ARC Book Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden Series #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Expected Publication Date: April 24th 2012
Author links: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Format: Arc; Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Teen
Summary from Goodreads;
IN A FUTURE WORLD, VAMPIRES REIGN. HUMANS ARE BLOOD CATTLE. AND ONE GIRL WILL SEARCH FOR THE KEY TO SAVE HUMANITY. 
Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. 
Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters. 
Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad. 
Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike. 
But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for. 
Includes an exclusive excerpt from the next Iron Fey novel, out November 2012.
Review:
5+ stars, new favorite.
Anyone fancy a dystopian with some vampires thrown in? 
I was hooked as soon as Julie started the story, with her detailed descriptions of places and things in general. She's done it again, first with The Iron Fey series and now with this series. She transported me into this world, through her writing that it felt like I was the main character. When Allie felt fear, I felt fear. When she was thrilled, so was I.

Kagawa has the gift to make you feel like you're in the story, not just reading this and I enjoyed that throughout the whole book. Allie strong female protagonist and I loved sharing her journey in this wild and scary world Julie created.  I loved how Allie had a love for books, which would have made her my best friend in real life. I mean, who doesn't want a friend who's sarcastic, and can kick some vampire butt? I know I do, haha. The Immortal Rules has an awesome ending along that satisfies the reader but also leaves you wanting the next book. One of the best last lines ever.

I have once before requested to move into Kagawa's brain and live in her Iron Fey series along with Ash and Puck, and possibly see Meghan once in a while of course.. but after reading this, I changed my mind. I want to meet Zeke. ^_^ I love his character, hehe.

 Julie Kagawa's The Immortal Rules is a dark and breath-taking world that will have you turning the pages and holding your breath in anticipation to know what happens next.

Teaser;

Full length trailer;
Really, really like the cover. Really, seems to capture the book and the summary rather good.

Spring Break & To-Be-Read.

Spring break has officially started for me, which means more time to read, yay! I decided to make a list of books to read, considering I don't really read books in any particular order.. I just usually grab a random book off my shelves and read it. So, I'm going to try to make a list to get through this spring break.

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Timeless by Alexandra Monir

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

Follow Friday ( 3 )

To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee and Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow the Featured Bloggers
• Put your Blog name and URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers.

Okay, so.. I'm gonna do this >.< I like meeting new people w/ the same interest as me. :)
If you're doing this, post the link in the comments. 

This weeks Question: Do you read one book at a time or do you switch back and forth between two or more?

It usually depends on the books and my mood. If I'm reading a book and the pace is a bit slow, I usually put it down for a bit, grab another book and alternate between them.

Book Review: Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman

Title: Babe In Boyland
Author: Jody Gehrman
Author links: Website
Publisher: Dial
Publication Date: February 17th 2011 
Format: Hardback
Summary from Goodreads;
When high school junior Natalie - or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper - is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected - especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?
Five stars.
Quote:
“I sometimes suspect they don't take Dr. Aphrodite very seriously. Which is sad, really. Because what's more serious than love?” 
― Jody Gehrman, Babe in Boyland
Review;
I have to admit I didn't really like the cover, however I like how the girl in the picture has a mustache as a disguise. Considering how the main character goes undercover in the story, I thought that was rather clever and unique.

Onto the story line, I admit to never reading about this sort of thing before. A girl undercover, to find out answers to girl's everyday questions. This book was so astounding and phenomenal and awesome, and I'm nowhere done with adjectives to describe this book. I read this in one day, not even a day, probably an hour or two. Gehrman's writing made me feel like I was in the book, just like J.K. Rowling did with her Harry Potter series. I literally felt myself feeling for the character, whatever she felt, I felt. "Nat's" attitude was great, she was sarcastic and hilarious. Oh, let's talk boys. Emilio is probably one of my favorite male characters this year. He's funny, cute, adorably, and totally swoon worthy. I loved how fast paced this book was and I must get my own copy soon since I borrowed this copy.


Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman is a fast-paced, romance filled novel that will make you feel for the character and swoon over the cuteness. If you're looking for a fast, cute read, this is the book for you.

