Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin

Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Pages: 240
Source: Copy for Review

Rating: 4.5 stars

Fans of romance don't need to look any further than the fauxmance brewing between teen idols Charlie Tracker and Fielding Withers—known on their hit TV show as Jenna and Jonah, next-door neighbors flush with the excitement of first love. But it's their off-screen relationship that has helped cement their fame, as passionate fans follow their every PDA. They grace the covers of magazines week after week. Their fan club has chapters all over the country. The only problem is their off-screen romance is one big publicity stunt, and Charlie and Fielding can't stand to be in the same room. Still, it's a great gig, so even when the cameras stop rolling, the show must go on, and on, and on. . . . Until the pesky paparazzi blow their cover, and Charlie and Fielding must disappear to weather the media storm. It's not until they're far off the grid of the Hollywood circuit that they realize that there's more to each of them than shiny hair and a winning smile.

Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance is a fun, enticing read by a dynamic duo who I hope to see many more novels come from! I enjoyed Franklin and Halpin's other novel they wrote together, The Half-Life of Planets, but found myself loving Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance even more! I dived in to the story and didn't want to put it down until I finished the last page.

I really enjoyed the plot. It sounds a bit cliched and what you would expect, but it was just so fun to see what would happen to Charlier and Fielding. While the overlying plot arc was fairly predictable, all the steps in between were not easily guessed and seeing how they panned out was one of my favorite parts of the book. The ending of the novel was not what I was expecting. I absolutely love how the story is told in alternating points of view, I loved getting inside both Charlie and Fielding's head.

The characters were all really well written! I loved Al, who only appears towards the end of the book, but he really just felt like your grandpa. He was just such a heart warming character with his stories and advice. Charlie and Fielding were both really well developed characters, and the alternating point of views really strengthened both characters I think. I found them both more and more appealing as characters the more I read from both their own and the opposite's point of view.

I would definitely recommend Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance! It is cute and a ton of fun to read. I can't wait to see what Franklin and Halpin come up with next, whatever it is, I will be on board and waiting for it to come out! Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance is a book that will not disapoint, and will leave readers simply wanting more.

Blogaversary Giveaway #3: The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

He's looking at me like—well, like he wants to look at me.

Like he likes what he sees, and he's smiling and his eyes are so blue, even in the faint flow of the porch light they shine, and I nod dumbly, blindly, and then grope for the door handle, telling myself to look away and yet not able to do it.

"Sara," he says, softly, almost hesitantly, and my heart slam-bangs, beating hard, and this is what it's like to want someone you can't have. To want someone you shouldn't even be looking at.

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Details: Win a hardcover of The Unwritten Rule by simply filling out the form below :) Open to US/Canada only and will end on March 20th.

In My Mailbox (86 & 87)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.

This week I got:



Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt
Chime by Franny Billingsley
How I Stole Johnny Depps Alien Girlfriend by Gary Ghislain
Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys
Spinning Out by David Stahler Jr

What did you guys get this week?

Fragment Friday (15) - Language of Love by Deborah Reber

It's FRIDAY. Which means it's time for Fragment Friday! Fragment Friday is hosted by James of Book Chic. Fragment Friday is where you read excerpts of your favorite books or what you are reading now. This week I'm reading from Language of Love by Deborah Reber.

Blogaversary Giveaway #2: Sea by Heidi R Kling

Sea by Heidi R Kling

Still haunted by nightmares of her mother's death, fifteen-year-old Sienna Jones reluctantly travels to Indonesia with her father's relief team to help tsunami orphans with their post traumatic stress disorder—something Sienna knows a lot about. Since her mother's plane went missing over the Indian Ocean three years before, Sienna doesn't do anything if it involves the ocean or planes, so this trip is a big step forward.

But the last thing she expects is to fall for Deni, a brooding Indonesian boy who lives at the orphanage, and just so happens to be HOT. When Deni hears a rumor that his father may be alive, Sienna doesn't think twice about running away with him to the epicenter of the disaster. Unfortunately, what they find there could break both their hearts.

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Details: Win a hardcover of Sea by simply filling out the form below :) I love this book to some crazy extent, it was my #2 book of last year! SUPER fabulous! Open to US/Canada only and will end on March 20th.

Waiting on Wednesday (88) - The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
Coming May 24th from Harlequin Teen

She thought there was something wrong with her. She was right.



