'The Nightmare Affair' by Mindee Arnett: Group Review, Author Interview and Giveaway

The Nightmare Affair

The Arkwell Academy Series Book #1 

By Mindee Arnett

Publication Date: March 5th 

Published By: Tor Teen

Sixteen-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare.

Literally.

Being the only Nightmare at Arkwell Academy, a boarding school for magickind, and living in the shadow of her mother’s infamy, is hard enough. But when Dusty sneaks into Eli Booker’s house, things get a whole lot more complicated. He’s hot, which means sitting on his chest and invading his dreams couldn’t get much more embarrassing. But it does. Eli is dreaming of a murder.

Then Eli’s dream comes true.

Now Dusty has to follow the clues—both within Eli’s dreams and out of them—to stop the killer before more people turn up dead. And before the killer learns what she’s up to and marks her as the next target.

Group Review & Giveaway: 'Indomitable' by J. Meyers

Indomitable

Intangible Series #0.75

By J. Meyers 

 Publication Date: December 22, 2012 

Perhaps the most dangerous person to gain unimaginable power is the one who feels oppressed.

And full of wrath. For very good reason.

Indomitable is a prequel novella to Intangible by J. Meyers and it focuses on Jonas and how he became the powerful being he is when we meet him in Intangible.  I didn't think it was possible to like Jonas anymore than I already did but I was so wrong. He has overcome SO much in his life and dealt with so much tragedy.  My heart just broke for him as I read this novella. There was quite a bit of crying going on here. I went through half a box of kleenex. J. Meyers, you've done it again. I get more enthralled with these characters with every tidbit you give us. I can't wait to see what you show us next! 

My Rating: 

Now let me make this perfectly clear for everyone-- I love Jonas. I love, love, love Jonas more than you could possibly imagine. He is by far the object of my obsessions and I swear to God I wish I was Sera.. *daydreams for a moment*

Ahem... SO, anyway, when I found out J. Meyers was writing a short just about Jonas, I--proudly--stalked the woman like a lunatic for any information she was willing (or accidentally) dropping. I've been dying for months, over here.

Indomitable is a prequel novella to Meyers' first book, Intangible (which I lurve). The story focuses on Jonas' life before he was a vampire in "flashbacks", along with shots of him currently, and God, let me tell you... I don't really cry easily. And while I was reading this novella, I didn't cry. I did contemplate throwing the Kindle across the room and hoping it shatter, and I did consider building a time machine just so I could...well, I can't tell you.. Spoilers. Doesn't that just bite for you curious folks out there?

When I finished, however, I sat in the back office and just bawled. And even though this short ripped me apart (and then stabbed me and tore out my heart and shoved it in a blender before running me over with an eighteen-wheeler...), I have to say it's only made me love Jonas and the Intangible series all the more. Cannot WAIT for more!

My Rating: 

Buy Indomitable:

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Intuition is FREE right now on Amazon & Barnes and Noble

Buy Intangible: 
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And because we love you guys, we're throwing in a giveaway as well! Good luck, this is open internationally! 

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J. Meyers grew up in Vermont, spent three years in Germany when she was a kid, and now lives in Central New York. When she's not reading or writing, she's chasing after her four kids, exploring the outdoors with her family, baking sweet treats, and forgetting to make dinner. Intangible is her first novel.

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Group Review: Acidalia The Beginning of Kallos by Khelsey Jackson

Acidalia: The Beginning of Kallos

Kallos Series #0.5

Khelsey Jackson

Published: September 15th, 2012, by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly

When Acidalia knows her end is near, she is forced to say goodbye to her life as well as Sean and Ian Hunter. Her final wish is they be there for one another after she is gone.

Acidalia is the prequel to Kallos by Khelsey Jackson  and it is a novella.  As shorter stories go I enjoyed this one. It definitely piqued my interest and I am now eagerly awaiting the release of Kallos.  I can't wait to see where Ms. Jackson takes the story from here. 

My Rating: 

Acidalia is the prequel to Jackson's novel, Kallos (available as of January 18th, 2013). It is told from the third-person and follows Ian and Sean, dealing with the loss of Acidalia.

Seeing as it is a short story, I will cut it some slack in this, but I was a little confused in some parts. I assume that when I read Kallos, I will understand what is going on easier, but since I read Acidalia first, I'm a bit lost... Very lost, in fact.

While it reminded me of one of my favorite books and I don't like deja vu, I will definitely be giving Kallos a try.

