Giveaway Winners

Thank you to everyone who entered my 6 months blogoversary giveaway. Here are the two winners:

1. Laurell W

2. Kulsuma

Congratulations to both winners! Please check your emails as soon as possible to claim your prizes. Laurell has won a copy of Sweet Evil and some swag and Kulsuma has won a copy of The Immortal Rules. 

Stay tuned for more giveaways to come! 

Review: Slated by Teri Terry

Title: Slated
Author: Teri Terry
Publisher: Orchard Books
Published: May 03, 2012
Buy: The Book Depository

“Don’t you ever want to know?”
“What?”
“Why you were Slated.”
“No. If the past is unbearable, why choose to bear it?”
I shrug. Because it is mine.

In Kyla’s world, Law and Order officers lurk in the shadows, waiting to pounce on any potential rule-breakers. The Central Coalition has devised a way of dealing with criminals under the age of 16. They are Slated – wiped of all memories and former personalities and given the opportunity to start over as different people. With a Levo attached to their wrists, monitoring their emotions and loaded with the potential to cause unconsciousness should the wearer be close to inflicting harm, the Slateds are forced into being the perfect citizens. Kyla is one of the Slated.

This is a plausible dystopian world that Teri Terry creates. Although lacking in some finer details, the concept of two opposing parties reaching a compromise on punishment and rehabilitation with the process of Slating is actually fairly credible. It really did make me think, especially with Britain currently being run by a coalition government. It’s a chilling idea but not a completely far-fetched one. Not set too far in the future, there isn’t a great deal of world-building to appreciate, but the ideas that were present were interesting enough. I was fascinated by Terry’s creation of the Levo. The thought of having one permanently attached my wrist monitoring my emotional levels is just plain creepy.

Although I appreciated the story overall, I felt it was fairly anti-climactic. The start was an engaging one and the mystery surrounding Kyla and her past was probably what intrigued me the most. I wish this level of interest had been consistent throughout the book, but I felt much of the middle should have been condensed. The ending is what disappointed the most. Slated is a slow paced book, sometimes frustratingly so, and this aspect fed over into the climax. I was expecting something more startling to happen, or something that held more of my interest. I guess I can blame this on Ben.

Ben is the love interest, though I should stress that the romance is very light in this book. I couldn’t get a grasp on his character. For the most part, I was uninterested by him and bored by his presence. I almost wish the romantic sub-plot hadn’t been included – and this is not something I usually say. If you’ve read the book, you can then probably imagine why the direction of the storyline bothered me.

Despite the few issues I had with this story, I did still enjoy it. I’m slightly disappointed it wasn’t particularly mind-blowing, but I think Terry did a fairly commendable job with this book. Her writing was distinct and that I appreciated. She has an interesting way with words and provided that she polishes up with the plot slightly, I will definitely be reading the second book.

Rating: 3 stars

Waiting on Wednesday (#15)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blog feature hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine which spotlights future releases that we may be eagerly anticipating. Here is my pick for the week:

Title: Linked
Author: Imogen Howson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Released: March 2013

Elissa used to have it all: looks, popularity, and a bright future. But for the last three years, she’s been struggling with terrifying visions, phantom pains, and mysterious bruises that appear out of nowhere. 

Finally, she’s promised a cure: minor surgery to burn out the overactive area of her brain. But on the eve of the procedure, she discovers the shocking truth behind her hallucinations: she’s been seeing the world through another girl’s eyes. 

Elissa follows her visions, and finds a battered, broken girl on the run. A girl—Lin—who looks exactly like Elissa, down to the matching bruises. The twin sister she never knew existed. 

Now, Elissa and Lin are on the run from a government who will stop at nothing to reclaim Lin and protect the dangerous secrets she could expose—secrets that would shake the very foundation of their world. 

Riveting, thought-provoking and utterly compelling, Linked will make you question what it really means to be human.

Just look at that cover. If that wasn't convincing enough, the description sure is. I can't wait to get hold of this book even if I have to wait all the way until 2013. Do you like the sound of this book, too?

Review: Forgiven by Jana Oliver

Title: Forgiven

Author: Jana Oliver

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Published: March 01, 2012

Buy: The Book Depository

Jana Oliver’s Demon Trappers series has firmly rooted itself on my favourites shelf. I adored the first two books, and Forgiven, I’m pleased to say, did not fail to impress.  

