Thursday, January 12, 2012

Daughter Of Smoke & Bone By: Laini Taylor

Before I begin my review I would first like to say that I won this book from The Ravenous Reader over at Lushbudgetproduction.com, and let me tell you, it may be one of the new editions to my shelf, but it is now one of my most valuable. I was on the edge through out this whole book, and a few times asked myself (Internally of course, because externally I'd just look like a crazy person); "What is she? who is she? What is he to her?" AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I WANNA KNOW!!!!!!!!!!! but alas, the only way to know is to read the book in it's entirety, Miss Laini gives you tid bits, but gives none of the meat away...and me like it that way :)

 Book jacket:
AROUND THE WORLD, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.


Review:It's been a long time since I've read a story with so many twists and turns, and unpredictable plots unfolding before my eyes. Daughter Of Smoke & Bone was refreshing. It tantalized my curiosities, and set my insides on fire with the love story portrayed within. I like that Miss Laini gave you little hints as to who this girl really was, but even with those hints and clues, you still couldn't have guessed, or the back story for that matter. This world in which Karou lives in, is more questions than answers, and as the reader, you're unfolding these mysteries along with her. Daughter Of Smoke & Bone left me feeling like a fat kid sitting in front of a plate of crumbs begging for more. (I like using food to describe my emotions, because aside from reading, food is my next favorite thing.) I can't wait for the next book in the series to be released...I will probably be first in line at the book store :)

5/5








Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday...

Jill at Breaking the Spine began hosting this, and well you know how these things start (especially if it's an awesome idea!) This post alerts those that visit, about "THE" book that we CANNOT wait to get our hands on!Truth is we all hate waiting for anything...I personally enjoy instant gratification, but because this isn't a perfect world, I have to wait. And the book I am currently waiting (desperately) for is:

Black Dawn (The Morganville Vampires #12)
By: Rachel Caine

Product Details


ISBN-13:9780451236715
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Publication Date: 5/1/2012
Pages: 352

No Synopsis or tid-bits avaiable yet, but this book is much anticipated by myself and other Morganville junkies :)

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Teaser Tuesday!

Courtesy Of TMIsource.com:

I came across thee most PERFECT teasers for this Tuesday! I hope you're all anticipating this one as much as I am!




