Top Ten Tuesday ( 6 )

Hosted By The Broke And The Bookish

A meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish because they're fond of lists. Everyone is welcome to join. All asked is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists!
May 1: Top Ten Books You'd Like To See Made Into A Movie
I love this week's top ten Tuesday! ^.^

 

1. Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber

Reasons; So much action and humor needs to be a movie, no questions asked.

 2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Reasons; You really want to know? Have you watched the Hunger Games? Exactly.

 3. Divergent by Veronica Roth
Reasons; I loved this book so much! I could just see scenes unfold before my eyes and also, for some unknown reason I really want to see the part where they jump off the train.

 4. Gone by Michael Grant
Reasons; I want to see how they'd work out the effects because of the powers and such.

 5. Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
It was a cute read, I just felt like having it make into a movie really.. *shrugs*

 6. Starters by Lissa Price
Reasons; I would love to see how they'd built this world, any world really.

 7. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Reasons; Yeah, I'm cheating I know. It's already being made into a movie, blah blah blah but come on! This book is amazing! Why can't they just release it like, now? *innocent grin*

 8. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Reasons; Are you serious? I want to see the monsters, duh. The world too..

9. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight By Jennifer E. Smith
Reasons; What can I say? I'm a sucker for cute contempt. reads and accents. Anna and the french kiss would be okay too.. better, even.

10. The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa
Reasons; Yeah, it's a series so I cheated.. again BUT it's Julie Kagawa! I love her writing.. and I want to see the cast for Puck and Ash *lol*

Book Review: Tempest by Julie Cross

Title: Tempest
Author: Julie Cross
Series: Tempest #1
Author Links: Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: January 17th 2012
Buy it: Barnes & Nobles | Amazon
Add it; Goodreads | Library Thing
Summary from Goodreads;
The year is 2009.  Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.
That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.
Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.
But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him.
Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.
Review:
3 Stars, enjoyed it but lacked a few things.
When I first picked this up, I'll admit it was because of the hype. As I got to reading the blurb though, I found myself intrigued by the story line of the book.
Tempest got straight to the plot and action during the first few pages, and although the time changes were a tad confusing at first, I really felt myself enjoying this novel. It had action in every turn of a page and romance too. The romance was just the right amount, it didn't take over the story. There were some parts where it dragged a tad but it always picked right back up. I've heard that this was to be turned into a movie and quite frankly I'm curious to see if they'll be able to pull it off. The writing was a bit complex, maybe because it was in a male's point of view or maybe that was the writer's style. *shrugs* I didn't feel connected to the characters as much as I would have liked however I still found myself feeling for them and rooting them on; I wish I could have gotten to know them more though. I found the ending to be priceless earning the main character my respect through the way events turned out.
Tempest is a action filled novel with suspenseful moments weaved in throughout the book. The ending will leave readers waiting for the sequel with anticipation.

Book Trailer: I really like how they're suddenly separated in the trailer, quite dramatic! ^.^

Book Review: Au Revior, Crazy European Chick by Joe Scheiber

Title: Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick
Author: Joe Schreiber
Author Links: Twitter | Blog
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Publication Date: October 25th 2011

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 192

Summary from Goodreads;
Perry Stormaire is a normal high school senior– he is busy applying to college and rehearsing with his band –until he agrees to go to the prom with the Lithuanian exchange student who is staying with his family. It turns out that Gobi Zaksauskas is not the mousy teenager that she seems but rather an attractive, confident trained assassin. Instead of going to the prom, Perry finds himself on a wild ride through the streets of New York City as Gobi commandeers the Jaguar his father lent him for the prom in order to take out her targets. Perry learns a lot about himself – and ends up with some amazing material for his college application essays.
Review:
4 stars, really enjoyed it.
The cover is really gorgeous, I want that girl's jacket! On hardcovers if you take the dust jacket off, you can see where the Gobi's targets are on a map of New York City. The title was hilarious and really unique.
Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick was a really enjoyable read. The pacing was quick and the novel itself was full of action from the first page to the last page. It was also laugh-out-loud funny, I couldn't stop laughing at the sarcasm and retorts dripping from Gobi and Perry's characters. I really wish I got to get to know the characters a tad more though. The fact that the book was set in New York City added a feel of action around the already filled with action plot. Gobi's mission not only unfolds secrets that Perry never knew about, it also opened his eyes and made him realize some things along their adventure making him grow as a character. The ending was absolutely genius, although I wanted more because it seemed like a cliffhanger to me. I totally wish I could have read his essay even though it hinted to what it was about.
Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick is an action filled page turner that readers won't want to put down. Secrets unfold in this hilarious novel which will have readers shocked and surprised.
Book Trailer: I love this narrator's voice! ^-^ The trailer is simple yet amazing.