It felt good to be reunited with Beck and Riley after the chaos in the last book. To say Riley made a few reckless choices in Forbidden is a bit of an understatement, but she redeems herself well enough in this installment. The plot is as layered and action-packed as ever as both Heaven and Hell have their eyes set on Riley, our young demon trapper. She has a lot more on her plate than she bargained for, and it doesn’t help that her feelings are in turmoil after her encounter with the dark-haired Ori. Despite it all, she doesn’t give up. If anything, Riley is much stronger in this book than any of the others.

Beck, or Backwoods Boy as Riley likes to call him, is a central character I cannot get enough of. He is one of my favourite male characters of all time, with his southern drawl and no-nonsense attitude. I loved the complexity of his past and ached for him endlessly. Credit is due to the author here for crafting such a wonderful character, one that you cannot help but invest in emotionally. The relationship between him and Riley is an intricate one and much more mature than these things tend to be in young adult books. I was on the edge of my seat just waiting to see how things would unravel between them.

As always, the details of the demon-ridden world and the standing between hunters and trappers were entertaining to read about. There was never a dull moment. The balance of action, suspense and good old normalcy was crafted well, leaving just enough room for some witty humour. The progress in this series is quite commendable, both in terms of plot and character growth. That, if anything, is reason enough to look forward to the final book. I imagine Jana Oliver has some remaining tricks up her sleeve; as to what they are, I can only guess.

The only major aspect of this book I cannot find myself warming to is the ending. I wonder if I’m being too extreme in calling it a sort-of cliffhanger, but it did feel rather cruel to me. Hopefully things will be quickly rectified in the next installment. (They better be). Other than that, it’s safe to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It was an entertaining ride to the finish line and I’m already eager for more. 

Rating: 4 stars

Showcase Sunday (#4)

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits & Tea. It's an opportunity to share the books you may have bought, borrowed, been sent or gifted. Are you taking part in a similar meme? Feel free to leave a link!

  

Shadows by Paula Weston - An aussie book so it's bound to be great, right? I'm reading this at the moment and like it already. 

Any Other Night by Anne Pfeffer - Originally titled Loving Emily with a different cover. I wanted to read this after Nicola's great review. 

The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke - After Throne of Glass, I've decided I'm in love with the idea of assassins and fantasy. Very eager to start this!

(Thank you to Text Publishing/Paula, Anne and Strange Chemistry/NetGalley)

  

Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson - I nearly passed out when this turned up. More Alex for me!

From What I Remember by Stacie Kramer and Valerie Thomas - This was a Read Now book on NetGalley so I couldn't resist. I have to admit it sounds very entertaning!

Forgiven by Jana Oliver - Finished this very recently and enjoyed it. Review to follow soon!

(Thank you to Simon & Schuster UK, Disney Hyperion/NetGalley and Macmillan)


On the blog this week:

• Review: Otherkin by Nina Berry
• Review: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
• Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
• Review: Fated by Sarah Alderson

Did you get anything exciting this week? Leave me a link to your book haul post if you have done one and I will check it out when I can. 

Review: Otherkin by Nina Berry

Title: Otherkin

Author: Nina Berry

Publisher: K Teen

Released: July 31, 2012

Buy: The Book Depository

Shifters are some of my favourite paranormal creatures to read about. Needless to say, I was greatly looking forward to this book. I wish I could say it lived up to my expectations, but, unfortunately, Otherkin turned out to be nothing more than mediocre at best.

There were very few aspects of this book that I truly enjoyed. The start of the book was an explosive one and it all looked very promising a couple of chapters in. We start off with a boy in a cage and Dez, our tiger shifter, in the cage adjoining his. Soon after, they are on the run together from the Tribunal, a group dedicated to eradicating the world of otherkin. We find out about the Othersphere – a world to which the otherkin are connected when in shifter form – almost as instantly as we get to know Caleb and Dez. It was a fascinating glimpse into this different take on shifter abilities. I warmed to the unique concept with interest, hoping a greater explanation would be served as the story progressed.

