ARC Review ⋯ Shadow and Bone

Title: Shadow and Bone
Series: The Grisha ⋯ Book 1
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Pages: 358
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Stars: ★★★★★


Summary: Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee. 

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. 

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.


Review: Absolutely loved! I loved how conflicted Alina was about everything, like her feelings about her powers and her feelings about Mal. I loved the ending, how it felt like an ending, but still left a lot to be resolved in the next books. I cannot WAIT for the next book.


I was in no way paid for this review. I won this free ARC in a giveaway I entered in.


NOTE: The number of pages is based on my ARC copy.

Waiting On Wednesday {1/18}

Title: The Immortal Rules
Series: Blood of Eden ⋯ Book 1
Author: Julie Kagawa
Pages: 304
Release Date: April 24, 2012


Summary: You will kill. The only question is when. 

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive. 

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire. 

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

Waiting On Wednesday {1/11}

Title: Endure
Series: Need Pixies ⋯ Book 4
Author: Carrie Jones
Pages: 288
Release Date: May 8, 2012


Summary: It’s all-out war (and no-holds-barred romance) in the climactic conclusion to Carrie Jones’s bestselling series. 

Zara is at the center of an impending apocalypse. True, she’s successfully rescued Nick from Valhalla, but it simply isn’t enough. Evil pixies are ravaging Bedford, and they need much more than one great warrior; they need an army. Zara isn’t sure what her role is anymore. She’s not just fighting for her friends; she’s also a pixie queen. And to align her team of pixies with the humans she loves will be one of her greatest battles yet. Especially since she can’t even reconcile her growing feelings for her pixie king . . . 

Unexpected turns, surprising revelations, and one utterly satisfying romantic finale make Endure a thrilling end to this series of bestsellers.

Sorry if the cover is a little pixelated, I couldn't find a high-res version of it. When I find one I'll update the post.

Cover Combat {Week 7}

Cover Combat is where I'll put up a US cover and a foreign cover of the same book and you vote on your favorite. Most of the time it will probably US versus UK, but there may be other countries thrown in.


Last week, the battle was between the US paperback and the French covers of Nightshade by Andrea Cremer. And the winner is. . .

The French cover!

This week, the fanged and fabulous US and UK covers of Melissa de la Cruz's Blue Bloods go to battle. These covers are very similar, and for that reason if you wouldn't mind leaving a comment as to why you voted for the cover you did, that be awesome. Or you could not leave a comment, that's cool too.

US edition:

UK edition:

I would really appreciate it if you could also vote on which book covers you would like to see next week. They will all eventually make on here, but I can be indecisive at times. Thanks!

Soul Screamers Reading Challenge

So, I'm entering the Soul Screamers Reading Challenge hosted over at Fiktshun. The challenge is 'to READ (or re-read) and REVIEW (or post about) all five full-length books in the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent between January 15 and June 14, 2012.' The schedule is below and all other details about the challenge can be found at one of the links above, along with how to enter to win a copy of Before I Wake and various other prizes.

My Soul to Take

January 15-February 14, 2012

My Soul to Save

February 15-March 14, 2012

My Soul to Keep

March 15-April 14-2012

My Soul to Steal

April 15-May14, 2012

If I Die

May 15-June 14, 2012

I am going to be re-reading My Soul to Take, and reading for the first time My Soul to Save, My Soul to Keep, My Soul to Steal, and If I Die. I also plan to read the Soul Screamers novellas, My Soul to Lose, Reaper, and Never to Sleep. 

Waiting On Wednesday {1/4}

Title: Black Heart
Series: Curseworkers ⋯ Book 3
Author: Holly Black
Pages: 320
Release Date: April 3, 2012


Summary: Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy. 

But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—this time on love.

NOTE: The whole series got new covers, and you can find out what White Cat and Red Glove look like over at the Story Siren.

ARC Review ⋯ Born Wicked

Title: Born Wicked
Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles ⋯ Book 1
Author: Jessica Spotswood
Pages: 326
Release Date: February 7, 2012
Stars: ★★★★★


Summary: Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave. 

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word . . . especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra. 

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.