Book Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Title: Everneath
Author: Brodi Ashton
Series: Everneath #1
Author Links: Blog | Twitter
Publisher: Harper Collins / Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: January 24th 2012
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 370
Summary from Goodreads;
Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever. 
She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.
Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.
As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...
Review: 
5 stars, recommend to everyone.
Can I mention that this girl has a gorgeous dress? Heck, even my friends thought so. I love the way it turns into smoke in the bottom.
The writing in Everneath was legible but what really got me was that it was a retelling of Persephone's myth. I don't think I've ever read any retelling of this myth and if I have then I don't recall reading it. The plot was great although in the beginning it seems like you're thrown in the middle of a sequel but it works out because the story flashes into the past. The romance is cute, but I wish Jack hadn't given in to her "explanation" of why she was gone for so long so easily. The pacing was consistent and the book never dragged.
There were a lot of interesting elements that Brodi put into this book like the mythology, twists, and the turns. She changes some things in the myths which makes the story even more intriguing. I do wish I'd gotten to know Cole more and seen him do more than just basically stalk Nikki. I can't wait to find out more about Cole and the characters in the next book, Everbound and find out more about Everneath and the mysteries it holds.

Jodi's Everneath holds mystery, romance, and suspense in it's pages. It's an intriguing read that will have readers flipping the pages to find out what happens next.

Book Trailer: I love how simple it is, and the effects on the font is amazing!

“Remembering is easy. It's forgetting that's hard.” - Everneath, Jodi Ashton

Tuesday Teaser ( 2 ) : Cloaked by Alex Flinn

A meme hosted at Should Be Reading.  Anyone can play along! Just do the following: • Grab your current read • Open to a random page • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



Title: Cloaked
Author: Alex Flinn
I’m not your average hero. I actually wasn’t your average anything. Just a poor guy working an after-school job at a South Beach shoe repair shop to help his mom make ends meet. But a little magic changed it all.
It all started with the curse. And the frognapping. And one hot-looking princess, who asked me to lead a rescue mission.
There wasn’t a fairy godmother or any of that. And even though I fell in love along the way, what happened to me is unlike any fairy tale I’ve ever heard. Before I knew it, I was spying with a flock of enchanted swans, talking (yes, talking!) to a fox named Todd, and nearly trampled by giants in the Everglades. 
Don’t believe me? I didn’t believe it either. But you’ll see. Because I knew it all was true, the second I got CLOAKED.
Teaser: 

"With one final glance around, I start toward the door. But when I try to to leave, the door won't open. I tug at it, then harder. I pull the knob back and forth. Nothing." - Page 109, Cloaked. 

Top Ten Tuesday ( 5 )

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because the folks at The Broke and the Bookish are particularly fond of lists.
April 24: Top Ten All Time Favorite Characters In Books.
My favorite characters change about as much as my favorite books due, so right now, This is the list. In no particular order.

 1. Etienne from Anna and The French Kiss.
Reasons: 1) He's British, which means he has an accent. 2) He's also adorable and 3) hilarious. ^-^

 2. Cinder from Cinder, *lol*.
Reasons: 1) She is so amazing! 2) She's a really strong female character and 3) she's a cyborg!

3. Chase from Deadly Cool.
Reasons: 1) He's the "bad boy". 2) He's secretly sweet and caring. 3) He can hack into computers!

