Review of "Unearthly"

"Unearthly"

by Cynthia Hand

My Rating:

Pub. Date: January 4th, 2011

Pages: 435

Publisher: Harper Teen

Source: Purchased

Edition: E-book

Synopsis: When Clara Gardner learns she’s part angel, her entire life changes. She now has a purpose, a specific task she was put on this earth to accomplish, except she doesn’t know what it is. Her visions of a raging forest fire and a mysterious boy lead her to a new high school in a new town but provide no clear instruction. As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she’d have to make—between the boy in her vision and the boy in her life, between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. . . . When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

I'm not sure why I didn't pick "Unearthly" up last year.  It has fantastic reviews and is right up my ally.  I think I was just so disappointed with the last few angel books I've read that I just needed a break.  Also, I am not a huge fan of the cover.  I'm not sure I would have read this book if it hadn't been for the $.99 price tag on BN.com.  Seriously, best $.99 ever spent!  I just could not put the book down.  

Clara is a great female character.  She was strong, but didn't always have the answers making her a realistic teenager.  Who doesn't love an athletic girl who can hang with the boys and still look hot at a formal?  I love the fact that typical gender roles were reversed in "Unearthly".  It wasn't the female that needed saving, but the male.  The love triangle in "Unearthly" worked well because it wasn't as generic as in most teen books.  It wasn't just a girl confused between a bad boy and a golden boy, Clara's purpose took it to another level.

The love story and Clara's arcane purpose would have been enough to keep me interested, but Cynthia Hand's angels were very intriguing.  They are very mysterious leaving plenty to learn in the upcoming books.  I am dying to know where Clara and Christian's relationship is headed in "Hallowed".  Although, I think I am on team Tucker... but in a pinch I wouldn't mind curling up with Christian.  Let's be serious, both guys are totally swoon worthy.

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of "Twilight", "Shiver", and all those other wonderful paranormal books, especially if you are into angels.

Teaser Tuesdays January 10th 2012

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
Any one can participate! Just

1-Grab your current read.

2-Let the book fall open to a random page.

3-Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.

4- Please share the title and author of the book to allow people to find the book if they like the teaser you’ve given!

***Please avoid spoilers!***

Crossed

Ally Condie

"It's a song, I tell myself, same as I always do  The bass sounds of the heavy shots, the soprano of the screams and the tenor of my own fear." (Page 17)

I am so excited I finally have this book!  I have been waiting on the wait list at my library since it came out.  It feels like forever, but I guess it has only been two months.  Now it is time to read it... yay!

Feel free to share your teaser sentences by adding a comments.

Review of "Daughter of Smoke and Bone"

 "Daughter of Smoke and Bone"

by Laini Taylor

My Rating:

 Pub. Date: September 27, 2011

Pages: 432

Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Source: Borrowed From Library

Edition: Hardcover

Synopsis: Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

In case you didn't see all the hearts, I LOVED "Daughter of Smoke and Bone".  Laini Taylor is a beautiful storyteller; she was able to combine the beauty of Prague with paranormal romance to create an epic fantasy novel.

The characters are one of a kind.  Brimstone is a monster that sells wishes for teeth.  Yes, you read it correctly, TEETH!  At the same time, he is part of the only family that Karou has ever known.  Karou herself is wonderfully mysterious.  She has tattoos and "naturally" blue hair, is extremely artistic, runs dangerous errands, was raised by monsters, and has no idea who she is.  Karou is a strong female character searching for her identity, but nothing can prepare her for the truth.

The way Laini Taylor described Prague transported me back to this beautiful, historic city.  Prague is a fantastic city and is the perfect setting for this book.  It is so romantic with great old-world charm that I could totally picture there being secret doors that lead beyond our world.

On top of characters, plot, and beautiful storytelling, there is this huge war that has taken over two civilizations for hundreds of years and Karou is getting sucked in.  I know this probably doesn't make a lot of sense, but you will just have to read the book to find out how all these pieces fit together.