Here are teasers from City of Lost Souls, which will be released on May 8, 2012, posted by Cassandra Clare:
Teaser #1:
“Magnus made a soft, pleased sound, and he gripped the back of Alec’s shirt.”
Teaser #2:
“He is a Shadowhunter,” said Jocelyn. “His loyalty will be to Clave and Covenant.”
“He’s my friend,” said Magnus coldly. “His loyalty is to me.”
Teaser #3:
“You stole a boat,” she snapped. “What am I doing with you, you boat-stealing lunatic?”
Teaser #4:
“Sebastian never does anything just for fun.” Jace took Clary’s hand and pulled her toward him. “But I do.”
Teaser #5:
“Is he happy like this? Really happy? And if he is, what are you saving him from?”
Teaser #6:
“Well, hello there, Mother,” Sebastian said in a voice like silk. “Surprised to see me?”
Teaser #7:
“You think I’m gone, but I’m not. I’m still watching you. All of you. Especially you … Simon.”
Teaser #8:
“I need Jace,” said Sebastian. “But in his heart, he’s not like me. But *you * are.”
Teaser #9:
“You’re a Lightwood,” she said. “Your family never gives up. I knew you wouldn’t let what I said to you that night well enough alone.”
Teaser #10:
“You have a dark heart in you, Valentine’s daughter,” he said. “You just won’t admit it. And if you want Jace, you had better accept it. Because he belongs to me now.”
Teaser #11:
“I don’t do false reassurances,” Izzy said, and pushed the tequila bottle away from her. Her eyes, on Jordan, were lively and dark. “Come here, werewolf boy.”
Teaser #12:
“I never cared,” he said. “I wanted you anyway. I always wanted you.” – Jace
Teaser #13:
“He reached her and held his hands out; she took them, and let him pull her to her feet. His pale gold eyes searched her face. “I want you with me,” he said. “But I want it to be your choice. Once we go, there’s no coming back.”
Teaser #14:
“I know about parabatai,” said Magnus, an angry, dark undercurrent to his voice. “I’ve known parabatai so close they were almost the same person; do you know what happens, when one of them dies, to the one that’s left —?”
Teaser #15:
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you smell like Magnus.”
Teaser #16:
“Warlock,” he said. “I know who you are.”
Magnus raised his eyebrows. “You do?”
“Magnus Bane. Destroyer of the demon Marabas. Son of——”
“Now,” said Magnus, quickly. “There’s no need to go into all of that.”
“But there is.” The demon sounded reasonable, even amused. “If it is infernal assistance you require, why not summon your father?”
Alec looked at Magnus with his mouth open.
Teaser #17:
“Every time we see each other we fall into bed — and I know I started it, I’m not blaming you— it’s just that maybe we should *talk*.”
Teaser #18:
“That’s how faeries work, they don’t do favors.”
Teaser #19:
“Alec isn’t happy,” said Magnus, as if she hadn’t spoken.
“Of course he isn’t,” Isabelle snapped. “Jace —”
“Jace,” said Magnus, and his hands made fists at his sides. Isabelle stared at him. She had always thought that he didn’t mind Jace; liked him, even, once the question of Alec’s affections had been settled. Out loud, she said:
“I thought you were friends.”
“It’s not that,” said Magnus. “There are some people — people the universe seems to have singled out for special destinies. Special favors and special torments. God knows we’re all drawn toward what’s beautiful and broken; I have been, but some people cannot be fixed. Or if they can be, it’s only by love and sacrifice so great it destroys the giver.”
Isabelle shook her head slowly. “You’ve lost me. Jace is our brother, but for Alec — he’s Jace’s parabatai too —”
“I know about parabatai,” said Magnus, his voice rising in pitch. “I’ve known parabatai so close they were almost the same person; do you know what happens, when one of them dies, to the one that’s left —”
“Stop it!” Isabelle clapped her hands over her ears, then lowered them slowly. “How dare you, Magnus Bane,” she said.
“How dare you make this worse than it is —”
“Isabelle.” Magnus’ hands loosened; he looked a little wide-eyed, as if his outburst had startled even him. “I am sorry. I forget, sometimes . . . that with all your self-control and strength, you possess the same vulnerability that Alec does.”
“There is nothing weak about Alec,” said Isabelle.
“No,” said Magnus. “To love as you choose, that takes strength. The thing is, I wanted you here for him. There are things I can’t do for him, can’t give him . . .” For a moment Magnus looked oddly vulnerable. “You have known Jace as long as he has. You can give him understanding I can’t. And he loves you.”
“Of course he loves me. I’m his sister.”
“Blood isn’t love,” said Magnus, and his voice was bitter. “Just ask Clary.”
Teaser #20:
“As far as I’m concerned, this is the worst thing that’s happened since I found out why Magnus was banned from Peru.” — Jace
Teaser #21:
Alec quickly stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed, hoping not to wake Magnus. However…
Teaser #22:
“Simon, I’ve been trying to call you but it seems like your phone is turned off. I don’t…”
Teaser #23:
“Why did you?” Clary asked.
“Why did I what?”
“Help me back there.”
“You’re my sister.”
She swallowed. In the morning light, Sebastian’s face had some color in it. There were faint burns along his neck where demon ichor had splashed him.
“You never cared that I was your sister before.”
“Didn’t I?” His black eyes flicked up and down her. “Our father’s dead,” he said. “There are no other relatives. You and I, we are the last. The last of the Morgensterns. You are the only one left whose blood runs in my veins, too. You are my last chance.”
Teaser #24:
“Kill me, little sister. Kill me and you kill Jace, too.”
Teaser #25:
“Tell me,” Isabelle said.“Who it was. That my father had the affair with.”

Oh YEAH! SOOOOOOO CANNOT WAIT!!!! What do you think of the tasty tid bits? Let me know.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday...










Jill at Breaking the Spine began hosting this, and well you know how these things start (especially if it's an awesome idea!) This post alerts those that visit, about "THE" book that we CANNOT wait to get our hands on!Truth is we all hate waiting for anything...I personally enjoy instant gratification, but because this isn't a perfect world, I have to wait. And the book I am currently waiting (desperately) for is:


Pandemonium
 By: Lauren Oliver
 Expected publication: 03/06/12 
 HarperTeen 
 ISBN-13: 9780061978067

"I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite."



Tuesday, November 29, 2011

YA Novel Film Adaptations!

Here are some of the YA novels that have been opted for film adaptations:

Firelight
firelight
The new book by bestselling author Sophie Jordan, is coming to the big screen. Mandalay Pictures has picked up the rights to this young adult novel. Stay tuned for casting and release dates!
  
Incarceron
incarceron  
If you’re a Taylor Lautner fan you may be interested to know that he is reported to star in the movie adaptation of Incarceron by Catherine Fisher. The movie is due to come out sometime in 2013. You can also check out the sequel, Sapphique, here at the library!


Wake
wake  
Miley Cyrus is attached to star in the movie being developed by MTV Films which is based on the novel Wake by Lisa McMann. Be sure to check out the sequels available at the library, Fade and Gone. McMann also has a new novel coming out in February called Cryer’s Cross.

City of Bones
cityofbones
Actress Lily Collins, who is best known for her role in "The Blind Side", has been cast as Clary in the movie adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones: The Mortal Instruments due out in 2012.

The Hunger Games
hungergames
It's due out March 23, 2012, and I personally cannot wait! to see which actors will be portraying which characters, and the most recent theatrical trailer, you can Click Here

The Maze Runner
mazerunner
Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke is set to take James Dashner’s first novel of the sci-fi trilogy to the big screen. Be sure to check out the sequel The Scorch Trials at the library!