4. Four from Divergent. ( lol, four is on #4 .. *grins* )
Reasons: 1) He's awesome. No other explanation needed.

5. Patrick from The Catastrophic History of You and Me.
Reasons: 1) Patrick is hilarious and 2) sarcastic. This guy is a favorite of mine because of those reasons. That's really it. *shrugs*

 6. Both main characters are in my favorite. If you want to know why, read the book.

7. Katniss from The Hunger Games.
Reasons: 1) Katniss is so ninja. Yes I said it, ninja. 2) She can shoot a bow and arrow through anything! How cool would that be in real life? Super cool!

8. I loved all the characters in The Immortal Rules, from the bad vampires, to the main character, and everyone else.

9. Noah from The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.
Reasons: 1) Noah is sarcastic, 2) realistic, and 3) just plain bomb.

10. Ren from Tiger's Curse.
Reasons: 1) Ren is a gentlemen, which is so cute! 2) He has manners yet he's funny. 3) He's sweet yet he can be fierce. He's just perfect *lol*

Ethos Blog Tour: Guest Post, Self vs Small Press by Desiree Finkbeiner

Self Publish vs Small Press, my 2 cents (Desiree Finkbeiner) 

It hard to choose for a lot of people, self publish or take a chance with a small press? I am a very independent woman and love to do things for myself. But for new authors I really do recommend starting with a small press. (if you can find one that is good to you). Not only will they have experience in an area that is new territory for you, but the friendships that you will form with other authors on the press, is priceless. Building your network is vital for book sales and if you rely on your own small network, you’re not going to sell many books.

There is also sort of a stigma to being ‘self published’. Some people might view your book as unworthy of their time since a publisher wouldn’t even touch it. But there are some very successful self-published authors out there. If you’re lucky enough to find a hard working small press, they are awesome! Let them plow the way for your writing career, but always keep in mind that no matter what press you’re with, you will have to do your part to market or sell your book.

I’ve seen a lot of authors blame the press for poor book sales. But the fact is, there is a market for virtually every book. If you’re not out there actively trying to locate your readers, it doesn’t matter how good your book is. No one will buy it if no one knows about it. Since most presses have small budgets, they can’t really afford high tech marketing campaigns, but the very least they can do for you is give your image a boost and get you in touch with a network of authors, that hopefully, will be like extended family… a place to go to for encouragement and advice.

Summary from Goodreads;
Title: Morning Star
Series: Ethos #1
Author:  Desiree Finkbeiner
It started with a mushroom, from another world... never before touched by a human hand, until Brianna... but life continued as normal... until a near fatal accident almost a decade later, reveals to Brianna... she's... different...
Unexplained lab results, unusually fast healing, and recent sightings of Jurassic sized dragonflies... What is happening to her?
When a peculiar man delivers her from a violent assault, she becomes enchanted by his heroism and inhuman abilities. Her rescuer, Kalen, is sworn to protect the powerful secret she has yet to realize, from an ancient foe with evil designs...
With the secret exposed, our world is no longer safe. Kalen takes Brianna to Ethos, his home, unprepared for what happens next... An ancient prophecy unfolds and they must make make a choice... Give into their forbidden love, or sacrifice their heart's desire for a chance to save their worlds.


About The Author:
I am a published author and licensed artist with my art appearing on products across the nation. My original works are collected world-wide.
Please check out my website and LIKE me on facebook to see more about my urban fantasy series ETHOS coming spring 2012. http://www.facebook.com/finkartstudio

Book Review: Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

Title: Deadly Cool
Author: Gemma Halliday
Series: Deadly Cool #1
Author Links: Website | Facebook
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: October 11th 2011
Format: Paperback
Pages: 303
Summary from Goodreads;
Hartley Grace Featherstone is having a very bad day. First she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with the president of the Herbert Hoover High School Chastity Club. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And if that weren’t enough, now he’s depending on Hartley to clear his name. 
But as much as Hartley wouldn’t mind seeing him squirm, she knows he’s innocent, and she’s the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school’s resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins to fear that she may be the killer’s next victim.
Review:
5 stars, recommend to everyone
I am in love with the cover! Well, not like the whole cover, more like the eyes, they're striking! Also the title, creative. I really had no clue what this novel was about, I really just got it because of the cover. Bad, I know, but it worked out anyway. This book was so hilarious, fast paced, and just wonderful overall.
There was character development throughout the book, which I really enjoyed because I really liked the way the characters turned out. Hartley's character was wonderful! She was sarcastic, hilarious, and strong at the same time. Chase was nothing like I thought he'd be. Yes, he was a bad boy but he was also caring and sweet. You can really relate to the characters because they act and deal with issues readers deal with. The only character I wish I'd seen more of were Josh considering he was always in hiding and well, not with Hartley. The romance didn't take over the novel, which I enjoyed considering she was trying to find out who was the murderer and had just dumped Josh but I do want to see a bit more romance in the next book and get to know Chase more.