My Rating:

Khelsey Jackson is from California. She moved to Minnesota when she was 11 years old. Her grandmother raised her brother and she. When she was 18 she moved to the city of sin, Las Vegas NV. She met her handsome husband and the rest is history.

She loves to read, and will read almost anything. Some of her favorites are Cynthia Eden, Megan Hart, A.M. Hudson, and Richelle Mead. Another thing she likes to do is crochet, she makes blankets for the members in her family that have babies!

Find Kelsey:

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September Group Review, Interview & Giveaway: Flicker by Kaye Thornbrugh

Flicker

By: Kaye Thornbrugh

Published: February 25, 2012 by Amazon Digital Services 

When sixteen-year-old Lee Capren is spirited away to Faerie, she is forced to serve capricious faeries as a prized portrait artist… and live as their prisoner.

A chance encounter with the charming Nasser grants Lee a chance for freedom—but what felt like mere days in Faerie spanned years in the human world, and Lee no longer has a home to return to.

Nasser is a Seer—a human with magical powers—and Lee is quickly plunged into his world: a sprawling city teeming with magic and mystery, where supernatural creatures walk hidden among humans. With the help of a rag-tag group of teenage Seers, Lee must master her newfound magical talent and outwit a cunning faerie determined to destroy her. (from Goodreads)

Flicker is Kaye Thornbrugh's brilliant debut novel and the first in what will be a new series.  We were very lucky to be contacted by the author and offered the chance to review this book. Lana and I were both instantly interested in the story. So, of course, we had to say yes. This is one of my new favorite books about the fey.

Written in the third person perspective, the narrative flows beautifully making it nearly impossible to stop reading. I simply had to know what would happen next to the amazing characters Thornbrugh created.  Superbly plotted and vividly descriptive, this book captivated me from the very beginning. I had no idea what would happen next and I loved it. 

I love these characters. Even the slightly (and not so slightly) evil ones are compelling.  I love that none of them are perfect; everyone has their demons and flaws. It helps make them more believable and makes it very, very hard to not like them. And they grow and adapt as the plot unwinds, learning from their mistakes.  

All the characters are fun to read about but my favorites are Filo and Nasser. Nasser has to be one of the sweetest male characters I have ever read. Not only does he rescue Lee from the revel, he is determined to protect her, his brother and friends with little regard for his own safety. His loyalty and bravery are beyond commendable. Where Nasser is sweet and protective, Filo is all rough edges and terrified of showing any kind of real emotion. For all his outward harshness, Filo is the most dynamic and interesting of all the characters. Yes, you sometimes want to smack him for his seemingly callous treatment of the others but if you look a little closer you can see his struggle to protect himself from further pain and loss. Mostly, I wanted to give him a hug and tell him everything would work out. 

This book is the total package; intriguing, fast paced and peppered with both humor and sadness. It's unique, very well written and leaves you feeling bereft when it's over. 

My Rating:

Just for the record, this book has put me in a terrible mood. Terrible. I will be unhappy for a very long time now... Probably about a year. Why? Because that is usually how long it takes for sequels to be released.

What? You thought I was going to say I didn't like it? No, no, wrong you are. Glad I had you going for a minute, there, though. Back to business- This is a REALLY great read. Seriously. This is probably the best faerie book I've ever read. It's tied with Lament (Maggie Stiefvater) and if anyone of you saw my review for that, you know how biased I am toward that particular novel. Saying any Faerie book even comes close to it is amazing, but tied? Oh ho ho.

It has it all. I giggled, I cried, I screamed, and if it wasn't on the very-fragile Kindle I would've thrown it across the room at one point. This is the kind of book you need to lock yourself in a room over, because the chances of you screaming at someone to go the @#$% away are very probable, and it's difficult to explain the rage outburst to someone who is not a reader (as I'm sure most of us know..).

In this novel, there is not a ship I do not like (I root for them all!), there is not a character I think needs tweaking, there is not a lack of commas or punctuation, there is really nothing to complain about. The only thing that bothered me at all was at the beginning, it switched perspectives a lot, which was a little confusing, but it all made sense by the end. I will definitely be re-reading this one in the future! Fantastic read!

And now, our interview with Kaye Thornbrugh!

*Hi Kaye! Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Hello, ladies! Thanks for having me! Well, I’m 19 years old and share a birthday with Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. I’m the managing editor of my college newspaper, the Sentinel. I’m a proud Browncoat. My only sports achievements are Pokémon League Championships, though I did letter in scholastics—basically, the quiz bowl team—in high school. All told, I’m just your friendly neighborhood nerd-turned-journalist-turned-indie-author!