It was not. I felt there were grey areas concerning the Othersphere and the use of shadow to allow shifters to transform into their animal forms. I had many questions – whether that was my fault or the lack of detailed world-building, I can’t tell. I only wish the author had dug deeper, presented more. It felt like a very distant idea by the time the plot had got in full swing.

The plot itself was unexceptional for most of the book. I enjoyed the start and the last third or so, but everything else that came between was forgettable. Caleb and Dez end up at Morfael’s school for otherkin and this is where they begin learning how to best use their abilities. There is something about a school for paranormal creatures that always ticks a box for me, but it didn’t work here. It felt more like an after-school club that a proper school – which would have been fine if the students hadn’t been talking about graduating from the place. Including Dez and Caleb, there were six students in total. It just felt incredibly forced to me.

The characters I have mixed feelings on. Funnily enough, it was the secondary characters that I appreciated the most. Lazar, one of the bad guys, was very interesting to read about and Morfael also managed to grab my attention, even if he was at times the typical ‘wise guy’. Dez and Caleb I hardly felt anything for, not even hatred. Dez did manage to draw some confusion from me at the beginning, but not any positive kind. I’m mystified as to how anyone can be so collected after shifting into a tiger when they hadn’t even known it was possible. Dez is too quick to accept it. Caleb I was mostly uninterested in, which isn’t what I expect when it comes to the love interest.

Which brings me onto the romance. My feelings for this aspect of the book are somewhat divided. It’s difficult to appreciate the chemistry between two characters if you don’t particularly care for them, which is what I experienced for most of the story. However, things did turn around towards the climax as the two shared more intimate moments together. I actually started to appreciate their feelings towards each other then.

Otherkin turned out to be not for me. I doubt I will be continuing with the series, but think this may still be a hit with some people (it already seems to be, actually). I can’t fault the writing, and did think it was a decent read at times, I just wish it had been better. 

Rating: 2.5 stars

Review: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Title: Something Strange and Deadly

Author: Susan Dennard

Publisher: Harper Teen

Released: July 24, 2012

Buy: The Book Depository 

The Dead alarm rings out across 1876 Philadelphia as animated corpses walk out of Laurel Hill Cemetery. Eleanor Fitt of the Philadelphia Fitts, or just Eleanor to you and me, is caught in the middle of a Dead attack when one of the decaying bodies delivers her a letter – a letter from her missing brother, Elijah. In her determination to locate Elijah, Eleanor ventures into the labs of the so-called Spirit Hunters, a small force designated to the role of protecting the city from the Dead, only to find nothing more than an infuriating inventor, a girl who pretends to be a boy, and an old man named Joseph. With no other hope, Eleanor is forced to risk facing her mother’s wrath and the frowns of the gossip-mongers as she decides to ask the Spirit Hunters for help…

The setting was perfect for me. A historical backdrop is hardly my favourite kind, but Susan Dennard makes her world simple and accessible without feeling too lacking or underdeveloped. With a light Victorian dusting and crafted with parasols, carriages and proper etiquette, Philadelphia in 1876 was far more appealing to me than it made sense for it to be. It’s not all skirts and petticoats though; there is a strong paranormal aroma in the air as Dennard’s zombie-like creatures turn this story into one full of excitement and action. It’s a fast-paced ride but never an overwhelming one.

The story, however, is not my favourite part of this book; it is the characters. Eleanor is so incredibly likeable. While not the most intelligent or durable of female main characters, she is never exasperatingly dim or particularly unrealistic. I loved her stubbornness, her natural curiosity and her willingness to transgress expectations in order to find her brother. She was a refreshingly sweet character who did not lack fire. And not only Eleanor – I also adored the love interest, Daniel the inventor. He was a little typical at times, but never boring. I loved the tension and chemistry between him and Eleanor. Not a smidgeon of insta-love in sight.

My only major criticism for this book is its high levels of predictability. The mystery behind who the necromancer was turned out to be incredibly easy to piece together, even for me. Although it didn’t fully take away from my overall enjoyment of the book, it did dampen my enthusiasm occasionally. For maximum suspense, I wish certain twists had been a little less expected or the plot a touch more intricate.