Gemma manages to keep the sense of mystery in the air but adds some humor throughout the book which will have readers laughing and relating to the characters.Deadly Cool is a fast paced mystery novel that readers won't want to put down.

Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: Lunar Chronicles #1
Author Links: Blog | Twitter
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date:
Summary from Goodreads;
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. 
Review:
5+ stars, new favorite!

This has got to be by far, the best fairy tale retelling I have ever read. When I first read the synopsis I couldn't help but wonder "How on Earth is the author going to pull off cyborgs in a Cinderella retelling?" I didn't really expect much  from Cinder at first but as I flipped through the pages, I found myself laughing, smiling, and anticipating the ending. I liked Kai from the moment the author introduced him. I really don't know why, maybe it was the way the author wrote him or just how perfect the moment he was introduced was. The characters were all amazing and I feel like you really got to meet all of them, even though I admit to being curious and wanting to know more about them. I also really enjoyed how the author explained things as she went along, not once was I really confused. I admit I could tell what some outcomes would be, but I still found myself being surprised and in shock at how the twists and turns were.

Cinder was a fast paced, thrilling retelling of Cinderella. Readers will be anticipating the sequel to Cinder, Scarlet.
Book Trailer: I love this trailer! Cinder and all the other characters look so cool! ^.^ It's simple yet amazing!

“Even in the Future the Story Begins with Once Upon a Time.” 
-Cinder, Marissa Meyer.

Follow Friday ( 6 )

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 & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our 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
• 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.

Q: Fight! Fight! If you could have two fictional characters battle it out (preferably from books), who would they be and who do you think would win?

I don't think I've ever been asked this question. Mhmm. I would pick The Immortal Rule's Allison and Cinder from well.. Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Allison is a strong female character who's a vampire and Cinder is a cyborg. I'll admit I'm curious as to what the outcome would be.

For the male category, I would pick Ash from Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series and Four from Veronica Roth's Divergent. 
Just cause. ^.^
I can't really choose who'd win though.. Too hard, lol.

Waiting on Wednesday ( 1 )

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The first book I'm waiting on is Insurgent by Veronica Roth. I finished Divergent on Saturday and I loved it! So, it makes sense that I want the second book. ^.^

Summary from Goodreads;

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

                                                        &

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Book Review: Across The Universe by Beth Revis

Title: Across The Universe
Author: Beth Revis
Series: Across the Universe #1
Author Links: Website
Publisher: RazorBill
Publication Date: January 11th 2011
Summary from Goodreads;
A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder. 
Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.
Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.
Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.
Review:
4 stars, really enjoyed it.
On the website, there's a structure of the spaceship and you can click on a specific area and it shows you what it'd look like in the story.
Across the Universe was such a unique read, considering I don't really tend to read sci-fi much. This book though, managed to remind me of all the possibilities that could happen at a single moment or based on a single event. There were so many things I could point out in this book and be like "Why hadn't I thought of that occurring?" This novel kept a constant pace and I never felt the need to put it down and pick up another book. It was also definitely thought-provoking and opened up new possibilities at every turn of a page. The world was beautifully built and I definitely enjoyed it more than I thought I would when I first picked it up. There were many twists and turns throughout the books which kept me captivated at all times. I  also quite enjoyed the fact that Revis switched between Amy and Elder's point of view throughout the book, reminded me a bit of Legend by Marie Lu. I can't wait to get my hands on A Million Suns to find out how Elder and Amy handle the situation they're put in at the end of this novel!