*What made you want to write about the fey?
I’ve always loved folklore and fairy tales, but it wasn’t until I read Valiant by Holly Black when I was about fourteen that I started to really look into the lore surrounding faeries. Once I started reading up, I became deeply passionate—in fact, I once wrote a research paper on changeling myths and how they affected the peasantry of the British Isles. Eventually, all that time spent ruminating on faerie folklore led me to the initial idea that would eventually become Flicker.
*We both absolutely loved Flicker & all the characters in it; will you be writing a sequel?
Thank you so much! Nothing makes me happier than hearing that somebody is getting along with my imaginary friends. :) Yes, I am writing a sequel! It’s titled Brightly and takes place about one year after the events of Flicker. I’m hoping to release it by late 2012 or early 2013, but there are a few variables involved. I’ll be posting updates on my progress with Brightly on my blog (as well as teasers when it’s closer to being released), so feel free to check in with me over there!

*Did you always want to be an author?
Pretty much. There was a time when I wanted to be an Egyptologist, and I’ve always not-so-secretly wished that I could be a Pokémon Trainer when I grew up—but aside from those two dreams, being an author has always been at the top of my list.

*Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Read as much as you can, as widely as you can. Take a look outside your genre! Study the books you like and the books you don’t like, to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Write as often as possible, every day if you can—even if you only crank out a few paragraphs, that’s progress! Don’t get too attached to anything you write—that includes characters. As much as you love them, you’ll have to do terrible things to them from time to time, so you can’t develop too much of a soft spot for any of them. It may seem cruel, and you’ll probably hate doing it sometimes, but it’s the only way to help them change and grow as characters.

*Do you ever get stuck while writing? If so, what do you do to push through it?
Yes, definitely. I think every writer gets stuck from time to time. When I hit a wall, I’ve found that the most effective way to get through it is to add ninjas. Well, not exactly. Let me explain:
When you find yourself struggling to figure out what happens next, sometimes you just have to throw something completely unexpected into the mix and see what happens. Have a completely new character walk through the door. Set a house on fire. Kidnap somebody. Add ninjas! Whatever it takes to get those creative juices flowing again. If you don’t like the direction you end up going in, or you think of another way to move forward, you can always change it.

*If you could spend the day with any literary character, who would you choose and what would you like to do with them?
Mercy Thompson, the shape-shifting mechanic from Patrcia Briggs’ amazing urban fantasy series. She’s my favorite heroine, hands-down. Mercy is tough as nails, but she’s also compassionate, thoughtful and loving. (Also, props to Patricia Briggs for creating a beautiful, sexy fantasy heroine who isn’t sexualized or objectified. Mercy’s attractiveness is organic, rooted more in her confidence and personality than in anything she wears.)
Anyway, I’d love to spend a day with Mercy. I’d be pretty useless in the garage while she worked on cars, but maybe she could teach me a thing or two—that, or we could just have lunch or dinner and chat about our lives. (Mercy’s side of the conversation would be a lot more exciting than mine!)

*Lana and I both have an obsession with really good cheesecake; is there a dessert you can’t turn down?
It might be better to ask if there’s a dessert I can turn down! I’m a sucker for pretty much all forms of deliciousness, but I’ve recently discovered a particular weakness for frozen yogurt.

*If you could only recommend one book to us, which one would you choose?
This is a terribly cruel question! But since you put me on the spot, I’ll go with The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle, which I discovered as a little girl through the 1980s cartoon. The Last Unicorn is both a fairy tale and a spoof on fairy tales, filled with vibrant characters. As clichéd as it sounds, it’ll make you laugh and cry. (The ending gets me every time.) You’ll find yourself rereading whole pages just to revel in the beautiful language. Finally, I firmly believe that it’s one of the most romantic books ever written. Here, let me prove it to you with my favorite quote:
“Marveling at his own boldness, he said softly, ‘I would enter your sleep if I could, and guard you there, and slay the thing that hounds you, as I would if it had the courage to face me in fair daylight. But I cannot come in unless you dream of me.’” – Peter S. Beagle, The Last Unicorn

*Can you tell us what comes next for you?
 Right now, I’m focusing on writing the Flicker series and generally being a college student. As for my next project after the series is finished, I’ve got a few ideas I’m keen to work on, but I haven’t settled on one just yet. (I will say that, at this exact moment, the two frontrunners are a story about trolls and a story about superheroes.) After that, who knows? It’s like an adventure!

And now for the giveaway!

