Book Review: Shiver

Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Releases: August 1st 2009 by Scholastic Press
Copy Provided by: Publisher
Summary from GoodReads:

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

This book is bound to be a fave for any YA lover. To be honest, I was hesitant about reading this novel for about 5 seconds due to me not being a huge werewolf fan, but I am SO glad that I decided to take the plunge.

This is the first book I have read by Maggie Stiefvater, and I can guarantee you it will not be the last. This novel is beautifully written and flows seamlessly between Sam and Grace's perspectives. By telling the tale this way, the reader really gets to know and care for each character. I also loved the chemistry between Sam and Grace, it was magical.
What I loved most about the novel is the world that Stiefvater created. It is beautifully explored, and 100% believable. Many, many kudos to you for that.

This novel offered a unique plot and outlook at werewolves. It is beautifully written, and I was sad to leave their world once I completed the novel. I am looking forward to many more great reads from Stiefvater, and I cannot wait to see more from this series.

Fun Times

I was interviewed by Pirate Penguin. I really like this, you should try it.


Since I have Disney on the brain, which Disney princess would you switch places with and why?


I have always loved Ariel from The Little Mermaid so I would love to be her for a day. I think it would be amazing to see what she does for a day. Go exploring, see all kinds of different animals, being able to swim underwater for long periods of time, have a tail. Seems like a win, win situation.

You're innocently eating a taco when all of the sudden you're the size of a pixie! (I keep going back to Tinkerbell..forgive me, lol) What do you do now?

Fly away, of course. I would love to be able to fly!


You get to go to Europe! Yay! ...But you're not allowed to go via plane or boat. Think of a creative way to get to your destination.

Well, since I am already a mermaid, I would just swim there. Sadly, I would probably get distracted by something else and would never make it to Europe.


You eat a cookie and its sweet taste reminds you of a favorite memory. What is it?

Well, my favorite memory right now happened a couple of days ago. I was over at my sister-in-laws house watching Dexter, and all of a sudden it started to pouring down outside so we got the bright idea to go play in the rain. It was so much fun. I cannot remember the last time I played in the rain. What made it even better is that there is a kid's playground set in the back yard. I slid down the slide, and since it was so wet, I slid about 2 feet on the grass. My butt was covered in mud and grass stains. Good fun!


A cute little pirate penguin (hint hint) comes up to you and says hi. How do you respond? :)

I LOVE pirate penguins! I guess I would say hi back and find out as much about it as I can. Who knows we could end up being great friends.


Follow these instructions:

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me." Please include your email address.
2. I will then email you five questions. I get to pick them.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explaination and offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When other comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Changing Things Up

I was at Wal-Mart a few minutes ago to pick up some items, when I found myself wandering off to their book section. I swear it never fails... if a store has books, I will find a way to sneak over and look. While they did not have anything new, I caught myself staring at Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead. I think I stood there, eyes glazing over for about a minute wondering when she came out with a new book. During this glazing period, my brain was having an interesting agrument. It went something like this:

"Oh, look... something new in the Vampire Academy series. I have to have it!"

"Wait... the next book does not come out till late August... right?"

"Interesting... I am confused."

Well, I finally snapped out of my inner-monologue to look to the book sitting next to it, and found my answer. They just changed the cover.

Old:
New:













I have to say that I like the new cover a lot better. It is so much darker looking. I also think it fits in better with the first and fourth book covers.


Thoughts???

Let us have a contest!

**Update**

Just thought of two other books I could add to this contest if interested:

Skinned by Robin Wasserman
Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey

~~~~

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who is helping this blog be successful. I really thought when I started this that no one would be interested in what I had to say.

In honor of almost 20 followers (YAY!!!), hitting 50 on the top book sites, and getting my first ARC today, I want to have a contest. However, I am not sure what I want to give away so that is where you guys come in. Please vote on my poll, letting me know what you would like for me to giveaway and earn an extra entry for the actual contest.

Voting ending midnight on July 31st with the actual contest beginning on August 1st. If you vote, please leave a comment here with your name and email address so that I can make sure to give you credit later. Happy Voting!!!

Book Review: The Amaranth Enchantment

Author: Julie Berry
Released: March 3rd 2009 by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Summary from GoodReads:

When Lucinda Chapdelaine was a small child, her parents left for the royal ball and never returned. Ever since, Lucinda has been stuck in perpetual servitude at her evil aunt’s jewelry store. Then, on the very same day, a mysterious visitor and an even more bizarre piece of jewelry both enter the shop, setting in motion a string of twists and turns that will forever alter Lucinda’s path. In this magical story filled with delightful surprises, Lucinda will dance at the royal ball, fall under the Amaranth Witch’s spell, avenge her parents’ death, and maybe—just maybe—capture the heart of a prince.

I am a HUGE fairy tale fan so when I randomly found this book, I had to give it a chance. Plus the cover is gorgeous!! I just could not tell this book no. It was like it was calling to me. While the basic story line is Cinderella, there are loads of new elements that will keep the reader's interest.

What I liked: I really enjoyed the twist Berry did on the "fairy godmother." It was a welcome, and needed change to set this book apart from other fairy tale retelling books. The witch/godmother, Beryl, made this book for me. I loved her back story-- I personally think she was the glue that held this book together. I also liked the interactions between Lucinda and the prince. They were really cute.

What I did not like: While I like Peter's character (he was funny), I did not care for what happened to him. He gets his happily ever after, allowing for everything else work out in the plot; however, I felt like the author just took the easy way out... I really cannot say more because it might give too much away. I also would have liked to learn more about Beryl and her world. It bothered me that the reader keeps getting hints about said world, and when we finally have the chance to delve into it, the author does not take the opportunity to properly explore it.

Flaws aside, this is a beautifully written, fun, imaginative tale. There are many twists to this book that make it less Cinderella-ish and more original. I highly recommend for any Cinderella fan wanting a change of pace, or anyone who enjoys a good fairy tale.

Just Sharing

I do not know if this is common knowledge yet or not, but when I went to Barnes and Noble earlier today, they were already selling Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. I checked Amazon and they are already selling it as well. In addition, all sources that I could find, including the author website still list the release date as August 1st. Guess they must have moved up the release date...


Oh well, not going to complain- got the book 3 days earlier than I thought I would!

Knew This Would Happen...

I do not know if any one really cares about the Twilight movies any more. But something I have been waiting for to happen as happened... the recast. There is one thing I really hate about movies-- you get to see some one as a character, then the actor get replaced for some reason (usually really dumb). For example, I hate that Terrance Howard got replace by Don Cheadle in Iron Man- but that's another rant for another time...

Well, it has come out that Rachelle Lefevre is getting replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard as the new Victoria in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Boo!

I do not know about you, but I think Rachelle did an amazing job as Victoria. She looks so creepy at times, and I think she would have done a good job as creepy/crazy in the 3rd movie. Plus Byrce looks too innocent. When I look at her, I just see that annoying chick she played in Spider-Man 3.



How do you feel about this?? Disappointed? Don't care?

Waiting On Wednesday

This is my first Waiting on Wednesday-- a feature that was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. I decided to do this post a little different since it is almost August. This week will feature the books that I am looking forward to being released in the upcoming month. For me, this is a month that I have been looking forward to for a while. There are lots of new author releases, as well as book series continuations that I have been dying to read.


August 1st:

☆ Immortal by Gillian Shields
