Indigo Spell" by Richelle Mead

Release Date: February 12, 2013

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 401

From Goodreads: "In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood."

While I had all but declared my undying loyalty to "Vampire Academy", specifically Rose and Dimitri, vowing to never like any other characters/ books written by Richelle as much I liked theirs, I must admit that with each installment of this series, the "Bloodlines" series, I find it increasingly more and more difficult to keep that promise. That being said, I must admit that this installment of the series didn't impress me as much as the previous book, "The Golden Lily" did.

I think that my largest complaint about this book was Marcus Finch. Prior to the release of this book there was a huge marketing campaign surrounding Marcus ("Who is Marcus Finch)- essentially everyday we were given a fact about Marcus which we were to piece together to reveal his true character. The provided information about him lead me to believe that he was a huge bad-ass, a revolutionary of sorts. However, after having read this book, instead of coming across as a bad-ass he came across as a stereotypical surfer dude or highly excitable puppy. 

Furthermore, I am learning that I am more so about the chase, than the actual relationship. I personally prefer when characters haven't truly confronted their feelings for one another, tiptoeing around one another, throwing flirty banter here and there. Oftentimes when they do come together I feel like they loose some of their spark- becoming far too domestic-y for my liking.

That being said, I loved the actual character growth in this book- something which I think is far too rare in YA novels. Both Adrian and Sydney are truly coming into their own- Adrian assuming more responsibilities and learning his place in the world and Sydney learning that there is more to life than she has been lead to believe and that change is good. 

All in all, while I didn't quite like this book as much as I did the previous book in the series,  it is still one of my most favourite books of all time. With a killer ciffhanger ending I can't wait to see what Richelle has in store for us next in the fourth installment of the series, "The Fiery Heart"!

Rating: 4/5

"The Eternity Cure" by Julie Kagawa

Release Date: April 30, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 446

From Goodreads: "Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike."

Though I wasn't a major fan of "The Immortal Rules", I was still quite interested to see how Julie would continue on with Allison's story. Furthermore, I had hopes that this book would be better than the first, as Julie came into her own, growing as an author with each passing book. However, after having finished it, I must admit that I didn't find it to be a stronger book than the first. In fact, I think that it may be a bit weaker of a book, and I would go so far as to say that it suffers from "second book syndrome".

My two main complaints about this book are the overall storyline and the predictability. In all honesty, I feel like very little happened/ was accomplished in this novel- the large majority of it felt like filler. It felt like a recap of the previous book, with Allie travelling from her home to Eden (though in the opposite direction in this), facing down Sarren, Sarren once again going psycho-vamp on everyone, and Sarren eventually making a dramatic exit. Furthermore, I found the large majority of the book, the ending especially, to be extremely predictable. I think that Julie had intended it to take the reader by surprise, but I think that it did anything but.

That being said, I did appreciate that questions weren't answered with more questions in this book- we actually got concrete answers (well, assuming that you can trust the word of a psycho vampire). Furthermore, I loved Jackal in this book, I thought that he provided a lot of much needed comic relief- his dry wit is second to none.

All in all, while I personally was not a massive fan of this, I do believe that those who loved the first book will be more than pleased with this latest installment. Furthermore, despite my complaints I do think that I will continue on with it, if only to see how it is wrapped up.

Rating: 3/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.