Across The Universe tells a story about survival in an intense and captivating form that will have readers picking up the sequel, A Million Suns to find out the truth and what happens next.

Book Trailer: I got to say, I really like the narration on this book trailer. I don't see a lot of these styles of trailers but I really enjoyed it.

 “Maybe the secret of the stars has nothing to do with being alone.” 
― Beth Revis, Across the Universe

Teaser Tuesday ( 1 )

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Immortal Beloved

Title: Immortal Beloved
Author: Cate Tiernan

"It was in my blood, I knew. A darkness. The Darkness."

Pg. 38

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent #1
Author Links: Blog | Twitter
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: May 3rd 2011
Format: eBook
Summary from Goodreads;
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtueshe can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really areand where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Book Review: 
5+ stars, new favorite.
So, this book had been on my to-be-read list for far too long, so I decided to buy it on my nook.  Also, I've seen how people have been put into fractions and .. I took the test on Facebook and got Dauntless, the brave. :D
This book is amazing! I can't even sum up how fantastic it is, but I do dare to compare it's awesomeness with Harry Potter's Awesomeness. Yup, that good. This book had it all, romance, action, character growth, and suspense. I tore through this book, there was never a moment when I felt the need to put it down. I just couldn't seem to. It's such a captivating novel, full of surprises and twists.
The characters were perfect. Tris is such a strong willed character and Four is awesome! He's my new book boyfriend haha. ^.^ Veronica's characters showed character development throughout the book which made the story even more intriguing. I really, really like the cover, the fraction symbol looks amazing but the city in the background is my favorite part of the whole cover.

Divergent is a true page turner filled with actions, suspense, and romance. Readers will be waiting in anticipation for the sequel, Insurgent.

Book Trailer: I love the fraction symbols. ^.^

“I feel like someone breathed new air into my lungs. I am not Abnegation. I am not Dauntless. 
I am Divergent.” 
― Veronica Roth, Divergent

Book Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Creatures
Author(s): Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Series: Caster Chronicles #1
Author Links: Website
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: December 1st 2009
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 563
Summary from Goodreads;
There were no surprises in Gatlin County. 
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.
Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.
Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.
In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.
Review:
5 stars, recommend to everyone
The credits for this book were purchased by Alcon Entertainment with Alden Ehrenreich and Alice Englert being cast as Ethan Wate and Lena Duchannes. Viola Davis had been cast as the character of Amma and Emma Thompson was to be both Mrs. Lincoln and Sarafine.The film currently has a 2013 release date, with filming due to start in April.


I have seen and read tons of good reviews on this series especially on CassJayTuck's  Mortal Minutes, so I decided to give it a try. I admit to trying to read it once, but it didn't work out because I was in a reading slump. So, I decided to give it another try and I don't regret it. I admit, this book is not one of my top favorites but it is a book worthy of being read by everyone I can get my hands on and convince.

Beautiful Creatures book was a very unique read. For starters, it's written in a male's point of view, Ethan. Although towards the end it does switch to Lena's point of view. Also, the truth behind the character's were original as well as the characters themselves. I really like how the authors incorporated music into the novel. There were moments when Lena frustrated me. I understand how she wanted to protect Ethan but she reminded me of Bella Swan from Meyer's Twilight Saga and uh...I'm not a big fan of Bella. My favorite character was probably Mason, the "creepy guy who never left his house" and Link. The fact that they brought humor into the story at random times amused me.

Beautiful Creatures is a breath taking book that will have you flipping through the pages to find what happens next. Margaret and Kami made a novel filled with suspense and a truly original plot with characters that were as equally as original.

