Charming Covers [11]

Charming Covers is a feature where I show some covers for upcoming books that have recently been revealed/ I've recently found.
I usually only do 1 cover per post, but there were just so many I had to do more.

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

April 17, 2012

  

Yay! I love this series.

I actually don't like this cover as much as the others, but it's still really pretty.  Now I just have to wait until April.


Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
Janurary 24, 2012

Do I really have to say anything about his one? Gorgaous cover!


The Calling by Kelley Armstrong
April 2012

The last book left with such a big cliffhanger, I need this now.
I'm not a huge fan of this cover. I like it, but for whatever reason the girl on it bothers me.

Review: Hourglass

Hourglass

Myra McEntire

Release Date: June 14, 2011

Publisher: Egmont USA

One hour to rewrite the past . . .



For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.


So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.


Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?


Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

I've been dying to read Hourglass for a long time. The description sounded amazing, and just look at that cover! As if turns out, Hourglass was so much more than I though it was.

This is one of those books where I love all the characters. Thomas, Dru, Michael, Kaleb. I have to say, Emerson wasn't my favorite in the book. I still liked her. With all she's been through, its hard not to feel sympathy towards her. But I don't know, I just had a little trouble connecting with her. That changed, though, as the book went on.

The story...wow. I haven't seen anything like this. There was a lot that I wasn't expecting. And through a bit slow at times, I was always intrigued.

One thing I appreciated about this book was the romance. It was very well-developed. They didn't just jump right into it.

This book was not what I expected at all, and that's what's fantastic about it.

In My Mailbox (65)

We have Kristi at The Story Siren to thank for hosting IMM  every week.

For Review:

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

*Thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley

Ebook Through Library:

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Eagan

What did you get in your mailbox?

Sketchbook Saturday (2)

Sketchbook Saturday is a meme that I'm going to start where I show some sketches I've done of a book cover. This isn't posted on a weekly basis, but every couple of weeks.

I did Everlasting by Alyson Noel this week.

Everlasting is the sixth and final installment of the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears-all in the hope of being together forever. Now in Everlasting, their destiny is finally within reach.

Will they be united-or torn apart forever? Readers will finally discover the truth in this anxiously awaited conclusion!

Other books featured in this feature:

The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittridge

Waiting on Wednesday: Illuminated

Illuminated by Erica Orloff

Release Date: December 8, 2011

An epic romance full of mysteries that transcend time—fans of Romeo and Juliet and The Time Traveler’s Wife will rejoice!

Some loves are not made to last . . . Like Romeo and Juliet, Heloise and Abelard were doomed from the start, and their romance was destined to pass into history. Yet when sixteen-year-old Callie Martin discovers a diary hidden within an antique book, their story—and hers—takes on another life. For the diary leads Callie to the brilliant and handsome August, who is just as mysterious as the secret the diary hides. Their attraction is undeniable. As the two hunt down the truth behind the diary—and that of Heloise and Abelard’s ancient romance—their romance becomes all-consuming. But Callie knows it can’t last . . . love never does. Will their love that burns as bright as a shooting star flame out, or will these star-crossed lovers be able to defy history?

This one sounds amazing! I can't wait, and the cover is gorgeous!

WoW is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Series I've been Obsessed with...

Over the years I have read many a book. But, out of all the books I've read, there have been only a few books/series that I've actually been obsessed with. And when I say obsessed, I mean obsessed.  Do you know what I mean? When you think about the book/series/characters constantly. Almost every song you hear you can relate to the book/series. Almsot everything you see in your life reminds of the book/series. Well, that's happened to me.

Anyway, here are a few series that I've been obsessed with:

Yes, I'm ashamed to admit it, but about 3 years ago I read this series and was completely obsessed with it. For a very long time. Now, how big these books have gotten and how popular they are have completely ruined the series for me. But, these books are what really got me into reading.

Then I moved on to:

Now, looking back at these books, I realize that they aren't that good. Entertaining, yes. But there definitely are a few flaws. But, for whatever reason, I was completely obsessed with them.

Oh, I still love these books. I had a complete obsession with them (the first 2, obviously because the 3rd hasn't come out yet) for a while. I obsessed over the first book, then even more so when I read the second. I'm not obsessed anymore, but I'm still excited for the third book.

And here are a few series I've had a mini obsession over, and maybe still do.

At the moment, I am not completely obsessed with anything. I didn't even realize this until I realized it, you know?

Anyway, what are some series you've been obsessed with?

Review: Haunting Violet

Haunting Violet
Alyxandra Harvey
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Release Date: June 1, 2011

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.



Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?


Haunting violet wasn't quite what I was expecting. I don't know what I was expecting, but not this.


I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. It's not that I didn't like it, but, for me, there were times that it was really hard to get through. It was slow at times. Overall, though, it was an enjoyable read.

