Book Thoughts: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Title: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Author: April Genevieve Tucholke
Series: Between #1

I really really wanted to love this book (because seriously, it has a freaking gorgeous cover and the description sounds amazing) and at first I was afraid I wasn't going to. It didn't feel particularly well-executed at first. It was really really obvious that River had some kind of paranormal thing going on that was drawing Violet to him, and I thought the whole book was going to be "but WHY do I like him so much?!"

...it wasn't.

I can't tell you where it was that I went from slightly disappointed to absolutely enthralled, but I do know that I actually put off lunch for a solid two and a half hours because I was too busy reading this to go make food.

There is some seriously creepy stuff in this book. In a good way. It felt like a paranormal romance at the beginning, and by the end I was positive I had just finished a horror novel -- to which I needed the sequel, like, immediately.

Definitely put this one on your list of "scary books to read leading up to Halloween." And if you think the first couple of chapters are a little hard to get through... stick with it. It gets so much better. Oh, and my advice? Read it with the lights on.

Book Thoughts: Fangirl

Title: Fangirl
Author: Rainbow Rowell

I don't even know where to start talking about this book. I loved it.

I've never really gotten into fanfiction, reading or writing; it's just not my cup of tea. And I don't know what it's like to have a sister -- except, well, now I do, because of Cath. And I've never had a random roommate, because I lived with a high school friend my freshman year. But I could feel everything in this book.

The descriptions of Cath's anxiety are just so spot-on. (I actually stored pictures of some of the pages on my phone just so I would have the quotes with me.) Her college is so, so different from mine, but Cath's feelings in a new situation are incredibly relatable anyway.

Plus. Okay. Characters. Love them. They're all so multifaceted (except maybe Courtney, but we don't see her much) -- all of them are flawed, but they all have lovable characteristics, too. Even Simon and Baz, who are fictional characters in a fictional story, felt real. I wanna read the Simon Snow series now! It was super cool getting to see snippets of both the actual stories and Cath's fanfic.

I just. I can't put into words how much I loved this book. I was so sad when it ended because I wasn't ready to leave the characters behind, even though the story had concluded. I could ramble about this forever but I don't want to spoil anything, but if you've read it -- contact me on twitter or tumblr or facebook, or email me, because I would LOVE to talk more about it.

Cover Reveal: The One

Today the cover for the third book in the Selection series by Kiera Cass was revealed! I haven't read the books yet (they're on my list), but isn't this cover freakin' gorgeous?

Waiting on Wednesday, 9/25/13

Waiting on Wednesday, hosted at Breaking the Spine, is a weekly meme to feature prerelease books that we bloggers can't wait for. This week my pick is CHAMPION by Marie Lu.

CHAMPION is the conclusion to the trilogy that began with Legend and was followed by Prodigy. I read the first two books in two days over my spring break, and holy wow did I love them. I cannot WAIT to see how June and Day's story ends!

From goodreads: (beware spoilers for Legend/Prodigy)

He is a Legend.She is a Prodigy.Who will be Champion? 
June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps Elect while Day has been assigned a high level military position. But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them once again. Just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything he has. With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.

What are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Sequels!

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's Top Ten list? Best sequels ever.

I'm super bad at picking favorites, but here goes! In no particular order, top ten sequels that I love. (And I'm sure I'm going to forget some because that's how it goes when I make favorites lists, but we'll go with it.)

1. Harry Potter 2-7 by J.K. Rowling. I know this one is on a lot of people's lists, but I mean, how can it not be? These books are great and I love them and I will read the series over and over again.
2. The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan. I loved the first one, and the second one just grew my love for the series even more.
3. Where She Went by Gayle Forman. Not a technical sequel, but a beautiful follow-up to If I Stay, and I adored it.
4. Everbound by Brodi Ashton. No middle book syndrome here! And with the mythology and everything... yeah I'm super psyched for book three.
5. Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Although this is the third book in a quartet, which usually just means a lot of build-up to the finale, it's probably my favorite in the series after the original. Love.
6. Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson. Because humor and characters and sass and all of it. Love love love.
7. Prince Caspian/Voyage of the Dawn Treader/The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis. Pretty much exclusively because Reepacheep and Caspian. I just really love this particular set from the Chronicles of Narnia.
8. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver. There was a touch of middle-book syndrome, but I would still classify this as one of the best sequels, because I just adored the story it told.
9. A Series of Unfortunate Events 2-13 by Lemony Snicket. One of the few series where not only is the first book not my favorite, I can't ever settle on a favorite because I love ALL of them. (With like two exceptions, but let's ignore those for now.)
10. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor. I adore the characters and the story and it just made me want the third book even more.