"Daughter of Smoke and Bone" is filled with so many mysteries that it hooks you from the first page until the last.  And let me just say that the last page will blow your mind hole!  How can Karou be family with monsters?  Why does Brimstone collect Teeth?  Who is Karou?  Honestly, just go buy "The Daughter of Smoke and Bone.  It is awesome and one of the best books that was released in 2011.

Review of "Entwined"

"Entwined"

by Heather Dixon

My Rating:

Pub. Date: March 29, 2011

Pages: 480

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Source: Borrowed From Library

Edition: e-book

Synopsis: Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

I LOVE the cover of "Entwined".  It fit the romantic aspects that I was sure would be a part of a book that highlighted dancing and magic.  I think I loved the cover a bit too much because the book did not live up to it.  I really liked the retelling of the 12 dancing princesses  fairy tale.  It was great to understand why the King was so harsh.  He became a character with depth instead of just a horrible father trying keep his children from having any enjoyment out of life.  I liked how the daughters struggled to  live with their father.  Their difficult relationship felt true and grounded the story in a way that made it seem more realistic.  For the most part, I liked how the girls didn't adhere to social norms.  They had spirit and I enjoyed that.  

There were a few problems with "Entwined".  First, the daughters were kind of dense about the danger they were in.  I understand their naivety at first, but out of 12 girls only the oldest started to worry... it was very unrealistic to me.  Especially since these girls are strong minded and educated.  Second, the book was kind of slow.  I think it was just a bit too long because there were times when not a lot was happening.  I am a fan of dancing, but some of it could have been cut out.  It was just a bit too much.  I guess the problem was that I didn't love Heather Dixon's writing style.  It just wasn't my favorite.

Overall, I liked the book.  It didn't take me a long time to read, I just wish there had been more editing.  I am glad I read it because I did enjoy the plot.  I have a feeling that there will be readers out there who love this book, but I am just not one of them.  

2012 Goals, Challenges, and lists!

I know I failed last year, but I am going to do the Debut Author Challenge again and this year I am going to crush it!  

Here are a list of some of the books I plan on reading for the challenge:

Tempest

by Julie Cross

Born Wicked

by Jessica Spotswood

Article 5

by Kristen Simmons

Innocent Darkness

by Suzanne Lazear

Trafficked

by Kim Purcell

Fracture

by Megan Miranda

Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters

by Meredith Zeitlin

I know that is only 7 books, but I don't do well when I plan on reading certain books.

  

This year I plan to read at least 100 books!  I did it two years ago and I know I can do it again!  I would join the challenge, but I am seeing that the blogger running it doesn't count audio books.  This is a problem because I often read a book at home and listen to it in the car or at the gym so that I can read as much as possible.  If anyone knows of a 100+ Reading Challenge that includes audio books, please let me know.   At any rate, I am challenging myself!

Books I Plan to Read in 2012

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

By Laini Taylor

Crossed

By Ally Condie

Pandemonium

by Lauren Oliver

Spell Bound

by Rachel Hawkins

Matched Book 3

by Ally Condie

Bitterblue

by Kristin Cashore

A Million Suns

by Beth Revis

The Soul

by Stephenie Meyer

Bloodrose

by Andrea Cremer

Tempest

by Julie Cross

The Last Echo

by Kimberly Derting

Cinder

by Marissa Meyer

The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green

Innocent Darkness

by Suzanne Lazear

The Pledge

by Kimberly Derting

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

by Ransom Riggs

The Scorpio Races

by Maggie Steifvater

Legend

by Marie Lu

Future of Us

by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

Shatter Me

Tahereh Mafi

Feel free to post a link in the comments with your list of challenges or books you plan on reading this year.  :)  Happy Reading to all in 2012!