Finley Jayne has known for quite some time that she isn’t ‘normal,’ but when she beats up the son of her employer and is forced to flee, she stumbles into a world where there are bigger freaks than her. They take her in, treat her like family and demand her trust. How can Finley trust them when she can’t trust herself? And why is she drawn to the powerful Griffin as well as the dangerous Jack? She has to get herself under control before she gets into trouble she can’t get out of.
Griffin King is one of the most powerful men in Britain but he couldn’t save his best friend from almost dying. He is determined to save Finley and help her become the person he knows she can be, but there’s evil afoot in London. Machines have attacked humans under the orders of a nefarious criminal called The Machinist. He has sworn to protect his country against such a threat, but he’s never faced any foe like this. However, when he discovers The Machinist’s connection to his past, Griffin vows to end the villain once and for all — but he’ll need the help of all his friends, including the beautiful Finley Jayne – the girl in the steel corset.

Oooo. This book sounds so fabulous! I am so excited for this, and too see where the story will go. Plus, I have a total thing for covers with gorgeous dresses on them, I'm not real sure why, except that I love them!

What are you guys waiting on?

Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

Where I Belong
Gwendolyn Heasley
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: February 8, 2011
Pages: 304
Source: Copy from friend

Rating: 3.5 stars

Via Goodreads: Meet Corrinne. She's living every girl's dream in New York City—shopping sprees at Barneys, open access to the best clubs and parties, and her own horse at the country club. Her perfect life is perfectly on track. At least it was. . . .

When Corrinne's father is laid off, her world suddenly falls apart. Instead of heading to boarding school, she's stripped of her credit cards and shipped off to the boonies of Texas to live with her grandparents. On her own in a big public school and forced to take a job shoveling manure, Corrinne is determined to get back to the life she's supposed to be living. She doesn't care who she stomps on in the process. But when Corrinne makes an unlikely friend and discovers a total hottie at work, she begins to wonder if her life B.R.—before the recession—was as perfect as it seemed.

I have been looking forward to Where I Belong for months, even more after I saw the gorgeous cover. I started reading, and I was let down. The plot was very slow and I wasn't completely captivated, about 2/3  the way through the book, something clicked and I was absolutely addicted.

My feelings on the characters were completely mixed. At first, I absolutely hated Corrinne. I thought she was a complete snob, and wanted to slap her. As the book went on, she really grew on me, and I really did like her by the end of the book. I really liked Kitsy throughout the whole novel, she was really fun and totally likable.

The plot was really fun. It was fun to see how Corrinne adapted after being thrown into a completely different lifestyle. Pampered princess to Texan. All the scenes with Corrinne's grandparents were absolutely lovely, and I really enjoyed them. I wish my grandma cooked like that all the time! I wasn't completely on board with the ending - it was nice, but I felt like there were still a few strings that weren't quite all tied up.

Where I Belong was a pretty decent read. I thought it was enjoyable, and you should read it should you have the opportunity. It wasn't amazing, but still quite a read.

Win a SIGNED copy of Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton!

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

So I absolutely loved Angelfire, and I'm giving you guys an opportunity to win a signed copy. I went to Courtney's launch yesterday and it was absolutely fabulous. I'll post more about it later this week!

My 2 Year Blogaversary!

Today is my 2 year blogaversary! I can hardly believe it. These past two years have been absolutely amazing, from the new friends I have made, to the amazing memories I've had and the new places I've traveled. I want to thank everyone who has been a part of it! I'll be giving some stuff away over the next few days, so be sure to check back (there may even be a giveaway of a certain book called Angelfire and commenting on my review of Angelfire and interview with Geir may get you extra entries HINT)!

From attending BEA this past May, and all the author events and my trip to Boston to visit Gail and Dani (and tour colleges too), I have loved this last year.

Sweet Venom Cover Reveal + Giveaway!

So, as you may have heard, Sweet Venom's cover has been revealed! How exciting! I am so excited to read it once it is out.

Here is the cover:

Sweet Venom will be out fall 2011! The teaser line is:

Three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in a world where monsters lurk in plain sight

Doesn't that sound fantastic?

Check out the goodreads page here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7670741-sweet-venom

Also make sure to check out the facebook page for Sweet Venom, here!

I also have FIVE signed bookmarks to give away to 5 lucky commenters - Let me know YOUR opinion of the cover!

