Teaser Tuesday (50)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading.

Here's what you do:
Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two sentences from somewhere on that page
Share the title and author
Try not to include spoilers!

I have two teasers for you this week! I never do this, but I want to share from both since I'll probably be finished them next week.

I'm reading Lauren Oliver's Pandemonium, sequel to Delirium, which was one of my favourite books of 2011. I'm also reading an ebook review copy of Ember by Carol Oates. Here's my teasers:

Everything is wrong here, upside down and inverted: the door frames that open into air, invisible structures - buildings, signposts, streets, still casting the shadow of the past over everything. I can feel them, can hear the rush of hundreds of feet, can hear old laughter running underneath the birdsong: a place built of memory and echo.

I am suddenly exhausted.

"How did this happen? Why are you here?" Candra whispered only to Brie.

At exactly that moment Sebastian decided to speak up, banging his fist off the wall by his hip and stepping further away from the wall. "Enough!" he spat at Gabe. "She can't be expected to take everything in right now."

I thought of doing short teasers since I have two this week, but I couldn't help it. I loved both of these parts too much not to share.

Feel free to share your teasers with me! I'd love to see what you're reading.

Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Publish Date: November 29, 2011
Genre: YA, dystopian
Pages: 305
Series: Legend #1
1. Legend
2. Prodigy (January 29, 2013)

Synopsis:
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbours. 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.

From Goodreads

I have to admit, I love star-crossed lovers. I really enjoy reading about a love that overcomes so many obstacles and can come out strong on the other side. Legend has one of the ultimate star-crossed lovers: June, prodigy of the Republic, and Day, most wanted criminal.

This book definitely has non-stop action and emotion. It kept me turning the pages, wanting to read more, know more, feel more. It was really interesting seeing the relationship between Day and June grow, before June realized she was with Day. It gave my hopeless romantic heart something to yearn for, because I knew how difficult things were going to get for them.

I really enjoyed the writing because it was written from both Day and June’s points of view. I think I love reading from multiple POVs so much because then I know what both characters are thinking and what they want. I can tell how much they like and need each other, and it gives me a reason to keep reading. I read and wait for them to see what I see.

The conspiracies that fly around this book are intense. There’s the Colonies, the Patriots, the Republic. In the poor sectors, there’s plague, Skiz fights, appointed jobs. Then there’s the Trial, the test that all citizens must take at age 10 that determines the rest of their lives. But overall, nothing is what it seems in the Republic, and it was so intense discovering this with both Day and June, who each discovered them in their own ways, at their own times.

As I neared the end of the book, I was getting really nervous. And when it ended, I wanted it to go on. Needless to say, I’m really looking forward to reading the next book, Prodigy, when it comes out January 2013!

Judging a Book by Its Cover (7)

I do Judging a Book by Its Cover randomly, when I collect several book covers that I think are worthy of being judged as awesome! You can see all my Judging a Book by Its Cover posts here.

Links will direct you to the corresponding Goodreads pages.

Eve and Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate | October 2, 2102
Erasing Time by C.J. Hill | August 28, 2012

Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu | January 31, 2013
Nerve by Jeanne Ryan | September 13, 2012

Asunder (Newsoul #2) by Jodi Meadows | Expected publication 2013
Origin by Jessica Khoury | September 4, 2012

The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna | August 28, 2012
The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa | October 23, 2012

Splintered by A.G. Howard | January 2013
The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2) by Michelle Hodkin | October 23, 2012

Review: Angelfall by Susan Ee

Title: Angelfall
Author: Susan Ee
Publisher: self-published
Publish Date: June 14, 2011
Genre: YA, paranormal, dystopian
Pages: 340 (ebook)
Source: From author for review
Series: Penryn & the End of Days #1
1. Angelfall
2. Untitled (expected pub 2012)
3. Untitled (expected pub 2013)

Synopsis:
It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

From Goodreads

This book totally caught me by surprise. I was interested in it when I first heard of it, but then kind of lost it in my big TBR pile. I am so dumb.

I loved the combination of dystopia and angel mythology in this story. It was such a different way to look at angels. One of the things that I loved about the concept was how it was about angels, but not about religion. A lot of angel stories delve deep into religious topics, such as those in the Bible. In Angelfall, the existence of angels is crystal clear, but they are still unsure of the existence of God. Some of the angels’ names were familiar as religious characters, and fallen angels as well as Nephilim were mentioned, but it wasn’t as blatant and in-your-face as some angel novels.

This plot is non-stop. Like, never. And for this reason, I fell behind on schoolwork, I stayed up late, I was distracted in class... I did not want to be doing anything other than reading Angelfall. Penryn, Raffe, and their world and situation consumed my thoughts until the very end. And even then, I was left thinking about what would happen next, and how much I wished it had ended with more. I can’t say more than that.

Penryn is such a stubborn, courageous, stubborn, reckless, and loyal character. Did I mention she’s stubborn? I love her as a character and how she develops throughout the book. She is bent on rescuing her sister and she doesn’t care who gets in her way. Especially not someone (or some angel) from the race that destroyed her world. Raffe is her ticket in. Her way there. She doesn’t trust him, he doesn’t trust her. But they need each other to get to their endpoint. There was some sexual tension growing between Penryn and Raffe throughout the book, and I was left with a swollen and sore heart at the end. Their relationship blossomed and grew in such a fantastic way.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK! I’m still kicking myself for not reading this sooner. I want to read it again. I want to make everyone I know read it. As soon as I finished this book, I immediately added it to my favourites list. I am dying to see what happens next in this series. All I know is it’s coming out in 2012, but nothing more specific than that. But I really hope it’s sooner rather than later!