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Forsaken by Kristen Day Blog Tour: Group Review & Giveaway

Forsaken 

A Daughters of the Sea Novel

By: Kristen Day

Self Published

Once you’ve been touched by darkness, it never leaves you…

Abandoned by her parents as an infant; seventeen year old Hannah spent her childhood wading through countless foster families until being adopted by the Whitmans three years ago. Unfortunately, Atlanta’s high society wasn’t quite ready for Hannah…or the strange events that plague her.

Chilling visions of murder, unexplained hallucinations, and a dark, mysterious guy who haunts her nightmares all culminate to set in motion a journey of self-discovery that will challenge everything she’s ever believed; not to mention her sanity.

Sent to live at The House of Lorelei on Bald Head Island, NC for ‘kids like her’, Hannah quickly realizes things are not what they seem. Her fellow ‘disturbed’ teens are actually the descendents of mythical Sea Gods and Goddesses. And so is she.

But when Finn, the ghost from her dreams, appears in the flesh; her nightmares become reality and her dark visions begin coming true. Inexplicably drawn to him, she can’t deny the dangerous hold he has on her heart. The deadly secrets he harbors will ultimately test her courage and push the boundaries of her love.

She must decide if she is ready to embrace the ancient legend she is prophesized to be a part of. The fate of all the descendents will forever depend upon it.

Forsaken is the first novel in the Daughters of the Sea series by Kristen Day.  When I read the synopsis of this book on Goodreads I was instantly intrigued. When I learned that YARN was doing a blog tour I signed up right away. I enjoyed every second of this book. 

We see the story through the eyes of Hannah, the main character. She is a wonderful character; tough but sweet, sassy, brave and funny. You can't help but love her as you follow her journey to discover who she really is. She is my favorite character in the story; she is a take charge kind of girl. If there is a crisis, she doesn't cry and get hysterical, she figures out what she can do to help. It's so nice to see a heroine who doesn't depend on others to get her out of trouble. 

My next favorite character is Finn, Hannah's love interest. He is an enigma of sorts when we first meet him and it's easy to see why Hannah is drawn to him.  He is insanely hot, yes but there's more to him than that. He's brave and he'd do anything to help Hannah, but he also helps her  figure out how to save herself and I love him for that. He isn't some neanderthal type trying to keep her in a gilded cage to protect her in the name of love. 

Full of suspense and packed with action and romance, this book is a fast paced thrill ride and I could not stop reading it once I'd started.  The end was a slight cliff hanger and I'm now anxiously awaiting the next volume in this exciting new series. 

My Rating: 

Again, here I sit, following Mel around like a puppy so I can continue to read read read like a maniac. I shall be honest- When I read the summary for Forsaken, I sighed somewhat. "Oh, goodie, a Percy Jackson rip-off. Yay..." But I bit my tongue and read it (who am I to complain about a book?), and as much as I hate being wrong, I am actually happy to say I was DEAD wrong about this book.

Stasia has got to be one of the fiercest characters I've read about this year. She's a sassy little firecracker who has every reason to curl up under the bed and cry forever, but no. She is strong, and I admire that about her. I'm honestly not sure I could get up in the morning after everything she's been through, and there she goes- Somehow finding out all this information and remaining sane. None of the other characters fall flat, either. Phoebe, Willow and Carmen are all totally unique, and somehow get along well with one another. None of her characters act alike, and none of them fall all over the place, as if they were just put there because Day liked her names and couldn't narrow it down.

But all the girls aside, umm.. Finn. Holy. Crap. Can I have him, please? I need a visual aid, mostly because we need a Team Finn button down on that little Book Boys roll down there. Who doesn't love the bad boy? The very, very bad boy? The could-possibly-be-a-murderer bad boy who has really pretty blue eyes? "Possible murderer" get your attention? Oh, good. No, I'm not telling you- Just read it yourself. You will not regret it!

Definitely getting put on my "Favorites" shelf! Cannot wait for the next installment! 

My Rating:

And now for the giveaway!

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Kristen Day is a southern belle at heart with a crazy streak that desperately tries to escape at every opportunity. She loves all things nostalgic, rustic, and quirky. She’s been told she sees the world through rose-colored glasses, but she prefers to think of them as kaleidoscope glasses - swirling and morphing reality into something she can digest (who hasn't pretended those pasty lima beans were really kiwi strawberry jelly beans?).

