Now Reading: Velveteen by Daniel Marks

Release Date: October 9, 2012

Velveteen Monroe is dead. At 16, she was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that’s not the problem.

The problem is she landed in purgatory. And while it’s not a fiery inferno, it’s certainly no heaven. It’s gray, ashen, and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do. Which doesn’t leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what’s really on her mind.

Bonesaw.

Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. And she’s figured out just how to do it. She’ll haunt him for the rest of his days.
It’ll be brutal . . . and awesome.

But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen’s obsessive haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory and jeopardizes her very soul. A risk she’s willing to take—except fate has just given her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker.

Velveteen can’t help herself when it comes to breaking rules . . . or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her.  

Now Reading: I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

What if the world’s worst serial killer…was your dad?

Jasper (Jazz) Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he’s also the son of the world’s most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could–from the criminal’s point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo’s Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret–could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

Book Review: Slide by Jill Hathaway

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered. Vee knows this because she was there.

Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

Not going to lie, after the first few chapters of Slide, I was reminded of one of my favorite movies: Heathers. Staging of teenage suicides is definitely something that Veronica (Winona Ryder) and JD (Christian Slater) did in the 80s. Haven’t seen the movie? GO WATCH IT!

Anyway, other than Slide giving me major Heathers comparisons to make (which I will spare you of), I really thought it was a great debut novel. Vee’s narrative voice was extremely entertaining and realistic, and I loved the different ways she expressed herself through her actions. I have to say that I really, really hated all of the cheerleaders–including Vee’s sister, Mattie–for what they did to poor Sophie. I really appreciate Hathaway’s talent to handle such intense issues like eating disorders, teenage drinking, death, and the relationship between children and their parents.

 I wish there had been more of an explanation for why Vee has the ability to slide into other people’s minds, and why she is the only one in her family that can. Since Goodreads already lists a sequel, I’m hoping this will be explored in future installments.

Much like Veronica, Vee falls for the new kid in town, Zane. He’s mysterious, hot, intelligent–everything a teenage girl could want (like JD! Okay, enough of the Heathers stuff). However, the reader is also introduced to Vee’s best friend, Rollins, who is just as mysterious and loveable. BUT–don’t be fooled into thinking this is a love triangle, because it isn’t. There is more to this story than love. It is more a story of loss.

As for the murder-mystery aspect, I have to admit that I saw it coming. It didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the story, though. Overall, I think Slide is a great debut novel from Hathaway, and I look forward to reading more of her stories!

 4 Bards.

Waiting On Wednesday

Every week Breaking the Spine hosts a book meme where all of us book bloggers can get together and share the books we are desperately waiting to be released!

This week I am desperately waiting for Surrender by Elana Johnson!

Release Date: June 5, 2012

Forbidden love, intoxicating power, and the terror of control…

Raine has always been a good girl. She lives by the rules in Freedom. After all, they are her father’s rules: He’s the Director. It’s because of him that Raine is willing to use her talent—a power so dangerous, no one else is allowed to know about it. Not even her roommate, Vi.

All of that changes when Raine falls for Gunner. Raine’s got every reason in the world to stay away from Gunn, but she just can’t. Especially when she discovers his connection to Vi’s boyfriend, Zenn. Raine has never known anyone as heavily brainwashed as Vi. Raine’s father expects her to spy on Vi and report back to him. But Raine is beginning to wonder what Vi knows that her father is so anxious to keep hidden, and what might happen if she helps Vi remember it. She’s even starting to suspect Vi’s secrets might involve Freedom’s newest prisoner, the rebel Jag Barque….

Possession was extremely addictive, and I can’t wait to find out what else happens with Vi and Jag!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Book Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

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.


Release Date: April 24, 2012

First off, I have a tendency to gush via Twitter when I finish a book I really love, and The Immortal Rules was no different.  

All right. Let’s do this!  Prior to reading The Immortal Rules, I had only read the first three of the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, and those weren’t particularly my favorite.  Not through any fault of her own, it is just hard for me to find a Fey series that I enjoy  (Nothing will beat the FEVER Series by Karen Marie Moning.  But that is another story).  Either way, Kagawa has given me a new series to lust over!

The story line is an interesting mix of paranormal AND dystopian themes:  the idea that the world has been overthrown by a virus (a la Partials, etc) and is now ruled by Vampires (a la Sookie Stackhouse).  I have to say that this is a type of mix that I didn’t expect to buy into completely, but Kagawa’s story world is extremely well-written and I couldn’t help but love it.

The basics here is that a mortal girl becomes what she hates when faced with certain death or a life as a vampire and how she learns to live as a vampire and still cling to her humanity.  The idea of “humanity” is especially in question here, because even the humans in this novel are just as evil as the vampires at times.  I couldn’t help but root for Allison when those dirty bikers came upon her.

Look at her, she is such a bad ass!

Allison’s journey throughout this novel is compelling and so heart-wrenching, since she continues to sacrifice herself for those that she loves.  She faces almost certain death, and still manages to have faith in herself AND faith in humanity (see, there’s humanity again).  

The only thing I didn’t like about Kagawa’s AWESOME new book is the fact that the reader never really gets to hear how vampires came to be in the world to begin with (since we are to understand that they were around prior to the virus outbreak), and what the lore is within the Blood of Eden series about their existence.  (I like that they cry blood. Very similiar to the Sookie Stackhouse novels, again) I hope that in the coming installments the existence of vampirism will be explained, but it still didn’t take away from my enjoyment too much.

4.5 Bards!

Top Ten Tuesdays!

Every week The Broke and the Bookish hosts a weekly meme called Top Ten Tuesday! Every Tuesday has a different Top Ten Topic (posted ahead of time for participants) and this week’s topic is:

Top Ten All Time Favorite Characters In Books

These characters are in no particular order, and they are in GENERAL my favorite characters!  (There are so many that didn’t make the list, but I can’t let everyone in the Top Ten!) 

1. Alice from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

I can’t help it…Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite books of all time, and the whimsical themes capture me every time I read it 🙂 

2. Finnikin from Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Finnikin is a stubborn, know-it-all who has to be right, and I love him for it.  He is a strong yet vulnerable character that Marchetta has created.  I can’t help but love him and love every choice that he makes no matter how irritated I get with him (that is the true sign of a great character!)

3. Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

I realize that Heathcliff is most famously known as an anti-hero in Victorian literature, but his absolute, unending love for Catherine Earnshaw never ceases to capture my heart.  In fact, I’ve even tweeted before, “Where is my Heathcliff?” 

4. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I think this one is somewhat self-explanatory. 

5. Sookie Stackhouse from the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris 

Anna Paquin has definitely embodied Sookie Stackhouse the way that I imagined her, and I can’t imagine another actress who could do her justice.  I’m not going to lie, though, still disappointed that they haven’t explored the Sookie/Eric relationship to its full extent! 

6. Tessa Gray from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

She loves books, she has great taste in men, and she lives in the Victorian Era. Need I say more? 

7. Tris Prior from Divergent by Veronica Roth

Tris, quite possibly, has all the bravery that I wish I’ve had throughout my life!  (And her love interest is wonderful. FOUR!) I’d like to think that if I was Divergent…I’d have similar choices to Tris.  I identify with her on so many levels. 

8. Edna Pontellier from The Awakening by Kate Chopin

Edna Pontellier is one of the quintessential women of the late 19th and early 20th century.  Not only did she defy the social fabric of the time, but she was sexually and emotionally liberated through the course of the novel!  And, it is really great to look at from a literary critic’s standpoint.  

9. Jericho Barrons and/or MacKayla Lane from the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. 

I couldn’t choose between the two, so I choose both.  They are both sexy, smart, sarcastic, and they fight so hard against each other when they love one another.  I can’t help it.  I love them both. 

10.  William Herondale from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

I couldn’t put Tessa on here without putting Will!  As much as I love Jem (I do, I swear!), Will is Tessa’s true soulmate.  They both love books, they are both sarcastic and somewhat pessimistic…I can’t help but to root for them.  I do love him.  

Who are some of your favorite Characters? 

Happy World Book Night!

Happy World Book Night!  Two of us here at A Midsummer Night’s Read are participating “givers” and we want to encourage you to sign up to give next year!  Cheryl is giving away 20 free copies of The Hunger Games to students at Central Cabarrus High School and Jessica Lee is giving away 20 free copies of Ender’s Game to students at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte! 

What is World Book Night?  Here is some information from the website:

What is World Book Night?

World Book Night is an annual celebration designed to spread a love of reading and books. To be held in the U.S. as well as the U.K. and Ireland on April 23, 2012. It will see tens of thousands of people go out into their communities to spread the joy and love of reading by giving out free World Book Night paperbacks.

World Book Night, through social media and traditional publicity, will also promote the value of reading, of printed books, and of bookstores and libraries to everyone year-round.

Successfully launched in the U.K. in 2011, World Book Night will also be celebrated in the U.S. in 2012, with news of more countries to come in future years. Please join our mailing list for regular World Book Night U.S. news. And thank you to our U.K. friends for such a wonderful idea!

Additionally, April 23 is UNESCO’s World Book Day, chosen due to the anniversary of Cervantes’ death, as well as Shakespeare’s birth and death.

Are any of you participating?

Feature and Follow Friday

Every week Parajunkee and Alison Can Read host a meme to help bring together book bloggers, and feature a different blogger!  Each featured blogger submits a question for all of the participating blogs to answer, and this week’s question is:
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?

Well, this is a super tough question and it took me about an hour to even think of an answer that would be good–but here it goes! I would like to see MacKayla Lane from the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning battle it out with Tally Youngblood  from the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld (after her Specials surgery).  It would be an epic battle that is for sure.

Who do you want to see battle it out?!

Book Review: All You Desire by Kirsten Miller

Haven Moore and Iain Morrow have been living a blissful life in Rome, an ocean way from the Ouroboros Society and its diabolical leader. But paradise is not to last. The mysterious disappearance of Haven’s best friend, Beau, sends the pair running back to New York, where they encounter the Horae, an underground group of women who have spent centuries scheming to destroy Adam Rosier. Only they can help Haven uncover the secret to Beau’s whereabouts in one of her past lives. But their help comes at a price: Haven must infiltrate the Ouroboros Society, charm Adam Rosier, and lure him into a trap. It’s a plan the Horae believe will save the world-but Haven and Iain fear that it may destroy the happiness they’ve been chasing for two thousand years.

The first one, The Eternal Ones, was mediocre at best, in my opinion, in comparison to this sequel. The first in the series focused more on the love story and Haven’s inability to see into her past lives, rather than any true development of the Ouroboros Society and the intricacies of reincarnation. This made the concept of reincarnation simply a device (and you know how us literary types loathe devices) to serve the love story, and not really impact the rest of the narrative.

This sequel, however, brought an entire new aspect to the story–one that I appreciate. I loved the humanization of Adam, and the juxtaposition of Iain and Adam. In the first novel, these two characters are set up completely as foils, but here the readers judgement is clouded by the details given about Adam’s past.  In addition, where a plethora of new characters can sometimes hinder a storyline, but these characters helped establish a rich sense of urgency and peril in the novel.

Essentially, deep down, All You Desire is still just a love story.  Much of the paranormal elements remain in the background–EVEN though they are more important in this installment than the previous.  So, a certain amount of predictability comes along with a love story and the relationship between the two “soul mates.”

Overall, I would recommend this novel highly over the first. However, it seems imperative to read the first–The Eternal Ones–in order to get the background information needed to understand the complex relationship between Haven and Adam Rosier.

3 Bards.

Waiting On Wednesday

Every week over at Breaking the Spine hosts a book meme where all of us book bloggers can get together and share the books we are desperately waiting to be released!

This week I am waiting on The Selection by Kiera Cass!

Release Date: April 24, 2012

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.

Not too long to wait for this one…next week!!! 🙂

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?