Review: I absolutely loved this book! I loved the characters and I loved how well developed they were. The setting was really interesting to read about, and it was terrible how women were treated. The way the magic was told about was wonderful, and all the things they could do was amazing. I loved the style of writing and how a lot was explained, even though it was told entirely in Cate's point-of-view. I read a measly 3½ books over my 8-day vacation, and this one only took me 1 day to read, which is impressive considering it took me just over two days to read The Hunger Games.


I was in no way paid for this review. I won this free ARC in a giveaway that Penguin Teen hosted through their Facebook page.

Waiting On Wednesday {12/28}

Title: Immortal Hearts
Series: Vampire Kisses ⋯ Book 9
Author: Ellen Schreiber
Pages: 192
Release Date: May 15, 2012


Summary: TBA (Will update post when the summary is released)

Break and Other Blog Updates

     Okay, I'm going out of the country for winter break, so I won't be able to post anything until New Year's, when I get back. I've set this weeks In My Mailbox and next weeks Waiting On Wednesday posts to publish, but I can't post reviews or next weeks Cover Combat until I get back. 
     Also, I'm sorry I haven't posted any reviews lately, but since I'm bringing lots of books with me, I should have 8-9 reviews for you by the time I arrive back home.

Hope you guys have a great time over break, too!

Waiting On Wednesday {12/21}

Title: The Wood Queen
Series: The Iron Witch ⋯ Book 2
Author: Karen Mahoney
Pages: 336
Release Date: February 8, 2012


Summary: Donna Underwood is facing an alchemist tribunal for stealing the elixir of life when her ailing mother takes a turn for the worse.

Donna seeks an audience with Aliette, the Wood Queen, who offers a deal: if Donna can use her powers to open the door to Faerie and send the wood elves home, Aliette will free her mother from the elven curse that shattered her mind.

Along with friends Navin and the half-fey Xan, Donna struggles to unlock the secrets of her iron tattoos in time to save her mother's life. But she discovers that some secrets might be better left untold . . .

In My Mailbox {Week 7}

Title: Born Wicked
Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles ⋯ Book 1
Author: Jessica Spotswood
Pages: 326
Format: Advance Readers/Reviewers Copy (ARC)


Summary: Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave. 

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word . . . especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra. 

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

Have been wanting this for awhile, and I was lucky enough to win an ARC from the Penguin Teen Facebook page.

I also picked up Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep at Barnes & Noble.

Waiting On Wednesday {12/14}

This isn't exactly a paranormal book, but I've been wanting it for awhile.

Title: Out of Sight, Out of Time
Series: Gallagher Girls ⋯ Book 5
Author: Ally Carter
Pages: 272
Release Date: March 13, 2012


Summary: The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan--an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home. 

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.

Cover Combat {Week 4}

Cover Combat is where I'll put up a US cover and a foreign cover of the same book and you vote on your favorite. Most of the time it will probably US versus UK, but there may be other countries thrown in.


Last week the competitors were the US and UK covers of Glass Houses by Rachel Caine. And the winner, by a landslide, is. . .

The UK Edition!!

Now this week the US and UK covers of Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey!

US edition:

UK edition:

2012 A-Z Book Challenge

I've have decided to enter this challenge as well. To sign up go here. It's very simple, just read a book that starts with a letter of the alphabet, and make sure to cover all letters. As it says on the sign up post, 'Since it is really hard to find titles beginning with X, the letter X just needs to be in the title somewhere.'

I'm going with option A, and here's my list of books, I will be adding to/changing it as time goes on.

A — A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

B — Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

C — Crusade by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié

D — Damned by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié

E — Evernight by Claudia Gray

F — Fallen by Lauren Kate

G — Goddess Interrupted by Aimée Carter

H — Hourglass by Claudia Gray

I — Immortal Hearts by Ellen Schreiber

J — 

K — 

L — Lenobia's Vow by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

M — My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

N — Need by Carrie Jones

O — Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

P — Passion by Lauren Kate

Q — 

R — Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

S — Stargazer by Claudia Gray

T — Tempestuous by Leslie Livingston

U — 

V — Vampires: The Recent Undead edited by Paula Guran

W — Wuthering Bites by Sarah Gray

X — Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Y — 

Z — 

Waiting On Wednesday {12/7}

Title: Fallen in Love
Series: Fallen short stories
Author: Lauren Kate
Pages: 160
Release Date: January 24, 2012


Summary: Unexpected. Unrequited. Forbidden. Eternal. Everyone has their own love story. 