She is the author of the DAUGHTERS OF THE SEA trilogy, which includes FORSAKEN, AWAKEN (Oct 2012), and CHOSEN (Winter 2012). She loves all books, but really enjoys writing young adult, paranormal romances. She’s loved to write for as long as she can remember. Her first published work was her poem RED in second grade (you guessed it - it was a poem about the color red - life altering, right?) that won her 5 gold stars and a spot in her elementary school's poetry book. That's when her addiction to the written word officially began. She was the only kid in fifth grade that actually enjoyed diagramming sentences. Go ahead and laugh - its okay.

When she’s not writing she’s making jewelry, painting, feeding her addiction to sweet tea, watching the Discovery Channel, or going on random adventures in the mountains of North Carolina with her amazing husband. She was born in Boone, NC and graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Marketing in 2001.

Follow Kristen Day:

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Purchase Forsaken:

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First Frost by Liz DeJesus Blog Tour: Group Review

First Frost

By Liz DeJesus

Publication Date: June 22, 2012

Published By: Musa Publishing

For generations, the Frost family has run the Museum of Magical and Rare Artifacts, handing down guardianship from mother to daughter, always keeping their secrets to “family only.”

Gathered within museum’s walls is a collection dedicated to the Grimm fairy tales and to the rare items the family has acquired: Cinderella’s glass slipper, Snow White’s poisoned apple, the evil queen’s magic mirror, Sleeping Beauty’s enchanted spinning wheel…

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Frost wants none of it, dreaming instead of a career in art or photography or…well, anything except working in the family’s museum. She knows the items in the glass display cases are fakes because, of course, magic doesn’t really exist.

She’s about to find out how wrong she is.

First Frost is the first book in the Frost Series by Liz DeJesus.  I actually learned about this book on Goodreads and then saw YARN was doing a blog tour and immediately signed us up. What little girl hasn't sat around wondering if the fairy tales we all know and love were true stories at one time? I know I did. This book seemed to be something I'd really enjoy. I like it when I'm right. 

The narrative is in the third person, but we see things from the main character, Bianca, and her nemesis, Lenore's points of view for the most part.  Getting inside their heads made this a very fun read for me.  The characters were all unique and easy to relate to.

While the story is packed with action, I wasn't surprised by much that happened.  It was still an exciting and enjoyable read, though. Action, humor and terror all combine with the strong bonds of family and friendship to make this a must read. I can't wait for the sequel. 

My Rating:

I think it's obvious I will follow Mel's opinion of a book off a cliff, so when she came to me asking if I wanted to be apart of this book tour, I jumped at the chance. 

Bianca's story intrigued me - I've never been big on fairy-tale stories (save for the classics, though, come on), so this was a first for me. I wasn't disappointed, per se, but I did find the story to be somewhat predictable at times. I thought it was very light, and the characters seemed a little younger than they were supposed to be. 

However, I did like the humor in the story, and Prince Ferdinand and Terrance were both equally hilarious and yummy. The kind of guys you want to step into the story, kidnap, and bring into the real world- Why can't that happen? Why, I ask?

A light, fluffy read. Not bad at all.

My Rating:

Liz DeJesus was born on the tiny island of Puerto Rico. She is a novelist and a poet. She has been writing for as long as she was capable of holding a pen. She is the author of the novel Nina (Blu Phi'er Publishing, October 2007), The Jackets (Arte Publico Press, March 31st 2011) and First Frost (Musa Publishing, June 2012). Liz is currently working on a new novel.

Follow Liz DeJesus:

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Glass Frost Facebook Fanpage

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Purchase First Frost here!

Group Review & Giveaway: Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

Be careful what you wish for. . . .

When Wren's boyfriend, Danny, died, Wren decided that what she wanted—what she had to do—was to bring Danny back. And so, in a heartbroken fury, armed with dark incantations and a secret power, she did.

But the Danny who returns isn't the boy Wren fell in love with, and she must hide him away while her life unravels around her. Then Gabriel transfers to her school and somehow he knows what she has done—and he wants to help make things right.

But Wren alone must undo what she has wrought—even if it means breaking her heart all over again. (from Amazon.com)

Hello all, this month we decided to tackle Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey for our group review! I came across this book while browsing through Goodreads (I believe Lana was already reading it) and it caught my attention. I went right to Amazon & downloaded it for my kindle. I'm so very glad I did; this book had me hooked from the very first page!

Set in a small town where everyone knows everything about everyone else, Cold Kiss brings us back to our first love and that first time you feel really connected to a person outside of your family. And it shows what can happen when that gets taken away in a violent and unexpected manner. Especially when you have certain gifts at your disposal as does our main character, Wren. I was riveted by Wren's story from the beginning and literally sat and read this book in one afternoon without moving from my couch. I simply could not put it down.

