Friday, July 30, 2010

Infinite Days ARC Giveaway!



After winning this online I thought I'd give it away. I will be posting a review up soon, but until then I'm running this contest. No need to be a follower, but more entries if you do. ;)

Good luck!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater



Summary:
In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.


Aah, I can honestly say that Maggie Stiefvater didn't disappoint me. Linger, told through four POVs of Grace, Sam, Isabel, and newcomer Cole. Each voice was amazingly different, so unique and powerful. Every chapter was exciting and a thrill to read.

Grace and Sam had me crying with joy to be able to hear their story continue to unfold. The connection between them was unbelievably real, it's as if while you read you are there with them. That is how alive this novel became.

Isabel and Cole's voices were just as amazing, each unique and entertaining. I especially connected with Cole the second I read his first chapter. He was my favorite to read most besides Sam.

Aside from the wonderful story tellers, I found the twists and turns, and sweet and bad moments hitting me hard. Everything surprised me, which is extremely rare. I can usually guess what is bound to happen, but not with Linger. You will be blinded until the last chapter or so. I am still in awe over Linger, that I can't speak.

Maggie Stiefvater once again amazes me by writing such a powerful and breathtaking novel. I feel as if it is a gift to read her writing. That's how strongly I feel. And now thanks to her lovely sequel, I am left almost in tears at the realization that I have to wait another year until the Forever releases.

But I'm positive it will be worth the wait.


Rating: 10
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Originality: 10



Details:
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Website(s):
http://maggiestiefvater.com/
http://www.maggiestiefvater.com/shiver/

Published: July 13th 2010 by Scholastic Press
Pages: 368

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams





Summary:

In one moment
it is over.

In one moment

it is gone.

The morning grows

thin, grey

and our lives-

how they were-

have vanished.

Our lives have

changed

when I walk in

on Lizzie

my sister

holding a shotgun.

Twelve year old girl Hope's life is turned upside down when her older sister Lizzie becomes an elective mute and is institutionalized after trying to kill herself. Ever since their dad died Hope and Lizzie have relied on each other from a young age. Their mother is a reluctant and unreliable parent at best, who turns tricks to support the family. Throughout the course of this lyrical and heartbreaking narrative readers and Hope discover that the mother is prostituting Lizzie and it's up to Hope to bring the truth to light to save her sister.


My Review: Glimpse will not only take your breath away, it'll amazed you in so many ways. I've only read a handful of novels in verse (Burned by Ellen Hopkins, Identical by Ellen Hopkins, I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder.). And Glimpse is one of my top favorites.

I was proud to have read her other wonderful novel, The Chosen One, so I knew I had to read this. At first I wasn't sure I would get into it, but after a few pages I was hooked. Because it was written in verse it didn't take long to finish. But either way it was a very enjoyable read. The descriptions were thrillingly clear, each character seemed so alive, and the suspense was incredibly intense. I pretty much knew what the big secret in the end was, but every few moments I doubted my guess and continued on to learn the truth.

I loved everything about Glimpse. There wasn't one thing that turned the whole thing off for me. Not one. To me, it was beautifully written, and frighteningly real. Glimpse will have you sitting on the edge of your seat till the moment you finish reading the last word.

I'm glad to say that, Carol Lynch Williams exceeded all my expectations.

Rating: 10
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Originality: 9


Final Rating:



Details:
Published: June 22nd 2010 by Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Pages: 496
Author's Website: http://www.carollynchwilliams.com/

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (First Review!)




Rating: Calmingly Awesome

Summary: (From Goodreads) Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license—for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.

But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world—and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.

Review:

First let me say that the first time I read the summary I knew I'd love it. I loved how truthful and eye-opening this story was. It awoken me to a strange reality, Uglies made me think. And I love books that make you think. From the first sentence to the last word, Uglies had me hooked. Somewhere near the end though I became a bit bored, it dragged out just a bit, but as the end kept nearing, the story picked right back up again.

Tally was such a real feeling character I was lost for words after I finished it. She's easy to relate to because she feels what practically every girl has felt at some point. That she is ugly. Each character had me smiling, laughing, and cringing. Every chapter flew by in minutes. Everything about Uglies will make you take a step back and go, wow.

The only real problem I had was I didn't feel that strong connection with Tally as I would have if it was in first person. I usually read in first person, but it was different and still rewarding after reading Uglies in third. I recommend that you go and buy (or borrow/check out) and read Uglies as soon as you can.

Rating: 9
Plot: 10
Characters: 9
Writing: 9
Originality: 9

3 out of 4 Peace Signs


Author's website:
http://www.scottwesterfeld.com/blog/

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Hopefully by this weekend this blog will be ready and have at least 3-5 reviews up. That is...if I do my research and stay off the computer.

About Me

Coming Soon.