☆ Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
☆ Ruined by Paula Morris
☆ The Comeback by Marlene Perez
☆ Dead Girl in Love by Linda Joy Singleton
☆ Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

August 11th:

☆ Meridian by Amber Kizer


August 18th:

☆ Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning (YAY!!)


August 25th:

☆ Violet Wings by Victoria Hanley
☆ Blood Promise - Vampire Academy 4 by Richelle Mead
☆ Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
☆ Dark of the Moon - Dark Guardian 3 by Rachel Hawthorne

Looks like I have a very busy month for myself. Thankfully, the college semester does not start till Aug. 31.


What books are you looking forward to in August??

Book Review: Project 17

Author: Laurie Stolarz
Released: December 18th 2007 by Hyperion
Summary from GoodReads:

High atop Hathorne Hill, near Boston, sits Danvers State Hospital. Built in 1878 and closed in 1992, this abandoned mental institution is rumored to be the birthplace of the lobotomy. Locals have long believed the place to be haunted. They tell stories about the unmarked graves in the back, of the cold spots felt throughout the underground tunnels, and of the treasures found inside: patients' personal items like journals, hair combs, and bars of soap, or even their old medical records, left behind by the state for trespassers to view. On the eve of the hospital's demolition, six teens break in to spend the night and film a movie about their adventures. For Derik, it's an opportunity to win a film making contest and save himself from a future of flipping burgers at his parents' diner. For the others, it's a chance to be on TV, or a night with no parents. But what starts as a playful dare quickly escalates into a frenzy of nightmarish action. Behind the crumbling walls, down every dark passageway, and in each deserted room, they will unravel the mysteries of those who once lived there and the spirits who still might.

To say I devoured this book is an understatement. I think I literally read all 248 pages in a matter of hours... in one sitting. I just could NOT put this book down.

The reader is first introduced to Derik, a kid who does not have much of a future going for him- he has low grades in school, may be forced to run the family diner, and is know as Derik LaPlaya. He is convinced his life has a very bleak outlook for him. In a last hope effort, he decides to put all his remaining hopes on a film contest. In order to make his film stand out, he recruits 5 other teens in the hopes of making a Real World type documentary set in a mental institution, which is set to be torn down in a matter of days. This "breakfast club" group soon realizes that things are not as they seem as they find a patient's journal, and dig deeper into the institution's secrets.

What I liked: I LOVED that this book was told in alternating points of view, and it was done seamlessly. There is nothing that puts me off worse than a book that feels choppy due to this writing method. The characters feel like real teenagers - they are relatable, have depth to them, and talk and act like real teens. But what I think I loved most about this book was the journal entries. It really gives you a feel for what a day in mental institutions could be like. You can tell that the author did her research with this book, and I think it paid off.

What I did not like: The only real complaint I have about the book is Chet. He is used as comic relief, and for the most part does a really good job. But in the first half of the book, he is continuously playing pranks and after the second one, I was tired of them. It started to kinda feel like filler.

Overall, it was an interesting read that I had my doubts about going into, but I am so glad that I gave this book a try. (FYI-- There are some creepy parts so you may not want to read this book at night. Personally, I thought it was more suspenseful than scary.) I really recommend it. It is funny, has an interesting back story, and a little heartbreaking.

Just Sharing

Just found some interesting things on Amazon that I thought I would share:

Looks like the 6th book of Night, Tempted, finally has a cover. I like it, but it is not my favorite.


Thoughts???






Also for those Kindle users out there, the following books are currently free:

The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride, Book 1) by James Patterson
and

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning


I have been looking at the Maximum Ride series for a while. I guess I have no choice but to check it out now. Also if you have not reading Darkfever, you need to check it out!

Teaser Tuesdays

So here is my first Teaser Tuesday! This 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 and author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser:

"This place is definitely intense, parts of it pulls you in. Another part wants to spit you out."

p. 92, Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Book Review: I Was a Teenage Fairy

Author: Francesca Lia Block
Released: May 2000 by HarperCollins
Summary from GoodReads:

Once upon a time, in the bubble-gum-snapping, glitter polish-wearing, lip-gloss-applying San Fernando Valley, a gentle girl named Barbie met a feisty fairy named Mab: "Maybe Mab was real. Maybe there really are girls the size of pinkies with hair the color of the darkest red oleander blossoms and skin like the greenish-white underbellies of calla lilies.... But it doesn't matter if Mab is real or imagined, Barbie thought, as long as I can see her." Mab, with her crabby commentary and no-holds-barred opinions, gives Barbie the strength she needs to face the horrors casting a shadow over her life in sunny, shimmering California. How else could Barbie survive her over-perfumed, over-tanned, overbearing stage mother, dragging her daughter to modeling agencies in the gold-plated hope of reliving her younger days as a beauty queen? Or the "cadaver-pale skin" and "fleshy mouth" of Hamilton Waverly, the "crocodile pedophile" photographer who makes Barbie feel "like the doll she had been named for, without even a hole where her mouth was supposed to be"? Mab glimmers and gabs by Barbie's side throughout her teen years as she becomes a successful fashion model, falls in love, and endures all the troubles that come along for the ride--in addition to facing the black secret of her past.

This book has been in my TBR pile for a long time, and I had high hopes going into it. Unfortunately, this book was not really me.

What I liked: I thought the book had a wonderful underlying message. It ended on a high note which is something I was not sure was going to happen. The characters undergo some major issues, and actually find a way to work through it.. kudos for that.

What I did not like: I found the book hard to get into with it starting with a mass of descriptions that I am still not sure were needed, and to be honest, left me a bit confused. I constantly found myself lost in the beginning since it would randomly have flashbacks without a set up or warning. I also had a hard time connecting with the characters: Barbie was mostly blah to me, her mother annoying, her dad was always angry and I did not always understand why, Mab- I am not really sure what I think about her. She annoyed me and I liked her at the same time if that makes any sense. I also found the sex references odd and really unneeded for the most part.

Overall, the word disjointed kept coming to mind while I was reading this book-- this may be due to it having no chapters (but it could be the writing style too). I think that I would have liked this book better if it was pieced together differently. While it has major flaws for me, I really did like its message of overcoming issues and learning to move on.


My rating here.

First Look at Twilight's Volturi

Just saw this and had to pass it along...

Not really what I pictured the Volturi looking like, but I think it will do. Especially love Dakota Fanning as Jane. But is it just me or does the Twilight franchise have a hard time with people and hair. For example, Jasper and Carlisle in Twilight and now Caius and possibly Aro.


Thoughts??

New Release and Contest

Just discovered this new book being released tomorrow. It sounds great and is definitely a TBR for me. In addition, the author is hosting a contest for a copy of the book.

Check out the blurb:

AJ Ashe isn't your typical seventeen-year-old vampire—as if there is such a thing! She's stuck in the middle of a huge fight between her two BFFs. Her ex-boyfriend—whom she's still totally in love with, by the way—is now her stepbrother. A former classmate—who, um, she may or may not have turned into a vampire—is stalking her. And now, apparently, the fate of humankind lies in her little undead hands. What ever happened to the good old days, when all a vampire girl had to worry about was the occasional zit and hiding her taste for blood?

Branching Out

It is hard for me to believe that I have had this site for a little over week now. And I can't believe that I already have 11 followers... thank you guys so much! All these new followers got me to thinking the other day: you guys do not know much about me and I do not know much about you... so I decided we should get to know each other better.

Enter the birth of Branching Out-- which is based on a segment I saw on Dahlia's Eclectic Mind. Any one can answer my questions (or if you have a better question, answer that one instead), and each week I will feature one or two people that we can learn more about. If you want to be featured, just copy the questions into an email and shoot them to me at neverendingshelf@gmail.com-- so on with the questions:

Name/Screen Name:
Blog:
Age:

1. Tell us about your blog.

2. What is your favorite part about having a blog?

3. If you were stranded on an island and could only have three books, what would they be?

4. Who is your favorite author or genre... or both?

5. What are you reading right now?

6. If I wasn't blogging, I would be...

7. Name some of your favorite blogs.

8. List 3 random things about you.

***

I will go first:

Name/Screen Name: Kate
Blog: The Neverending Shelf @ neverendingshelf.blogspot.com
Age: 24

1. Tell us about your blog.

-- It focuses on mostly ya fiction, but I am always open to new genres. I think I have an amazing layout, it really suits me and my personality.