Book Review: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter

Title: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You
Author: Ally Carter
Series: Gallagher Girls #1
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Tumblr | Facebook
Publication Date: April 25th 2006
Publisher: Hyperion
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 284
Summary from Goodreads;
Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her? 
Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love.
Quote:

“I suppose a lot of teenage girls feel invisible sometimes, like they just disappear. Well, that's me—Cammie the Chameleon. But I'm luckier than most because, at my school, that's considered cool. 
I go to a school for spies.” 
-Ally Carter, I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You.
Rate: 5/5 stars
Review:
So many people have recommended this, and raved about it but I got to it just now. When I read the summary, I was so excited to read it because I love reading about people in "spy" jobs, like Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider series and I also enjoy watching NCIS. Also, the title caught my attention.. as well as my friends who couldn't believe a book could have such a title, and had to get a copy themselves to figure out why the title was what it was.

I'd tell you I love you but then I'd have to kill you transported me into Carter's world from the first page. It had enough detail to draw a picture in your mind but not as much as to bore you into skipping pages.  I really liked how Cammie seemed like a real life girl, you know, beside all the spy things she can do. Cammie was a somewhat normal girl, she likes this guy but she doesn't know how to "speak boy." The plot line was amazing, and I can't wait to read the second book in the series,  Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy.
Also, I found this other cover for this book, which I have to admit I like more;

I'd tell you I love you but then I'd have to kill you is a fast paced book, with such detail that you'll feel like you're there. Carter will pull you into her world from the first page, and not let go until the last page, leaving you with anticipation to read the second installment to her series.

ARC Book Review: Gift by Andrea J. Buchanan

Title: Gift
Author: Andrea J. Buchanan
Author Links: Website | Twitter
Publisher: Open Road Media
Expected Publication Date: Should hit shelves on March 27, 2012
Format: Arc; Thanks to Open Road Media & Netgalley
Summary from Goodreads;
High school sophomore Daisy Jones is just trying to get by unnoticed. It doesn't help that she's the new girl at school, lives in a trailer park, and doesn't even own a cell phone. But there's a good reason for all that: Daisy has a secret, unpredictable power-one only her best friend, Danielle, knows about. Despite her "gift" (or is it a curse?), Daisy's doing a good job of fitting in-and a cute senior named Kevin even seems interested in her! But when Daisy tries to help Vivi, a mysterious classmate in a crisis, she soon discovers that her new friend has a secret of her own. Now Daisy and her friends must deal with chilling dreams and messages from the beyond. Can Daisy channel the power she's always tried to hide-before it's too late? 
Review: 
I got this book from Open Road Media through Netgalley. I knew I had to get it when I read the summary after watching the trailer. The cover was what attracted my attention, really. Look at it, it's gorgeous. The lighting around the purple-ish background and all, amazing. ^.^

The plot was interesting, I like how it built up slowly and then pow. It was a fast paced book, lots of suspense that had me with chills, literally. The mystery and suspense combined was well thought out. I really liked how everyone had a different role in Buchanan's world. No one was there just for show, they all had their own roles and you really get to know them all. I really don't get the point of having characters or a bunch of details in a story when they don't lead up to anything, they're just there, but Andrea avoided that and made sure everything had a point in the story.

Gift by Andrea J. Buchanan is a fast paced book, well thought out plot that slowly builds up into a fantastic read.


Book Trailer:
I quite liked this trailer, I specially liked the beginning where the person is opening the e-book.

Follow Friday ( 2 )

• Rules:
• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow the Featured Bloggers
• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed.
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers.
• Q:  What is the longest book you've read? What are your favorite 600+ page reads?

I believe the longest book I've read is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. My personal favorite was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows though, after Chamber of Secrets of course.
Sigh, can't really decided between the Harry Potter series, I love them all equally. >.<

Book Review: Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Title: Tiger's Curse
Author: Colleen Houck
Series: The Tiger Saga #1
Publisher: Sterling
Publication Date: January 11th 2011
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 402
Summary from Goodreads;
The last thing teenager Kelsey Hayes thought she'd be doing over the summer was meeting Ren, a mysterious white tiger and cursed Indian prince when she learns she alone can break the Tiger's curse, Kelsey's life is turned upside-down. The unlikely duo journeys halfway around the world to piece together an Indian prophecy, find a way to free the man trapped by a centuries-old spell, and discover the path to their true destiny.

Passion. Fate. Loyalty.


Would you risk it all to change your destiny?
Review:
The gorgeous and well designed cover was obviously what drew me into getting this book, and the synopsis helped too.

Tiger's Curse captured my attention completely after the first few pages into reading it. The writing was unique and seemed to flow straight out of the book. Colleen seemed to cast a spell on me through the writing, because I couldn't seem to put the book down. I loved the very idea of Indian legends and myths, any type of myths really. The characters were hilarious, really. There would be a time when they were in a dangerous situation and someone would crack a joke or do something completely hilarious.