Regardless, Something Strange and Deadly proved to be a surprisingly good read, more so than I thought it would be. The light steampunk elements, wonderful set of characters, and pleasant writing made this story one that I fully enjoyed, even if it wasn’t quite perfect. I will definitely be reading the sequel and finding out what is in store for Eleanor Fitt next. I just hope Susan Dennard ensures book two is just as entertaining, if not more so.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Charade Giveaway Winner

The lovely Cambria Hebert was generous enough to give away a cool Charade prize pack as part of the Heven and Hell tour. We have a winner:

Passing Pages

Congratulations! Please check your emails for further details. If you didn't win this time, do check my Giveaways page for more opportunities and keep an eye out for some more giveaways coming soon.

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Title: Pushing the Limits

Author: Katie McGarry

Publisher(s): Mira Ink and Harlequin

Released: August 03 and July 31, 2012

Buy: The Book Depository

I’m not entirely sure what it was about this book, whether it be the cover, the description or the reviews, but as soon as I first heard of its existence on Goodreads, I knew I would have to read it. I hardly ever (never) get compulsions like that for contemporary novels, so I’m still utterly baffled as to why I was so drawn to it. I guess this is a sixth sense that will come in handy as Katie McGarry’s debut was just as stunning as my instincts told me it would be.

Pushing the Limits is an emotionally charged book about a broken girl and a troubled boy who find comfort in each other as their worlds continue to shatter around them. It is the most heart-wrenching of romances, wrapped in a poignant tale of family and acceptance while coated with bittersweet humour. In other words, it made me cry. Non-stop, in fact. Either I’m turning into a big softie or Katie McGarry really knows how to craft a beautiful and accessible story that is bound to leave an impression. I have a feeling it must be the latter.  

It’s so hard to pin-point the exact reasons this book worked, but Noah and Echo sure did play a significant part. They are by no means simple characters, or even particularly easy to like at first, but you can’t help but root for them as the story progresses. Their problems are so raw, but never unrealistic, and much more the main focus for me than the romance. From Echo’s troubles at home with her controlling father and irritating stepmother, to Noah’s struggles in piecing his family back together, there were many different issues in need of solving and the journey to the finish line was a powerful one.

How can I describe Noah? A bad-boy sounds almost like an insult in this case, but I suppose on the surface that is what he is. Dig deeper and we find a strong-willed young man with nothing but determination to ensure his younger brothers, Tyler and Jacob, are safe and happy. He is a dangerous flirt, and an incredibly entertaining one at that, but he is also so much more. I wish Echo’s character had shown as many layers as Noah’s, but in the end, I liked her too.

Echo and Noah share a split narration, something that I don’t always warm to, but it worked remarkably well in this book. Katie McGarry did a superb job handling both points of view. This, of course, helped craft the scorching chemistry between the two characters. Although I did think it developed a little rapidly, the romance was beautifully handled and interwoven into the plot with ease. Some of these scenes are so perfect, they are well worth reading twice.

This is one of those books I feel comfortable recommending to anybody. It’s too touching not to appreciate, regardless of the genre. Katie McGarry has left her mark on me and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Fated by Sarah Alderson

Title: Fated

Author: Sarah Alderson

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Published: Jan 05, 2012

Buy: The Book Depository

After reading Sarah Alderson’s Hunting Lila, I knew I could expect good things from this book. I’m please to say Fated did not disappoint. Although it has its fair share of flaws, I still greatly enjoyed it.

Evie Tremain is a Hunter and her job is to kill demons. Lucas Gray is a member of the Brotherhood and his job is to kill Evie Tremain. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Well, I’m sure Evie and Lucas will tell you otherwise. Having spent seventeen years of her life in the dark, Evie can hardly believe demons actually exist, let alone accept her calling as a demon slayer. Lucas wants nothing more than to kill a Hunter, only Evie, a seventeen-year-old waitress, is not quite what he had in mind. The two soon find their paths entwining in a way they would never have imagined and deciding where their devotions lie become trickier than expected.

With a great combination of action and romance, Fated proved to be a very addictive read. I instantly fell in love with the idea of Hunters vs Demons and Sarah Alderson made sure she delivered it well. With so many paranormal romance books saturating the young adult market, Fated could have very easily been something I have seen a thousand times before. Thankfully, it wasn’t. Although the idea of the enemy becoming the love interest is pretty commonplace, the story in Fated was crafted well enough to remain memorable.