2. What is your favorite part about having a blog?

-- Getting to meet new people who share your passion for books. I am a book worm to the core so it is nice to meet people who have my same obsession.

3. If you were stranded on an island and could only have three books, what would they be?

-- I have so many favorites that I might have to bring my Kindle so I could cheat... lol. But if I had to choose... Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey, and The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

4. Who is your favorite author or genre.. or both?

-- Favorite author is a hard one for me. Some of my favorites are Julia Quinn, Karen Marie Moning, Neal Shusterman... the list could go on forever.

5. What are you reading right now?

-- The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner

6. If I wasn't a blogger, I would be...

-- Bored out of my mind.

7. Name some of your favorite blogs.

-- I really like:

http://theladybugreads.blogspot.com
www.bookworminginthe21stcentury.com
http://cornucopiaofreviews.blogspot.com

8. List 3 random things about you.

-- My reading obsession began when I was about 10 with my mother's old romance novels.

-- I will be graduating with a BA in English in December.

-- My husband is obsessed with exotic animals-- in the past we have had TONS (cause they breed like crazy) madagascar hissing cockroaches, centipedes, a snake, and an emperor scorpion.

Book Review: Teenage Mermaid

Author: Ellen Schreiber
Released: June 1st 2003 by Katherine Tegen Books
Summary from GoodReads:

Spencer almost drowns in a surfing accident when a sparkling, golden girl saves him with a kiss of life before she suddenly disappears. Where did this dream girl come from, and will she return?Lilly rescues a boy from nearly drowning and dangerously steps out of her own watery world. Curious to explore this forbidden land, she's gotta find her handsome Earthdude.A silver heart locket is their only clue.Ellen Schreiber revamps a classic favorite with a funky magical romance that shows what transpires when boy meets girl, but discovers girl is really a . . .

This is one of those books that I just stumbled upon at my local library. Schreiber is an author that I have been meaning to read, but with my TBR pile at least a mile long, her books have a bad tendency to get constantly pushed back in the pile. However, I was feeling I was in the mood for a fairy tale so I finally decided to give this book a try.

Teenage Mermaid is pretty much what I thought it would be. The plot focuses on Waterlilly (the mermaid) and Spencer (the Earthee) who happen to meet while Spencer is in the middle of drowning. Of course, she saves his life and disappears only moments later. He pines for her, she pines for him... I am pretty sure that you know The Little Mermaid plot

What I liked:It was a quick read at only 150 pages. Generally, I like her writing style and the new twist she put on the tale. It was a bit refreshing (and funny) to see the characters act like valley girls and boys. Also thanks to the book, I now have tons of funny little quotes-- my favorite is: "I would have even kissed Arnold Schwarzenegger in a blue bikini" (p.37). I feel like Schreiber set out to have fun with this book, and she definitely succeeded.

What I did not like: Although I liked a lot about this book, it is not without its problems. Many of the characters were overly stereotyped and sometimes annoyed me. I liked the main characters, but almost all of the secondary characters could have disappeared and I would not have cared-- I just do not think they added much to the story. For example, one character I really did not care for was Robin. She is a friend of Spencer's who is depicted as different by always wearing dark baggy clothes and being an outcast. She is also in love with Spencer and continuously throwing herself at him. What bothered me the most about her character is that she undergoes an ugly duckling type transformation, but Screiber never explains why. I mean one scene she is normal Robin, then she is "total babe" Robin. It just did not make any sense. My other grip is the necklace. It is basically what bring Lilly and Spencer together. Schreiber hints at it being magical or have magical powers, but it is not really explored. I would start to think Schreiber was going to further explain the necklace, but then she would go off in a different direction.

Overall, it was a good read with some issues. If you like fairy tale retellings, you should like the book since is a fun and offers an interesting twist. I would have liked this book to have more substance to it, but I am not heartbroken that it did not.

In My Mailbox

In my mailbox is a weekly feature presented by Kristi over at The Story Siren. This is my first IMM and I am kinda excited. ;)


Let us see what I have:

Wonderous Strange by Lesley Livingston










Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins










I Was a Teenage Fairy by Francesca Lia Block









I have been looking forward to reading these for a while so hopefully I can get to reading them ASAP. Happy Reading!

Stumble Upon Saturday