Blog Tour: Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

Mad Love
Suzanne Selfors
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Release Date: January 4, 2011
Pages: 336
Source: Copy For Review

Rating: 4 stars

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 was such a cute read! This was my first Suzanne Selfors novel, but surely will not be the last. Mad Love has a fun plot - daughter of a romance Queen getting entangled with Cupid and writing his book. It was super original.

The set up of the novel was really well done. I loved the whole concept with Cupid and the "real story". The plot never slows, it kept going on a fairly steady pace. The overall plot arc was pretty predictable, and at times I wanted to yell at Alice to just get with it already. Alice figures things out in her own way, and it was fun to see how it would all come about. Then Selfors also throws in quite a few twists that readers will not be expecting at all.

Alice was a great main character - she was very realistic. She was very mature, and I think that comes with all the responsibilites she had undertaken, but it made her even more likable. Errol bugged me at first - the first time he was introduced, I absolutely hated him. I thought he was arrogant and pompous. As the book went on, he really started to grow on me, and I really liked and admired him as a character by the novels end. Tony was a character I liked from the start. He seemed like a really sweet guy.

I would definitely recommend Mad Love. It was a book that I read basically straight through. It was so much fun reading it. While being pretty predictable, Suzanne Selfors takes time to throw a few twists that you aren't expecting at readers.

Waiting on Wednesday (87) - Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!

Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

Coming June 21, 2011 from Harper Teen
 
Via Goodreads: If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn’t jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although, maybe “opportunity” isn’t the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: “Lied to Our Parents”). But she and her housemate, Vi, are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up “Skipping School” (#3), “Throwing a Crazy Party” (#8), “Buying a Hot Tub” (#4), and, um, “Harboring a Fugitive” (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.

This book sounds like way too much fun! I simply cannot wait for it to be out - I have yet to read Mlynowski's Gimme a Call, but I adored her Magic in Manhattan series. This book sounds like it'll be right up my alley, and I'm super excited for it!

Blog Tour: Interview with Suzanne Selfors

Today, Suzanne Selfors has stopped by the blog for an interview! Suzanne is the author of Mad Love, Coffeehouse Angel, Saving Juliet, as well as several other novels. You can visit her on the web at: http://www.suzanneselfors.com/

Describe Mad Love in 5 words. Teen girl meets real Cupid
When you write, what usually comes first - the characters or the plot?
Usually, it's the plot. I will often come up with a "what if?" scenario. I don't know much about my hero until I get through the first draft. I learn about her along the way.
What has been your favorite book you've written thus far?

It doesn't work that way for me. I think I'm like a lot of writers when I say, in all seriousness, that my favorite book is the next one. Because the next book is full of limitless potential and we haven't been through the cruddy revision process together. So it's pure love.
Was there a character in Mad Love that you found to be a particular favorite to write?
I really like Archibald. Even though he's a minor character, I grew quite fond of him. He and Alice have a very moving scene over a deli lunch. He's a sweet guy.
Where is your favorite place to write?
I do most of my writing at a coffeehouse called Hot Shots Java. It's in Poulsbo. I love it there. It's difficult for me to write at home, even though I have a home office. I get distracted by housework and by my refrigerator.
Do you have a certain routine you have to follow when you write?
Just that I like to write in coffeehouses. I like to drink something hot while writing, either a latte or earl gray tea. I usually write directly on the laptop. I don't do anything longhand anymore.

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Thanks so much Suzanne for stopping by! Make sure to check back later today for my review of Suzanne's latest novel, Mad Love!

I also wanted to share the trailer for Mad Love - which is super fun!

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Angelfire
Courtney Allison Moulton
Publisher: Harper Collins / Katherine Tegan Books
Release Date: February 15th, 2011
Pages: 464

Rating: 5 stars

This debut, the first novel in a trilogy, is achingly romantic, terrifying, and filled with blistering action.

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

Have you ever loved a book so much you simply have no words to explain your feelings for it? This is slightly like my feelings for Angelfire. I have no critism for this book what so ever. I found it to be perfect in every way, and I am very excited for future works from the marvelous Courtney Allison Moulton.

Angelfire was one of the most original fantasy books I have ever read. Right off the bat, you experience Moulton's world and her version of reapers. When most people think reapers, they think hooded guy in a cloak with a scythe. Moulton's reapers come in a whole range of terrifying beings, from giant wolf like reapers to those that can appear human. Then you throw characters like Ellie and Will into the mix, who are most definately not human The world is absolutely fascinating. It's set in the world as we know, but there's this world that coexists with the world called the Grim.

