What's Next (2)

What is What's Next? It's a meme hosted by Icey Books where we share a few books in our TBR pile and let our viewers pick which on we read next. For more information or to participate visit here. 

Last time I participated, it was almost unanimous that I should read Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver next. Due to me being busy and out of town (and a terrible person), I have yet to get to it. But I'll have more time now so I promise I'll get to the pick this next week!

Here's my picks for this week!

Love can never die.
Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie? 
The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses. 
But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.
In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

 Charlotte and Oliver have been friends forever. She knows that he, Abe, and Trip consider her to be one of the guys, and she likes it that way. She likes being the friend who keeps them all together. Likes offering a girl's perspective on their love lives. Likes being the behind-the-scenes wordsmith who writes all the lyrics for the boys' band. Char has a house full of stepsisters and a past full of backstabbing (female) ex-best friends, so for her, being friends with boys is refreshingly drama-free...until it isn't any more.
When a new boy enters the scene and makes Char feel like, well, a total girl...and two of her other friends have a falling out that may or may not be related to one of them deciding he possibly wants to be more than friends with Char...being friends with all these boys suddenly becomes a lot more complicated.

Everything is in ruins.
A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.
So what does Araby Worth have to live for?
Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.
But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.
And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

All of these books are very different. Let me know what I should read next! 

Review: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3)
Kristin Cashore
Publisher: Dial
Release Date: May 1, 2012

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.
Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

This review may contain spoilers for Graceling and Fire.  

I am very conflicted with this book. On the one hand, it was everything I wanted it to be. I was sucked into the story and and once again enchanted by this world. But in some parts, I was expecting more. 

Bitterblue has come  a long way since Graceling. She has been through so much and even after several years is still having a hard time adjusting to everything. And to make worse for her, there are several events in Bitterblue that test Bitterblue and try to push her over the edge. But after everything, and with the help of a few of our favorite friends, she ultimately finds the strength in herself. And she just finds herself in general. I liked Bitterblue because her strength was mostly found in her intellect. 

We definitely see a different side of this world in Bitterblue. It is primarily focuses on the kingdom of Monsea. I did like that we got to see a different side.

This was a completely different journey than in the first two. While the first two were more physical journeys, the one in Bitterblue is more of a conquest of the mind. There are still some heartbreaking moments in this book, maybe more so than before. This was still a very intriguing and addicting ride. One that I just couldn't get enough of. 

Now, my biggest issue with the book is the ending. It was just one of those that left a lot open. I'm one of those people who need more conclusion to my series. Because of that, every time I think of this book I just feel this...sadness.
So, overall, Bitterblue was everything I hoped it would be on paper. But I just wanted more out of the ending, especially of this amazing series. But I'm sure most people won't feel that way. 

Charming Covers [40]

Charming Covers is a feature here at Book Fanatics where I show off covers that have recently been revealed/ that I've recently found. 

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

February 5, 2013

This book will feature Cinder and Little Red Riding Hood and will take place in France.

Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.

I'm really excited for this book. I enjoyed Cinder, and can't wait to see where the story takes us next. 

I totally did not notice at first that this cover features a cape. I thought it was some sort of flower or something. But no, it is a cape, which goes along with the Red Riding Hood part. This cover has a really simple design. I like it, though not as much as the first book. And I love the font.

Review: Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent

Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6)

Rachel Vincent

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: June 26, 2012

I died on a Thursday-killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul. The good news? He didn't get it. The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school...  Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend. But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life...

This review may contain spoilers from the previous books in the series.

Soul Screamers is one of my favorite series at the moment. I can hardly wait to dive into the next book when it comes out. 

Before I Wake is a very different book than the rest of the series. It deals with a lot of the consequences from the previous book. 

Kaylee has gone through a lot. In Before I Wake, she is dealing with a lot and trying to figure things out. In a way, she does seem like a different person. There is almost this sadness in her now. Not that you can blame her. But behind all of that, there is still the same selfless, kick-ass girl. 

Tod's swirling eye.

We still have the same cast of characters, along with a few new additions. I have to say that I really like all of the characters in this series. Even the ones I don't like are ones that I love to hate. Vincent does an excellent job giving  all of Kaylee's friends so many different sides. 

Now, I have to say something. First, I love Tod. Totally and completely, from the first book. That being said, there was something that bothered me. Just a little. Kaylee is dealing with a lot, but she mentions several times how the only time she can feel alive and happy and herself is when she is with Tod. I'm glad they have such a good relationship, but I kind of wish that Kaylee could find some of that strength herself, and not have to depend on Tod for that. But I still love Tod.