I am the kind of person who loves going to the library/book store just to find new books by chance. There is nothing like the feeling of find a new book or author this way-- many of my favorite books were found in this manner.

{Funny sidenote, there have been numerous times that I have gone to the library in search of a book, and I randomly find the book I was looking for in the wrong place, just laying on at the end of a shelf appearing to be waiting for me. My sister-in-law jokes that the book knew I was coming, and wanted to hide from me.}

To highlight what I find, I have created Stumble Upon Saturday. The next time you are at the book store or library (internet sites are ok, but I do not find them to be as random), list the books that you randomly come across, and what it is that drew you to the book. (cover, author, it was lying in the middle of the floor... etc) I think this could be a fun way to introduce others to books. If you like this idea, let me know!!!


The Red Necklace

I was drawn in by it being a period piece. I generally love those. I also love the placement of the "red necklace." Not sure if it is a real necklace or if she gets her head cut off, but I am dying to find out.







Truancy

I was captivated by the cover. Currently, I am in the process of finishing the third season of Heroes so when I saw the cover, I immediately thought of Isaac's paintings.

Book Review: Unwind

Author: Neal Shusterman
Released: November 2007
Summary from GoodReads:

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them. Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away.

In Unwind, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life -- not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive.

If you want a book that will make you think and question your ideals, then this is the book for you. Set in a world after the ultimate battle between pro-life and pro-choice, a world which allows unwanted children be unwound, three teens must fight to stay whole.

Even after reading this book months ago, the details are still fresh in my mind. I do not believe that I have anything bad to say about this novel. The characters are likeable, real, and you will find yourself rooting for them. In addition, if you want a book that will make you think and question your beliefs, then this is the book for you. Set in a world after the ultimate battle between pro-life and pro-choice, a world which allows unwanted children be unwound, three teens must fight to stay whole.

Even after reading this book months ago, the details are still fresh in my mind. I do not believe that I have anything bad to say about this novel. The characters are likeable, real, and you will find yourself rooting for them the whole time. The plot is fast paced and original. Honestly, I think the plot may be the best part about the novel. It is amazing and disturbing at the same time. The last 1/4 of the novel blew my mind. You do not come across books like this everyday!

This book deserves to be a Fave because of its original plot, deep characters, and the ability to make you think HARD about your beliefs. The only thing I did not like was that it ended with an opening ending. So far, I have seen no evidence of a sequel, but I think this book/series REALLY needs to explored more. Give the book a try and you will not be disappointed.

Sidenote- According to the author's website, the book has started the process to become a feature film. Right now, I am on the fence with this decision. It is an amazing book, but I was so emotionally drained after reading this. At this point, I think it is best if I reserve judgement until I see a trailer or something more final.

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts?

Friday Faves

I have given a lot of thought about memes. I like them... I hate them. Right now, I think I am at peace with their existence, and will use them sparingly in my own way. So in that spirit, I introduce Friday Faves (I came up with this idea on my own, but if you see someone with a similar idea, please let me know so that I can link them in). This meme will focus on my favorite books of all time- 5 star ratings.

You may have noticed that I do not give out 5 stars a lot. Honestly, for this blog, I have yet to give a book that rating. This is due to the fact that just because I really loved a book, does not mean I think it was AMAZING. I have been a highly active reader since I was 8, and in all my years of reading, I have to say that less than 10% deserve that high rating. So I hope you enjoy my meme.

Question of the day: what is your favorite meme and why?

FYI

Just to let you guys know... the Second Annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week is now accepting nominations for your favorite book blogs. So head over there and give your favorite blogs some love.

PS- you do not have to have a blog to vote.

Book Review: Thorn Queen

Author: Richelle Mead
Released: August 2009
Copy Provided by: Free promotion on Amazon.com
Summary from GoodReads:

Eugenie Markham is a shaman for hire, paid to bind and banish creatures from the Otherworld. But after her last battle, she’s also become queen of the Thorn Land. It’s hardly an envious life, not with her kingdom in tatters, her love life in chaos, and Eugenie eager to avoid the prophecy about her firstborn destroying mankind. And now young girls are disappearing from the Otherworld, and no one—except Eugenie—seems willing to find out why.

Eugenie has spilled plenty of fey blood in her time, but this enemy is shrewd, subtle, and nursing a very personal grudge. And the men in her life aren't making things any easier. Her boyfriend, Kiyo, is preoccupied with his pregnant ex, and sexy fey king Dorian always poses a dangerous distraction. With or without their help, Eugenie must venture deep into the Otherworld and trust in an unpredictable power she can barely control. Reluctant queen or not, Eugenie has sworn to do her duty—even if it means facing the darkest—and deadliest—side of her nature…

I have to say that this book was a very welcomed and unexpected surprise. I really enjoyed seeing Eugenie grow more into herself and her powers. Though I felt like the book started off a little slow, it more than made up for that later with great action and suspense. In addition, the book ends strongly with an ending that took me mostly by surprise.

Thorn Queen, which is a follow up to Storm Born, is overall a wonderful sequel. If you enjoyed Storm Born, then you will be wanting to run out and get a copy as fast as you can.

***To give fair warning, there is a lot of adult content in the book. Thankfully, the content mostly adds to the novel instead of taking away from it.***

New Author Alert

I just found this book on goodreads.com and have one word to say: WANT!!! I am so in love with the artwork and the author's page. Take a look at the video trailer as well. It is so well done and pretty. I look forward to reading this book very soon.

Behind Every Illusion by Christina Harner

All creatures born of human parents must be human and therefore must be ordinary.

Even the soft-spoken eighteen-year-old Tatiana Lewis wholeheartedly accepts this logic. So when she begins to experience unusual changes, she has no clue where to turn and instead keeps her new abilities a secret. But her best friend and brother, Isaac, sees past her illusions and together they explore the significance of her differences and search out the meaning behind them.

Amidst tragedy, unimaginable transformations and an unexpected friendship, Tatiana has to learn to reveal the girl hidden behind her illusions and what it means to face the world in order to preserve not only the forest but her very existence.

Behind Every Illusion is the first book in an exciting series about the extraordinary ways the earth has evolved in a desperate attempt to save itself from the destruction caused by humankind.

Something Funny

My husband found this on digg.com this morning and had to show me. I think it is very fitting since as most of my friends know, I was very upset with Breaking Dawn, 4th book of the Twilight Series, by Stephenie Meyer. Am I the only one who didn't like how the series ended?

Therefore, in my humble opinion, this ending would have had made it so much better...

Just wanted to share

I was just checking my google reader when I noticed something interesting I wanted to share. If you have a Amazon Kindle you can download Richelle Mead's new book Thorn Queenfor free right now. This is also interesting since the book is not suppose to be released till August 1st in paperback according to amazon.com. So I am off to read the second Dark Swan series and will hopefully have a review in the next day or so. Here is some information about the book to hold you over:

Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead

Eugenie Markham is a shaman for hire, paid to bind and banish creatures from the Otherworld. But after her last battle, she’s also become queen of the Thorn Land. It’s hardly an envious life, not with her kingdom in tatters, her love life in chaos, and Eugenie eager to avoid the prophecy about her firstborn destroying mankind. And now young girls are disappearing from the Otherworld, and no one—except Eugenie—seems willing to find out why.

Eugenie has spilled plenty of fey blood in her time, but this enemy is shrewd, subtle, and nursing a very personal grudge. And the men in her life aren't making things any easier. Her boyfriend, Kiyo, is preoccupied with his pregnant ex, and sexy fey king Dorian always poses a dangerous distraction. With or without their help, Eugenie must venture deep into the Otherworld and trust in an unpredictable power she can barely control. Reluctant queen or not, Eugenie has sworn to do her duty—even if it means facing the darkest—and deadliest—side of her nature…

To theme or Not to theme...

So in hopes of keeping my blogging spirit alive, I have been looking to others in hopes of gaining inspiration for this site. I have to say that I am very interested in all the themed days that are out there. But my question is: are themed days a little over worked? What is your opinion?? I would really like to know.

This question also leads me into today's review of:

Author: Jennifer Anne Kogler
Released: June 2008
Copy Provided by: Library
Summary from GoodReads:

Fern communicates with her dog, blisters from just moments in the sun, and has correctly predicted the daily weather for more than two years. Even so, she's always seemed to be a normal twelve-year-old girl . . . until one day when Fern closes her eyes in class and opens them seconds later on a sandy beach miles away from school. When Fern disappears again, this time to a place far more dangerous, she begins to realize exactly different she is.

With the help of her twin brother, Sam, Fern struggles to gain control of her supernatural powers. The arrival of a sinister vampire in town—who seems to have an alarming interest in Fern's powers—causes Fern to question her true identity. Who is she? More importantly, who can she count on? Soon Fern finds herself in the middle of a centuries-old battle—one that could destroy Fern and endanger everyone she loves.

Honestly, I was both pleased and disappointed with this book. Upon reading the description, I was thinking it was going to be a super powers/heroes kinda book. Unfortunately, it was just another book about vampires. (Don't get me wrong, I love vampire books, but this genre has gotten so flooded with vampires that I find myself a bit jaded when it comes to this paranormal subject.) However, I was pleased to find that Kogler was able to transform this book from an "average" vampire book to something a bit different. After all, who wants to continuously read the same plot over and over again. Not me.

What made this book so special for me is that Kogler shows the reader a different side of vampires by having them have different abilities and traits. I really enjoyed that Kogler was able to wonderfully blend vampire history and Greek mythology in order to make this new breed of vampires. For this, I give her many kudos.

The plot is fast paced, but leaves the reader asking more questions than were answered. In addition, the ending is left semi-opened for the possibility is a sequel. Personally, I would enjoy to learn more about this new breed of vampire. I look forward to possibly learning more about Fern and definitely reading more from this author.

Manic Monday

This is the day when I will be taking a moment to reflect on the upcoming week. Since I am kinda new to blogging, you will just have to bear with me until I get things settled.

Mondays are generally "in my mailbox" days for many YA sites. Unfortunately, thanks to the economy, I am currently unemployed so a majority of my books are coming from the library. (I think it is important to support your local library as much as the author.) Therefore, instead of "in my mailbox," we shall have "in the stacks."

Right now, I don't have any books planned so I am hoping to find something great at the library later...


Also since I have so many books that I no longer read, there should be regular contests from me. In addition, I will be posting on contests that I find that may be of interest to all.

New Start Sunday

Welcome to a new project of mine... The Neverending Shelf. It is my hope to help others with reviews of both new and older books in multiple genres focusing mainly on young adult since that is what I tend to read. So without further ado, here is a my first review:

Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer
Released: October 2006 by Harcourt
Summary from GoodReads:

It's almost the end of Miranda's sophomore year in high school, and her journal reflects the busy life of a typical teenager: conversations with friends, fights with mom, and fervent hopes for a driver's license. When Miranda first begins hearing the reports of a meteor on a collision course with the moon, it hardly seems worth a mention in her diary. But after the meteor hits, pushing the moon off its axis and causing worldwide earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, all the things Miranda used to take for granted begin to disappear. Food and gas shortages, along with extreme weather changes, come to her small Pennsylvania town; and Miranda's voice is by turns petulant, angry, and finally resigned, as her family is forced to make tough choices while they consider their increasingly limited options. Yet even as suspicious neighbors stockpile food in anticipation of a looming winter without heat or electricity, Miranda knows that that her future is still hers to decide even if life as she knew it is over.

After reading this novel, I now look at my life a little bit differently. The sun looks a little bit brighter, the air just a little bit cleaner. Everything feels more significant after reading Miranda's fictional diary written during the days leading up to and following a gigantic asteroid striking the Moon causing countless catastrophic weather events and deaths.

Part of what makes this novel so magical is that everything is planted in reality. Plenty of realistic dialog and details are sprinkled in to keep the readers attention. It also features realistic characters that you can relate to, make this novel hard to put down. While this novel can be depressing and bleak, it is well done. This is not a happily ever after type story; however, it does make you thankful for all that you do have. This is a story that will stick with you.

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