Monday, January 31, 2011

Musing Monday *1*

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.
  
  This week's question is What’s the last thing you stayed up half the night reading because it was so good you couldn’t put it down? 




The last book that I read that I was literally staying up till late at night was Last Sacrifice: Richelle Mead. I know, I know I am always supporting anything Richelle Mead but that's because this book was crazy good.I bought the book on December 7th (Tues.) when it finally was released which I was waiting for like 7 months to come out. But on top of that it was finals week so I couldn't read the book and I was dying to read it. Finally Saturday came HAllelujah!!! and I put my phone on silent told everyone not to call or bother and I stayed up til 7am. I  didn't know what to do when I was done reading. I wasn't tired from all the excitement of the book.

Cover Crazy Monday *1*

COVER CRAZY MONDAY is a weekly meme hosted by  the Book Worms.The point of this meme is to admire the art and beauty of a book’s design, so I’m going to post minimal words. It is up to you to write how you feel and what you like about it the way you’d like to.


Brightly Woven: Alexandra Bracken
Synopsis: Goodreads




This cover is absolutely beautiful. I love how she looks like she 's underwater. I always loved redheads on cover. Their hair always stands out so beautifully on covers. And I love how her blue eyes stand out while she's underwater.

It's Monday! What are you Reading? *2*

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, 
is where we gather to share what we 
have read this past week and what 
we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs,  and put new titles on your reading list. Hosted by Book Journey .

So I guess last week it was all about Fairies and now I am hanging out with their cousin Pixies 


What I am Currently Reading:
Need: Carrie Jones
Synopsis: Goodreads

Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.
She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you'd have to fear.

 I am really looking forward to reading this book. I heard so many great things about it and the latest out Entice I believe has been receiving amazing reviews. I have never read a book about pixies so we will see what happens
What I Plan on Reading:
The Vespertine: Carrie Jones        
Synopsis: Goodreads

It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.
When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

Hopefully I will be able to get into this novel by the end of the week. I love the cover and I have no idea what this book is about I've read so many summaries and just add them to my goodread's TBR list and don't read the summary of the back so I won't ruin the book or read anything I am not suppose to!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Giveaways I Have Found



So I like most readers, love reading books; and what better way to read books than by winning them in Giveaways!! Since I have yet to have the funds to create my own giveaways I have decided to  make a list of some blogs I have found that have been hosting giveaways. I will update as I go along. Good Luck!


Review: Wicked Lovely: Melissa Marr

Title: Wicked Lovely
Author: Melissa Marr
Wicked Lovely
Summary:
All teenagers have problems, but few of them can match those of Aislinn, who has the power to see faeries. Quite understandably, she wishes that she could share her friends' obliviousness and tries hard to avoid these invisible intruders. But one faery in particular refuses to leave her alone. Keenan the Summer King is convinced beyond all reasoning that Aislinn is the queen he has been seeking for nine centuries. What's a 21st-century girl to do when she's stalked by a suitor nobody else can see? A debut fantasy romance for the ages; superlative summer read.

Cover:
   I thought it was nice when I first bought the book but now the cover makes sense after I read it. The frozen flower was perfect

My Review:
          I was pleasantly surprised by Melissa Marr's fairy world. I felt the title of the this books was perfect for the content. It really was a wicked world in a sense but lovely too (i know pretty corny!) 
**Some SPOILERS beware** 

       One of the thing that I loved about this book was that the world was simply drawn for me. There wasn't an overload of fairy knowledge that I needed to know or a whole bunch of creatures being thrown at me. I mean the rules were spelled out in the back of the cover. All you need to know if you wanted to be safe from the fairies you need to be near iron or steel pretty simple. 

  I liked how the author made this world kind of believable. Fairies playing tricks on you and them being invisible. I like how the Summer/Winter King/Queen controlled the seasons. I literally caught myself saying to myself I will only read this chapter and then go to sleep. It wasn't one of those crazy page turner books; but it was very interesting and kept me up for the night. 