There are a lot of FANTASTIC sequels that I had to omit, and a pretty big part of that decision was middle-book syndrome. But I could probably keep listing kick-ass series for a looong time.

What are your favorite sequels?

Book Thoughts: The Savage Grace

Title: The Savage Grace
Author: Bree Despain
Series: Dark Divine #3

I was so excited to finally get to read this one, because I loved the first two and haven't been able to get my hands on this one until now. I was a little fuzzy on the details going into it, couldn't remember exactly how the last one had ended, but this one reminds you of the details without it reading like a summary, which is nice.

The writing in this fell a little flat -- not because the story was bad, but because it just felt like the book didn't get proofread very thoroughly before it was published. I kept finding little errors ("of" instead of "or," "your" instead of "you're," and "peek" was insistently spelled "peak" through the whole book) that kept pulling me out of the story. Probably wouldn't be a problem for someone who doesn't really care about grammar, but it put me on edge.

That said, I loved the story and the way the trilogy concludes. I mean, heartbreaking, yes -- but what story about demons and werewolves is going to be light and cheery? I thought the action made sense and I really enjoyed the story was resolved, and I'm going to stop talking right there because otherwise spoilers will happen. I'm glad it ended the way it did.

Also, can I just say -- she's a really minor character, but Grace's little sister Charity is pretty awesome.

Grace's struggle with the wolf is incredibly relatable for anyone who's ever been torn between anger and forgiveness, and even though Grace seems to have almost superhuman patience, I liked the hopeful note of the novel.

So, yeah -- I didn't adore this the way I did the first two books, but it's still definitely a series I'd recommend, with a well-handled ending and an awesome take on werewolf mythology.

Feature/Follow Friday!

Hi guys! This week I'm participating in a new blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison.

This week's question was: What were some of your favorite picture books as a kid? If you have kids, what are your favorites to read to them?

Super awesome question! I love love loved the Berenstein Bears books as a kid, and my dad would read me Jabberwocky at least weekly (I didn't know it wasn't a story all its own until much later). Then, of course, there was Dr. Seuss. I was raised on Dr. Seuss, and although I don't have kids, Dr. Seuss is my favorite to read to my little neighbor when I babysit her.

  

*I prefer GFC follows, but you can also <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/9826319/?claim=yms3eepjxfk">follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>.

Waiting on Wednesday, 9/18/13

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming books we bloggers are excited for. This week I'm eagerly awaiting INTO THE DARK by Bree Despain.

From Goodreads...
Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

I'm a huge mythology geek, so this should be super fun. Plus I love the way this author played with traditional mythology in her first trilogy (The Dark Divine), so I can't wait to see how this one goes! Plus, okay, romance. Look for this one March 11!

Top Ten Tuesday: Fall TBR List!

Today I'm joining the fun that is Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This is going to be a challenge for me because I'm really bad at narrowing things down, but I'm going to give it a go!

This week's topic is Top Ten Books You Want to Read This Fall. I'm super bad at picking "top" anything, but these are ten books I really hope I get to read this fall.

• United We Spy by Ally Carter. I've been a fan of the Gallagher Girls for years, and although I'm sad to let them go, I can't wait to see how their story plays out!
• Allegiant by Veronica Roth. I know this one's on a LOT of people's lists, and why shouldn't it be? The first two books are excellent.
• Champion by Marie Lu. I devoured the first two books in this trilogy over spring break and I need the third one like burning.
• Altered by Gennifer Albin. Dystopian world and technology and kick-ass world building. CREWEL was great -- more please!
• Unbreakable by Kami Garcia. The plot sounds super awesome and let's be honest, after the Caster Chronicles, I'd check out anything she wrote.
• Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano. I'm a sucker for anything remotely dystopian, and I really enjoyed her previous trilogy, so this sounds like fun!
• Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. Anxiety-ridden college student with an obsessive fan relationship with a series about a wizard? Did you mean, my life? Plus I keep seeing how great it is all over the place and I need it.
• Smoke by Ellen Hopkins. I'm so curious to find out what happened to Pattyn, and of course, Ellen Hopkins' writing style is always worthwhile reading.
• Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. I haven't gotten around to reading this series yet, but the covers are gorgeous and I've heard so much about them!
• All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill. Let's be honest, it won me over with the Shakespeare quote in the title, but it sounds like a super awesome story.

