In My Mailbox (75)

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

Library:

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

And this isn't really book related, but I got this cool steampunk type necklace at a craft fair this weekend. Well, I thought it was pretty cool anyway.

What did you get this week?

Review: Bunheads

Bunheads
Sophie Flack
Publisher: Poppy
Release Date: October 10, 2011

As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet.

But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah's universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other "bunheads" in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life?

I've always been interested in the ballet--the dancers in particular. Bunheads gave a look inside this world and what it means to be a ballet dancer.

To be honest, I was expecting a little more out of the book itself. I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked to.

There's nothing specifically wrong with the characters. No one really bother me specifically. But they were just ultimitaley.... forgettable. I found that I wasn't truly invested in them or really cared what happened to them.

Believe me, I'm the last person to think would ever say this... but I almost wish there was no romance. It just felt so... forced. It would have been better if it was more focused on the romance or not at all. I would have liked to be more focused on the ballet aspect of it. 

The dancing part of the book, though, is one part that I really enjoyed. I could see the author's own experiences and background on the subject. Like I said, I've always been interested in the ballet and dancer's life. I have no doubt that this is what really does on in the world of ballet.

I definitely would have liked to enjoy this book more. I was glad I could get a look into this world, because there really hasn't been much of an opportunity before in YA. But the execution could have been better. 

Charming Covers [19] {The Savage Grace}

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

The Savage Grace by Bree Despain

March 13, 2012

A troubled soul. An impossible choice. A final battle.

Wrestling with the werewolf curse pulsing deep inside of her, Grace Divine was finally able to find her brother, but it nearly cost her everything.

With her boyfriend, Daniel, stuck in wolf form and Sirhan's death approaching, time is running out for Grace to stop Caleb Kalbi and his gang of demons. If she fails, her family and hometown will perish. Everything rests on Grace's shoulders.

The final installment in The Dark Divine trilogy brings Daniel and Grace's love story to a breathtaking conclusion.

Ahhh.... Let me just say that I love this series so much... It's one of my favorites out there. And when I found out that they were pushing this one back, I was raged in despair (okay, that's a tad dramatic). And now that I've seen the cover and read the description, I'm even more excited for it. 

I love these covers. And while I don't like this one as much as the others, i like how it's different. I like that you can see her back and arms. 

Oh, Savage Grace, how I covet thee. 

Top Ten Tuesday (6): Covers and Titles that Made Me Buy It

To find out more about Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, go here.

This week is top ten Covers and Titles that made me buy the book. I'd like to say that I haven't bought a book solely based on the cover or title, but I would be lying.

2. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick- all I have to say is Yum-my!
3. My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent- I thought this cover was gorgeous, so I got it. And can I say I am glad I did! Love these books!
4. The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan- I really liked the cover, and it was 3 bucks at Borders when they went out of business, so I got it. 
5. Blameless by Gail Carriger- Ditto.
6. John Belushi is Dead- Same. But I especially loved the pink hair on the cover and the title alone make me want to read it. 
7. Swoon by Nina Malkin- I was very drawn to this cover. I didn't like the book as much as I would have liked, though.
8. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong- I was very intrigued by the cover and title. I'm glad I got it, though because I love this series. 
9. Fallen by Lauren Kate- Again, such a pretty cover. But, like Swoon, I didn't like it as much.
10. A Great and Terrible Beauty- I was very drawn to this title in particular. The cover just added to it. 
11. North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley- Between the title and cover, I had to have it. 

So there you are. Have you ever bought a book because of the cover or title? Tell me about it!

Review: Exile

Exile
Anne Osterlund
Pushlisher: Speak
Release Date: April 28, 2011


Crown princess Aurelia is a survivor. She survived attempted assassination. She survived the king's rejection. She survived her mother's abandonment. And now, in exile, she must survive her kingdom-from hostile crowds to raw frontier to desert sands. But even as unknown assailants track Aurelia and expedition guide Robert, she knows her greatest risk is falling in love...

It's been quite a long time since I've read Exile's predesor, but I remember really enjoying it. As it turns out, I really liked Exile, too.

Like I said, it's been a long time since I read Aurelia, but I was able to get into Exile withough difficulty. The book is very fast paced, so it was very easy to get into.

This isn't like most historical fiction. It was a fun adventure, and one that I really enjoyed. I really liked experiencing the journey with Aurelia and Robert.

I liked the romance in Exile. There was always some tension between Aurlia and Robert, but their romance wasn't quick; they didn't just jump into it When they finally did get together, I was jumping for joy (figuratively). I thought they were very good together. 

And, I love Aurelia's character herself. She was very strong and loyal, which I liked. She was also independent, which I don't think we see enough of.

Overall, I really enjoyed Exile. It was fun and very enjoyable. I, for one, never found it slow or boring. 

In My Mailbox (74)

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

For Review:

Everything We Ever Wanted by Sara Shepard

Library:

If I Die by Rachel Vincent

Faithful by Janet Fox

Enthralled

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

So, that's all that I got this week. 

I must apologize for being absent this past week. I've just been really busy since last weekend. Between PSATs, Homecoming, work, my AP class, and I have to perform a cello duet in front of the OPT (to show that orchestra is worth keeping at my school...no pressure) and just in general hanging with friends, my blog life has been non existent. But, I should be back in action this week. 

Again, I apologize for being absentee.

Anyway, what did you get in your mailbox? 

Charming Covers [18] (Bitterblue)

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

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

May 1, 2012

3rd to the Seven Kingdoms (trilogy?)

This book has been pushed back so much. I remember it was supposed to come out about a year after Fire, which came out in Fall 2009. Yeah, I'd say it's about time this came out. Hopefully with the cover, that means that the release date is a tad more permanent. 

I loved the first two, so to say that this book has been long awaited is an understatement.

I don't like this cover as much as the other two, but it's still pretty cool. I'm wondering how the keys will fit into the story, like the sword and the bow and arrows on the first two. 

Is anyone else excited for this book?