     I really enjoyed the characters. Don was such an amazing character; I felt so bad that she had to endure so much pain just for risking a chance in for ever with Keenen. (How very romantic of her). I could really tell she was a strong character and was good. even though at times I thought she was going to go along with Biera plans she would always choose otherwise. Her & Keenen's love was very tragic. 

          I felt bad for Keenen as well because I had this feeling while reading the book that he still loved Don even though he was pursuing Aislinn and all those summer girls in the past. Even though Aislinn shot him down various time he still tried over and over because he knew it was his onlt chance for freedom 

      Aislinn is one tough girl. at times I felt she was going to have psychotic attack. I mean the anger that resonated within her sometimes was crazy but I guess it's understandable if you had to live your whole making pretend you didn't see in fear of dying. Im glad she was able to make the best choice out of a bad situation. As for Seth he was nice in all but a little bit too perfect. I mean he was okay with everything. I guess I was a little turned off by the piercings on his belly button and everywhere else. But thanks to Seth, he really was Aislinn's anchor. 

     I'm glad Aislinn got to keep Seth even as Summer Queen and Don turned into the Winter Queen and has a possibility having her love affair with Keenen. Overall it wasn't a bad book. I really was expecting more of a paranormal romance and I don't think it really was because I didn't fall in love.  I really enjoyed the book but it wasn't one of those books that you get so involved with the characters that you just have to rave about the book. But it definitely was  good book!


                                                              3 1/2 STARS

Saturday, January 29, 2011

On My Wishlist.....*2*

On My Wishlist is a great event that Book Chick City runs every Saturday. It's where you list all of the books that you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. I thought this was a great way to start off my blog.
     There  are 3 Main books that I have been itching to get my hands on, that for some reason everyone has read. 



Firelight: Sophie Jordan
Synopsis: Goodreads

    Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.
Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.
Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

I have heard so many wonderful things about this book.First let's talk about the cover it's so beautiful. I've heard the main character is awesome and they might even make it into a movie. Plus it's a new creature in YA. So excited!!!


Hush Hush: Becca Fitzpatrick
Synopsis: Goodreads
For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along. 
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel. 
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

I am really excited about this title for many reasons. One in majority is because Iv'e  seen this book being compared to Lauren Kate's Fallen and read so many blogs saying one is better than the other and I guess I want to make my own decision. Also I am excited because aside from The Mortal Instrument & Fallen I haven't  read that many books about angels.


Halo: Alexandra Adornetto
Synopsis: Goodreads
Three angels- Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human- are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness. They must work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments.

Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them. Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong. The angel’s mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?

To begin wow oh wow on the cover I love it so much!!!! Beautiful is not even the world. I have heard many mixed reviews. Some people didn't really like it and what not but I just have to read it. I know im judging a book by it's cover but wow what a cover. And strangely enough I really like the authors name. I have always loved names that start with As.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Stylish Blog Awards

                                    Stylish Blogger Award




         I would like to thank FROSY from Frosy Book Reviews for giving me this award! I never thought I would win an award let alone even knew that there were Blog Awards. As you knew Blogging is new for and I really appreciate Frosy choosing me as one of her 15 people.
                     Accepting this award means that I have to follow some rules.

  1. Thank the person you gave you the award.
  2. Share 7 things about you.
  3. Pass the award to 15 other bloggers you recently discovered and like.
  4. Contact the bloggers and let them know that they have won.