Garvey has written an emotional masterpiece that will have you on the edge of your seat. Told from Wren's point of view, the story hurtles towards climax, dragging you along for one hell of a ride. Wren's life has become one giant yarn ball of catastrophes and every time she thinks she has one knot undone, another one gets helplessly snared in the tangle. I really love how she doesn't expect anyone else to get her out of the mess she's made.

My very favorite thing about this book was the characters; mainly our heroine. Wren is a dynamo, a miniature spitfire who is determined to fix her own mistakes and learn from them. She isn't a princess waiting to be rescued, but a complexly fierce, stubborn and funny young woman. Then we have Gabriel; can I just say that I LOVE him! He's sweet, caring and funny and exactly what Wren needs, in my opinion. Knowing what a horrible situation Wren is in, he just wants to help her fix it. Or fix it himself; yep, he's that kind of guy. I can't wait to see how his & Wren's relationship develops in the next installment.

Cold Kiss is fast paced and heartbreaking; funny and sad all at the same time. You're on an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good paranormal story.

My Rating:

I’ll be honest right now; I really had no intention of reading this book. I got it at a book signing Amy happened to be at, and though she did get a ton of brownie points for being a Dean Girl, I thought the book was going to be stale and boring. “Oh, look,” I thought, “another story of a girl who’s so obsessed with a guy she has no personality whatsoever.” But Mel raved about it, so I picked it up.

Holy God, why didn’t I do this SOONER?

Cold Kiss does indeed have a love triangle…Sort of. Frankly it can only end one way, considering one member of said triangle is dead, but you still wanna cry for Danny (even if you want to jump into the book and trample Gabriel in a not-so-innocent way). Well, about half way through the book that stopped for me, because Danny was beginning to freak me out…I don’t freak out easily. But it’s written so well, and so precise, I couldn’t help but shiver at some moments.

What I also liked was that Danny wasn’t really a “zombie” and Wren isn’t really a “witch”, though that is exactly what they both are. Wren isn’t walking around with a broom, wand and owl like a Harry Potter rip-off (thank God…) and Danny isn’t utterly obsessed with “Brains! BRAINS!” He is more of an animated corpse, obsessed with the person who brought him back (Wren), and Wren, to me, seems like someone who can just tap into the elements. It’s refreshing, having English instead of Latin and thought instead of hunger.

Wren is a little headstrong and resistant of help, but I actually like that about her. She isn’t falling all over Gabriel (who I love, by the way) and acting like a typical drama-queen we see nowadays. She likes him, it’s obvious, but she’s not obsessing (like other books I won’t mention…), which is good, because I probably would’ve had a harder time getting through the book if she had.

That being said, I got through the book in 4 days, and that’s only because I had work. It is beautifully written and sculpted and I cannot wait to dig into Glass Heart (due out in September- careful, I might trample you to get to it)!

I’m gonna fangirl over this book for a long time to come, I know it. I want to keep ranting, too! But my review is gonna be longer than the actual book soon…so I will shush now. But really, guys, go out and get yourselves a copy! You won’t regret it!

My Rating:

I am an avid zombie story fan; we are an avid “No Spoilers” Blog… I’m sorry but this is not a zombie book. I was a tad bit let down as I was expecting zombies, the night of the living dead eat your brains kinda zombies… so, kudos to Garvey for her new take on zombies but, as a creature of habit I just take a little bit more convincing. That being said, it is a very well written story, the struggles you face through Wren’s eyes are very believable and realistic.

There is nothing like your first love but, what if that is taken from you just when you’ve found it, what if you had the power to bring him back… would you? Anyone who has lost someone will find this story very poignant and prolific! Garvey has managed to capture the love without denying the loss; focused on the pain but never forgetting the memories. This story touches on the reality of hiding who you really are and therefore not being completely honest with the people you love; trust, friendship and the ability to love again even if your heart is broken and you don’t think that you ever will. By the end of the book my heart was breaking for Wren and Danny. This is one of my most difficult reviews to write… I give it 3.5 quills out of 5; mostly because 1. I was expecting zombies and although I got the undead, I didn’t get my zombie(s) 2. Sometimes the author’s descriptions went overboard. All in all, I would still recommend this book as it is a little rough around the edges but Garvey’s story is one that must be told! That is just my two cents. :)

My Rating:

And now! The Cold Kiss giveaway! 