I liked Violet. I felt bad for her with her mother and all. I thought she was a strong character. I also liked watching her relationship with Colin progress. It started off with them just friends who've known each other for ever then turned into something more.

Huanting Violet had an element of mystery to it. This is one thing I enjoyed about the book. Some things I had guessed, some I was surprised by.

Overall, though it was rough going at times, I enjoyed Haunting Violet.

3.5

In My Mailbox (64)

We have Kristi at The Story Siren to thank for hosting IMM every week. 

For Review:

Fateful by Claudia Gray-- Super excited for this one!

From Library:

Everlasting (Immortals) by Alyson Noel -- Well, it's been a long journey and I'm interested to see how it will end. 

An also, like I said I'd do last week, I redesigned the blog. What do you think? 

What did you get in your mailbox?

SIS Read-a-Thon Update #5

Again, this is not my fifth update, but the fifth mini-challenge for the SiS read-a-thon

Update:

•Total Books Read: 2

•Total Pages Read: 592
•Books Read Since Last Update: 1
•Pages Read since last update: 112
•What I'm currently reading: The Ivy
•Books I've read: The Summer I Turned Pretty, The Mediator: Darkest Hour

Mini-Challenge:

It's time for today's fifth update and last update & mini-challenge! For this mini-challenge I want you to create a sentence using at least three book titles. For more info on this mini-challenge, visit here.

Through her eyes something deadly this way comes soulless.

I'm not sure how much sense that makes, but there you have it.

Also, I've decided that I'll be doing a post for each instead of one post for the whole thing. It'll be easier this way. Sorry for clogging up everyone's google reader.

SIS Read-a-Thon Updates

Spring into Summer Read-a-Thon is hosted by Squeaky Books.

Update & Mini-Challenge #4

This is acutally my first update, but I'm going by which mini-challenge it really is, so not to get to confused as to which mini-challenge it is and such.

•Total Books Read: 1

•Total Pages Read: 480

•Books Read Since Last Update: 0
•Pages Read since last update: 0
•Total time read: 4 hours
•How I'm currently feeling: I actually got started on reading a little late. I started reading at one. So far, it's going pretty good.

Mini-Challenge:
It's time for the fourth update & mini-challenge! For this mini-challenge I want you to create a puzzle image for a book. For more info on this mini-challenge go here.

Here's mine:

Can you guess what book it is?

Review: Ruby Red

Ruby Red

Kerstin Gier

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

Release Date: May 10, 2011 (U.S. edition)

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era! Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon, the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

Oh, what an adventure! I wasn't sure whether I  would like this book or not, but it sure looked interesting. Turns out, I really did enjoy it.

Ugh, I love time travel novels! I can't say I've read many, but what I have read I enjoyed.

I can see why Ruby Red is an international bestseller. I'm just glad it was translated to English.

Oh, I enjoyed Gwen. It took me a while to warm up to her,  but when I did I really liked her.

One thing, though, I was expecting a little more romance. But, I can see it's set up for more in the next book. I am glad, though, that it wasn't one of those relationships where the two rushed into it like I've been seeing a lot of. I appreciated this.

Overall, Ruby Red was a fun ride. I just can't wait to read the next!

Rating:

Charming Covers [11]

Charming Covers is a feature where I show some covers for upcoming books that have recently been revealed/ I've recently found.

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Februaury 21, 2012

3rd book to the Nightshade series.

Yay! I haven't even read Wolfsbane yet, but I'm still excited for this!

I don't know, I just don't like the new covers. I think out of the 3 new covers, this isn't the worst. But I find the girl kind of creepy.

But I guess it doesn't matter what the cover looks like, as long as the book is good. Right?

Review: Blood Magic

Blood Magic
Tessa Gratton
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 24, 2011

It starts off simply.



Draw a circle ... place a dead leaf in the center ... sprinkle some salt ... recite a little Latin ... add a drop of blood ...


Maybe that last part isn't exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents' horrific deaths. She's willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep ... and spill some blood.


The book isn't the only recent arrival in Silla's life. There's Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She's not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together, Silla realizes this may not be Nick's first encounter with Blood Magic. Brought together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick can't deny their attraction. And they can't ignore the dark presence lurking nearby—waiting to reclaim the book and all its power.


Tessa Gratton's intoxicating first novel will keep pulses racing, minds reeling, and pages turning right up to the very last drop of blood.

Blood Magic was a nice surprise for me. Sure, I've seen the good reviews, but I wasn't expecting to like it so much.

I loved the characters in this book. Silla, Nicholas, even Reese. It's not hard to feel sympathy for each of them, because they've all been through some sort of tragedy. I especially like Silla. I don't know what it is, but she's different from most characters.