The characters I have mixed feelings on. Lucas was a great love interest and it was interesting to read the story from his perspective as well as Evie’s. (The spilt point of view worked incredibly well in this book, by the way.) I loved Lucas’s humour and personality, but Evie wasn’t the most riveting of female leads. That’s not to say I didn’t like her – I did like her quite a bit a times, especially when she was determined and stubborn – I just lacked any sense of real connection with her character. I’m also a little disappointed that the secondary characters felt a bit too distant, especially the other members of the Brotherhood.

The focus is very much on Evie and Lucas in this book, and I guess that left room for a sizzling romance to develop. I can’t deny the fact Sarah Alderson is a pro at crafting a good romance. Despite my reservations with Evie, I greatly enjoyed the tension that brewed between herself and Lucas and would happily read more. That is reason enough for a sequel, I think.

I can’t help but compare this book to Hunting Lila. Although I greatly enjoyed both books, I felt Hunting Lila had more substance and a better set of characters. Or maybe it’s fairer to say Hunting Lila had Alex… and Fated did not. (I do adore Lucas but he has nothing on Alex.) Regardless, Fated has left an impression on me and I’m glad I finally got the chance to read it. I would definitely recommend this to fans of paranormal romance.

Rating: 4 stars 

Showcase Sunday (#3)

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits & Tea. It's an opportunity to share the books you may have bought, borrowed, been sent or gifted. Are you taking part in a similar meme? Feel free to leave a link!

Another 2 week edition for me. Here are the books I received and bought recently:

   

Dearly Beloved by Lia Habel

What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

Snow White & The Huntsman

League of Strays by L.B. Schulman

League of Strays seems to be causing some commotion on Goodreads lately, but I'm still curious enough to give it a try - maybe even just to see what's so bad about it. I'm hoping the other three meet my expectations, especially Dearly Beloved. I really enjoyed the first book and can't wait to get stuck in.

   

Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Frost by Kate Avery Ellison

Dreams by Daniela Sacerdoti

Velvet by Mary Hooper

Look at all these lovely covers. (Blue must be the new black!) I'm especially eager to read Defiance after all the wonderful things I have heard about it. Balzer + Bray books generally tend to impress me, so hopefully that remains true here. 

 

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

I bought these two after reading The Summer I Turned Pretty. I still find it hard to believe that the first book worked for me, but I'm glad it did. Now I'm eager to find out what happens next! :)

I also bought the three prequel novellas to Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. I read the first one, The Assassin and the Pirate Lord, and really liked it. I'm confident the other two will be just as good.

• The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
• The Assassin and the Desert
• The Assassin and the Underworld

That's it for now. Thanks to the publishers, Edelweiss, NetGalley and Kate for the review copies. Feel free to leave me your thoughts on any of these titles. If you've done your own book haul post, you're welcome to leave a link and I will visit it when I can. 

Review: Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Title: Graffiti Moon
Author: Cath Crowley
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Buy: The Book Depository

Mum says when wanting collides with getting, that’s the moment of truth.

I want to collide. 

A part of me knew I would love this book. The other part approached Graffiti Moon with a certain amount of trepidation. After all the gushing reviews and countless recommendations, I felt my expectations were perhaps too high – high enough to result in disappointment. 

I’m pleased to say it didn’t come to that. I wasn't left disappointed at all.

There is just something so mesmerizing about Cath Crowley’s writing. The way she manages to stretch what feels like weeks over a single night is remarkable. I wish I knew how to describe her writing style, but I find myself fumbling for words that don’t quite exist yet. It’s something that can only truly be appreciated when encountered, which is why I regret having waited so long to read this story. The text resonates with several different emotions, making this book one that you can laugh and cry along to simultaneously. I know I did both.

I adored the characters in this. I loved how the relationships blossomed between them so instantly, but felt so natural, like they had always meant to become a band of friends. There is Shadow, the graffiti artist whose actual name is Ed, and his friend Poet, a wielder of words. Dylan, boy number three, and the girlfriend he threw eggs at, Daisy. And then there is the Jazz Lady, also known as Jazz, and her best friend Lucy. Lucy wants nothing more than to collide. She wants nothing more than to collide right into Shadow.