With creatures as enticing those, and a world that cool, when you throw the awesome characters into the mix, it nearly throws you over the edge. All the characters feel so real. You fall for Will on about page 2. He is bad-ass and a character you can't help to love! Ellie's friends, Kate, Landon, Chris, and Evan, are a ton of fun, and every time they walk on the page, you can be sure it'll be a good time. Ellie is your average teenage girl, and it's fun to watch what learning what she is does to her life.

The action and combat in the book is bloody brilliant! Both are seriously I think the best I've ever read. Tied in with the intriguing plot, Angelfire is a winner. The romance of the story is exceptionly awesome. It was so sweet, and I was instantly drawn to it.

Angelfire is a book that will simply blow you away. With just this one book, Courtney Allison Moulton has earned a spot on my list of authors I auto-buy whenever a book comes out. It's that good. Between the epic plot, the amazing world, and the charming cast of characters, Angelfire is a book you will be sorry to miss.

In My Mailbox (85)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.

This Week I Got:

The Orange Houses by Paul Griffin
Stay With Me by Paul Griffin

I have never read anything by Paul Griffin - but I'm excited to read both of these!

I also got an IRON QUEEN HOODIE! It is about the coolest thing ever - I will be sure to wear it in a vlog soon!

What did you guys get?

The Iron Queen Blog Tour: A Guest Post from Ash

Hello everyone! Welcome to the last stop on the Iron Queen blog tour! I am thrilled to be a part of the tour, and I hope you all have been following the tour as it ran it's course - I know I have been! Here's a summary of The Iron Queen.

My name is Meghan Chase.




I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

I am so excited to say that today, a super special guest from the Winter Court has stopped by. Yes, my friends, Ash has stopped by, so without further ado here is a post from him:

Sigh.

If you know me at all, you know I don’t want to be here. I am not a trained monkey; you cannot just put me on stage and expect me to caper for your amusement. If anyone does think that, please step forward so my blade can demonstrate just how mistaken you are.

Oh, very well. Let’s get this over with. My name is Ash, third son of the Unseelie Court. I’m supposed to sing the praises of the Winter Court today (though there will be no singing), so it will be a rather short list. Virtues: we don’t have many of those. We’re strong, we’re ruthless, and we don’t show mercy to our enemies. The Winter Court doesn’t prance around trees or dance under the moon like Summer. We’re good at fighting and killing; those are our virtues.

Although…there is beauty in the Winter Court, if you know where to look for it. The Crystal Woods are quiet and peaceful. You won’t even hear a bird chirp, mostly because they’re all frozen . And farther north, the Icetooth Mountains are impressive, though you have to keep alert for avalanches and wendigos.

In any case, it’s not a good idea to venture too far into Winter, especially if you’re human. If you do find yourself in Mab’s court, be sure to have a gift for the queen. She’s particularly fond of human infants. And don’t turn your back on the redcaps. That’s good advice wherever you are.

-Ash

Or here is a direct link to the trailer, here.

The author of The Iron Queen is Julie Kagawa. I feel the urge to throw out that The Iron Queen hit the NYT Bestseller list at #6, which is absolutely awesome! Julie is the author of The Iron Fey Novels (The Iron King, The Iron Daughter, The Iron Queen, and the forthcoming The Iron Knight). You can visit her on the web at her her website, her blog, her twitter.

If you would like more information about the tour, including past stops, check out the Iron Fey Facebook Page here. For all you Winter Court Folk make sure to check out my two co-captains stops on the tour here and here!

I am super excited to announce that I have an epic giveaway that 5 lucky people will get! What is it may you ask? *drum roll*

Exclusive Iron Queen Winter Court prize packs, featuring an Iron Queen blanket, hooded jacket and hat!

Seriously, I am so jealous! I wish I could enter at my own blog, ha! So 5 winners will get these. To enter, fill out the following form and leave a comment on this post. Open to US only and will end February 28th.

Blog Tour: Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

Desires of the Dead

Kimberly Derting

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date: February 15, 2011

Pages: 368

Source: ARC Tour for Teen Book Scene

Rating: 5 stars

The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.


Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.
As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger.
Desires of the Dead was an absolutely enticing read! I was transported instantly back into Violet's world and caught up in the story I love so much.