“He seemed very pleased with himself for surviving a near-death experience. I could practically hear him chanting to himself: I overcame. I conquered. I’m a man etc etc.” 
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Curse
The romance was totally swoon-worthy. Scoot over Anna and St. Clair, cause Ren and Kelsey are taking over. This book captures the type of romance every young adult person wants, or anyone else, really. I Can't wait to read Tiger's Curse, whose cover holds Ren's brother,Kishan, right?
Tiger's Curse was captivating, hilarious, and had the perfect touch of romance.
You can go on the website and see official music playlists and book trailers for all of the books.
Trailer;

Barnes&Nobles interview w/ author;

Top Ten Tuesday ( 2 )

A meme hosted at The Broke and the Bookish.

March 20: Top Ten Books On My Spring To-Be-Read list (could be new releases or just books you hope to read this spring) 

A list of like, a million books... narrowed down to 10, let's do this. :D

              1.Cinder by Marissa Meyer
I love re-tellings and I've heard this was going to be a movie? I have to read the book before I see the movie, a rule of mine. :D

 2. Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

I've heard loads about this, people on Twitter were tweeting quite a lot when the second one was released, so I thought why not? Also, I've read the excerpt .. AMAZING! :)

             
         3. Eve by Anna Carey

Look at that cover. --->
Gorgeous, ain't it? Yes, but that's not the only reason. I've also read a chapter on the Nook and the plot seems original enough.
but again..look at the gorgeous cover ... :D

4. Hunger by Michael Grant ( Gone #2 )
I have to admit, it's taken me a lot of self control to not go buy all of the books in the series right now. I have fallen in love .. again, with another series. Sigh, anyway, I really, really hope this one doesn't disappoint me.
             

                   

   5. Lies by Michael Grant ( Gone #3 )
Number 4 totally led to this one.. but that really shows how excited I am to read the rest of the series. ^_^ I can't wait.

 6. The Amanda Project ( The Amanda Project #1 )

I bought this book a while ago to support Wattpad, and haven't had the chance to read it. So, I thought "why not read it this spring?" so It's on my spring list. :)

 7. Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Yes, I haven't read it yet.. but I will. :)
The cover is absolutely gorgeous, too.

8. Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck

Well, same as with Gone, I completely fell in love with this series.. and Ren, but I can't wait to find out about Ren's brother in this book. >.<

9. Epic Fail by Claire Lazebnik

                                   10. Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

A lot of people recommended it so I thought I'd give it a try. 

Do you do this meme? If so, post your link in the comments, and if not, have you read or reviewed any of these books? What'd you think? :)

ARC Book Review: The List by Siobhan Vivian

Title: The List
Author: Siobhan Vivian
Publisher: Push
Release Date: April 1, 2012
Summary from Goodreads;
An intense look at the rules of high school attraction—and the price that’s paid for them. 

It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest. Nobody knows who makes the list. It almost doesn’t matter. The damage is done the minute it goes up. 

This is the story of eight girls, freshman to senior, “pretty” and “ugly.” And it’s also the story of how we see ourselves, and how other people see us, and the tangled connection of the two.


Review: 
I'd been patiently waiting for the release of this book and totally pining for it and I could have waited, but fortunately a fellow friend/ reviewer of mine lend it to me. I was so happy I read it and forgot to read the release date, which was rather ironic, considering the fact that I'd been so excited for it's release date.  


Anyway, The List tells the story of a couple of girls whose names have gone up on the list that year and their experiences on being either the prettiest girl in school for her year or the ugliest. This book was so intriguing to read although I wish I'd known that it was in first person. I've grown used to third person POV, it appears. I completely loved the development of the characters and plot( s ) throughout the story. Each girl has a different experience as they see the effects of the list impact their lives and emotions.  Their lives are completely different but due to the list their paths inter cross and you realize that they're as different as they are similar.


I adored Siobhan's The List. It was a quick read, filled with teenage angst and romance. 

Follow Friday ( 1 )

Rules

• To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee and Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow the Featured Bloggers
• Put your Blog name and URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers.

Okay, so.. I'm gonna do this >.< I like meeting new people w/ the same interest as me. :)

If you're doing this, post the link in the comments. 