              “The right thing and the easy thing are never the same.” 
                                    ― Kami Garcia, Beautiful Creatures

Follow Friday ( 5 )

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 & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our 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
• 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

Q: What is one book that you would be nervous to see a movie adaption of because you think the movie could never live up to the book?
I don't think I'd be nervous for one book in particular but if I have to choose, The Pendragon Series. I just don't think they've be able to capture the feeling of the book and besides, they'll need a lot of effects if they do. ^.^

Book Review: The Fire by James Patterson

Title: The Fire
Author: James Patterson
Series: Witch & Wizard #3
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: December 5th 2011
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 336
Summary from Goodreads;
Whit and Wisty Allgood have sacrificed everything to lead the resistance against the merciless totalitarian regime that governs their world. Its supreme leader, The One Who Is The One, has banned everything they hold dear: books, music, art, and imagination. But the growing strength of the siblings' magic hasn't been enough to stop the One's evil rampage, and now he's executed the only family they had left.
Wisty knows that the time has finally come for her to face The One. But her fight and her fire only channel more power to this already invincible being. How can she and Whit possibly prepare for their imminent showdown with the ruthless villain that devastated their world-before he can truly become all-powerful?
In this stunning climax of the epic Witch & Wizard series, the stakes have never been higher-and the consequences will change everything.
Review:
4 stars, really enjoyed it.
This is the last installment of the Witch & Wizard series, Witch and Wizard being the first one and The Gift the second. This was a quick read. James Patterson has a way of writing that makes it seem easier and faster to read, and I love that about his books.
In The Fire, Whit continued with the hope that Celia and him would be together, which caused a tad of problems at certain times. I wished that the ending could have been more of a team ending not just have the spotlight on Wisty. I mean, I really enjoyed it and I was shocked-- sort of -- but I wished both of them would have joined together and fought against The One. 
One of the characters, Pearce reminded me of Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter. ( had to point it out, I love Harry Potter ^.^ )
"With blond hair combed severely back from his forehead, pale blue, almost clear eyes, and prominent cheekbones, he seems made of glass--sharp and colorless. Beautiful but hard. Cold." - The Fire, James Patterson.

The Fire is an action filled novel that ends the trilogy, Witch & Wizard with a boom! Every element comes to play as Whit and Wisty come face to face against The One Who Is The One in this true page-turning novel.

Book Review: Lindy's Diary by Alex Flinn

Title: Lindy's Diary
Author: Alex Flinn
Series: Kendra Chronicles #0.5
Author Links: Website | Blog
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: January 31, 2012
Format: eBook
Pages: 114
Summary from Goodreads;
Diary, 
I am locked away... with no one to confide in but you... and him. His fur, those claws—they caught me off guard at first, but now I'm noticing something else about him—something deeper. It's the look in his eye. It tells me he's got a secret to keep. That's okay—I've got one, too. I think I'm falling in love with him.... 
Lindy
Review:
3 stars; really enjoyed it but lacked a few things.
Lindy's Diary is the companion novel to Beastly, written from the perspective of the "Beauty," Lindy.

I really enjoyed this book. The fact that it was written in diary form was really intriguing. Ever since I read Beastly last year, I've been wondering what went through the mind of the beauty, Lindy and in this diary you find out. I think that if you read this, you get more in depth information about Lindy, like that she's a hopeless romantic who just wanted her hero to rescue her. The pacing dragged a bit considering how Lindy skipped days, even years before writing in the diary and the time she spent with Adrian, otherwise known as Kyle. I wished that she'd written more about how Adrian reminded her of Kyle. She only mentioned that his eyes seemed familiar once. 

I really enjoyed it though, but recommend reading Beastly because this will spoil the story for those who read this first.

Top Ten Tuesday ( 4 )

April 10: Top Ten Books That Were Totally Deceiving (those covers or titles that don't fit the books, a book that was totally different than its summary, or those books you thought were going to be fluff that turned out to be more serious etc etc.)
Different than what I thought they'd be.
( 6 books only :P )

The Fault in Our Stars

This was my first John Green book and I didn't expect him to have such an ability. The Fault in Our Stars is an amazing book that I recommend to anyone and everyone.

The Catastrophic History of You and Me

The Probability of Miracles

The probability of Miracles took me by surprise because I thought it was going to be a quick and rather serious read and it was the opposite.

The statistical probability of love at first sight

 What can I say? Not a big fan of Love at first sight books but The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight was quite an enjoyable read.

The unbecoming of Mara Dyer

 I had to see what the fuss w/ The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was, and I didn't expect the results. I now need to know what happens in the next book!

Tiger's Curse