Tuesday, December 31, 2013

The Year 2013: Overall (+ December Wrap-Up/January TBR)

So, a few days ago, I did the 2013 Book Survey, but as the title already implies, that one was very book-centered and while I'm still going on mostly about books in this post, I wanted to draw a more general and overall conclusion of this year and say a bit more about it than just answer some questionnaire.

Thus, this is what I have to say about the year 2013. Psh some of this was inspired by Bloody's post.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Sunday, December 29, 2013

2013 End of the Year Book Survey


I kind of stole this from Amber, yes, I know. I'm guilty of playing the copycat. But oh well, her post was such a fine template, I couldn't help myself. So, here we go. :D What I thought about the year 2013 book and reading-wise.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Review: Splintered by A. G. Howard

Splintered


Author: A. G. Howard
Release: January 1st 2013
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Retellings, YA
#1 in the Splintered trilogy
Sequels: Unhinged (#2), Ensnared (#3)


Plot:

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Review: The Offering by Kimberly Derting

The Offering


Author: Kimberly Derting
Release: December 31st 2013
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Dystopia, YA
#3 in the Pledge trilogy
Series: The Pledge (#1), The Essence (#2)



Plot:

True love—and world war—is at stake in the conclusion to The Pledge trilogy, a dark and romantic blend of dystopia and fantasy.
Charlie, otherwise known as Queen Charlaina of Ludania, has become comfortable as a leader and a ruler. She’s done admirable work to restore Ludania’s broken communications systems with other Queendoms, and she’s mastered the art of ignoring Sabara, the evil former queen whose Essence is alive within Charlie. Or so she thinks.

When the negotiation of a peace agreement with the Queendom of Astonia goes awry, Charlie receives a brutal message that threatens Ludania, and it seems her only option is to sacrifice herself in exchange for Ludanian freedom.

But things aren’t always as they seem. Charlie is walking into a trap—one set by Sabara, who is determined to reclaim the Queendoms at any cost.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Review: Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Enclave


Author: Ann Aguirre
Release: April 12th 2011
Genre: Post-Apocalypse, Dystopia, YA
#1 in the Razorland trilogy
Sequels: Outpost (#2), Horde (#3) 


Plot:

WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first Deuce thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Review: Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

Vessel


Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Release: September 11th 2012
Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Mythology, YA


Plot:

Liyana has trained her entire life to be the vessel of a goddess. She will dance and summon her tribe's deity, who will inhabit Liyana's body and use magic to bring rain to the desert. But when the dance ends, Liyana is still there. Her tribe is furious--and sure that it is Liyana's fault. Abandoned by her tribe, Liyana expects to die in the desert. Until a boy walks out of the dust in search of her.

Korbyn is a god inside his vessel, and a trickster god at that. He tells Liyana that five other gods are missing, and they set off across the desert in search of the other vessels. The desert tribes cannot survive without the magic of their gods. But the journey is dangerous, even with a god’s help. And not everyone is willing to believe the trickster god’s tale.

The closer she grows to Korbyn, the less Liyana wants to disappear to make way for her goddess. But she has no choice--she must die for her tribe to live. Unless a trickster god can help her to trick fate--or a human girl can muster some magic of her own.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

[GERMAN] Lesenacht Update Post



Meine erste Lesenacht hier, ich hab schon immer die letzten paar Posts auf My Inkheart verfolgt und wollte immer mal bei einer mitmachen, hab's dann aber irgendwie immer verpatzt. Diesmal dann aber! :) Bin nur leider extrem müde weil ich heute morgen blöderweise früh aufgestanden bin (ich konnte aber eben nunmal nicht mehr schlafen...). Naja. Hoffentlich kann mich Koffein da irgendwie noch durchboxen. Ich habe vor, zumindest mal bis 2 auszuharren. Finger sind gekreuzt, dass das klappt, aber hey, sollte doch. Ich hab schließlich schon sehr oft die ganze Nacht sogar durchgemacht, von daher...

Friday, December 20, 2013

Review: For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

For Darkness Shows the Stars


Author: Diana Peterfreund
Release: June 12th 2012
Genre: Dystopia, Post-Apocalypse, Romance, YA
Companion novel: Across a Star-Swept Sea


Plot:

It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth--an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret--one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

My Favorite Fictional Girls

I just did this same thing with my favorite guys, so it's really only fair if I do it for the girls as well. It's not at all that it's simply because I really want to do it, no, of course not, it's purely obligation...

