Review: Evertrue by Brodi Ashton

Evertrue

Author: Brodi Ashton

Release: January 21st 2014

Genre: Mythology, Supernatural, YA

#3 in the Everneath trilogy

Series: Everneath (#1), Everbound (#2)

Plot:

Now that Nikki has rescued Jack, all she wants is to be with him and graduate high school. But Cole tricked Nikki into feeding off him, and she’s begun the process of turning into an Everliving herself... which means she must feed on a Forfeit soon — or die.

Terrified for her survival, Nikki and Jack begin a desperate attempt to reverse the process using any means possible. Even Cole, who they expected to fight them at every turn, has become an unlikely ally — but how long can it last? Nikki needs to feed on Cole to survive, Cole needs Nikki to gain the throne in the Everneath, Jack needs Nikki because she is everything to him — and together, they must travel back to the Underworld to undo Nikki’s fate and make her mortal once more. But Cole isn’t the only one with plans for Nikki: the Queen has not forgotten Nikki’s treachery, and she wants her destroyed for good. Will Nikki be forced to spend eternity in the Underworld, or does she have what it takes to bring down the Everneath once and for all?

In this stunning conclusion to the Everneath trilogy, Brodi Ashton evokes the resiliency of the human spirit and the indomitable power of true love.

Goodreads | B&N

Review: What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

What's Left of Me

Author: Kat Zhang

Release: September 18th 2012

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia, YA

#1 in the Hybrid Chronicles

Sequels: Once We Were (#2), Echoes Of Us (#3)

Plot:

I should not exist. But I do.

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . .

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

Goodreads | B&N

Review: And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard

And We Stay

Author: Jenny Hubbard

Release: January 28th 2014

Genre: Contemporary, YA

Plot:

When high school senior Paul Wagoner walks into his school library with a stolen gun, he threatens his girlfriend Emily Beam, then takes his own life. In the wake of the tragedy, an angry and guilt-ridden Emily is shipped off to boarding school in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she encounters a ghostly presence who shares her name. The spirit of Emily Dickinson and two quirky girls offer helping hands, but it is up to Emily to heal her own damaged self.

This inventive story, told in verse and in prose, paints the aftermath of tragedy as a landscape where there is good behind the bad, hope inside the despair, and springtime under the snow.

Goodreads | B&N

Review: Fractured by Teri Terry

Fractured

Author: Teri Terry

Release: April 4th 2013

Genre: Dystopia, Mystery, Thriller, YA

#2 in the Slated trilogy

Series: Slated (#1), Shattered (#3)

Plot:

How do you know where to go when you don't remember where you came from?

Kyla's memory has been erased,

her personality wiped blank,

her memories lost for ever.

Or so she thought.

Kyla shouldn't be able to remember anything. But she can - and she's beginning to realise that there are a lot of dark secrets locked away in her memories. When a mysterious man from her past comes back into her life, she thinks she's on her way to finding the truth. But the more she learns about her history, the more confusing her future becomes...

Goodreads | B&N

Review: Slated by Teri Terry

Slated

Author: Teri Terry

Release: May 3rd 2012

Genre: Dystopia, Mystery, Thriller, YA

#1 in the Slated trilogy

Sequels: Fractured (#2), Shattered (#3)

Plot:

Kyla’s memory has been erased,

her personality wiped blank,

her memories lost for ever.

She’s been Slated.

The government claims she was a terrorist and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?

Goodreads | B&N

Review: A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

A Great and Terrible Beauty

Author: Libba Bray

Release: January 1st 2003

Genre: Steampunk, Paranormal, Magic, YA

#1 in the Gemma Doyle trilogy

Sequels: Rebel Angels (#2), The Sweet Far Thing (#3)

Plot:

A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy--jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.

Sixteen-year-old Gemma has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother's death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent back to England, she is enrolled at Spence, a girls' academy with a mysterious burned-out East Wing. There Gemma is snubbed by powerful Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and even her own dumpy roommate Ann, until she blackmails herself and Ann into the treacherous clique. Gemma is distressed to find that she has been followed from India by Kartik, a beautiful young man who warns her to fight off the visions. Nevertheless, they continue, and one night she is led by a child-spirit to find a diary that reveals the secrets of a mystical Order. The clique soon finds a way to accompany Gemma to the other-world realms of her visions "for a bit of fun" and to taste the power they will never have as Victorian wives, but they discover that the delights of the realms are overwhelmed by a menace they cannot control. Gemma is left with the knowledge that her role as the link between worlds leaves her with a mission to seek out the "others" and rebuild the Order. A Great and Terrible Beauty is an impressive first book in what should prove to be a fascinating trilogy.

