Grace is currently reading....

Review: Raised By Wolves

Summary:Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, 15-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two.Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it.  That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two. 

But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.

But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped?

Review: I knew straight out I was going to enjoy this book, I'm on a werewolf kick as of late, so when I finally got the book from the library (yes, I still go to that ancient place where they let you rent books for 2 weeks) I was excited and ready to start...I meant out to just read the first chapter before bed, which I usually do just to get started out, and before I knew it, it was getting later and I was way beyond the first chapter. I was hooked right from he beginning and I could not put it down. Needless to say, I really enjoyed this book, and though there is a romance in it, I hope that in the second one there is even more. Even though the wolves in the story shift between wolf and human quite often, I really loved how they still has wolf mannerisms in human form, particularly when they rubbed cheeks as a sign of affection, (if you've ever seen videos of real wolves doing this...it's adorable!!). I so look forward to the second one entitled: Trial By Fire which I believe is due out in June. A definite must read! I will definitely go off to buy this one! I generally rent books first, and then buy them if I dub them worthy...I KNOW this will look lovely on my shelf! :)

Grace is currently reading...

Review: Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harper Collins (March 18, 2003)
• Language: English

Summary: Eric and Sarah have been friends since junior high, when his weight and her scars made them outcasts. In high school, Eric has slimmed and Sarah doesn't let being an outsider hurt her. Now she sits silent in a hospital. Can Eric uncover her secret before it puts them both in danger?

Sarah Byrnes and Eric have been friends for years. When they were children, his fat and her terrible scars made them both outcasts. Later, although swimming slimmed Eric, she stayed his closest friend.
Now Sarah Byrnes -- the smartest, toughest person Eric has ever known -- sits silent in a hospital. Eric must uncover the terrible secret she's hiding, before its dark currents pull them both under.

Review: At first when I was reading this book I had no sway one way or another towards whether I really liked it, or I didn't I had a sort of ehhh, it's OK feeling. Then, as I got further into the book, and Sarah was in the hospital I really started to like it. I instantly liked both Eric and Sarah and Eric's friend Ellerby. The conversations the characters have together often made me laugh out loud. I'd find myself giggling on the train, I thought they were so witty and clever. If I was in school with them I would have wanted to be friends with them, they were tough, and funny, and smart. I have to admit I thought that Eric and Sarah would end up together in the end, they are the only people who would ever truly understand each other, and they were already so close. Finding out about Sarah Byrnes' scars will  leave the reader feeling sick and angry. The ending was great, I was so happy for how it all turned out, I would recommend this book.

Hunger Games Casting Info...

It has been a big week for Hunger Games fans, with the release of a whole slew of new cast mates including: Effie Trinket, and the tributes from districts 3,4, and 5.

Hunger Games Casting Info...

As rumor had it, Elizabeth Banks has officially been cast as Effie Trinket in the much anticipated movie adaptation of the hit trilogy The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins. Thoughts?

Grace is currently reading....

She's So Dead To Us- Kieran Scott Contest

The lovely Kieran Scott is running a contest, and the prizes are pretty awesome. It's totally easy to enter, and the prizes are SO worth it. Here's what you do:




To celebrate today's release of SHE'S SO DEAD TO US in paperback, I've decided to run a little . . . well, okay, MASSIVEcontest! The prizes?

20 people will win SHE'S SO DEAD TO US/HE'S SO NOT WORTH IT BOOKMARKS signed by moi

and

2 lucky people will win an autographed copy of HE'S SO NOT WORTH IT when it's released in JUNE.

TELL ME MORE, you say? All righty then. Here's what you need to do to win!

1) Recommend SHE'S SO DEAD TO US to a friend (you were going to do that anyway, right?)

2) Send that friend to the SHE'S SO DEAD TO US fan page on Facebook and have them "like" SHE'S SO DEAD TO US. Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shes-So-Dead-to-Us/273957676095 (BONUS, your friend will now be a member of the SSDTU page, which means she/he will get all the latest news on the trilogy!)

3) Have that friend post on the wall on the SHE'S SO DEAD TO US page, telling me that YOU sent her/him. For example, if my friend Wendy were to send my friend Shira to the page, Shira would post: "Hey Kieran! Wendy Schwartz recommended She's So Dead to Us!"

4) THAT'S IT! As long as your friend gets your name right, you will BOTH be entered in the contest as soon as she/he posts on the wall.

WHAT YOU CAN WIN:

Entries can be submitted through Friday, 4/29, until 12 pm midnight, EST. On Saturday 4/30 I'll pick 22 lucky winners at random.

10 pairs of friends will receive autographed bookmarks

1 pair of friends will receive autographed books

Winners will be notified via Facebook by Saturday afternoon.

So there you have it! Recommend a friend and get going! I REALLY REALLY loved the book and I know you all will too! GO. DO. IT!!! (This is copy and pasted EXACTLY from her site, this way I know I didn't give you guys wrong directions or lead you to some creepy site)

The Eternal Ones...paperback edition

The paperback edition of The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller will be out in July 12, 2011, here is the cover. What are your thoughts? I like the hardcover version more, the vibrant red really caught my eye. Thoughts?

Sequel News...

The second book to The Eternal Ones trilogy by Kirsten Miller is titled: All You Desire and will be available on August 9th 2011...I can NOT wait for this book I love love loved the first one. Here's the cover, I really like it.

Hunger Games Casting Info...

Another cast member has been set! Welcome Paula Malcomson to The Hunger Games as: Mrs Everdeen, Katniss and Primroses' mother!

Grace is currently reading...

The Iron Fey Books Trailer

Review: The Iron Daughter

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 359 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (August 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373210132

Summary:  
Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Review: The beginning was a bit slow for me, and I even considered stopping and not reading the book at all, but I persevered and continued on to the end. Good thing too, towards the middle of the book it started getting really good and I started getting into it. I liked this book a lot more than the first one, because there was so much more involvement from the other characters that had only small parts in the previous book. There was betrayal and a love triangle (what kind of young adult book would it be w/o one of those?) and enemies turned friends. There was also quite a bit of violence and blood, which was different from the first book and although it made me flinch I liked the excitement of it all. I would definitely recommend this book, and I can't wait to read the next one. Plus it ended with a sort of cliff hanger that makes it necessary to continue on to the next one. What happens to Ash and Meghan? I will have to wait and see!

Grace is currently reading....

Review: Forgive My Fins

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books; 1 edition (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061914657

 Summary: Lily Sanderson has a secret: not only does she have a crush on gorgeous Brody, she's also half human and half mermaid.

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it's not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you're a normal teenage girl, but when you're half human, half mermaid, like Lily, there's no such thing as a simple crush.
Lily's mermaid identity is a secret that can't get out, since she's not just any mermaid—she's a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn't feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she's been living on land and going to Seaview High School ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems—like her obnoxious biker-boy neighbor, Quince Fletcher—but it has that one major perk: Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren't really the casual dating type—the instant they "bond," it's for life.
When Lily's attempt to win Brody's love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily ever after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

Review: There aren't enough mermaid books out there, so when I saw this one I was psyched to read it. With vampires, demons, and other paranormal books being popular the mythical characters are pushed aside. I got this book and began it immediately, I was done within a few hours. I really enjoyed it. Yes, it is predictable, I knew from literally page one, who the love interest was REALLY going to be, and who the main character Lily would end up with. I wasn't upset over finding I was right because I really liked him. I love the mental images I got while reading it, the underwater world of Thalissinian sounds so beautiful I wish I could visit. If I found out I was half mermaid, I'd want to live there. I would definitely recommend this book, and I can not wait for the second one!

Hunger Games Casting Info...

This week has been busy for information pertaining to the Hunger Games cast. Rue and Thresh were announced, and now we have Marvel and Glimmer, and... PRIMROSE EVERDEEN! The cast is really coming to life and I can't wait to see who else is cast in the future...here are the lucky actors/actresses..what are your thoughts? I think Leven looks a bit old to be Glimmer, but we shall see. I like Willow and Jack. Elizabeth Banks is in talks to play Effie.

Leven Rambin as Glimmer, and Jack Quaid as Marvel.

Willow Shields as Primrose Everdeen

Hunger Games Casting Info

Its official..Rue and Thresh from District 11 have been cast in the highly anticipated movie adaptation of the hit trilogy The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Here are the lucky two! I absolutely love the picks, and I actually like these two the most out of all the casting so far!

Amandla Stenberg as Rue

Dayo Okeniyi as Thresh

Grace is currently reading....

Review: Where She Went

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (April 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780525422945

Summary:It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the futureÑand each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Wentexplores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.


Review: Had there not been a sequel to this book I would have been more than happy. As far as I was concerned, Mia and Adam stayed together in the end of If I Stay and I was happy with that. When I found out this book was coming out, and that they were not together anymore, and haven't been for three years I seriously considered not reading the book. I wanted them to end in the perfect way, she woke up, and he was there for her and everything was happy. Needless to say, I read it anyway. I had been hearing really great reviews about it so I figured it would be just as great as If I Stay. When reading it I was kind of mad at Adam, I know he was grieving and I know he had to get over Mia and the whole accident, but I didn't like how he was sleeping around with groupies to do that. It didn't seem like the Adam I knew and loved from before. Adam wouldn't have done those things because he seemed better than that. The course of the book takes place during one fated night where they finally meet face to face after being apart for three years. I wanted them to get together right away and tell their feelings right from the start, but it took right up until the end of the book for that to happen. The beginning of the book was full of awkward conversations and kept secrets. Their road back to each other was slow going, but romantic. If you've already read If I Stay and want to know what happens, I'd recommend reading this book, but if you're happy with how it ended, don't bother. 

Grace is currently reading...

Review: Blood Wicked

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Aphrodisia (March 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758250940

Summary:Vivienne knows the dark secrets of London's desires. She fulfils them, twisting men's lust for her into the power and status of a courtesan. But she understand little about her own pleasure and the mysteries it commands. Until, that is, she meets Heath, a vampire capable of giving her profound ecstasy - but sworn to let her taste its release only once...Heath's cravings for Vivienne sharpen into sweet torture as he guides her through erotic lessons, watching her abandon herself to ever-higher peaks of pleasure. As temptation melts away the bonds of his control, how long can either hope to survive?

Review: As a fan of Sharon's previous books I was really excited to read this one. She certainly has a way with really hot sex scenes. While it started out okay, I quickly became detached from the book. I know in romance novels the characters fall in love seemingly in a matter of moments, the man who never wants love meets this plain Jane girl and BAM he wants to change his life and be with her forever, but this book was really crazy. It was certainly long enough to prolong the proclamation of love to make it just a little bit less cheesy, but, this book wasn't based on romance it was supposed to be full of "sexually explicit" sex scenes (seriously, theres a warning on the back). While the scenes are as they claim to be there's something I did not like, and that is the mixing of sweet words with explicit ones. There's something about "his giant c*** snapped up and landed on his belly" that doesn't resonate with me. Belly seems like such an innocent word for such a sexually charged sentence. I guess the only downfall I had with this book was the vocabulary used, and that goes for talking about body parts and the way the characters communicated. I'm not sure if it was supposed to reflect the time period, or if that's just how she wanted it, but, I wasn't a fan. I probably would not recommend this book...but I still would recommend reading Page's other books.

Review: LadyStar The DreamSpeaker

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 280 KB
• Publisher: Palace in the Sky Publishing (February 10, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004NEVWI8

Summary: Jessica Hoshi is just like any other girl. She loves music, playing in the marching band at school and spending time with her friends. One day, Jessica and her friends visit the Lakeshore Historical Society to take the Tall Ship Tour.
After they get separated from the tour group, Jessica discovers a gem-encrusted Lantern and a magically locked jewelry box below decks in the ship’s hold. A voice from inside the Lantern tells Jessica they are all in great danger. The jewelry box contains priceless stolen artifacts sought by ruthless and evil sorcerers known as Cryptics.
Minutes later, the vessel’s lights flicker to life and the sails fill with an invisible wind. The great ship sails across the lake carrying Jessica and all of her friends through an astral portal to an enchanted land called Aventar.
There, they meet the shadowy arcanist Reina, who tells them they must train at once to become Ajan Warriors. Unless they succeed, the treasures will be lost, and the last hopes of a betrayed people will fade forever.
These are the Adventures of Jessica Hoshi! Her Magical and Mysterious quest to discover the ancient and magnificent legend of the LadyStar begins as she encounters the powerful message of The Dreamspeaker!

Review: I am not usually one to read these sort of books, but when I got the offer to review it I couldn't turn it down because it was our first offer. I was a little worried going into it that I would not enjoy it. but I was pleasantly surprised when right from the start I was hooked. Right from the beginning it starts off on a wild adventure. There's something in this story that everyone will love, kick as female stars, mystery, adventure, and a spooky mansion, with strange inhabitants. The descriptions are so vivid you start to believe you are in the book and experiencing the wild adventure the girls are. It was easy enough to understand, doesn't take much thinking (which I love, I hate when I'm feeling confused and have to read back) even if you don't usually enjoy these sort of books, read it, you will.

Grace is currently reading....

Where She Went Book Trailer

Released this week..

There have been a lot of great books released this week, and I thought I'd post a few.

City Of Fallen Angels- Cassandra Clare
Where She Went- Gayle Forman
Along For The Ride- Sarah Dessen
Plague- Michael Grant
Red Glove- Holly Black


Just click on the book titles to be sent to the official sites!

Grace is currently reading....

The Iron King Trailer

He's So Not Worth It...

Kieran Scott has posted an excerpt from He's So Not Worth It, the sequel to She's So Dead To Us!! Click below to read it! I'm so excited I really really loved the first one, and I am impatiently awaiting the release of this one!


http://www.kieranscott.net/HSNWIexcerpt.pdf

Review: The Iron King

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (February 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780373210084

Summary:Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she finally discovers why. For when her half-brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she had never imagined--the world of Faery. Original.Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she finally discovers why. For when her half-brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she had never imagined--the world of Faery.  

Review: For a book that is supposed to be full of romance, there really was none. The little blurb on the cover (Iron. Ice. A Love Doomed from the start) and the info on the back you would expect a tragic love story to  be brewing throughout the whole book. There really wasn't. There were moment of attraction and a extremely short kissing scene, but that is really about it. The whole story is Meghan's adventure to find the Iron King Machina, when she finally does you only meet him for a few select pages, 10 or less. The whole book is the adventure and then he's dead and gone. I would have expected a bit more of a struggle in trying to fight him, but it was over and done with in a flash. I did however enjoy the book, I like books about faeries and other worlds, so the lack of romance didn't ruin the book too much. I would recommend the book, I believe its a trilogy, and i'll certainly read the others just to see how the characters lives end, and what happens in the love department.

Alana is Currently Reading...

 AND

Review of Crispin

Crispin by Avi


Summary
After being declared a "wolf's head" by his manor's corrupt steward for a crime he didn't commit (meaning that anyone can kill him like a common animal--and collect a reward), this timid boy has to flee a tiny village that's the only world he's ever known. But before our protagonist escapes, Avi makes sure that we're thoroughly briefed on the injustices of feudalism--the countless taxes cottars must pay, the constant violence, the inability of a flawed church to protect its parishioners, etc. Avi then folds in the book's central mystery just as the boy is leaving: "Asta's son," as he's always been known, learns from the village priest that his Christian name is Crispin, and that his parents' origins--and fates--might be more perplexing than he ever imagined.


Review
I had to read this book for school. I was kind of worried I wasn't going to like it but i really did. The book is very religious though but in a good way. You learn many different things about God and Fate.  I love the whole story about Crispin who had to run away from the only place he knew. He knew so little about the world. He had to go through so much in such a short time. It was amazing he got through it all. On top of all that, the book had lots of mystery about who Crispin was and who his parents were. You constantly wanted to keep reading to find out what happens next. You got to see  Crispin become a boy who kept to himself to this boy who goes on an adventure and changes into a new person because he has to.  I loved the character Bear. You thought he was someone bad at first and then you see that he is not. He becomes a father figure to Crispin. As soon as i finished this book i took the other two books out. I would definitely recommend this book ;)

Grace is currently reading....

Review: The Mortal Instruments, City Of Ashes

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (March 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781416972242

Summary:Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? In this sequel to "City of Bones," Clare lures readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld.Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go—especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil—and also her father.

Review: I read this book because I read the first, and decided it was fun enough to keep going with the series, and, I have a thing where if I start a series, I can't not read the rest. I needed to find out if Jace and Clary are really related, is it okay for them to have these strong feelings? Anyway, I am sorry to report I did not enjoy this book as much as the first. While I like a good romance in a book, wether it be a major part of the book or minor, I still like it in there. This book did not have it as much as in the first one. I can understand that it could be because they still believe themselves to be brother and sister, but c'mon if they really were, I think they wouldn't have these feelings. Even if they had an attraction before they knew it would be squelched when it came to light. Even now when they think it's possible they still kiss and have feelings for each other. I wish it would just come to light already, you related or not?! I miss the romance! This book was certainly more suspenseful and action packed than the first, but I prefer book one. I would love to read more about Luke and Jocelyn's love, I really like hearing about them. 


Here is a quote I really liked from this book: "desire is not always lessened by disgust. nor can it be bestowed, like a favor, to those most deserving of it."

The Hunger Games casting info...

Liam Hemsworth (The Last Song) and Josh Hutcherson (Journey To The Center Of The Earth) have been cast in the movie adaptation of the hit trilogy The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Liam will be playing  the role of Gale while Josh will be playing Peeta.

Gale-Liam Hemsworth

Peeta-Josh Hutcherson

Do YOU see them as playing either part in the movie? I am not a fan of either, for either part.

Grace is currently reading....

Wither, The Chemical Garden Trilogy by Lauren DeStefano

Wither, The Chemical Garden Trilogy by Lauren DeStefano

Grace is currently reading....

Review: Wither

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1 edition (March 22, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1442409053

Summary: When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

Review: They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but I saw the cover before I knew what the book was about and knew I wanted to read it. And it's a damn good thing too because I absolutely LOVED this book. I read it in one day because I could not put it down. I even had it open on my desk during class and was reading it while pretending to write notes. It's one of those books that you can not put down. There is a certain gross factor, as the man in the story marries and impregnates a 13 year old girl, but it was written so tastefully that you feel more sorry for the girl than you do grossed out. I automatically felt a closeness to Jenna and Rhine, and felt a part of their "sister wife" little circle. Even though I wasn't a huge fan of Cecily and her willingness to be married and have a baby, I felt so bad for her. She is still such a little kid in so many ways despite that she wants to be married and be a mother. Even an insignificant character Rowan, caught my affections and I can't wait until future books in the series when I can finally meet him for real. I have a love/hate relationship with Linden. From the start I viewed him as a semi-decent man, because of his love for Rose his first wife, and then his kindness towards Rhine and his obvious affection for her. I felt a sort of jealousy when it became clear he was sleeping with Jenna and Cecily. At first I didn't believe he was actually sleeping with Cecily, I thought it was Vaughn and he somehow made her believe it was Linden, but that wasn't the case. I would most definitely recommend this book, however, to a bit of an older audience as there is quite a bit of sex and intimacy.  14+ seems appropriate. I am so happy this is a trilogy and I can see what happens for Rhine and Gabriel in the future, I can not wait for the next two books! MUST READ!