I’m starting to think there might be something special in the water down under. Cath Crowley crafted a beautiful set of characters and I adored the bizarre friendship that spurned between them all after a night in Melbourne, riding along in a pink van. I loved how natural it felt for me to root for them, to root for Dylan and Daisy, Leo and Jazz, and Ed and Lucy all at once. I would happily read about them all again, to hear about the time when Ed grabbed Lucy’s arse and the time Lucy punched Ed in the nose. I miss them already.

And one other thing I feel I must mention is Poet’s poem The Daytime Things. I’ve never really been one for poems, but this one stood out to me considerably more than his others. I wish I could frame it and hang it somewhere. It’s definitely one to look out for while reading this book.

Graffiti Moon proved to be a beautiful read and a lot more significant than the book description conveys. I adored the writing, I adored the characters, and I even adored the fact that this was a true contemporary tale. My mission now is to read as many of Cath Crowley’s other books as I can.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Charade Blog Tour: Guest Post & Giveaway

As the final stop on the Charade tour, I have author Camrbia Hebert on the blog today for a fun guest post. She is also giving away some great swag, including a signed copy of Charade, so stick around for the giveaway at the end. :) Over to Camrbia...

Book: Charade by Cambria Hebert
Series: Heven and Hell (book 2)
Publisher: Otherworld Publications
Published: May 18, 2012

Dying at the hands of a psycho was a shock. Having my life returned to me by an angel was incredible. Being named a Supernatural Treasure and being given Sam as my guard was pretty darn awesome. Acquiring a debt for it all—well, I should have seen it coming.

Now here we are, fighting demons from Hell, caring for a boy that I just don’t trust, and traveling to faraway places to return a treasure to its rightful place. Nothing is as it seems. Everyone wears a mask; everyone puts on a charade. It’s up to us to separate the truth from the lies and reality from fiction. A hard task when my new reality involves fallen angels, witches and dragons… and did I mention Hell?

Anchoring me down through it all is Sam. Sam, who must face tragedies of his own and is put to the test again and again.

If we fail in our task, life as we know it—life as you know it—will end. Forever.

Hi everyone!

Can you believe that the Heven and Hell Charade Tour is coming to an end today? It’s been a fabulous month jam packed full of fun and informative posts. I want to thank those of you who have followed along and supported me!  Also, a huge thanks to Sam for helping me close everything out today!

So, I don’t know about you all but I am exhausted! A month long whirl wind tour can be very tiring (yeah, I was at home the whole time but my brain can still be tired!! He he he he). So I thought that today I would tell you what writers do AFTER a blog tour and a whirl wind of promotion. Well, okay, promotion for a writer never goes away… but my time will be a tad bit more free now that the blog tour has ended. And okay, I can’t speak for all writers on how they relax so I guess this post is about how I relax. Now without delay let’s get to the goods:

How this writer relaxes (feel free to steal some ideas):

#1 Take my iphone into the bathroom and hide

NOT ME. But you get the idea.

Yup. I do this. All the time. I check my email, facebook, surf the internet… call France (okay, I don’t call France) and pretty much sit there in silence. Well, okay, my kids usually end up beating on the door wanting a snack or to tattle on each other – hence the reason I am hiding in the first place.

#2 Dance around the house in my underwear.

Tell me you don’t do it too…

#3 Drink coffee at Starbucks

This is probably my number one relaxation technique. I like to people watch and meet with friends.

#4 Watch Vampire Diaries

A whole bunch of hotness on TV – enough said.

#5 Bum around in sweatpants.

Once I wore them to school to pick up my son and the first thing he said to me was “Mom! Why are you wearing your pajamas?”

#6 Go sky diving!

This is a lie. I would never do this.

#7 Make hot tea and leave the tea bag wrappers and sweetener packets laying around on the counters.

It drives my husband crazy! He he he he he.

#8 Dress up in crazy outfits and go outside and wave to my neighbors.

Won’t you be my neighbor?? LOL

This is a lie too. I don’t do this either. Unless you count my sweatpants. LOL.

#9 Make some dessert for my husband then eat it.

 (I’ve never had these but they look tasty!)

If it’s for him, the calories don’t count.

And the final thing I do to relax is:

#10 Disguise my voice and prank call my friends to tell them they won the lottery.