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Have Book, Will Travel by Kfir & Yonatan Luzzatto: Review

Publication Date: June 1, 2012

Max fears that his family will disapprove of his friendship with Darla, a common girl from the village outside his uncle’s fortress walls. That's why they meet secretly to read together from an old book, which she has found in a dusty room near the fortress laundry where she works.

They read about a lost lake and feel adventurous when they slip out of the fortress to go swimming there; but the trouble begins when they find that, in the meantime, the fortress has been sealed and they can’t get back in. It’s lucky that they have the book with them, to guide them through the many dangers that await them on their way back home…or perhaps it is the book that is the source of their troubles.

In the end, it is the power of the friendship that Darla and Max have forged, and their courage, that see them through a series of breathtaking adventures. (from Goodreads) 

Have Book, Will Travel by Kfir Luzzatto and his teenage son, Yonatan, is due to be published on June 1st. I recommend if you have a reader in the 10-14 year-old range, you definitely get this book for them.  I read it in a day; from almost the very start to finish it's a non-stop adventure. This is a whimsical and funny read, full of action. 

Max and Darla are our main characters; she is a villager from outside the fortress that Max's uncle commands and Max is there visiting for the summer while his mother deals with a sick friend. The two meet in a storage room and soon are meeting there everyday to read an old book together. Before long, they are plotting their own adventure and thus, the excitement begins. These two kids are really great characters; the kind of kids you wish you'd known growing up. 

This is a definite page-turner with lots of twists, you never know what's going to happen next! Armed with an extremely original idea, this tale for tweens is very well executed and really leaves you wanting more! 

My Rating:

Group Book to Movie Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival.

Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket and Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss

We all have our own unique view and opinion on things we see and read. Therefore, each month Tammy, Lana and I will read & review a book (and sometimes a book to movie adaptation) and share our thoughts with you guys. This month we chose The Hunger Games due to the movie release last month. Without further ado, here are our reviews. 

~Mel's Book Review~

When I first heard about The Hunger Games I was dead set against reading it. It didn't sound like anything I would be even a little bit interested in.  Then one day, I was at the local library and the librarian there talked me into giving it a try. I am so very glad she did. I devoured the book in 4 hours without moving once from my couch. I was drawn in from the first page and I literally could not put the book down. 

Katniss Everdeen, our narrator,  is such a strong and complex character.  She may not be the easiest girl to get to know, but it's very easy to admire and get behind her as you read. I think you have to look closer to see the real Katniss. She has no idea how to respond to kindness or show her true feelings (or sometimes even know her true feelings) without putting on a brave face and doing what she thinks she has to in order to survive.

There were a few twists I definitely didn't see coming when I read this book and it is a very fast read. You simply must know what will happen next. This was my first dystopian novel and it really opened up my mind to a whole new genre. I could honestly discuss this book forever but I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't had the chance to read it yet. By the way, if you haven't read it yet-get going to get yourself a copy and you'll see what all the fuss is about. I promise. 

My Rating: 

~Movie Review~

I have to be honest and say I was highly doubtful when I heard the casting decisions that had been made for this movie. To me, they all looked all wrong with the exception of Woody Harrelson as Haymitch; I thought he'd be perfect. When I heard that Suzanne Collins was a producer on the movie, I was relieved and started to really get excited about seeing it.  By the time they started showing the trailer on tv, I was getting chills just thinking about seeing it. 

I'm really happy to say I was not at all disappointed with the movie. They proved me wrong with the casting; it was absolutely perfect in their roles.  I was especially surprised with Josh Hutcherson; he brought Peeta to life brilliantly.Jennifer Lawrence really became Katniss in my eyes; amazing performance by her as well. And my absolute favorite was a tie between Elizabeth Banks as Effie and Woody Harrelson as Haymitch. I love Haymitch, anyway, and I thought Woody brought the perfect blend of drunk and snark to the role. 

I felt the omissions and changes were few and necessary when done,  frankly. I think they made Katniss a little more likable in the movie than she came across in the book but I didn't have a problem with it, because the true nature of her character was still showcased flawlessly. And yes, the end was a little different BUT I think that if you read closely you'll see it's not so drastic as some are making it out to be. 

I have to rave about writer/director, Gary Ross; he got right to the heart of everything important in the book and told the story beautifully. I'm very sad he won't be returning for Catching Fire, but I admire his reasons. I really hope whomever comes in will take a leaf from his book and consult with Suzanne Collins on any changes they want to make from the canon. 