2011 Wrap up Best books and Challenge Info

Favorite Books Read in 2011

1) 13 Reasons Why- Jay Asher

2) The Help- Kathryn Stockett

3) Wintergirls- Laurie Halse Anderson

4) Delirium- Lauren Oliver

5) Just Listen- Sarah Dessen

6) Matched- Ally Condie

7) Before I Fall- Lauren Kate

8) Practical Magic- Alice Hoffman

9) Across the Universe- Beth Revis

10) Going Bovine- Libba Bray

11) Between Shades of Gray- Ruta Sepetys

12) Fire- Kristin Cashore

13) The Dark and Hallow Places- Carrie Ryan

14) Bruiser- Neal Shusterman

15) The Maze Runner- James Dashner

Favorite Books of 2011

1) Delirium- Lauren Oliver

2) Across the Universe- Beth Revis

3) Between Shades of Gray- Ruta Sepetys

4) The Dark and Hallow Places- Carrie Ryan

5) What Happened to Goodbye- Sarah Dessen

I know I have been a bad blogger this year.  It has been a tough year personally, but things are looking up and I think 2012 is going to be fantastic!  I did not meet many of my challenge goals.  I only read 8 out of the 12 books for the Debut Author Challenge and I only read 73 books this year.  BUT I am going to dedicate more time to this blog and to reading more fantastic books.

Debut Author Challenge List (In order by favorite to least favorite)

1) Across the Universe- Beth Revis

2) Between Shades of Gray- Ruta Sepetys

3) Blood Red Road- Moira Young

4) Exposed- Kimberly Marcus

5) Where Things Come Back- John Corey Whaley

6) Here Lies Bridget- Paige Harbison

7) The Latte Rebellion- Sarah Jamila Stevenson

8) Blood Magic- Tessa Gratton

Books Read in 2011

• 01) Little Bee- Chris Cleave
  02) Across the Universe- Beth Revis
  03) Matched- Ally Condie
  04) The Mockingbirds-Daisy Whitney
  05) Before I Fall- Lauren Oliver
  06) The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate- Jacqueline Kelly
  07) The Truth About Forever- Sarah Dessen
  08) Boy Meets Boy- David Levithan
  09) Eighth Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod Book 1)- Heather Brewer
  10) Candor- Pam Bachorz
  11) The Iron Daughter- Julie Kagawa
  12) Thirteen Reasons Why- Jay Asher
  13) XXXHolic, Volume 1- CLAMP
  14) The Family That Wasn't- Gene Twaronite
  15) Tsubasa: Resevoir Chronicles Vol 1- CLAMP
  16) Glimmerglass- Jenna Black
  17) The Maze Runner- James Dasher
  18) Desires of the Dead- Kimberly Derting
  19) Purple Daze- Sherry Shahan
  20) Wintergirls- Laurie Halse Anderson
  21) Carter Finally Gets It- Brent Crawford
  22) Here Lies Bridget- Paige Harbison
  23) The Curse of the Wendigo- Rick Yancey
  24) The Count of Monte Cristo- Alexandre Dumas
  25) Bloody Jack- L.A. Meyer
  26) Where Things Come Back- John Corey Whaley
  27) Delirium- Lauren Oliver
  28) The Latte Rebellion-Sarah Jamila Stevenson
  29) The Hunger Games- Suzanne Collins
  30) The Deathday Letter- Shaun Hutchinson
  31) The Summoning- Kelley Armstrong
  32) Glass- Ellen Hopkins
  33) The Awakening- Kelley Armstrong
  34) White Cat- Holly Black
  35) Blood Magic- Tessa Gratton
  36) Max Quick The Pocket and the Pendant- Mark Jeffrey
  37) The Playbook- Barney Stinson
  38) Everlost (Skinjacker Trilogy)- Neal Shusterman
  39) The Dark and Hallow Places- Carrie Ryan
  40) What Happened to Goodbye- Sarah Dessen
  41) The Scorch Trials- James Dashner
  42) Going Bovine- Libba Bray
  43) Fire-Kristin Cashore
  44) The Bro Code- Barney Stinson
  45) Fallen- Lauren Kate
  46) Beauty Queens- Libba Bray
  47) Bruiser- Neal Shusterman
  48) Demonglass- Rachel Hawkins
  49) The Help- Kathryn Stockett
  50) City of Fallen Angels- Cassandra Clare
  51) The Knife of Never Letting Go- Patrick Ness
  52) Monster High- Lisi Harrison
  53) Behemoth- Scott Westerfeld
  54) Just Listen- Sarah Dessen
  55) Star Girl- Jerry Spinelli
  56) Drink, Slay, Love- Sarah Beth Durst
  57) The Princess Diaries- Meg Cabot
  58) Swim the Fly- Don Calame
  59) Ship Breaker- Paolo Bacigalupi
  60) Forever- Maggie Stiefvater
  61) Blood Red Road- Moira Young
  62) Practial Magic- Alice Hoffman
  63) Sapphique- Catherine Fisher
  64) Uncommon Criminals- Ally Carter
  65) Goliath- Scott Westerfeld
  66) The Romeo and Juliet Code- Phoebe Stone
  67) Revolution- Jennifer Donnelly
  68) Glow- Amy Kathleen Ryan
  69) Packing for Mars- Mary Roach
  70) Numbers- Rachel Ward
  71) Wolfsbane- Andrea Cremer
  72) Darkover Landfall- Marion Zimmer Bradley
  73) Exposed- Kimberly Marcus

Happy New Year everyone!

Review of "Exposed"

"Exposed"

by Kimberly Marcus

My Rating:

Pub. Date: February 22, 2011

Pages: 272

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Source: Borrowed From Library

Edition: E-book

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Liz is Photogirl—sharp, focused and confident in what she sees through her camera lens. Confident that she and Kate will be best friends forever.

But everything changes in one blurry night. Suddenly, Kate is avoiding her, and people are looking the other way when she passes in the halls. As the aftershocks from a startling accusation rip through Liz's world, everything she thought she knew about photography, family, friendship and herself shifts out of focus. What happens when the picture you see no longer makes sense? What do you do when you may lose everything you love most? Told in stunning, searingly raw free verse, Exposed is Kimberly Marcus's gut-wrenching, riveting debut and will appeal to fans of Ellen Hopkins, Laurie Halse Anderson and Virginia Euwer Wolff.

I picked up "Exposed" hearing great things, but, to be honest, not having high expectations.  I am presently surprised to say that it is a great book.  It is an extremely fast read.  I was reading it on my droid, which I tend not to read books solely on my phone, but it was such a fast read I flew through it only a couple of hours.

I've read a decent number of books written in verse, yet I foolishly didn't think "Exposed" would be able to tell a rape story in a fulfilling way; however, I was completely mistaken (and happy about it btw).  After reading this book I immediately had to tell my boyfriend (bless him for listening to me) about it.  I wish I could say I beautifully formulated a description that truly expressed the soul of the book, but I'm pretty sure I said something along the lines of "OMG!  THAT BOOK WAS RIDICULOUS!"  I was so pumped up that he thought I disliked the book and was shocked when I said I thought it was great!  I love when books get me so pumped up at the end that I have to blog about them immediately, jump out of bet, shout "OH SNAP!", talk to someone about it, or post something on Facebook- unless the book had a horrible ending that enraged me, but that should go without saying.

"Exposed" is able to tell a compelling story without using a lot of words.  Even though the book is technically about 272 pages, there is probably closer to 150 pages of actual writing.  I was so impressed with how emotionally invested I felt in the book in such a short amount of time.  Obviously I felt bad for Kate, but my heart ached for Liza.  She was stuck in an impossible position between everyone she loved in life.   This book truly shows how rape effects more than just the victim.   

"Exposed" is a great book, but I do warn that it is difficult to read.  Liza loses so much that I felt helpless while reading this book.  Even after I was finished I was shocked at how sad the story was.  I know the story is about rape and I shouldn't have been as surprised as I was at the end of the book, but I didn't expect a second hand account to be so depressing.  Foolish me!  This wasn't my favorite book of 2011, but it is one I highly recommend reading.  It is such a fast read you don't have anything to lose by trying it.  I really hope Kimberly Marcus continues to write.