Once they get all excited I start laughing and tell them I was kidding. Okay, this is mean and I don’t do it but maybe I will when I am finished with this post…

And those are the things I do to relax (mostly, lol). I also like to listen to music, read, hang out with my family and play with my dog. ;-)

Thank you all so much for reading this last post of the Heven and Hell Tour: Charade. Until next time, you all rock!!

~ Cambria

GIVEAWAY (US ONLY)

A huge thank you to Cambria for the great post! She has very generously offered to give away some of the lovely things below to one lucky winner. It's open to anyone with a US mailing address (sorry to those living elsewhere!) Please read the T&Cs before entering and good luck! :)

• One signed paperback of Charade
• A notepad
• A pen
• A magnet
• A set of signed bookmarks

Review: Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

Title: Struck

Author: Jennifer Bosworth

Publisher: Macmillan

Published: April 26, 2012

Add On: Goodreads

I’m not entirely sure if I read the full description for this book, but as soon as I saw the words lightning addict, I knew I would have to give it a try. It’s not a concept you see every day (or at all, even) and I was eager to meet this lightning addict myself.

Mia Price, unfortunately, was a bit of a disappointment.

It doesn’t take much to intrigue or convince me these days, and once I decided a book with a lightning addict for a main character would be completely exciting, I set my expectations for Struck incredibly high. I wish I could say I was right to do so, but this book failed to impress and a (small) part of me regrets having read it. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy parts of it – I can think of a handful of aspects that were impressive enough – I just wish it had delivered more.

My main issue, and what I believe is responsible for my general lack of enthusiasm for this book, was Mia Price. As a main character, and a potentially intriguing one at that, I expected her to leave a more significant impression. There was very little emotional investment from me and any reaction she seemed to draw was a negative one. I was either bored senseless by what was churning through her mind or extremely frustrated with her decisions. Now I’m hardly an expert, but when someone stands over you with a knife with the intention to kill you, you’re not supposed to be so quick to trust him again are you? The romance between Mia and Jeremy, her would-be killer, felt incredibly unrealistic to me, and, I hate to say it, borderline insta-love.

Ignoring my feelings towards Mia, I can say that the start was an intriguing one and the plot kicked off nicely. Admittedly, the whole concept of lightning causing an earthquake felt incredibly far-fetched to me, but I decided not to dwell on it. The rest – two opposing cults, the Prophet’s Followers and the Seekers, both looking to recruit Mia - I found interesting enough. The storyline was unique, which is something I’m sure many people will appreciate, and it progressed well enough throughout the course of the book. There was a tendency for the plot to fall flat occasionally, especially during the middle, but the climax was well-presented with a decent amount of action and suspense.

One thing I felt was missing was more lightning action. This is purely personal preference, but if Mia was a lightning addict, I wanted a better sense of what it felt like to crave this thing. More lightning strikes would have been welcomed, but that’s just me being particular.

Some of the secondary characters bothered me nearly as much as Mia – Parker, Mia’s brother, being one of them – but others were strangely fascinating. Mia’s mother, who was a strong supporter of the Prophet, and Rance Ridley Prophet himself are two that held quite a bit of my interest. I did think both were insane most of the time, so that might have had something to do with it.

Although Struck failed to meet my expectations, and Mia proved to be a less than impressive main character, I can still see this potentially appealing to many people. Jennifer Bosworth has created an original idea and I applaud her for that, I just wish I could have been more invested in the story. Overall, this was disappointing, but not completely terrible. 

Rating: 2.5 stars

The Gathering Dark Blog Tour: Interview with Leigh Bardugo

The international blog tour for The Gathering Dark (Shadow & Bone in the US) officially kicked off a few days ago. I'm thrilled to have the author, Leigh Bardugo, on the blog today for an interview.  

The Gathering Dark by Leigh Bardugo

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee. 

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. 

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

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Leigh Bardugo

Russia appears to have been a big influence in the creation of Ravka. What sort of research did you have to undertake to incorporate the Russian culture into Ravka? 

I read history, folklore, collected old atlases and art books, and acquired a shockingly filthy guide to Russian slang. A friend of mine translated Russian and Mongolian for me over Facebook and there's actually a very big Russian community here in LA. But the turning point probably came when I picked up Natasha’s Dance by Orlando Figes. You don't just get texture or historical detail from him, but a glimpse at the humor and fatalism and beauty at the heart of Russian culture. I think it really changed the way I approached the story.   