And in a twist of fate, four extraordinary love stories combine over the course of a romantic Valentine's Day in Medieval England. Miles and Shelby find love where they least expect it. Roland learns a painful lesson about finding-and losing love. Arianne pays the price for a love so fierce it burns. And for the first -and last- time, Daniel and Luce will spend a night together like none other. 

Lauren Kate's FALLEN IN LOVE is filled with love stories . . . the ones everyone has been waiting for. 

True love never says goodbye . . .

ARC Review ⋯ Switched

Title: Switched
Series: Trylle ⋯ Book 1
Author: Amanda Hocking
Pages: 293
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Stars: ★★★★★


Summary: When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - a world both beautiful and frightening, and Wendy's not sure she wants to be a part of it.


Review: This book was soooooooo good!!!!! I loved the storyline and the writing style, and just the whole book. I have to admit this trilogy was near the bottom of my to-read list, and now that I've read the first book, the trilogy is near the top. Love, love, love. That is what I feel for this book. When it comes out in January, you should go buy it.


I was in no way paid for this review. St. Martin's Press sent me this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Alright, so Bookish is hosting the 2012 TBR(To Be Read) Pile Reading Challenge, and you can sign up here. Below is most of the info that you would find if you clicked on the sign up link.

Welcome to 2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge!!!

We all have those books. We buy them, win them, they're gifted to us...Then we put them up on a bookshelf and there they stay, collecting dust, waiting for the time when we'll finally decide to pick them up...

Join us on a quest to dust off your TBR Pile and read all the books you've been telling yourself you'll read next time you'll get a chance.. This is your chance! And we've got PRIZES!!! :D

Levels:

1-10 - A Firm Handshake

11-20 - A Friendly Hug

21-30 - A Sweet Kiss

41-50 - Married With Children

31-40 - Love At First Sight

Hosts:

Evie from Bookish - http://www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com @SeoEvie

Nicole from All I Ever Read - http://www.nicoleabouttown.com/ @Nicoleabouttown

Bonnie from Hands and Home - http://www.handsandhome.ca/ @HandsHomeBlog

Caitlin from WatchYA Reading - http://whatchyareading.net @caitlingss

Donna from Book Passion For Life - http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.com/ @BookPforLife 

Rie from Mission To Read - http://missiontoread.com/ @missiontoread

Vicky from Books, Biscuits & Tea -http://booksbiscuitsandtea.blogspot.com/ @alouetteuette 

Christa from Hooked On Books - http://christashookedonbooks.blogspot.com @ChristasBooks

Jenna from Fans Of Fiction - http://fansoffiction.blogspot.com/ @fansoffiction

Angel from Mermaids Vision - http://mermaidvision.wordpress.com @mermaidvisions

Right now, I think I'm just going to be an unofficial participant, mostly because the place to link up so I can join isn't loading for me. Maybe later, if the linky thing works I'll join for real but for now, I'm unofficial.
I'm gonna try for the A Sweet Kiss level, and the books I plan to read are:❥ Crusade by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié❥ Evernight by Claudia Gray❥ Stargazer by Claudia Gray❥ Hourglass by Claudia Gray❥ The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan❥ The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan❥ Wuthering Bites by Sarah Gray❥ The Iron King by Julie Kagawa❥ The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa❥ The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa❥ The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa❥ Vampires: The Recent Undead edited by Paula Guran❥ Need by Carrie Jones❥ Captivate by Carrie Jones❥ Entice by Carrie Jones❥ The Frenzy by Francesca Lia Block❥ My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent❥ My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent❥ My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent❥ If I Die by Rachel Vincent❥ A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray❥ Rebel Angels by Libba Bray❥ The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray❥ Wondrous Strange by Leslie Livingston❥ Darklight by Leslie Livingston❥ Tempestuous by Leslie Livingston