What books are you guys hoping to read this fall? 

Attack of the Social Media!

Okay, guys. Reviews and actual posts are still going to be here, but now you can find me reblogging fan art and fun news on tumblr and garnering fans on facebook. If one or both of those is your Thing, come say hi!

New Idea! Character Rambles?

Hi guys!

For me, a lot of my enjoyment of a book comes down to the characters. And, think tumblr tone of voice here, I often have ALL THE FEELS about these characters.

I am going to start posting Character Rambles -- aka fangirl rambles on my thoughts and feelings regarding a certain character -- probably once a week, although due to school it may be every other week. If you have any characters you want to see featured, let me know!

Book Thoughts: Sever

Title: Sever
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Series: Chemical Garden #3

You know that feeling where you're reading a book and there's only a few pages left but still too much that needs to happen and you start to worry about how it's all going to wrap up in so little space? That's how I felt with this book.

I really loved the first two books in this trilogy, so I really wanted to love this one. While I enjoyed it, I didn't love it. Some of the plot elements that came into play to wrap up the story felt a little contrived, and some of it just came out of nowhere like a wrecking ball. Without being too spoilery, there is a character death that really surprised me (and kind of felt like a way to not have to deal with a particular plot line).

That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story and I think the series ended the only way it could have. Rhine continues to be a character worth rooting for, and I wish we'd gotten to meet Reed sooner because wow, great character. And Cecily is still her wonderful fourteen-going-on-thirty self.

The short version: not my favorite series-ender ever, but a worthy conclusion to a trilogy that on the whole I loved.

Waiting on Wednesday, 9/11/13

Waiting on Wednesday, hosted at Breaking the Spine, features upcoming books that we bloggers are excited about. This week I'm excited for PREMEDITATED by Josin McQuein.

From goodreads...

A week ago, Dinah’s cousin Claire cut her wrists.

Five days ago, Dinah found Claire’s diary and discovered why.

Three days ago, Dinah stopped crying and came up with a plan.

Two days ago, she ditched her piercings and bleached the black dye from her hair.

Yesterday, knee socks and uniform plaid became a predator’s camouflage.

Today, she’ll find the boy who broke Claire.

By tomorrow, he’ll wish he were dead.

----

Is it just me or does this sound creepy and awesome (and emotional)? It releases October 8 and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Book Thoughts: Siege and Storm

Title: Siege and Storm
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: Grisha #2
Beware spoilers for Shadow and Bone!

I found this one a little harder to get into than the first and I think I liked the first one more, but this is still an excellent book.

I really enjoy Leigh Bardugo's world-building, and I just LOVE the way she writes characters. Alina and Mal's relationship is beautiful and heartbreaking as it develops over their return to Os Alta, and Alina's hesitant friendship with Nikolai is one of my favorite things about this book (Nikolai, actually, is probably my favorite thing about this book. Love him). Even the minor characters worm their way into your heart, which makes the realities of war, unflinchingly addressed, that much more painful and honest.

I also really enjoyed watching Alina's struggle to come to terms with her power and become who she is meant to be. I love love love the story this series is telling and the characters it's telling it with, and I cannot WAIT for Ruin and Rising next spring.

Waiting on Wednesday (on Saturday)

Hi guys! Due to crazy class shenanigans, I wasn't able to get my WoW post up this Wednesday, but I still want to share an exciting upcoming book. My pick this week is LAIR OF DREAMS by Libba Bray.

The sequel to THE DIVINERS (which was awesome), LAIR OF DREAMS follows Evie and friends now that her powers are known. Some people love her for what she can do... and some people don't. Meanwhile, another slew of murders has taken the city by storm, and it's going to take the Diviners' powers to solve the crime and catch the killer.

I really enjoyed the first book, which was a super-cool fantasy murder mystery set against the backdrop of the 1920s. So I can't wait to see how this one turns out!

What are you waiting on this week?