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Review: The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas

The Burning Sky


Author: Sherry Thomas
Release: September 17th 2013
Genre: Fantasy, Magic, YA
#1 in the Elemental trilogy
Sequels: The Perilous Sea (#2), The Immortal Heights (#3)


Plot:

It all began with a ruined elixir and an accidental bolt of lightning…

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death.

Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to avenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal.

But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Review: Icons by Margaret Stohl

Icons


Author: Margaret Stohl
Release: May 7th 2013
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia, YA
#1 in the Icons series
Sequels: Idols (#2), TBA


Plot:

Your heart beats only with their permission.

Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting.

Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid.

She's different. She survived. Why?

When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy.

Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Review: Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Unbreakable


Author: Kami Garcia
Release: October 1st 2013
Genre: Paranormal, Ghosts, YA
#1 in the Legion series
Sequels: Unmarked (#2), TBA

Plot:

Supernatural meets The Da Vinci Code in this action-packed paranormal thriller, the first book in a new series from New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia. 

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Review: Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza

Mila 2.0


Author: Debra Driza
Release: March 12th 2013
Genre: Science Fiction, YA
#1 in the Mila 2.0 trilogy
Sequels: Renegade (#2), Redemption (#3)


Plot:

Mila 2.0 is the first book in an electrifying sci-fi thriller series about a teenage girl who discovers that she is an experiment in artificial intelligence.

Mila was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was a girl living with her mother in a small Minnesota town. She was supposed to forget her past—that she was built in a secret computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.

Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology. However, what Mila’s becoming is beyond anyone’s imagination, including her own, and it just might save her life.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Review: Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Gameboard of the Gods


Author: Richelle Mead
Release: June 4th 2013
Genre: Science Fiction, Paranormal, Mythology, Adult
#1 in the Age of X trilogy
Sequels: The Immortal Crown (#2), The Eye of Andromeda (#3)


Plot:

In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

My Favorite Fictional Guys

Hello there! Today, I had the wonderful idea to make a blog post about all the fictional boys that I love and adore. Some girls call them "book boyfriends", although personally, that term makes me cringe a little and I don't like to use it. I'd rather use swoon-worthy guys, I guess.
I left out any fancastings or things like that, even though I do have some actors/models in mind for some of these guys, there are again others that I think mortal guys just can't do them justice.

Writing this post, I noticed one thing about my taste in fictional guys. Until this day, I had fooled myself into believing that, usually, I'm on “Team Nice Guy.” Fooled myself that normally, I like the good one more. However, shockingly, I had to face the facts with this and realize that that is not entirely true. While I do lean towards the one that doesn't get the girl in the end, that's not always the “nice guy.” No, I discovered that primarily, I always tend to lean towards the more complex of the two if there's a love triangle. The one that automatically has a conflict of heart because he is torn over jealousy and desire because the girl he wants has another one. I've said it before, but I'm a very empathetic person and that is probably why I am able to relate to these anguished, layered characters more. That's not to say the other guys in the triangles are usually flat, but there's always a diversity if, beneath your usual character traits, you're feeling envious and maybe also angry, adding a more complex layer to the overall package, because you have multiple sides to look at, facades to peak through. This is my theory, at least, and maybe I'm just imagining things, but what the hey.

This is going to be loooooooooong, so I'm going to make a cut here.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Review: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

All Our Yesterdays


Author: Cristin Terrill
Release: September 3rd 2013
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Time Travel, YA


Plot:

"You have to kill him." Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside. 

Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was. 

Sunday, December 1, 2013

November Wrap-Up / December TBR

And another month has gone ... Really, though, this month seemed to just fly by. I remember it like it was yesterday that this time last month, on Halloween, one of my best friends stood at my door and we watched American Horror Story together. Has it really been a whole month since then? Since I have seen him last? That's crazy. Unbelievable. The days did whizz by though, maybe mostly because I have been studying like a maniac and writing exams all the time... The exam craze is going to stop on the 9th of December, though (finally), when I'll be writing my last and most dreaded one — math. Wish me luck, especially since I'm writing on a Monday, during the first two lessons. It's going to be torture... Anyways! My November Wrap-Up and December TBR, right. I'm happy to say I managed to stay true to my TBR list, having read every book that was on it, and even a couple more than that. Seeing as I still hadn't been finished with my TBR by the 20th, I am quite surprised to find that I was able to do such a U-turn in the last week and squeeze in some more books, overall clocking in at 12 books. Not so bad!