Early Review: Dark Companion by Marta Acosta

Dark Companion

Author: Marta Acosta

Publisher: Tor, 2012

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

When foster teen Jane Williams is invited to attend elite Birch Grove Academy for Girls and escape her violent urban neighborhood, she thinks the offer is too good to be true. She's even offered her own living quarters, the groundskeeper's cottage in the center of the birch grove.

Something's not quite right about the school -- or is it Jane? She thinks she sees things in the birch grove at night. She's also beginning to suspect that the elegant headmistress and her sons are hiding secrets. Lucky is the gorgeous, golden son who is especially attentive to Jane, and Jack is the sardonic puzzling brother.

The school with its talented teachers and bright students is a dream for a science and math geek like Jane. She also loves her new friends, including hilarious poetry-spouting rich girl, Mary Violet. But the longer Jane stays at Birch Grove, the more questions she has about the disappearance of another scholarship girl and a missing faculty member.

Jane discovers one secret about Birch Grove, which only leads to more mysteries. What is she willing to sacrifice in order to stay at this school...and be bound to Birch Grove forever?

Waiting on Wednesday (50)

Hosted at Breaking the Spine, spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I am eagerly waiting for... 

Dearly, Beloved

Gone with the Respiration 2

Lia Habel

September 25 2012

Goodreads:

Can the living coexist with the living dead?

That’s the question that has New Victorian society fiercely divided ever since the mysterious plague known as “The Laz” hit the city of New London and turned thousands into walking corpses. But while some of these zombies are mindless monsters, hungry for human flesh, others can still think, speak, reason, and control their ravenous new appetites.

Just ask Nora Dearly, the young lady of means who was nearly kidnapped by a band of sinister zombies but valiantly rescued by a dashing young man . . . of the dead variety.

Nora and her savior, the young zombie soldier Bram Griswold, fell hopelessly in love. But others feel only fear and loathing for the reanimated dead. Now, as tensions grow between pro- and anti-zombie factions, battle lines are being drawn in the streets. And though Bram is no longer in the New Victorian army, he and his ex-commando zombie comrades are determined to help keep the peace. That means taking a dangerous stand between The Changed, a radical group of sentient zombies fighting for survival, and The Murder, a masked squad of urban guerrillas hellbent on destroying the living dead. But zombies aren’t the only ones in danger: Their living allies are also in The Murder’s crosshairs, and for one vengeful zealot, Nora Dearly is the number one target.

As paranoia, prejudice, and terrorist attacks threaten to plunge the city into full-scale war, Nora’s scientist father and his team continue their desperate race to unlock the secrets of “The Laz” and find a cure. But their efforts may be doomed when a mysterious zombie appears bearing an entirely new strain of the virus—and the nation of New Victoria braces for a new wave of the apocalypse.

Why am I waiting for it?

Captain Abraham Griswold

*Swoons*

That is all.

Teaser Tuesday (49)

Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. 

Dark Companion  
by Marta Acosta 

       Mary Violet said, "My grandparents let my mother drive when she was fourteen. She was an excellent driver and hardly ever got in accidents. She did run over a possum once and we can make her cry about it if we pour her a second tipple of Dubonnet and ask her about its darling furry paws and adorable whiskered snout."  

       "You don't," Constance said.

       "We absolutely do! My father is the worst. He always talks about the heartbroken possum husband searching for his dead possum wife. Sometimes I recite my poem, 'Requiem for a Marsupial.'"

       Mary Violet switched off the music, and then threw out her arms as far as she could in the confines of the car. "Oh, once you gamboled happily in a wood Living, loving, gathering food…" 

       Constance said, "Food doesn't rhyme with wood," but were all laughing, and Mary Violet continued: "You cross the road exploring afar, When you are crushed by a speeding car! Alas, poor possum, you draw a last breath, A Birch Grove girl has crushed you to death!"

Out This Week!

Before I Wake (Soul Screamers 6) 

by Rachel Vincent

Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

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

Review: Until I Die by Amy Plum

Until I Die

(Revenants 2)

Author: Amy Plum

Publisher: Harper Collins, 2012

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

Follow Friday (38)

Hosted by Parajunkee.com and Alisoncanread.com

This week question is: 

If you could "unread" a book, which one would it be? Is it because you want to start over and experience it again for the first time? Or because it was THAT bad?

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent

(Divergent 2)

Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: HarperTeen, 2012

Genre: YA Dystopia

Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

Waiting on Wednesday (49)

Hosted at Breaking the Spine, spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I am eagerly waiting for... 

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century

Rachel Harris

September 11 2012

Goodreads:

On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze.

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore.

Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

Why am I waiting for it?

I've only read a few 'historicals' so far, but me likey. I had the opportunity to participate in the first cover reveal of this one, and we could post an excerpt of the book. What I read convinced me that I MUST read this, if only to meet the gorgeous Lorenzo. Also, I'm torn between old and new cover. Old I loved the dress, new I love the landscape but not the dress. Sigh.

Teaser Tuesday (48)

Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. 

Insurgent
by Veronica Roth

Tobias closes his eyes. I trust the dwindling fire to disguise us as I run my hand up his back, touching each tattoo without seeing it. I imagine Erudite's staring eye, Candor's unbalanced scales, Abnegation's clasped hands, and the Dauntless flame. With my other hand I find the patch of fire tattooed over his rib cage. I feel his heavy breaths against my cheek.

"I wish we were alone," he says.

"I almost always wish that," I say.

Musing Mondays (42) & It's Monday! (38)

 Hosted by Should Be Reading.

 This week’s musing is…

Do you think the book cover is "dead"? Do you care whether the "covers" on digital books exist or not?

Not at all. For me, book covers be it on a physical copy or digital are very important. It's another way for me to connect to the story and the characters. I almost never notice the title or author's name, but the scene and the characters portrayed there. Just take Jennifer L. Armentrout's Obsidian and the revolution that has ensued with models Pepe and Stella. The story itself is swoon worthy on a never before seen level, but having those two models has allowed the readers to continue dreaming and fangirling over it. I wish more covers were like that. Instead they choose to do silly covers we've seen 100 times with the same old skinny perfect model in a dress, or running away in a dress, or staring off to the distance in a dress, etc. Sorry, for the rambling post. But this just proves my point...Covers are important.

A week for School + A week for Vacations = LOA

That's the university's bookstore ♥

           Hello, everyone!

          This is to inform you that for the next two weeks I won't be connected to Amy's Book Den and won't be able to reply to comments or messages. I will be attending my second writer's residency at Seton Hill University for my M.F.A. where I will be spending time with amazing authors and classmates, and just soaking up all the awesome that are the Unteachables! That's what my group calls itself LOL!

          I'm so very excited for all the modules, critique workshops, and the book signing! Yes! There will be readings, books for purchase, expo from publishing houses, and refreshments, and it's open to everyone! Two of my fave authors of all time—Maria V. Snyder and NicolePeeler—will be there. They're mentors too, and I'll be taking some classes with them this residency! *squeal* I'll try not to fangirl too much and actually pay attention. Oh, you can find the full list of authors that will attend the book signing here.

          The residency is only a week long, but I'm taking an extra week for vacationing purposes only. I'll be exploring Pittsburgh, hunting down museums and cool places and stuff. Though I just found out my first deadline after residency is July 25. Yikes! So I better figure out where to push in a few hours of writing in between!

          Postings will go up normally everyday (except maybe a few). I've got 3 awesome reviews coming -- Insurgent by Veronica Roth, Until I Die by Amy Plum, and Dark Companion by Martha Acosta. I'll see ya all in two weeks! Hopefully with lots of photos and lots of crazy stories to tell :D

Daemons in the Mist Blog Tour: Character Interview + Giveaway!

          Today it's a very special day because not only am I hosting my first ever blog tour, but it's the Daemons in the Mist Blog Tour! When I read Daemons in the Mist I instantly fell in love with the characters, especially the heroes Patrick and Nualla. And guess what? Today I get to interview them! *does happy dance* If you've read it, you know how funny, brave, and adorable Patrick and Nualla can be. For those of you who don't know about Daemons in the Mist, here's an overview.

Daemons in the Mist

(The Marked Ones Trilogy 1)

Author: Alicia Kat Dillman

Publisher: Korat Publishing, 2012

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Overview

Seventeen year old Patrick Connolly has been hopelessly infatuated with Nualla for years but he is all but invisible to her. Until, that is, he rescues her from a confrontation with her ex. Little does Patrick know he’s just set off a dangerous chain reaction that will thrust him into a world of life altering secrets and things that shouldn’t exist, because the fog and mist of San Francisco is concealing more than just buildings.

Oh! Our guests have arrived! Hello Patrick, and Nualla. Thank you so much for coming by Amy’s Book Den!

Follow Friday (37)

Hosted by Parajunkee.com and Alisoncanread.com

This week question is: 

Happy Father's Day! Who is your favorite Dad character in a book and why?.

Review: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

City of Lost Souls

(The Mortal Instruments 5)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: McElderry Books, 2012

Genre: YA Paranormal

Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?

Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.

And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

Waiting on Wednesday (48)

Hosted at Breaking the Spine, spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I am eagerly waiting for... 

The Dark Unwinding

Sharon Cameron

September 1 2012

Goodreads:

When Katharine Tulman's inheritance is called into question by the rumor that her eccentric uncle is squandering away the family fortune, she is sent to his estate to have him committed to an asylum. But instead of a lunatic, Katharine discovers a genius inventor with his own set of rules, who employs a village of nine hundred people rescued from the workhouses of London.

Katharine is now torn between protecting her own inheritance and preserving the peculiar community she grows to care for deeply. And her choices are made even more complicated by a handsome apprentice, a secretive student, and fears for her own sanity.

As the mysteries of the estate begin to unravel, it is clear that not only is her uncle's world at stake, but also the state of England as Katharine knows it. With twists and turns at every corner, this heart-racing adventure will captivate readers with its intrigue, thrills, and romance.

Why am I waiting for it?

Steampunk is a must read always in my book.