The one and only problem I had with this book was the relationship between Silla and Nick. Nick's a sweet guy. Maybe too sweet. He had one conversation with Silla and was already thinking about how much he liked her in the cheesiest way possible. It just wasn't real. The relationship as a whole just wasn't developed enough. It went way too fast.

The whole concept of blood magic is an idea I've yet to see elsewhere. I really enjoyed seeing something new.

The book was filled with twists and turns. Although, there were some things that I did see coming.

Overall, Blood Magic is a unique book. I really enjoyed the ride and can't wait for the next book.

Rating: 4/5

In My Mailbox (63) + Other

We have Kristi at The Story Siren to thank for hosting IMM  every week. 

From Library:

Stay by Deb Caletti

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

It looks like I got some pretty good summer reads this week!

 I know, I haven't read the Summer series yet. I've been putting it off, then after the 3rd one came out I figured it would be a good time to read it in the summer.

In other news, I'm changing the layout and everything for Book Fanatics, so I apologize if it looks a little crazy. Hopefully by tomarrow I'll have it set up and everything.  

I also apologize for not posting much this week. I'm not sure really why I haven't. Anyway, I've got tons of reviews and things to post, so they'll be up soon.

What did you get in your mailbox?

Charming Covers [10]

Charming Covers is a feature where I show some covers for upcoming books that have recently been revealed/ I've recently found.

Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

Winter 2012

Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined.

Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven’s warrior is a challenge for Ellie. Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other. And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell’s strongest reapers. Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night.

She’s been warned.

Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian’s new plan to destroy Ellie’s soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity. As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian’s schemes , the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything—including herself.

She’ll be betrayed.

Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war. Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will. If she fails, there will be hell to pay.

 

Yay! I'm so excited for this book! I loved Angelfire and this one looks just as good.

And the cover... Gorgeous!

Review: Mad Love

Mad Love
Suzanne Selfors
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Release Date: January 4, 2011

When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness. After putting on a brave front for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue, and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother—and she needs one fast.



That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth—that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.


Mad Love wasn't quite what I was expecting. It wasn't as light and fluffy as I thought it would be. I did enjoy it, though. It was just different.
I felt sorry for Alice. Not only dealing with a bipolar mother she now has to worry about paying her mother's hospital bills. Though I did feel sorry for her, she bothered me a lot. She was selfish most times, but that's understandable with what she was going through.

One thing I didn't understand was why Alice didn't accept Errol's offer at first when she needed a story to write. It would have gone a lot better and smoother if she had.

As it was, the book was a tad slow at times. I just wanted to get on with it. I also found the ending a little depressing.

I think I would have enjoyed Mad Love more if I knew what I was getting into. It wasn't bad, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

200 Followers!

Sometime last night I have reached 200 followers!

I was so excited when I saw that this morning.

For everyone who reads my blog, thank you. Thank you so much. When I first started Book Fanatics I honestly thought I was the only one out there and no one would ever read my blog. But now look; I've got 200 followers. I'm very proud of how well my blogs done and myself for sticking with it.

I know I've already said this, but thank you everyone. For those of you who have your own blog and know how much work we put into our blogs, I'm sure you have an idea on how much I appreciate all of you.

Also, be sure to check out my Wildwood contest here.

In My Mailbox (62)

We have Kristi at The Story Siren to thank for hosting IMM  every week.  

For Review:

Secrets by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

Library:

Something Deadly This Way by Kim Harrison

Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

That's all I got this week. What did you get?

Sketchbook Saturday (1)

Sketchbook Saturday is a meme that I'm going to start where I show some sketches I've done of a book cover. I don't know how often I'm going to do this, but hopefully every couple of weeks.

This week I did the cover to The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittridge.

In the city of Lovecraft, the Proctors rule and a great Engine turns below the streets, grinding any resistance to their order to dust. The necrovirus is blamed for Lovecraft's epidemic of madness, for the strange and eldritch creatures that roam the streets after dark, and for everything that the city leaders deem Heretical—born of the belief in magic and witchcraft. And for Aoife Grayson, her time is growing shorter by the day.

Aoife Grayson's family is unique, in the worst way—every one of them, including her mother and her elder brother Conrad, has gone mad on their 16th birthday. And now, a ward of the state, and one of the only female students at the School of Engines, she is trying to pretend that her fate can be different.

 

I actually have started this book, but have yet to finish it. What I have read so far, though, I really enjoyed.

 

So, what do you think? Do you like this feature? No? Let me know!



Review: Rosebush

Rosebush
Michele Jaffe
Publisher:
Release Date:

Instead of celebrating Memorial Day weekend on the Jersey Shore, Jane is in the hospital surrounded by teddy bears, trying to piece together what happened last night. One minute she was at a party, wearing fairy wings and cuddling with her boyfriend. The next, she was lying near-dead in a rosebush after a hit-and-run.