                                         7 Things About Me


1. I am Dominican and very proud of it and wish I could vacation in DR all the time.
2.There 3 main types of food that I could easily survive on if they were the only things in the world. NY Pizza, White Rice, and Mangu (Mashed Green Plantains)
3.I lived in NY the majority of my life till a couple of years ago.
4.I am obsessed with Fashion (almost as much as books).
5.My dream job would be a Fashion Buyer/Merchandiser. (Like Rachel from Friends)
6.I am obsessed with TV series and until recently I would get upset if I missed one of my many shows. But thank god for DVRs  I am way more relaxed!!
7.I have horrible luck with cellphones. I will probably go through 2-4 cellphones a year because A. I'm up for an upgrade, B. My cellphones has problems C. I got my cellphone exchange because it had problems and now the new still has problems


    10 Blogs that I Love to Follow and I would love to Give this Award to!
  1. YA Addict
  2. Looksie Lovitz
  3. Mystifying Paranormal Reviews
  4. Avery's Book Nook
  5. I'd So Rather Be Reading
  6. Electrifying Reviews
  7. Once Upon A Quote
  8. Reading Lark
  9. Vampire Book Club
  10. I Live, I Laugh, I Love Books

Book Shelf Showcase *1*



This Hosted by Awesomesauce BookClub
BookShelf Show Case is a once a month meme where you can show off your personal book shelf or another book shelf you find really fun or that you love.


 SO MY TOP SHELF
- This consist of my favorite series and in order of how I read them. Of course my favorite of all is Vampire Academy I am obsessed in a purely healthy way.
- I would have added the Wings Series but I had limited space but I push it to the top when I get a bigger book shelf
MIDDLE SHELF 


- This is now completely alphabetized by author.
- There a few books in there that I wasn't a fan of but probably try reading again to see if I have a change of heart.
- Or probably won't read them and once I get enough followers I will have a giveaway of sorts if anyone is interested in the books.
LAST SHELF 
- Last nut not least the end of the alphabet; with some of my sisters photo albums.
- I bought the boxed set of Uglies, but when I had originally read the Trilogy the book Extras wasn't out yet.
-So I have that one to read; but before I can read Extras; I need to read the Trilogy to remember what happened in the other 3 books, since I read them about 4 years ago.


Hope you enjoyed my bookshelf, would love to see your shelves!!!

Book Blogger Hop *1*

Book Blogger Hop is Hosted by Crazy-For-Books.

 This weeks Question: What book are you most looking forward to seeing published in 2011? Why are you anticipating that book?


Bloodlines: Richelle Mead
Release: August 23, 2011
Synopsis:
       This is the spin-off series following Vampire Academy.
It's suppose to have POVS from Jill, Sydney, Eddie, and possibly Adrian.


I'm really excited for this book. I love everything that Richelle Mead writes. She is an amazing author and I am really looking forward to go back to this Vampire Academy world. I am really excited especially since Mead left all those loose ends from Last Sacrifice.






Illusions: Aprilynne Pike
Release: May 3, 2011
Synopsis: Goodreads
Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice.

But just as life is returning to normal, Laurel discovers that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail.

After reading Spells, I was going crazy after that cliff hanger the author left. I was left itching for Illusions but unfortunetly  left waiting. Aprilynne Pike has created an amazing world of Fae that is not overly complicated and very believable. I wish I was able to get an ARC for this book!!!




In My Mailbox *2*


In my mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren!

So my mailbox this week wasn't full; and it wasn't actually in my mail book either it was in my email.


I go this ebook from NetGallery







The Vespertine: Saundra Mitchell
Synopsis: Goodreads
It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him. 

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

May I just say that I love this cover, its so beautiful. I'm very excited to read this one!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Review: Darklight: Lesley Livingston


Title: Darklight
Author: Lesley Livingston
Wondrous Strange: Book 2
Summary:
Much has changed since autumn, when Kelley Winslow learned she was a Faerie princess, fell in love with changeling guard Sonny Flannery, and saved the mortal realm from the ravages of the Wild Hunt.
Now Kelley is stuck in New York City, rehearsing Romeo and Juliet and missing Sonny more with every stage kiss, while Sonny has been forced back to the Otherworld and into a deadly game of cat and mouse with the remaining Hunters and Queen Mabh herself. When a terrifying encounter sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful but destined to be cut short. An ancient, hidden magick is stirring, and a dangerous new enemy is willing to risk everything to claim that power.
Caught in a web of Faerie deception and shifting allegiances, Kelley and Sonny must tread carefully, for each next step could topple a kingdom . . . or tear them apart. With breathtakingly high stakes, the talented Lesley Livingston delivers soaring romance and vividly magical characters in Darklight, the second novel in the t
rilogy that began with Wondrous Strange.

