Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (50)





"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that showcases upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!





This week I'm waiting on:

Pure (Covenant #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication date: April 3, 2012

**WARNING: SPOILERS**

Synopsis:
There is need. And then there is Fate...

Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.

When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon... and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude... or killing her.

When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.


Why I want it: I loved loved loved the first book, Half-Blood, and the prequel, Daimon. I totally fell in love with Jennifer's writing when I read those. I can't wait to continue Alex's story. See my review of the prequel Daimon here, and the first book Half-Blood here. They're both spoiler-free!

What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Review: A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

Title: A Beautiful Dark
Author: Jocelyn Davies
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: September 27, 2011
Genre: YA, paranormal
Pages: 390
Series: A Beautiful Dark
1. A Beautiful Dark
2. A Fractured Light (expected pub 2012)
3. Untitled (expected pub unknown)
Synopsis:
On the night of Skye's seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites;like fire and ice;Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye's life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.

In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can't help falling for, and Devin, who she can't stay away from, the consequences of Skye's choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine.


Another great angel story! I actually enjoyed the love triangle in this novel. Asher and Devin are complete opposites, dark and light, and each have their own characteristics that draw Skye in. Throughout the story, it was never obvious whether light or dark was better. Each of them had very good reasons for being who they are and doing what they do. It was evident that Skye was having a very, very difficult time trying to decide what was right and wrong, for her, for the two boys, and for the world.

Skye is a strong main character. She lost her parents when she was six and lives with her mom’s best friend now, her Aunt Jo. She spends a lot of time alone because her aunt is an outdoor guide who often goes on long trips in the mountains. This makes Skye an independent girl, but she also longs for more love because she always feels so alone.

When it came to the boys, it was obvious that Skye fell hardest over Asher. Her falling for Devin was more subtle, but also not as strong. In the end, I think I know who I’m rooting for, but I also feel like there’s more – a lot more – to the story. It’s not your typical love triangle. Nor is it your typical light versus dark. There’s a lot happening under the surface and you may find yourself surprised at who you’re rooting for, and why.

A Beautiful Dark is a novel that will get you thinking about what’s right and what’s wrong, and how you decide these things. Is it because dark is always bad? Or can one side have just as good a reason as the other for doing what they do, for what they feel is right. This isn’t your typical YA and will probably get you thinking by the end. I found myself thinking about the theme in this book after I’d finished, and I’m not a person who analyzes the books I read. I’m definitely looking forward to book 2, A Fractured Light! Especially because of the cliff-hanger...

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Cover Reveal: Long Night Moon by S.M. Reine

I'm really excited that S.M. Reine asked me to be part of the cover reveal for her third book in the Seasons of the Moon series, Long Night Moon!

Publication date: March 2, 2012!

To help you compare, here are the covers to the first two books in the series. These two covers are actually fairly new as well.


I love this series. Sara self-publishes her novels on Amazon, and they're some of my favourite self-pubbed novels I've read. I definitely recommend you check them out!

Read my review of book 1, Six Moon Summer, here.
Read my review of book 2, All Hallows' Moon, here.
Add Long Moon Night to your Goodreads shelf here.
I also wrote an acrostic for Six Moon Summer, that you can read here.
Visit S.M. Reine here to buy her books!

What do you think of the cover?

Sunday, February 5, 2012

In My Mailbox (37)



In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that gives bloggers a chance to share what books they've received in the last week. It's hosted by The Story Siren and you can find out more info about it here.




This week I picked up a few ebooks for my trip to Kenya. Since I'm only bringing my Kobo, I needed to stock up. Here's what I got this week:

Bought:

Dream Dark (Caster Chronicles #2.5) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (ebook)
{Goodreads | Amazon}

Immortal Beloved (Forest of Adventures #2) by Katie M. John (ebook)
{Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository (pb)}

Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire #2) by Courtney Allison Moulton (ebook)
{Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository (hc)}

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis (ebook)
{Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository (hc)}

Fallen In Love (Fallen #3.5) by Lauren Kate
{Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository}

So many lovely books that I can't wait to read! I don't know how much time I'll have to read while I'm in Kenya, but I'll be in transit for 24 hours both ways. So I'm betting I'll do lots of reading then. Hopefully I'll have lots of reviews to write when I get home!

What did you get this week?

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (49)





"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that showcases upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!





This week I'm waiting on a couple of angel books!


A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
Publication date: March 20, 2012

Synopsis:
Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance...

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.


Why I want it: I find it intriguing that her childhood friend (who is handsome of course) wants to destroy her. It makes me wonder about the story behind Zink's angels. And I like how the main character is the angel, and she makes mistakes (or so it sounds). I'm interested in how history is weaved into this story as well.


Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
Publication date: May 1, 2012

Synopsis:
What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.

Anna, a tender-hearted southern girl, was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip forces Anna and Kai to face the reality that hope and love are not options for their kind. When it's time for Anna to confront her demons, will she choose to embrace her halo or her horns?


Why I want it: Angels who depend on being bad influences. "The boy your daddy warned you about." And a road trip! I'm really interested to see how a road trip factors into this story. And how Anna has a choice between good and evil. I love when the main character has to really evolve and make a life-altering decision.

What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?