Thanks to Susan for sending me an ebook copy for review!

Waiting on Wednesday (56)

"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:

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
Publication date: May 22, 2012

Synopsis:
Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom...

Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

From Goodreads

Why I want it: Debut author. Two narrators. Mermaids, which I have yet to read but really want to. And I have a feeling it'll have mythology intertwined somehow because of the title.

Embers and Echoes (Wildefire #2) by
Karsten Knight
Publication date: August 28, 2012

**WARNING: SPOILERS**

Synopsis:
Ashline Wilde is about to discover that when you’re the reincarnation of a Polynesian volcano goddess, “new beginnings” are just a myth.

Leaving the fiery ruins of her sophomore year behind her, Ash travels to the sizzling beaches of Miami, hot on the trail of the little sister she’s only seen in visions. But her happy family reunion isn’t all palm trees and paradise. A cult of evil gods-on-earth, known as the Four Seasons, has kidnapped her sister to use in its terrifying new religion. Soon, the streets of Miami erupt in chaos and violence... and Ash gets caught right in the tropical crossfire

Ash isn’t without help, however. Unexpected romance arrives in the form of Wes, an Aztec god of night with his own vendetta against the Four Seasons. As memories of Ash’s previous life begin to flicker into her dreams, the boundaries between ally and enemy, life and death, and love and hate all bleed together. And when a mysterious trickster from her past reappears to derail her new quest, Ash must choose between the echoes of a once-forgotten yesterday and the embers of an uncertain future.

Because when old flames return from the dead, even a volcano goddess can get burned.

From Goodreads

Why I want it: I really enjoy how kick-ass Ashline is as a character and can't wait to read more about her. Also, that cliff-hanger ending in Wildefire!!

What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?

Teaser Tuesday (49)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading.

Here's what you do:
Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two sentences from somewhere on that page
Share the title and author
Try not to include spoilers!

This week my teaser comes from self-published author, Susan Ee. I'm currently reading her debut novel, Angelfall. It hooked me right from the beginning. Here's my teaser:

I look to make sure the door is locked.
When I look back at the couch, the angel is gone, with only shreds of duct tape where he should be.
I feel a breath on my neck as the scissors are snatched out of my hand.

I'm really enjoying this book. I got it for review from the author a while ago, but never found the time to read it. I'm starting to regret that now, because I can't put it down! It's action packed and witty and I'm really looking forward to learning the story behind the angels.

Feel free to share your teasers. I'd love to see what you're reading!

Review: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Title: The Near Witch
Author: Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Disney*Hyperion
Publish date: August 2, 2011
Genre: YA, fantasy
Pages: 282
Series: stand-alone

Synopsis:
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.

From Goodreads

I really enjoyed the mystery and intrigue of this book! It was a short book, and only took place over the course of a week or so, but a lot happens in that week: a stranger appears, children disappear, the wind comes alive, witches share secrets, the townspeople converge, and sneaking around happens.

Lexi is a strong character. She’s another MC who has lost her father, and it makes her stronger as a person, and more courageous (or reckless). She doesn’t listen to her uncle, who is the man of the family, and her mother is a shell of a person since her father died, so she doesn’t pay much attention to what she does. So when the stranger appears, Lexi is out tracking him on her own to get answers. And when the kids start disappearing, she’s out tracking them, using the skills her father taught her in order to find them and bring them home.

The relationships in this story were really well developed, especially those Lexi has with the stranger, her uncle, and the sisters. Each has its own feel and was consistent throughout the book. I trusted in Lexi and the relationships she had. I trusted her instincts, and it’s a good thing that she did, too. She wasn’t unsure of much. And this shows what a strong character she is.

It was frustrating reading this book, only because so many things kept going wrong for Lexi. There were so many roadblocks. She would decide, “Ok, this is happening tonight,” and then something would go wrong or someone/something would get in the way and prevent things from happening. It made the story seem realistic. You’re not always going to succeed on the first try. Things will go wrong and you just have to remember to try and try again no matter what stands in your way. If you believe in yourself and in what you’re doing, then don’t stop trying. This is definitely the mind frame that Lexi was in for the majority of the book. She never stopped fighting, and I loved that about her.

Victoria has an awesome way of writing. It’s so fantastical and lyrical. I really felt like the wind was whispering and the grass was swaying because she’s so great at describing these things in a magical way. I like that The Near Witch is a stand-alone, and it ended really well. But I’ll definitely be looking forward to V’s next book, The Archived, and having the opportunity to take in more of her beautiful writing.

Teaser Tuesday (48)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

DO NOT INCLUDE SPOILERS (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away, so that you don't ruin the book for others)

Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR list is they like your teasers!

I just started reading Marie Lu's debut novel, Legend, which came out in November. I'm only a couple chapters in, but really liking the tone of the story. Here's a teaser for you:

My mother thinks I'm dead.
Obviously I'm not dead, but it's safer for her to think so.

These are the opening two sentences of the book. It starts with Day as the narrator. I love books that switch narrators, I feel you get a much better understanding of the characters. I think I'm going to enjoy Legend already!

Feel free to share your teasers. I'd love to see what you're reading!