What is the best book you've read in the last month? What is the worst book you've read in the last month 

The best book was probably Gone by Michael Grant. So good! :)
The worst? Well, let's just say I've had a great month. >.<

ARC Book Review: The Girl in The Park by Mariah Fredericks

Title: The Girl In The Girl
Author: Mariah Fredericks

Publisher: Random House Children's books

Expected Publication: April 24, 2012

Author Info: Website

Format: Arc/ Random Buzzers

Pages: 224 

Review from Goodreads;

When Wendy Geller's body is found in Central Park after the night of a rager, newspaper headlines scream,"Death in the Park: Party Girl Found Strangled." But shy Rain, once Wendy's best friend, knows there was more to Wendy than just "party girl." As she struggles to separate the friend she knew from the tangle of gossip and headlines, Rain becomes determined to discover the truth about the murder. 

Review;

4 stars- really liked it. 

This is by far the best mystery book I've read in ages.I don't normally read mystery, but I gave this a chance and am I glad for it.

Top Ten Tuesday ( 1 )

I decided to try out this meme by The Broke and the Bookish, called Top Ten Tuesday.
This is this weeks, Top Ten Tuesday.
March 13: Top X Genre Books (pick the genre you want: Top Ten Historical fiction books, Top Ten Dystopian Books, Top Ten Victorian Novels)
If you haven't joined but you're curious like me, click here to see the list of upcoming lists.

Okay.. a genre, a genre, mhhm. I decided to pick my top ten Dystopian book because I don't really read Historical or Victorian novels.

So, in no particular order, here are my Top Ten Dystopian books;
I don't quite pay attention to the sub-genres in books, truthfully, I just go along with what the summary is. So, I had some "help" from Goodreads' listopia.

             1. Legend by Marie Lu. Received five stars from me, here are my first thoughts on it. One of my favorites of all time.

                   2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Do I really need to explain? :D

3. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Again, same question. 

4. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. Lovely end to the Hunger Games, dare I say. :D

5. The Maze Runner by James Dashner. So.much.action. & suspense, of course.

6. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher. Loved the twists.

7. Starters by Lissa Price. Astounding cover, really.

8. The Giver by Lois Lowry

9. Unwind by Neal Shusterman

I'm actually currently reading this book, but I love it already therefore that finishes this Tuesday's list.
-Nook Book Girl 

ARC Book Review: Starters by Lissa Price

Title: Starters

Author: Lissa Price.

Series: Starters series, book #1 
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 13, 2012
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Format: Arc/Netgalley
Pages: 368
Summary from Goodreads;

HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER 

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man. 

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . . 
Review;
Four stars, really liked it.
How far would people go to be young and alive? Starters amazed me, this book was simply too unique for words but I'll try to do it anyway.

Book Review: Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly

Title: Angel Fire
Author: L.A. Weatherly
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: January 24, 2012
Summary from Amazon;
If you haven't read Angel Burn, please don't continue reading because of possible spoilers.
In Book Two of L. A. Weatherly’s wildly romantic, action-packed trilogy, the angels are back with a vengeance . . . and they don’t have heaven in mind. 
 The angel menace has exploded, and Alex and Willow are on the lam. Willow's prophetic dreams point them to Mexico City, where they connect with a group of angel killers led by Kara, an AK from Alex's past. But the team is suspicious of Willow, even after Alex takes over training them for an attack on THE TWELVE, a council of all-powerful angels.
Click here for the Goodreads summary.
Review;
This book came out on my birthday, which I was totally siked about. So, of course I bought it as a birthday present to myself because 1) I needed an excuse and that seemed like a good one, 2) ... There's not really any more reasons, really. haha.
When I first saw the cover and style of Angel Fire, I was completely and truly awed, no joke. Not only is the front cover gorgeous but the spine, oh.my.god. it's absolutely amazing!

Hello there! c:

Hey everyone; book reviewers "&" random people.

Thanks for stumbling onto this new blog.

Well first of all, the title of this blog was suggested by one of my friends by accident.. and a joke, but I rather liked it, somehow. I always carry my nook around and read when I get the chance, which is quite often considering my classes at the moment.
I am a person who likes to read every book I can get my hands on, no matter what other people think of it. I like having my own opinion of a book, which is always truthful but not mean. I do other things rather than just read like; sports, sports, academics, sports, volunteering, academics, and trying new things, but reading is my favorite. ^_^
I have made another blog before but it was deleted once my computer crashed & my life became as busy as a hive nest, not that I live in a bee hive, of course. ( ; I'm a very random person, but I can focus very quickly.
That's a lot of facts for now.
Basically, like my shorter version of my about me says, I made this blog to keep track of books and interact with people with the same interests as me.
I got carried away... sorry. (:
Haha, expect a lot of reviews.


- Book Nook Girl