The Darkling is an interesting character, to say the least. What were you aiming for when you created him and how challenging was this? 

I think I wanted him to be the embodiment of all the dangerous characters who ever made my heart beat a little faster than the hero-- even when I should have known better. He's ruthless, but he always has what he considers good reason. His power is seductive, but it also isolates him. He's a bit of a rock star, I guess. I think the greatest challenge was keeping him human.  

On the off chance that you unleash a power that throws you head-first into the world of the Grisha, and, unlike Alina, you have the option of choosing your order, what type of Grisha would you choose to be? 

The Corporalki are the Order of the Living and the Dead. They are the highest ranked Grisha, the most valued soldiers, and they are divided into Healers and Heartrenders. I would definitely be a Heartrender. Not only could I quite literally crush an enemy's heart without ever lifting a finger, if someone got on my nerves I could just slow his pulse until he slipped into a temporary coma. Great way of dealing with irritating co-workers. 

If you were stuck in the Shadow Fold with one character from the book, who would it be and why? 

Well, Alina because I'd like to live. Short of that, I suppose I'd choose Genya. At least then I'd leave a pretty corpse.  

One of my favourite characters from the book is Mal. The friendship between him and Alina is a dynamic one with many possible routes. How easy was it to craft the scenes between the two of them? 

Once I understood Keramzin, the orphanage where Mal and Alina grew up, I understood the dynamic between them much better. It's a bond that no one else can really grasp, a past that both of them need to move beyond. It was important to me that their camaraderie felt real, that the history between them came through in their humor and the way they treated each other, so I hope I got it right.

US Cover

How is The Gathering Dark different from other 'high fantasy' books? 

1. It's not set in Medieval Europe. No broadswords, no helms, no flagons of ale. 2. I've always wondered what might happen if you brought a gun to a magic fight, so I did. In our world, the time period would be closest to the early 1800s, so think sabres and muskets. 3. I hope it's a bit more accessible than some of the heavier high fantasy out there, and that maybe it will serve as a gateway to exploring the genre for people who have steered clear of it before.

And finally, (for people who have read the book) if the Darkling offered you a kefta in the colour black, would you accept?

In a second. I have none of Alina's internal fortitude or sense of caution. Besides, I look smashing in black. 

A huge thank you to Leigh for the interview! If you would like to follow the tour, be sure to check out the full tour schedule here. 

Q&A with Daemon Black, everyone's favourite alien...

As part of the 30 Days of Daemon blog tour (yes, a whole month - who can get enough of Daemon?) I have Jennifer L. Armentrout's Daemon Black on the blog today to answer a batch of Dear Daemon questions. Being the wise and considerate alien that he is, he has agreed to share some of his knowledge. I hope you all find his advice...useful.

  

Dear Daemon, Just last week, I caught my BF sniffing at the pavement. The same night, he scratched his ear with his toe during a rerun of Cheers. On top of that, the dude wouldn't share the popcorn. Do you think there might be something wrong with him? 

To whom it may concern,

I think you need a new boyfriend. Stat. That is all.

Yours truly, 

Daemon.

Do you think it's healthy to be obsessed with characters from books?

Dear Obsessed,

I see nothing wrong with it.

Yours truly, 

Daemon.


Hi Daemon, Just out of curiosity, you know how girls get butterflies, goosebumps and our hearts race etc. when we're in love. How do guys know when they're in love? 

Dear Romantic,

Guys get butterflies, goosebumps, and our heart races when we see them. Other things happen. Use your imagination. It can get mighty awkward.

Yours truly, 

Daemon.

Dear Daemon, Why you so fine?

Dear Obvious,

Because I was born that way, baby.

Yours truly, 

Daemon. 

Dear Daemon, I am a dude. You seem to... er, have quite a fan-base. How can I get some of your alien mojo?

Dear Dude,

Well, for starters, you’d need to be alien. Oh, wait. You’re not an alien. That mojo is all mine.

Yours truly, 

Daemon.

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For more of Daemon, click here for the full tour schedule. You know you want to.