If I Stay
if_i_stay
Release Date: TBA
Studio: Summit Entertainment
Director: Heitor Dhalia
Screenwriter: Shauna Cross
Starring: Not Available
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: Not Available
Official Website: Not Available
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: Not Available
Movie Poster: Not Available
Production Stills: Not Available


Plot Summary: Based on Gayle Forman's novel of the same name. "If I Stay" is the story of the gifted classical musician Mia and her boyfriend, Adam, an up and coming indie-rock star. Torn between two paths in life, her art or her relationship, Mia is forced to make an even starker choice between life and death when she is caught in a fatal car accident with her family one snowy morning in Oregon.

Trailer:
Coming Soon!

Even if the movie is slightly corny, and low-budget, it will never compare to what my imagination has already made the characters up to be in my head. The movie is an after thought, the book is where it all started.

Red Glove By: Holly Black

Curses And Cons. Magic And The Mob.
     
Book blurb: In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth-he's the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything-or anyone-into something else.
     That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her.  Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's be cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion-working mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as cassel's made-up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does.
     When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue-crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too-they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone-least of all, himself?
     Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.


Review: It took me a few months to battle through this book. Not because it wasn't interesting, but I made the major mistake of putting it down to read the Hunger Games Trilogy, HUGE mistake on my behalf. I had to basically let my mind wander a few days with Katniss Everdeen before I was able to give Red Glove the attention it deserved, and let me tell you...it totally deserved it.


Holly Black has outdone herself AGAIN! I was instantly reconnected with my favorite usual suspects, Cassel, Sam, Daneca, Lila, Barron, Shandra, Zacharov and a few new unsavory characters that captivated me just the same as the old one's. 
As soon as I began reading, I remembered exactly where White Cat left off, keeping me in the loop so as not to have to back track. The cons are the same, the stakes are higher, and Cassel is a now senior at Wallingford Prep...but this changes nothing, he is still tormented by what the future holds for him, a life of crime and guilt. Soon after his arrival back to school,  A new student emerges at Wallingford, throwing a huge wrench in Cassel's plan to lay low, and soon after all hell breaks loose. Love, Murder, mayhem, lost memories, nightmares and seduction are just some of the plots that occur during the unfolding of the on going mystery and yet the questions stay the same, who is the murderer? how did they do it? and why? during Cassel's (along with Sam and Daneca) investigation of the mystery murderer, the Zacharov crime family are attempting to recruit Cassel for assassination purposes, while the FBI wants him for their own personal agenda. Either way, Cassel can't catch a break, and he's beginning to realize, that when it rains...it REALLY rains. This story reminds me of The Godfather (if the Corleones could kill you by touching you, or make you forget your life with the brush of a finger tip against your skin.) the betrayals, and victims, and the unraveling of lies, makes Red Glove deliciously wicked. I've never rooted for the villian in a book until now...is it wrong I have a soft spot for Lila's dad? especially when you finally get a small glimpse into his back story. It made me sympathize with him...at least a little bit. 
I don't want to give away too much of the story for those of you who haven't read it yet. I loved it, at times it got steamy, and definitely left me wanting more, no doubt. Can't wait for the next book, ESPECIALLY, with an ending like that :)


4/5

Teaser Tuesday!

Melissa Marr's Carnival of Souls

I fell into Melissa's Wicked Lovely world immediately upon opening. I was thrust into a land of wonder, fantasy, and fear. Beautiful and deadly, the series left me wanting more, despite being content with it's end. 
So...you can imagine my excitement when I found that she was writing another YA novel called Carnival of Souls (Her "accidental" novel, in her words not mine.). I have scowered the internet looking for a synopsis of any kind, and unfortunately came up empty...well almost empty. I DID in fact find a paragraph from a random chapter of the book that Melissa posted on her live journal page for her "Sentence Sunday's" post.
So without further ado,  the paragraph from Carnival Of Souls (unedited):


"Evening was falling as Kaleb walked toward the ladder that would take him into the rafters above the Carnival of Souls. The carnival was the center of [the city]. Everything of note started or ended here. Judgments were served here; negotiations of every sort took place in the shadows of vendors’ stalls. Music played constantly. Blind drummers played outside the tents were delicate deals where arranged; ensembles in the employ of the pleasure vendors enticed customers with their music as dancers demonstrated their flexibility; and others simply played for the coins that were tossed into their baskets. At times it was a glorious cacophony. Jugglers and fire-twirlers showed their skills in time to the music. Hawkers sold their wares to those ensnared by the music, sometimes literally. The only witches allowed in [the city] were low level ones, but it took very little magic to twist traps into songs. The art was in doing it skillfully enough to avoid detection."

Expected Publication 2012. Hardcover...The anticipation is killing me. There's not even a cover for me to obsess over.