Cover:
   I think this cover is beautiful. I think all the covers in this seriers are wonderful and magical. I just wish I liked the book as much as the cover.

My Review:
          I hate to do this really but I had alot of mixed feelings about this book. There were many things that bothered and others that I liked. **8some spoilers beware***

              Lets begin with the positives!! To begin with I really like the characters in this series. Although I didnt see the smart humor of Kelley (like in the 1st book), I still more or less like her she completely weak and mindless. I love how devoted Sonny is and how strong. I also enjoy the minor characters such as Bob. I like how he was usually in the know of things and he always seems like he's looking out for Kelley's best interest. Tyff was another charter I liked. She seemed like a true friend and not at all what I pictured Kelley's roommate to be. I also love how the author end one chapter with Kelley and starts the next with Sonny. So I always know what is going on with both of them.

                Now for the negatives there were a few that bothered me. To begin with I really didnt enjoy the writing as much. The author spent do many paragraphs at time describing useless things like cabinetry and other stuff that made forget what I was reading I didn't feel the author did a great job at explaining the important things. Such as ow exactly Kelley's power worked I didn't understand sometimes when she used it. It's like when Kelley at time was in danger I couldn't root for her and hurr Kelley go do power boost thingy. I didn't understand how her power effected the enemy and how she used it. Even when she opened the rift to the other world I didn't really understand how she did that and how Sonny could here it all.

                   Another thing that was driving me crazy was the amount faerie lore that was expected of me to understand in one sentence of reference. I didn't understand what the redcaps were or what they even look like and why they were attacking Sonny. There were so many creatures thrown at me that I didn't know what I was reading at times. I really didn't understand the leprechauns either. They kept saying that the Greenman was the first faerie to cross to the mortal world but yet they weren't really faeries. I just feel if the author is going to want to bring all this faerie lore in one book then I would rather just read to better understand the creatures then having her over-described what every room she walked into looked like.

                      I don't feel like the author introduced this world at that well which makes me able to trusts anything in the book. I didn't understand the fickle way the Kings & queens treated each other. One day they want to lock Mahb up and another Mahb is helping Auberon. There really isn't an specific evil in this book which bothers me. The book even insinuated that Auberon wasn't the one to blow the horn to turn on the hunt. Which I thought form the previous book I thought it was a fact it was him.

                     The ending was what was really annoying. I don't understand how Sonny could possibly be safer not being with and now wondering aimlessly not knowing what he is. That makes no sense. I feel like the author just wanted to create even more conflict for no reason. Kelley did not need to tell Sonny she didn't love him that just ridiculous.

                 As for the story line I thing Gwinn is in cahoots with Fenrrys and was trying to get Sonny killed and that why he disappeared all of sudden and came just in time o help fight the leprechauns. I also don't trust Titania she's probably in cohoots with Gwinn.

               I found myself not wanting to finish this book andjust pushing through. I was disappointed with this book; but I will read the last book Tempest to see how it ends. but I will probably wait till it comes out in paperback. So I probably wont end this series for a while. 



  I would love to hear others thoughts on this book!!


                                                              3 STARS

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Just A Thought


              So I was having a conversation with my boyfriend the other day and he was telling me about this new singing artist that's really good. I can't remember his name right now but my boyfriend was telling me how he was in the same category as Justine Bieber for new artist or something. I noticed that I caught myself doing one of those ughh sound. So I said to my boyfriend, "You know its sad, because when Justin Bieber was just coming out I thought he was good, you know the boy can actually sing. But unfortunetly he has that connotation to his name that whenever you hear it all you can think about are all the pre-teens girls yelling and being obssessed with him". At least that's the way I feel; the reason why I find it sad is because I feel like he's lost like that credibility of being a good artist, and is usually thought of a crazy fad that everyone likes but that there's no talent. (Not sure if you understand what i'm trying to say).