So, all in all, Before I Wake is not my favorite book in the series. I still really, really liked it, and this is still my favorite series. I can't wait to read the final installment, but I'm not ready for this series to end. 

Book Haul and Week in Review (96)

This post is dedicated not only to sharing all the books I've received this week but also to share this week's happenings on my blog. This is inspired by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer's The Sunday Post. Also, the title Book Haul is provided by Katie's Book Blog. 

Books Received:

So, I've been in Texas the past week, but now I'm back. This is a couple weeks worth of books. 

Fortunately, while I was in Texas I stumbled upon a Half-Price Books (actually I saw quite a few). This is the first Half Price I've been to, and I went a little crazy (which was stupid considering I had to lug them all back on a plane), but it was worth it. 

Any-hoo. Here we go. 

Bought:

The Mediator: Haunted by Meg Cabot

The Mediator: Twilight by Meg Cabot

Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson (I finally got a copy! I read and loved this one a while back, and I finally have a beautiful copy to put on my shelf.)

Won:

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

Gifted (kind of):

My library has a summer reading program every year where if you read at least twelve hours, you get a book. This is what I picked out

Anna and the French Kiss (Again, finally! This is another that I've read and now have my very own copy.)

Library:

This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Miracle by Elizabeth Scott

Body & Soul by Stacey Kade

First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky

Happenings on Book Fanatics:

Reviews:

Fever by Lauren Destefano 

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald

Once by Anna Carey 

Giveaways:

Enter to win Once by Anna Carey (ends 7/17)

So, I think that's about it. What did you get this week?

Review: Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Fever (The Chemical Garden #2)
Lauren DeStefano
Publisher: Simon and Schuster's Children's Publishing
Release Date: February 21, 2012

Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.
Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.
The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.
In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

Oh, this book was, in a way, hard to read. It's not that Wither was a bundle of joy to read, but Fever dealt with the repercussions and there were plenty of intense, heartbreaking situations in this book. 

Rhine has definitely changed since the beginning of Wither. She has to take on a lot more responsibility in this book. Because of everything she has been through, it was just hard for me to take an interest in her. But she was still selfless and brave when she needed to be. 

Man, there were definitely some twists in this book. It was such a ride that I couldn't let go of. I never knew what was going to happen. And that ending. Lauren DeStefano sure knows how to break some hearts with her endings. 

Even though Fever was harder to read, I still enjoyed the ride. It's turning out to be a very interesting and unique series. Wither is still my favorite, but I can't wait to see how it all ends. 

Review: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelopes #1)

Maureen Johnson

Publisher: Harper Collin's Publishers

Release Date: August 23, 2005

When Ginny receives thirteen little blue envelopes and instructions to buy a plane ticket to London, she knows something exciting is going to happen. What Ginny doesn't know is that she will have the adventure of her life and it will change her in more ways than one. Life and love are waiting for her across the Atlantic, and the thirteen little blue envelopes are the key to finding them in this funny, romantic, heartbreaking novel.

I've heard a great deal of great things about Maureen Johnson and 13 Little Blue Envelopes. I absolutely loved Girl at Sea and was looking forward to 13 Little Blue Envelopes. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to. It was a cute coming-of-age-story, but I just wanted more.

Ginny, in the beginning, is a very quiet and reserved. Her life isn't very interesting. That all changes when she receives the letters and directions to take a trip to Europe from her late aunt. Ginny changes a lot over the book and grows a lot. 

Ginny always admired her aunt and her aunt's exciting life. We got to know Ginny's aunt Peg through the letters. Peg has always been flaky. Ginny learns a lot about her aunt and in the end, Ginny finds the courage that her aunt was never able to do. 

When I first started this book, I thought (in a way, hoped) that it would be more romantic than it was. But, even though I wouldn't deny more Keith, I'm glad it wasn't. This is the story of Ginny and how she finds herself. 

One of the things I was looking forward to in this book was the fact that it took place and traveled around Europe. I wanted all of the places to come of alive through the pages. They didn't. I still enjoyed the setting, but for the most part the book just lacked that extra something to make it come alive. 

In the end, I enjoyed 13 Little Blue Envelopes, but not as much as I hoped. I am looking forward to more adventure in The Last Little Blue Envelope, however.