Waiting On Wednesday and "Book Haul"

"Waiting On" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week I am waiting on:

by Katie Crouch

The Magnolia League

After the death of her free-spirited mother, sixteen-year-old Alex Lee must leave her home in northern California to live with her wealthy grandmother in Savannah, Georgia. By birth, Alex is a rightful, if unwilling, member of the Magnolia League, Savannah's long-standing debutante society. She quickly discovers that the Magnolias have made a pact with a legendary hoodoo family, the Buzzards. The Magnolias enjoy youth, beauty and power. But at what price?

As in her popular adult novels, Crouch's poignant and humorous voice shines in this seductively atmospheric story about girls growing up in a magical Southern city.

-Via GoodReads

I tried to get this from NetGalley, but I didn't get approved for it.
This book sounds pretty good. Let's hope it doesn't disapoint.


Release Date: May 3, 2011

"Book Haul"

When Marie Costa traveled to the Palace Moon Resort to attend a party with some Internet friends, what should have been a fun and exciting evening turned into a night of terror that would change her life forever. Ema Arius's spine-tingling and romantic novel, Pravus, is the story of a young woman threatened and yet somehow charmed by the magical, nefarious being, Damian. As he destroys her friends and loved ones with his dark powers, he seems to exhibit a strange compassion only for Marie. Overwhelmed by the depth of his passion, she inexplicably and paradoxically becomes drawn to him, forsaking everything and everyone she once knew. But when Marie learns Damian's secret, will she be able to live with her choice? Will she ever be able to return to the world she left behind? Find out in Ema Arius's chilling romance, Pravus.

- Via GoodReads

I won this book from GoodReads First Reads program. This book sounds interesing.  I can't wait to read it and get a review out for you all.

So, what are you "waiting on" this week?

Teaser Tuesday!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page 
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 
• Share the Title & Author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Lost Voices by Sarah Porter (2011 Debute Author!)

"She [Luce] was determined to learn to control her singing; more than that to change it. She had a persistent fantasy that, if she could just discover another kind of magic her singing could accomplish, something new besides enchanting humans, maybe she could get Catarina excited about it."

Page 142-123; e-ARC via NetGalley

This book isn't really doing anything for me. I'm actually having to force myslef to read it.

And, here's an extra teaser because I feel bad about not blogging as much.

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

"'Swell.' I rubbed the mark on my wrist. It was better than a bandage - I guess. It wasn't as if anyone would know what the scar was from; no one had been dealing with demons since the Turn. 'So now I just wait until it wants something?'"

Page 288

Ooooo! I can't wait until I get to this part. I'm really liking this book so far! I've heard really good things about this series.  If you have read any of this series, let me know what you think!

* Just F.Y.I. this is not a Y.A. novel. Kim Harrison does have a Y.A. series (The Maddison Avery series) book 1 is called Once Dead, Twice Shy.

What do you think? And feel free to share you're teasers!!

Wanna be my friend on GoodReads?

http://www.goodreads.com/thebookfairy88

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

"It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" is hosted by One Person's Journey Through a World of Books. Each week I will spotlight the books I am reading, planning on reading, or just finished reading.

Just Finshed:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Reading Now:

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison (not a YA book)

All the creatures of the night gather in "the Hollows" of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party ... and to feed.
Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining -- and it's Rachel Morgan's job to keep that world civilized.
A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she'll bring 'em back alive, dead ... or undead.