Everyone believes it was an accident, despite the phone threats Jane swears were real. But the truth is a thorny thing. As Jane's boyfriend, friends, and admirers come to visit, more memories surface not just from the party, but from deeper in her past . . . including the night her best friend Bonnie died.
With nearly everyone in her life a suspect now, Jane must unravel the mystery before her killer attacks again. Along the way, she's forced to examine the consequences of her life choices in this compulsively readable thriller.

It's been a while since I've read a good mystery. I was pretty excited to finally read Rosebush. I forgot how much I enjoy a good mystery. Rosebush was a thrilling ride; I couldn't put it down until I knew exactly what happened.
It took me a while to warm up to Jane. At first I didn't like her. She was shallow. That became clear through the flashbacks. But, also while unvieling her past I got to know her better. Understand her better. I still think she's shallow, but by the end I liked her a little more.

I really enjoyed the mystery. We discover what happened through flashbacks as Jane recovers in the hospital and tries to figure things out herself. I didn't even try to guess who did it because I knew I'd be wrong. I did not see tha ending coming.

All in all I enjoyed Rosebush. It's not the best book in the world, but I'd recomend it to anyone whose looking for a good mystery.

Rating:

3/5



Giveaway: Wildwood

The first book in the epic middle-grade fantasy series full of magic, wonder, and danger—nothing less than an American Narnia—from Colin Meloy, lead singer of the highly celebrated band the Decemberists, and Carson Ellis, the acclaimed illustrator of the New York Times bestselling The Mysterious Benedict Society.

Giveaway Rules:

• One lucky winner will win an arc of Wildwood
• Contest will end July 15, 2011
• You do not have to be a follower to enter.
• To get an extra entry, link to the contest elsewhere (sidebar, twitter, etc.)
• This is open to U.S. only, unless you know someone in the U.S. who is willing to ship to you
• To enter, fill out the form below:

May Rewind

I didn't get as much done in May as I would have liked. I'm behind on reading, and I could have gotten more done.

Here's What I Read:

1. The Darkest Pleasure by Gena Showalter
2. Entwined by Heather Dixon
3. Starcorssed by Josehpine Angelini
4. The Darkest Whisper by Gena Showalter
5. Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith
6. Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
7. Alpha by Rachel Vincent
8. Broken by Kelley Armstrong
9. Abandon by Meg Cabot
10. The Darkest Passion by Gena Showalter
11. No Humans Involved by Kelley Armstrong
12. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
13. Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors (review coming soon)
14. Rosebush by Michelle Jaffe (review coming soon)

Other Books Reviewed:

Die for Me by Amy Plum

Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade

My goal was 17 books this month, and I did not quite accomplish this.

As you can see, most of the books I read this week was adult. That means I didn't read as much young adult, which means not as many reviews.

June I should be reading a lot more (30 books in 30 days) so I'll be catching up hopefully.



Spring into Summer Read-a-thon (Squeaky Books)

Squeaky Books is host the Spring Into Summer Read-a-thon June 17, and I shall be participating!

Here are the rules:

•Read-a-thon will take place 6/17 8am MST to 6/18 8pm MST

•Giveaways & mini-challenges will occur roughly every 2 hours

•In order to enter giveaways and mini-challenges you must SIGN UP

•You do not HAVE to enter giveaways and mini-challenges if you sign up

•Read-a-thon open internationally

There will be lots of giveaways and challenges, including a chance to win a $25 Amazon giftcard just for entering!

I'm pretty excited for this. Thanks Enna, for hosting this!

To sign up or for more information, go here. 

June Theme: Time Travel

So, the first Theme of the Month kicks off with the theme of Time Travel! There are a few books that have come out recently or are coming out about time travel. I love time travel so much, so I'm pretty excited about it!

So, hopefully the first Theme of the Month will be a success!

30 Books in 30 Days Challenge

Cait over at The Cait Files is hosting the 30 Books in 30 Days Challenge where, you guess it, you read 30 books in the month of June.

For more info go here.

There are many reasons for me to participate in this, including:

• I have so many freaking books to read! And I'm getting even more with books I reserved at the library coming in.
• I'm super behind on my reading goal. My monthly goal is to read 17 books a month, and so far I've only accomplished that goal in February and April. I'm a total of 10 books behind for the entire year.
• It summer! Since there's no school there's no reason for me not to do this!

I'll probably do an update post once every week.

As for anyone else who is doing this challenge, good luck!

Charming Covers [9]

Charming Covers is a feature where I show some covers for upcoming books that have recently been revealed/ I've recently found.

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

October 18, 2011

They've finally revealed the cover to this!

 I admit, I've had my ups and downs with this series, but the ending in the last book I'm uber excited for this one!

This cover isn't as pretty as the others, but I actually like it. It's really unique and I can't wait to read it!