     That made me think even more; and I thought of Twilight. I really enjoyed reading that series. I thought the author was great and fell in love with Edward (from the book). This was before the twilight craze started of course. But now I feel like a lot of people that really like the book generally don't like being associated to twilight because of this Twilight Craze. Usually when you think of twilight now, all people see girls saying I love Taylor Lautner and Rob Pattinson. I mean I follow lots of blogs and love reading reviews but I have noticed very few blogs if any have reviews up for the twilight series. I guess what I am getting at is unfortunetly a lot (because of ignorance) don't want to know about anything with vampire, books, or twilight because they think it dumb; because all they picture is the Twilight Craze. Some of you may disagree  which is fine, we are all entitled to your own opinion. I guess the reason I wanted to post this is because I wanted to know if others felt this way. Like that because of the craze over celebrities, things get ruined. If your reading a paranormal book or watching something with vampire you here "Isn't that just like twilight? ughh". No matter what though I still have a very high opinion of the Twilight books and I stand by them.

The positives from the craze are though that more people have been exposed to reading which is always a plus and why I won't say the Twilights movie ruined everything. I enjoy the movies so don't misunderstand. I just want to here your thoughts and opinions.

    

Review: Last Sacrifice: Richelle Mead


Title: Last Sacrifice
Author: Richelle Mead
Vampire Academy Series: Book 6
Summary:
Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules.

She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you?



Cover:
   I really liked this cover. The girl is very pretty and it ties in very nicely with the series! Although I do like  some of the international covers for this series.
My Review:
I absolutlely love this series. (spoilers)

I am so happy Dimitri was with Rose throughout the whole book. I literally was so nervous when Dimitri was at th end of that hallway to help break Rose out. I knew he was going to be part of it he just had to be. I was laughing so much when Rose tricked Dimitri into a kiss just to punch him after. I wanted them to fall back in love; just like the way they originally had.

I really have not found any two characters that belong together the way these two do. I feel Richelle did an awesome job of showing us again why they belong together. Richelle did an awesome job at reminding and rekindleing their love for one another. There love was never i just met you so I love you and am obsessed with you. It has always been something that grew from similar morals, personalities and many other amazing things.

Although I had figured out who was Lissa sister before I read LS, I didn't know for sure who killed the queen. Wow I was surprised. The ending felt a little rushed but I think that was purposely done for many reasons. I think Richelle left those loose strings purposely for Bloodlines.

I am very happy to see Lissa being as helpful and supportive to Rose even though they weren't necessarily together. I'm so happy Rose and Dimitri ended up together. Even though I grew to like Adrian a bunch I knew he was never meant for Rose. I think Rose said it perfectly (She has never named herself the victim), and that right there says a lot about her character. She has always needed someone to have the ability to take care of her even though she can take of herself and not once did I ever think Adrian was able to be that person for her.I was upset that there wasnt much closure for Adrian, but i think Adrian will have his happy ending in Bloodlines.

I was upset of how Rose and Lissa lost the bond, but I guess it is way better for Rose. She has lost that darkness and doesn't have to worry about Lissa all the time. I think in a way the Last Sacrifice was Rose jumping in front of Lissa before she got shot.Just for the simple fact that was ultimately the last sacrifice to literally save Lissa's life while having that life time of darkness being taken away from that act.


I really loved this series, Richelle has an amazing was of making theese characters so real and I am so happy she created this beautiful world. She is an amazing author and is Officially the best. Thanks so much for this amazing Journey!!!



                                                         ***** 10 STARS*****
Here are some of my favorite Quotes


Book in Order
1.Vampire Academy: Review
2.Frostbite
3.Shadow Kiss: Review
4.Blood Promise
5.Spirit Bound
6.Last Sacrifice