Lost Voices by Sarah Porter (yeppers, still reading this one...just can't into it)

What happens to the girls nobody sees—the ones who are ignored, mistreated, hidden away? The girls nobody hears when they cry for help?
Fourteen-year-old Luce is one of those lost girls. After her father vanishes in a storm at sea, she is stuck in a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village with her alcoholic uncle. When her uncle crosses an unspeakable line, Luce reaches the depths of despair. Abandoned on the cliffs near her home, she expects to die when she tumbles to the icy, churning waves below. Instead, she undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid.
A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. The mermaids are beautiful, free, and ageless, and Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: they feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks.
Luce’s own talent at singing captures the attention of the tribe’s queen, the fierce and elegant Catarina, and Luce soon finds herself pressured to join in committing mass murder. Luce’s struggle to retain her inner humanity puts her at odds with her friends; even worse, Catarina seems to regard Luce as a potential rival. But the appearance of a devious new mermaid brings a real threat to Catarina’s leadership and endangers the very existence of the tribe. Can Luce find the courage to challenge the newcomer, even at the risk of becoming rejected and alone once again?
Lost Voices is a captivating and wildly original tale about finding a voice, the healing power of friendship, and the strength it takes to forgive.

Up Next:

The Good, the Bad, and the Undead by Kim Harrison                    The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

So, what are you reading this week?

Book Review: The Goddess Test by Amiee Carter

~ Title: “The Goddess Test”

~ Author: Amiee Carter

~ Publisher: Harlequin Teen

~ Release Date: April 26, 2011

~ Source:  NetGalley                                                 

Summary via GoodReads:

Every girl who has taken the test has died.

Now it's Kate's turn.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

If she fails...

My Review:  4/5 Stars!

Sorry it took me so long to write this review!

First of all, I love Greek mythology! It one of the many reasons I wanted to read this book. I found this book to be refreshing from all the vampires, angles, fairies, etc. books running around these days (not that I have a problem with them…I love them all!). Debut author Amiee Carter has woven a wonderfully captivating tale of love, forgiveness, and strength.

I have seen quite a bit of negative reviews for this book which surprised me at first. But, then I thought about it and I can see where the reviewers are coming from. The two main characters do come off as somewhat “weak.” Kate is naïve and VERY trusting, while Henry is rather bland for a God (he does have his sweet moments, though). But maybe they were meant to be that way. Everyone has flaws; characters in books are no different…that’s what makes them real and relatable.

 Were they areas in the plot that could have been elaborated on or done differently? Sure, but I think, all in all, it was well written. Carter's writing style is easily to follow and understand. And, I loved how she described the entrance to Henry’s manor. I had no trouble “seeing” the scenes Carter painted with her words.

I thought the book was well written. Even though I saw most of the “plot twists” coming from a mile away, I still enjoyed them. One thing that was real and powerful was the relationship between Kate and her Mother. I liked how the author mentioned other myths and how Kate is “schooled” in mythology. It also lets the reader into that world more.

I gave “The Goddess Test” 4 stars because I really enjoyed reading the book. It drew me in and maybe that had something to do with my love of mythology. I think it’s worth picking up if you are looking for a nice, quick read.  I will definitely be checking out the sequel “Goddess Interrupted” (January 2012).

I hope this review was helpful and made at least made some sense. Lol

Let me know what you think … about the book, my review, whatevers   ;-)

Also, I'm sorry for being away for the past two weeks. I will try to get my butt in gear and start posting more.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

"It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" is hosted by One Person's Journey Through a World of Books. Each week I will spotlight the books I am reading, planning on reading, or just finished reading.

 Finshed: 

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

& "The Godess Test" by Aimee Carter

Every girl who has taken the test has died.

Now it's Kate's turn.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

If she fails...

{My Review}

Reading Now:

"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

& "Lost Voices" by  Sarah Porter

           

                                         

Up Next:

"Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

& "TheVespertine" by Saundra  Mitchell 

It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

What are you reading?

The Friday 56

The Firday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice

Rules:*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it to Freda's blog.

It's that simple.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This just happened to be the closest book to me at the time and also what I'm currently reading.

Page 56:

"The rich people who back tributes-either because they're betting on them or simply for bragging rights of picking a winner-expect someone classier then Haymitch to deal with."

Waiting On Wednesday

"Waiting On" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week I am waiting on:

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

I'm so exited...who's with me?!! WooHoo....20 more days!! I can't wait to read this book. I loved the other books in this series. I have yet to read the Clockwork Prince but trust me it's on my TBR list.

Tell me what you're waiting on this week!