Goodreads | B&N

Favorite Book Romances

Much like I did a Favorite Fictional Guys and Favorite Fictional Girls, I am also going to present to you my favorite romances on a silver platter. These are my OTPs, the couples I love to ship and do ship with all of my heart, and the ones I'll love to the death. If you don't ship any of these, that's fine and you are entitled to your own opinion, but please don't try to change mine and attack me about my ships. Everyone has different tastes. If you do have the same ship as me though, feel free to leave a Comment so we can fangirl together, please. <3

Let's get this party started, shall we? I will try to incorporate ship names too if existing. I'll write them in cursive.

Review: Defy by Sara B. Larson

Defy

Author: Sara B. Larson

Release: January 7th 2013

Genre: Fantasy, Magic, YA

#1 in the Defy trilogy

Sequel: Ignite (#2), Endure (#3)

Plot:

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

Goodreads | B&N

Review: Control by Lydia Kang

Control

Author: Lydia Kang

Release: December 26th 2013

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia, YA

#1 in the Control duology

Sequel: Catalyst (#2)

Plot:

When a crash kills their father and leaves them orphaned, Zel knows she needs to protect her sister, Dyl. But before Zel has a plan, Dyl is taken by strangers using bizarre sensory weapons, and Zel finds herself in a safe house for teens who aren’t like any she’s ever seen before—teens who shouldn't even exist. Using broken-down technology, her new friends’ peculiar gifts, and her own grit, Zel must find a way to get her sister back from the kidnappers who think a powerful secret is encoded in Dyl’s DNA.

A spiraling, intense, romantic story set in 2150—in a world of automatic cars, nightclubs with auditory ecstasy drugs, and guys with four arms—this is about the human genetic “mistakes” that society wants to forget, and the way that outcasts can turn out to be heroes.

Goodreads | B&N

Bout of Books 9.0

 


Okay, so I know I'm a little late to the party, but better late than never, right? I thought so too, so here's my post, which I will update daily, when the day draws to a close. What is Bout of Books? Click here, and you'll get the info.

Review: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

These Broken Stars

Authors: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Release: December 10th 2013

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, YA

#1 in the Starbound trilogy

Sequels: This Shattered World (#2), Their Fractured Light (#3)

Plot:

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. 

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

Goodreads | B&N

New Design!

I doubt anyone noticed, but in case you have — Yes, my blog was down for about 6 hours today. "Under Construction," it said and yeah, this is the result. My new blog design! I am actually quite proud of myself, because I did it all on my own. As a result, it's not much of course, but I'm still pleased with it. It may be far from perfect but it's nice to look at and I can now say I didn't just get some pre-made template from the Internet, but actually put effort into it myself. :)

So, that's one thing off my New Years goals that I can cross off the list.

Review: Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

Dark Triumph

Author: Robin LaFevers

Release: April 2nd 2013

Genre: Fantasy, Historical, YA

#2 in the His Fair Assassin trilogy

Companion novels: Grave Mercy, Mortal Heart

Plot:

When Sybella arrived at the doorstep of St Mortain half mad with grief and despair the convent were only too happy to offer her refuge - but at a price. The sisters of this convent serve Death, and with Sybella naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, she could become one of their most dangerous weapons.

But her assassin's skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to the life that nearly drove her mad. Her father's rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother's love is equally monstrous. But when Sybella discovers an unexpected ally she discovers that a daughter of Death may find something other than vengeance to live for...

Goodreads | B&N

Review: Night of Cake and Puppets by Laini Taylor

Night of Cake & Puppets

Author: Laini Taylor

Release: November 26th 2013

Genre: Fantasy, Novella, Magic, YA

#2.5 in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy

Series: Daughter of Smoke & Bone (#1), Days of Blood & Starlight (#2), Dreams of Gods & Monsters (#3)

Plot:

In Night of Cake & Puppets, Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy—the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Told in alternating perspectives, it’s the perfect love story for fans of the series and new readers alike. Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her “rabid fairy,” her “voodoo eyes” are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or “Violin Boy,” her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to meet him, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It’s a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter’s night before finally leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy’s not going to know what hit him.

Goodreads | B&N