I have to mention the amazing job that was done on all the sets, the costumes and the hair and make-up. Everyone looked absolutely perfect and exactly as I imagined them while reading the book.  It was like the book literally came to life as I watched the movie.  I simply adored everything about this movie; I've seen it three times and plan to go again before they stop showing it.  I can't wait for the dvd release. 

My Rating:

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss 

~Lana's Book Review~ 

The Hunger Games is the first novel in the trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I got this book, actually, because my friend told me her and her cousin were competing to see who could finish the series first. Curious, I asked her what books she was talking about, and she blanched because I hadn’t recognized the names “Peeta” and “Katniss”. Needless to say, I was interested when she told me it was about 24 kids being put into an arena to fight to the death.

The book is told from the Katniss’s point of view, and even though at times I disagreed with her thoughts, it was very easy for me to step into her thought pattern and feel what she was feeling. The book was very well described and I could feel the pain Katniss felt the whole way through.

This book made me scream and cry and laugh and sometimes “aw”. Her relationship with Peeta was very well orchestrated, and her conflicted thoughts were quite easy to tap into.

The story in general is very dark, and yet, I can actually see America turning into this place. Though it’s a little morbid of me to think that, it’s quite believable.

All in all, this is a deliciously frightening and heartbreaking story, and I loved it!

My Rating:

~Lana's Movie Review~

The Hunger Games movie was suspenseful and startling. Though I must say, if I hadn’t have read the books, I’d have no idea what was going on. There was a lot left out, when I look at it like a critic, but it was very good for those of us who have read the books.

We got to see Rue, and Peeta’s alliance with the other kids perfectly. We got a closer look into the capital that I LOVED, and Effie, Cinna and Haymitch were exactly how I pictured them, attitude wise.

To be honest, I was a little confused by the ending. Since I’m not sure if everyone reading this has read the books, I won’t give away the ending, but it was changed in the movie, and it makes me wonder where Catching Fire will take off.

All in all, it was a good movie. Though I will still be more loyal to the books, like with most book-to-movies. Even so, I will definitely be buying it once it’s on DVD.

My Rating: 

Lenny Kravitz as Cinna and Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss 

~Tammy's Two Cents on The Hunger Games Book to Movie~

I absolutely LOVED this series; read it cover to cover, start to finish in less than a week. This was one of the most graphic book series I've ever read and yet I was engrossed the entire time. I think what made this series so good for me was that I could actually envision this happening in our not so distant future.

In this fast paced dystopian novel by Miss Suzanne Collins the reader is taken on a wild ride to Panem through our heroine, Katniss Everdeen’s, eyes. I love this strong woman as a lead character; she has volunteered for her sister, taking her place in what one can only call a modern day Gladiator's tournament; a fight to the death with only one survivor in which she will likely die. Collins definitely brought us into her world with vivid descriptions of The Capitol and truly likeable characters like Peeta, Katniss, Cinna and Rue (just to name a few). Hell, I even loved Effie and Haymitch.

Again, as I've stated in past reviews, I like that the characters are real. They are, in actuality just teenagers and Collins keeps true to that in her story, especially with the love triangle. Peeta's journey to save Katniss whatever the cost, knowing full well that he will die in the process; it's gut wrenching and powerful to say the least. I found myself in tears several times through all the books; when the realization sets in for Peeta that Katniss loved her sister so much she volunteered for her and his brothers did not even attempt for him, when he admits during the interview that he's in love with Katniss, and oh my god my poor Rue (snot slinging tear fest for that part!). I was, however, on my feet cheering when Cato got his; I actually found myself cursing Katniss for putting him out of his misery.

The Hunger Games was one of my most anticipated movie releases for 2012, right up there with Breaking Dawn II.... My favorite line from the first book did not disappoint in the movie; I have seen the movie twice now and both times it gave me chills "I VOLUNTEER!" I really only have two complaints about the movie: 1.Not enough Cinna (I'm team Cinna all the way!). 2.I didn’t feel there was any romance between Katniss and Peeta. I would have liked to have seen more of what I read in the book translated on screen between them; it was there with Peeta but, not so much with Katniss. 

I am already itching with anticipation for the next movie in this series; I am getting myself mentally prepared for my least favorite part of all the books. (Too many spoilers to post, sorry Tammy!~Mel) I was so GD mad when it happened that I threw the book at the wall, and let me tell you books do bounce! Thank goodness it wasn't my Kindle!!

If you haven't read this series, you must be living under a rock. It is fan-friggin-tastic; a must read!

My Book & Movie Rating: