Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Waiting On Wednesday (34)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we can't wait to get our hands on!

Waiting On Wednesday, The Oathbreaker's Shadow

This week's WoW is The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski.

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

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Goodreads Synopsis:


Winning what you want may cost you everything you love

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. 

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. 

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. 

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake,
and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

My Thoughts:

I heard about this novel not too long ago, but after I read the synopsis, I was hooked. I CAN'T wait to get this. Admittedly, I didn't fall in love with Marie's other YA novel, The Shadow Society, but I'm still going into this with high hopes and expectations. Here's to hoping that it'll be amazing. *Crosses fingers* From what I see on Goodreads, it won't disappoint! AND THAT COVER! I just want to snuggle with it.

Extra Information:
Release Date: March 4 2014
Hardcover: 355 Pages
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Genre: Fantasy

The Winner's Trilogy:
Book One: The Winner's Curse
Book Two: Unknown
Book Three: Unknown

How about you? What book are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Uninvited by Sophie JordanReading Level: Ages 12 and up
Hardcover: 384 Pages
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Narration: First Person: Davina
Genre: Dystopian/Thriller
Book Trailer: Click Here

The Uninvited Series
Book One: Uninvited
Book Two: Unknown
Book Three: Unknown

Order On Amazon: Hardcover
                               Kindle
Order On Barnes and Noble:
Hardcover and Nook

Author's
Goodreads  Website  Twitter

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Goodreads Synopsis:

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

My Review:

First of all, I want to draw a bit of attention to the cover. My first reaction was, "Meh, ok. Just another variation of the overused face cover." You know the ones with the pretty models staring out into the distance dramatically? Yeah, those. But then. BUT THEN! I saw that her hair was photo-shopped to look like DNA strands! After that, I just felt flabbergasted, and shortly thereafter, I was applauding the cover designer. Really, it didn't make that much of a difference visually, but to me, it made all the difference in the world. I'm weird, I know. But come on, let's be honest. You thought it was cool too, right?

This world was stunning. I grew to fear for my own safety, because this world felt like a possible future reality. As Sophie mentioned at the end of the story, Davina could be any one of us. All the things that happened to her, could one day happen to us, if our world turned into the world Uninvited portrayed. It's not too hard to imagine the government requiring testing done for a killer gene. To them, the good of the many trumps the good of the few. So what if a few innocents get caught in the crossfire? It's a scary, scary thought. 

"All my life people have called me 
Gifted. 
Extraordinary. 
Blessed.
I had all these dreams to become something. 
Someone. 
No one ever said I couldn't. 
No one ever said Killer."

Imagine going from loved, popular, admired, somewhat even worshiped, to reviled, hated, and ostracized. That's what Davina had to go through.

(For people who have already read the novel, notice how I'm using Davy's full name Davina instead of Davy? It's because it reminds me of the Davina from The Originals series on TV, who was an absolute badass. Since both characters have badassery in common, I decided to just call Davy, Davina. Sounds prettier in my opinion anyways.) 

So Davina was facing a major change in her life. She didn't delude herself with the fantasy that her popularity wouldn't plummet. She knew that because of her new status as a HTS carrier, people would avoid her. However, she still clung to the hope that her best friend and boyfriend wouldn't think any differently of her. Understandable. I would've hoped for the same thing. 

On a totally unrelated note, I thought she was a bit of a bitch in the beginning of the story, and even a little after she discovered that she possessed the kill gene. Prior knowledge of her HTS status, she was happy that her supposed best friend was envious of her. She wanted to be that girl that everyone was jealous of, reveled in it really. Additionally, she felt relieved that her "best friend" would be moving hundreds of miles away, so she didn't have to deal with hurting her feelings all the time. I mean, come on, what kind of friend are you?

However, I'm happy to say that she redeemed herself throughout the story. Although she still acted spoiled at times, she stayed strong through rough times and didn't want to lean on anyone for support. She took it into her own hands to fend for herself by working out, going beyond what she was expected to do, to protect herself. Although there was a part of her that was thrilled when Sean, the love interest, defended her, her indignation overcame that feeling. She knew that even though Sean's heart was in the right place, he was hurting her indirectly. She wanted to fight her own battles, and took pains to make sure that she would be able to do so. Because of that, I respected her.

Uninvited was thought provoking. It involved a lot of harsh decisions and difficult situations. What exactly is classified as right? Is it in the eyes of the beholder? Or is it something we should instinctively know? Does the end justify the means? Does the good of the many matter more than the good of a few? There's no doubt that some HTS carriers were really messed up in the head, but do they decide the fate of others? Are the new government laws for HTS carriers decreasing violence? Or are they really making matters worse, causing perfectly stable carriers to snap? 

So many questions. Uninvited was a great read. Although I had a hard time getting into it at first, I became tangled in the story line as events progressed. The action was paced well, and I never reached any slow, dragging scenes. The protagonist, although a little bratty at times, redeemed herself in the end. She was an independent character who I truly admired. When many would've given up, become the animals that society deemed them, she chose to keep fighting in hopes of showing the world that everything wasn't as black and white as it seemed.

Cover- 5/5
Heroine- 4.5/5
Romance- 4/5
Writing- 3.5/5
World-Building- 6/5
Action- 5/5
Overall- 4.5/5

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Waiting On Wednesday (33)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we can't wait to get our hands on!

Waiting On Wednesday, The Oathbreaker's Shadow

This week's WoW is The Shadow Throne by Jennifer Nielsen.

The Shadow Throne by Jennifer Nielsen

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Goodreads Synopsis:

One war.
Too many deadly battles.
Can a king save his kingdom, when his own survival seems unlikely?

War has come to Carthya. It knocks at every door and window in the land. And when Jaron learns that King Vargan of Avenia has kidnapped Imogen in a plot to bring Carthya to its knees, Jaron knows it is up to him to embark on a daring rescue mission. But everything that can go wrong does.

His friends are flung far and wide across Carthya and its neighbouring lands. In a last-ditch effort to stave off what looks to be a devastating loss for the kingdom, Jaron undertakes what may be his last journey to save everything and everyone he loves. But even with his lightning-quick wit, Jaron cannot forestall the terrible danger that descends on him and his country. Along the way, will he lose what matters most? And in the end, who will sit on Carthya's throne?

Rousing and affecting, Jaron's adventures have thrilled and moved readers in The False Prince and The Runaway King. Journey once again with the Ascendant King of Carthya, as New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen brings his story to a stunning conclusion with The Shadow Throne.

My Thoughts:

*Wipes tears* The end of The Ascendance trilogy is drawing near. This has been one of my favorite middle grade series, up in the ranks with Percy Jackson, which isn't something to be said lightly. I'm going to miss Jaron and his crazy antics. And what is this "Die for the Throne." business in the slogan? If Jennifer takes Jaron away from me, I'm going to be in ruins. I guarantee it.

Extra Information:
Release Date: February 25, 2014
Hardcover: 336 Pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure

The Ascendance Trilogy:
Book One: The False Prince
Book Two: The Runaway King
Book Three: The Shadow Throne

How about you? What book are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Teaser Tuesday (21)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading.

Teaser Tuesday

To participate all you have to do is:
  • Grab your current read.
  • Open to a random page.
  • Share "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give to much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!

Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

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"You have no rights. You're a sublevel human. That means anything can happen to you and no one will care." His face dips closer. His cheek rests against mine as he hisses close to my ear, "Anyone can do anything to you. There is no protection. No place in this whole country where you should feel safe now." 
- Uninvited, Pg. 217, Hardcover

"It's a hard battle. The life I had is a dim dream that haunts me still. Somehow, Sean makes me forget. And remember. A dangerous combination when I'm only supposed to be looking ahead to the future."
- Uninvited, Pg. 303, Hardcover

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Waiting On Wednesday (32)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we can't wait to get our hands on!

Waiting On Wednesday, The Oathbreaker's Shadow

This week's WoW is Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor.

Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor

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Goodreads Synopsis:
By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her, if there can even be a future for the chimaera in war-ravaged Eretz.

Common enemy, common cause.

When Jael's brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential, and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people.

And, perhaps, for themselves. Toward a new way of living, and maybe even love.

But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing. A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz ... something is happening. Massive stains are spreading like bruises from horizon to horizon; the great winged stormhunters are gathering as if summoned, ceaselessly circling, and a deep sense of wrong pervades the world.

What power can bruise the sky?

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy. 

At the very barriers of space and time, what do gods and monsters dream of? 
And does anything else matter?

My Thoughts:

Loving the cover. Creepy, sinister, and it kind of reminds me of the Shadow and Bone series with the antlers and whatnot. Can't wait to delve back into this series! It's been far too long.

Extra Information:
Release Date: April 8, 2013
Hardcover: 528 Pages
Publisher: Little Brown and Company
Genre: Fantasy

Daughter of Smoke & Bone Series:
Book One: Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Book Two: Days of Blood & Starlight
Book Three: Dreams of Gods & Monsters

How about you? What book are you waiting on this Wednesday?