I love the idea of these books - the whole being able to find dead bodies. The format is also extremely rad - how it's normal chapters with a random chapter mixed in from the "bad guy"'s point of  view. Both creep me out so badly, when I would go outside at night whilst reading, I was ultra paranoid looking around, as I'm afraid someones watching me.

The plot is great. It so creepy, yet there are so many sweet scenes mixed in, particularly with Jay and Violet. They have the sweetest relationship. Chelsea scenes are also just a ton of fun - I think she would be a really awesome person to hang out with. I was so caught up in the story, I literally couldn't flip the pages fast enough.

The characters are so wonderfully written. In Desires of the Dead, Violet annoyed me a bit at times. I understand where she was coming from, but at times I thought she was a bit too pigheaded. I absolutely adore Jay, and really wish he was a real guy. He is the sweetest guy ever, and even though he has his flaws, it's so easy to look past him. The addition of new characters like, Mike, added a lot to the story. I loved seeing someone equal to Chelsea.

Desires of the Dead is a must read! It will not disapoint, and it just as good as The Body Finder, which was one of my top novels of last year. From page 1, readers will be captivated until the last page is flipped!

Waiting on Wednesday (86) - Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!

Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik
Out August 2nd, from Harper Teen

At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Case in point:

• As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school—not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.

• As the daughter of the new principal, new-girl-on-campus Elise Benton isn’t exactly on everyone’s must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.

When Elise’s beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince’s best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long.

This book sounds so awesome! I hadn't heard about it until recently, but now I am super pumped for it! I love Pride and Prejudice - so I can't wait for it. It is also recommended for fans of Susane Colasanti, who is one of my favorite authors, so I'll have to see how this compares!

In My Mailbox (84)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.

This Week I Got:



Cool People Mentioned:
Sabrina at YA Bliss
Gail at Ticket to Anywhere

For Review:
Divergent by Veronica Roth
The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond by Victoria Foyt
Daughter of Xanadu by Dori Jones Yang
Shark Wars by EJ Altbacker
All You Get Is Me by Yvonne Prinz
Relic Master by Catherine Fischer
Wither by Lauren DeFestano
Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker

Trade with Kelsey:
The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

Teen Book Scene:
Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

Trade with Cecelia
The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading by Charity Tahaseb and Darcy Vance
Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst

Bought:
City of Ghosts by Stacia Kane
Baby Proof by Emily Giffin
The Cupcake Queen by Heather Helper
Head Games by Keri Mikulski


What did you guys get this week?

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Impulse
Ellen Hopkins
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Release Date: January 23, 2007
Pages: 666
Source: Read for YA Lit Class

Rating: 4 stars

Aspen Springs Psychiatric Hospital is a place for people who have played the ultimate endgame. The suicide attempt survivors portrayed in this novel tell starkly different stories, but these three embattled teens share a desperate need for a second chance. Ellen Hopkins, the author of Glass and Crank, presents another jarring, ultimately uplifting story about young people crawling back from a precipice.

I'm not gonna lie, I avoided Ellen Hopkins's books for quite awhile, as I knew they were written in verse, something I am not a fan of at all. I'm not big on poetry, but I found that the way Hopkin's utilizes it, only enhances the book and never takes away from it. I am sad that I have avoided them for such a long time, as Impulse was really good!

The characters were really well developed. I loved that there was alternating point of views - it really allowed a lot of insight into characters both from their own perspective and from the perspective of others looking in on what they can make of other character's lives.I really liked all the characters, particularly Tony. He was such a good hearted person after going through a lot of crap, and remained that way.

Hopkins does a great job of putting the reader right in the story. I felt like I was right next to Tony, Conner, and Vanessa all along the way. I also felt very close to them by the end of the book - as Hopkins really allows you to know everything about them. The characters histories are just as interesting as the situation at hand.

Impulse was a really great read. I know need to rush out and read all of Hopkins's other books, for I have fallen in love with the way Hopkins writes. I would recommend Impulse to all.

Blog Tour: Character Interview - Interview with Angelfire's Geir

Today, Geir from Courtney Allison Moulton's Angelfire has stopped by the blog to answer a few questions! Here's a bit about Angelfire, in case  you haven't heard:

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.



A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

 While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.
 
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How old are you?

I am 438 years old, but my bloodline has made me as powerful as those twice my age.

On a daily basis, how often do you find yourself using your human disguise?

Mingling with humans isn't something I enjoy, so I don't waste my time trying to blend in. I would rather spend my entire life within the Grim, hidden from mortal sight, instead of forcing myself to appear human. In battle, I may transform to increase my strength, but I will share no more secrets with you unless you intend to fight me. I would really like to fight you, or just eat you. You look like you'd taste like candy.
Is your true form the one your prefer?
Causing fear and panic in my victims delights me, so naturally, yes.
What has been a favorite memory throughout your long life?
The night we took the Guardian and Ragnuk killed the Preliator. The look on that swine's face when we tossed her carcass on the ground was priceless. *gives a wide, satisfied smile, showing off multiple rows of sharp teeth*
Are you constantly practicing your fighting and with your power to get better?
We demonic reapers thrive on violence and continually struggle for dominance amongst ourselves. If I weren't doing all I could to make myself more and more powerful, I would have been killed by another stronger than me. I can't allow that.
What would you say you fear most in life?
I fear nothing, though I would fear Bastian's wrath should I fail my mission. He wants the Preliator and I will bring the little brat to him whole or in pieces.

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Angelfire comes out February 15th, and I can tell you it is sure one heck of a book! It is one my favorites!
You can find Courtney on the web:

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The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Queen
Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Pages: 384
Source: ARC for Review

Rating: 5 stars

My name is Meaghan Chase.

I thought it was over.That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stay by my side. Drag me into the core of a conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

So I loved the first two books in this series something fierce and The Iron Queen pretty much just adds another book of awesome to the pack. The Iron Queen is action packed, will wrench your heart around, make you angry, make you cry, and so much more all while not letting you sleep. Kagawa pulls out all the stops in The Iron Queen and takes readers on a twisting rollercoaster that will absolutely thrill you.

If it's possible, I think I fell harder for Ash than I already did. Meghan still bugged me a bit - my only issue with the book. She does learn to fight in The Iron Queen, which was my complaint for the other books, but something about her still just is too much of a damsel in distress for me. I continue to love Puck - but merely as the best friend. I love the wit and charm he brings to the story and both are only enhanced in The Iron Queen.

The plot of The Iron Queen was so good. I had absolutely no idea where it was going - it was a roller coaster of twists and turns with a few hot scenes mixed in. There were so many new things, and I loved all the new places in Never Never I got to discover.

I feel that The Iron Knight needs to be out tomorrow, because any time after that, I may go crazy and that just doesn't work out for me. Julie Kagawa has once again bewitched me with her way with words, and I simply am super excited to see where she will take Meghan and Ash's story next.

Crossposted from YA Books Central

Waiting on Wednesday (85) - The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Michelle Hodkin

Coming September 27th from Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Mara Dyer believes life can’t get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her strangely unharmed. There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been
through, she can fall in love. She’s wrong.

Can you say cover love? This cover is absolutely GORGEOUS! I would totally buy this book simply for the cover. The description makes this book sound so super fabulous and I simply cannot wait for it to be out so I can rush to the closest store and buy it!

Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell (T2T Tour)

Trickster's Girl
Hilari Bell
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Release Date: January 3, 2011
Pages: 288

Rating: 4.5 stars

In the year 2098 America isn't so different from the USA of today. But, in a post-9/11 security-obssessed world, "secured" doesn't just refer to borders between countries, it also refer to borders between states. Teenagers still think they know everything, but there is no cure for cancer, as Kelsa knows first-hand from watching her father die.

The night Kelsa buries her father, a boy appears. He claims magic is responsible for the health of Earth, but human damage disrupts its flow. The planet is dying.

Kelsa has the power to reverse the damage, but first she must accept that magic exists and see beyond her own pain in order to heal the planet.

I really really enjoyed this book. It's set in the future, yet I loved the way Hilari Bell mixed in a bit of fantasy with the character of Raven and the actual mission of Kelsa and Raven. It was a ton of fun to read, and great to keep guessing what would happen next.

The characters were all very well written. Kelsa was a great character - I really liked her personality. Raven was a really well written character as well and learning about him and his people was fascinating.

The plot was a bit predictable at times, but still a ton of fun to read. There were instances where I would be able to guess exactly what would happen, but the how it came to be was the best part. The plot was super creative, with nature being harmed essentially through the expansion of all the technology humans have made. I thought this was interesting and provides a great story line.

I would suggest this book to everyone. It was a super great read! It is definitely a book I can see myself pulling out and rereading.