Happy New Year!

Happy New year!

This is my first year blogging.  Technically, I started like, June, but 2012 will be my official second year!  Whoo-hoo!!!!

Follow Friday (16)

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Question of the Week: The New Year is here -- and everyone wants to know your New Years Blogging Resolution! What are you going to try to revise, revamp and redo for 2012 on your blog?

Um, I don't usually really do resolutions, but how about these:

Re-vamp by blog.  I'd love to get a new look... it probably won't happen, but I can hope.

Comment more.  I don't comment enough!!!!!!!

Well, that's it.

Happy Friday!

 

 

 

Toads and Diamond by Heather Tomlinson

Diribani has come to the village well to get water for her family's scant meal of curry and rice. She never expected to meet a goddess there. Yet she is granted a remarkable gift: Flowers and precious jewels drop from her lips whenever she speaks.

It seems only right to Tana that the goddess judged her kind, lovely stepsister worthy of such riches. And when she encounters the goddess, she is not surprised to find herself speaking snakes and toads as a reward.

Blessings and curses are never so clear as they might seem, however. Diribani’s newfound wealth brings her a prince—and an attempt on her life. Tana is chased out of the village because the province's governor fears snakes, yet thousands are dying of a plague spread by rats. As the sisters' fates hang in the balance, each struggles to understand her gift. Will it bring her wisdom, good fortune, love . . . or death?

I really and truly loved this book.  I know I say that a lot and often give books 4 and 5 out of five stars, but this is one of the few books I wish I could give a ten out of five.

It is a retelling of the fairy tale "Toads and Diamonds", as the title obviously suggests.  However, instead of a fairy who gives the two girls their "gifts", it's a goddess.  The girl who  speaks toads and snakes isn't cruel and jealous, but instead is slighty misguided.  The mother doesn't only love her daughter.  And the story takes place in a Indian-ish/African-ish place, and even though it is made up it feels like a historical fiction book.

This story had a wonderful plot, some tinges of romance, and amazingly developed characters.  I applaud Heather Tomlinson for writing such an amazing novel.  I can't wait to read her other books, and I would totally tell everyone to read this amazing book.

I give this book a 5/5 and would recommend it to lovers of fairy tales and practically everyone else.

Market: YA
Language: None/Mild (um, does the word crap count?)
Sensuality: None
Violence: Mild

Under My Tree: AKA In My Mailbox (12)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted at The Story Siren.  Under My Tree is a modified Christmas version.

 

 

This year for Christmas I got:

 

 Dragon's Bait by Vivian Vande Velde

Icefall by Mathew Kirby

Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen

Cloaked in Red by Vivian Vande Velde

Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman

Home for the Holidays by Heather Vogel Frederick

Witch and Wizard: The Fire by James Patterson

The Death Cure by James Dashner

Don't Expect magic by Cathy McCullough

Lost In the Labrynth by Patrice Kindl

Artemis the Loyal by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson

Plus, on my Kindle:

So, all in all, I'm a very happy girl:)

Merry Christmas (Eve)

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!

Or, Christmas Eve, I guess.  Though I personally enjoy Christmas Eve better, because my family celebrates Christmas the German way, which pretty much means we open all the gifts from our family on Christmas Eve.  In fact, my Grandparents and Aunt should be getting here soon!

The animated version is SO much better!

So, Merry Christmas!  Or any other holiday you celebrate (Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.).

I hope you get every book on your wish list:):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Follow Friday (15)

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Question of the Week: If you had to spend eternity inside the pages of a book which book would you choose and why?

Well, the obvious answer is Harry Potter.  Besides that, I would choose Percy Jackson,  or The Books of Bayern (Shannon Hale) because the world is amazing.  I also just finished a book called How To Ditch Your Fairy, and the world they live in is doos (super-mega awesome:))

Merry Christmas/Whatever other holiday you celebrate!

2012 Mythology Challenge

Hi!  I'm entering the 2012 Mythology Challenge, hosted by For Those About To Read, and this is my introductory post!!!!  Pretty much, here are the rules:

You have to read 10 books about mythology, whether they are Norse, Greek, Egyptian, etc.

to sign up!

• The challenge will run from January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012.

• You can join anytime by filling out the form below

• Books must be read in 2012

• If you are a blogger, you must write a sign-up post that links back to this challenge page (Please use the image above in the post).

• If you are not a blogger, just leave a link to your account on Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, LibrayThing, etc.

Not sure what to read? Check out the YA Mythology Challenge Goodreads List

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Make sure if your going to enter to GO HERE

Waiting On Wednesday (13)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

This week I am waiting for:

A choice between love and survival . . .
Lucy's family is excited to spend the summer in Bar Harbor, Maine. Her minister father is pleased to preside over such a prestigious congregation, and his social-climbing wife is ecstatic at the chance to find a rich husband for her daughter.
Yet Lucy wants nothing to do with the Bar Harbor social scene; she's simply excited to spend the summer by the sea, watching the waves from her favorite spot on the cliff. Despite having never gone swimming, Lucy feels an intense connection to the ocean, and meets a handsome ship-builder who shows Lucy a world she's never known, yet somehow always longed for.
However, her mother will stop at nothing to keep Lucy and the ship builder apart, even if it means throwing Lucy into the arms of a wealthy man with a dangerous secret. Can Lucy break free and embrace her destiny as a daughter of the sea? Or is she doomed to waste away in a gilded cage, slowly dying of a broken heart?


Why am I waiting for it?  Because the first two were awesome and I can't wait to see how this trilogy ends.  The first two left many loose ends and as this book is the last they will hopefully be tied.

Follow Friday (14)

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Question:  When you've read a book, what do you do with it? (Keep it, give it away, donate it, sell it, swap it..?)

I get most of my books from the library (my second home:) so I return them.

Of the books I own, I keep them.  Sometimes I'll let people borrow them, but I miss them so much when I do!  Especially when the people borrowing my babies are slow readers:(

Happy follow Friday!

Waiting On Wednesday (12)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

This week I am waiting for:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Why I'm waiting for it:

The cover, the description...I'm in love:)

The Lost Crown by Sarah Miller

Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia. Like the fingers on a hand--first headstrong Olga; then Tatiana, the tallest; Maria the most hopeful for a ring; and Anastasia, the smallest. These are the daughters of Tsar Nicholas II, grand duchesses living a life steeped in tradition and privilege. They are each on the brink of starting their own lives, at the mercy of royal matchmakers. The summer of 1914 is that precious last wink of time when they can still be sisters together--sisters that link arms and laugh, sisters that share their dreams and worries, and flirt with the officers of their imperial yacht.
This book was truly amazing and haunting at the same time. It took place during the Russian Revolution following the lives of the five Romanov children, Olga, Tatianna, Maria, Anastasia, and Alexei.

This book was so sad, and, well, heart-wrenching. The characters seemed so real, probably because they were, and you knew that the story was true. There were pictures of the family in the back of the book, which was both awful and nice at the same time.

It was very easy to connect to the siblings, especially the girls. They had animals they adored, family they loved, and yearned for life to be how it was before the revolution. They watched countless people die. At the beginning of the book and the revolution, they more of watched the misery and heard about it then be greatly affected by it. They tried to help the people and shorten the war. Then their father was abdicated, and their life suddenly got worse, until the end, then they DIED.

This book just goes to show you that real life isn't a happy ever after.
At first, even in the midst of a war, their lives were easy.  Sure, they knew what was happening, and they were helping in all ways they could, but what they did before their father abdictated was nothing compared to what happened to them next.

This story was heart wrenching.  It was not the kind of story to make you bawl, but I had tears in my eyes several times.  Little things - most having to do with Anastasia, because I know the most about her - wrenched my heart.  Such as when the girls are learning about people who impersonated dead monarchs, and Anastasia says that no one would be able to impersonate her. Or when she wishes people would not think of her as the ex-tsar's fourth daughter, but as Anastasia Romanov. I actually cried during the Christmas scene. They were all so happy, but at the same time, so sad. 

Also, I will never look the same way at Disney's Anastasia again.  Seriously!  What were they thinking!  It was so off, it wasn't even funny!

This book deserves to be read.  Although it was slow going, and I almost gave up on it in several occasions, I'm s glad I didn't.  It was so unlike any book I have ever read before.  It was sad, happy, fun, dark, and beautifully written.  Miller made it seem like the Romanov girls had actually written the book.  Their narratives felt so real, and you could feel their pain.

I give this book a 4/5 and would recommend it to lovers of history lovers, and anyone who is looking for a heart-wrenching read.

Market: YA
Language: Mild/Moderate
Sensuality: Mild/Moderate
Violence: Mild/Moderate
But in a gunshot the future changes for these sisters and for Russia.
 
As World War I ignites across Europe, political unrest sweeps Russia. First dissent, then disorder, mutiny, and revolution. For Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, the end of their girlhood together is colliding with the end of more than they ever imagined.
 
At the same time hopeful and hopeless, naive and wise, the voices of these sisters become a chorus singing the final song of Imperial Russia. Impeccably researched and utterly fascinating, this novel by acclaimed author Sarah Miller recounts the final days of Imperial Russia with lyricism, criticism and true compassion.
But in a gunshot the future changes for these sisters and for Russia.
 
As World War I ignites across Europe, political unrest sweeps Russia. First dissent, then disorder, mutiny, and revolution. For Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, the end of their girlhood together is colliding with the end of more than they ever imagined.
 
At the same time hopeful and hopeless, naive and wise, the voices of these sisters become a chorus singing the final song of Imperial Russia. Impeccably researched and utterly fascinating, this novel by acclaimed author Sarah Miller recounts the final days of Imperial Russia with lyricism, criticism and true compassion.

OMG! I have 101 followers! You guys rock!

Guess what?
I officially have 101 followers! 


Unfortunately due to the fact: A.  I'm not old enough to have a job, b.  My family doesn't do allowance (nay, we do a way cooler system that unfortunately doesn't help you), and c. What with it being the holidays and because I don't feel comfortable asking them to buy me a book to do a giveaway on my blog because they do a lot for me already, there will be no giveaway, though I promise as soon as I have the funds there will be.

Anyway, at risk of sounding like a speech made by those actors who always thank 'the academy', I still want to thank some people, such as Lulu from The Bookworm is Here, or Random Thinker 1, myself (yeah, I do follow me), and my mom, who have followed my blog since darn near the beginning.  Also, I want to thank Alison Can Read and Parajunkee for creating and awesome meme that is the source of most of my followers.  Also,authors, because without them I wouldn't have a blog.

Pretty much, what I'm trying to say is thank you for following. 

One more time...

Follow Friday (13)

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Question: Keeping with the Spirit of Giving this season, what book do you think EVERYONE should read and if you could, you would buy it for all of your family and friends?

A. I'm going to narrow it down into two categories, as some of my favorite books male readers wouldn't like.

The best female book that anyone could read, whether they are little or old, is.............

I love this book, and have since I first layed eyes on the cover.  Its actually a second in a trilogy, the third not yet released.  Now, this hurts me to say, but it isn't the best book out there.  However, it's the most perfectest book in the world:) Which, kind of contradicts...But anyway, its a great book, at least to me.  I'm kind of a fairy tale nut.

The book everyone should read is..........................................

Besides Harry Potter, the lovely book on your right, Percy Jackson.  Seriously, it has something for everyone.  Besides amazing writing and Greek Myths (which is a sure win), it has humor for boy, romance for girls, action for boys, and strong female character for girls...    Now if only I could get my brother to read it...

Well that's it!  Happy Friday!

  

Tuesdays At The Castle by Jessica Day George

Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one-other than Celie, that is-takes the time to map out the new additions. But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. This delightful book from a fan- and bookseller-favorite kicks off a brand-new series sure to become a modern classic.





Jessica Day George is by far my favorite YA author out there.  Sure, I may like a few authors books more than hers, but I love everything she writes.

You can imagine my excitement when this book finally arrived on my doorstep (or mailbox, whatever).  And honestly, it didn't disappoint.

TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE was JDG's first MG novel.  I was a little scared going in.  I don't frequent MG (though favorite series' of mine that are not yet over or highly recommended MG books I do).  I was a little worried that this would be to different, and I wouldn't like it.  I shouldn't have worried.  Jessica Day George managed to create a lovely new fantasy world and a great new adventure.  Even though the MC was much younger than me, the book was enjoyable and the characters relatable.  I can't wait until the next book in the series.

I give this book a 5/5 and would recommend it to lovers of fantasy and adventure.  Don't not pick it up because it's MG!

Market: MG
Sensuality: None
Language: None
Violence: MIld

Follow Friday (12)

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Question: What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to books? Maybe you don't like love triangles or thin plots? Tell us about it!

All right, I have a few, so here goes:

1.  Weak Hero/ines.

A standard Pet Peeve.  Grow a spine, or leave please.

2.  Too Strong Hero/ines.

I know, the exact opposite of what I said above.  But I hate when the MC is strong and brave in the face of struggle.  I don't mind if they show it on the outside, but we have the honor of seing their thoughts, so why not make them have doubts or be scared?

3.  When characters have no character development.

Everyone changes, and when characters are going through whats thrown at them, they should at least be wiser at the end.

4.  When there isn't any romance.

I never used to be this way.  Now I am.

Book of the Month: December

First off, I just want to say sorry.  I haven't updated in like a week!  But to my defense there was Thanksgiving...Black Friday...We went to my Grandparents at the weekend and my laptop broke a few weeks ago so I have this old school desktop one...Christmas shopping...School is coming to the end of the semester, so I have semester tests to study for...

Anyway, you guys probably don't care, so on the the post!

Book Of The Month is a monthly feature here, at Lost In A Book!  It is where you can show the book that you are most looking forward to coming out during the current month, or your favorite book that has been previously published during the month.

The book of the month is....

Whit and Wisty Allgood have sacrificed everything to lead the resistance against the merciless totalitarian regime that governs their world. Its supreme leader, The One Who Is The One, has banned everything they hold dear: books, music, art, and imagination. But the growing strength of the siblings' magic hasn't been enough to stop the One's evil rampage, and now he's executed the only family they had left.

Wisty knows that the time has finally come for her to face The One. But her fight and her fire only channel more power to this already invincible being. How can she and Whit possibly prepare for their imminent showdown with the ruthless villain that devastated their world-before he can truly become all-powerful?

 

In this stunning climax of the epic Witch & Wizard series, the stakes have never been higher-and the consequences will change everything.

Honestly a few months ago I didn't even know this book existed.  Now I wants it!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope this makes you hungry;)

Eat a big ol' Thanksgiving feast!

Get ready to unpack the Christmas decorations!  But for now...

Be thankful you're not a turkey!

And now, Turkey (in your belly) time!  Eat, eat, eat, eat!

Discussion: Greek Geek prt. 1

There are a few things you need to know about me.  But, for this post, there’s really only one thing you need to know (about me). 

I’m a Greek Geek.  This pretty much means I love all things Greek Mythology.  I am literally obsessed with Greek Mythology.  Just ask my family!  So, in honor of the fact that I love Greek Mythology, and because I’ve been wanting to write a non-review/meme but still bookishly related blog post, I’m writing this wonderful little collection of posts about Greek Mythology.

Today’s topic is how they vary.  Seriously, one way someone knows Greek Mythology is totally different from how another might.  Think about the story of Medusa, plus the add on story of Perseus and Medusa.  For those that don’t know what the heck I’m talking about, the former myth deals with how Medusa became an ugly monster while the latter deals with how she is killed.

Anyway, the way I know the myths go like this:

Medusa was a priestess of Athena.  As Athena is a virgin goddess, all of her priestesses had to vow to be a virgin.  However, Medusa is tempted by Poseidon, and not only looses her virginity but does so in Athena’s temple.

So yeah, Athena’s MAD.  So, naturally she curses Medusa!  Medusa’s then banished to a tiny island, where she lives in solitude because all mortals she meets turn to stone.

The next part happens in some other island of Greece.  A king has no male heirs, only a daughter, Danae.  A Oracle prophesizes that any children of Danae would kill the king.  So, he locks Danae in a tower.  Zeus, king of the Gods, takes the form of golden rain and drips in with Danae.  The next thing you know, Perseus is born.  The king finds out, but believing there was a god involved locks Danae and Perseus in a boatish-box instead of outright killing them.  Zeus helps them and they land on another island where they live with a kind fisherman.  Perseus grows up, all is well, and then the bad stuff happens.

The king of the island wants to marry Danae, but she doesn’t want to marry him, and Perseus keeps him from forcefully marrying her.  So the king sends Perseus to get Medusa’s head, a task many heroes have tried and failed to complete.

Zeus sends Athena and Hermes to help Perseus and they give him a shield, sword, and flying sandals and tell him to go to the Greae sisters so he can learn where Medusa lives.  So he does, and he steals there eyeball (ew, right?) because they only have one eyeball and one tooth that they share.

I know this is a pegacorn, as it has a horn (rhyme time). Sorry

They tell him where Medusa lives in return for their eye; he goes there, uses the shield as a mirror and chops of her head.  Out of her bloody body comes the Pegasus.  Then Perseus heads home to save his mother.  On the way he sees Andromeda, a princess chained to a rock to be sacrificed to the sea monster Ceres because her mother bragged she was more beautiful than the sea nymphs.  Perseus uses Medusa’s head to turn Ceres to stone and takes Andromeda home with him.

Back at the island, he goes into the kings court and says something along the lines of “I have Medusa’s head” and everyone looks as he pulls it out.  I bet you know what happened then!  Then he makes the fisherman that he and his mother lived with the king of the island and his mother marries him, and Perseus and Andromeda head back to where she lived.

On the way there they stop so Perseus can participate in some gaming event, and Perseus accidentally looses grip on his discuss and it hits one of the onlookers – who happens to be his grandfather.  And thus the prophecy is fulfilled.

So that’s the way I know it.  Another way follows the story all the way up until when perseus is sent to find Medusa’s head.  Instead of meeting Athena and Hermes, he only meets Hermes, who gives him the shoes and tells him where Medusa is but tells him to first visit the stygian nymphs for weapons.

So he goes to the Greae sisters because no one knows where the nymphs are.  He goes through the whole eyeball thing and they tell him where the nymphs live.  He goes and gets the sword, shield, and sometimes even Hades helm of invisibility.  The reast happens normally. 

Sometimes Andromeda is left out of the story.  Sometimes Perseus’ grandfather is at the kingdom where Perseus’ mother is and he sees Medusa’s head.  Sometimes Medusa’s sisters Euryale and Stheno are at the island where Medusa lives and he almost dies to them. 

This one time at the library I picked up a short book called “Medusa”.  In it was pretty much a little kids story of how Medusa became a monster.  I think the authors and publishers and editors were all on some drug when they wrote and published that book, because there weren’t even the fundamentals of the true story in it.  It said that Medusa was beautiful, and she caught the attention of Poseidon.  That’s when bad things began to happen.  The book next said the goddess of beauty Athena (that would be Aphrodite!)  was jealous because she liked Poseidon (Poseidon and Athena were rivals) so she turned Medusa ugly.

So as you can see, there are many variations, and although most at least share the same bones, sometimes you’ll get one like that.

Sorry for the lack of visual aids, it would be kind of gross.

Follow Friday (11)

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

Question: Letter to Santa: Tell Santa what books you want for Christmas!

Prepare for the longest list in History!!!

1.  The Maze Runner by James Dashner

2. Tangled Tides byKaren Hooper

3. Snow In Summer by Jane Yolen

4. Icefall by Mathew Kirby

5. Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman

6.  Don't Expect Magic by Kathy McCullough

7.  The Glass Swallow by Julia Golding

8.  The Fire by James Patterson

9.  Ingo by Helen Dunmare

10. Winterling by Sarah Prineas

11. Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlisson

And yeah, I can think of more, but that's it for now:)

Judging a Book By It's Cover (6)

Dragons exist. They’re ferocious. And they’re smart: Before they were killed off by slayer-knights, they rendered a select group of eggs dormant, so their offspring would survive. Only a handful of people know about this, let alone believe it – these “Slayers” are descended from the original knights, and are now a diverse group of teens that includes Tori, a smart but spoiled senator’s daughter who didn’t sign up to save the world.

The dragon eggs have fallen into the wrong hands. The Slayers must work together to stop the eggs from hatching. They will fight; they will fall in love. But will they survive?


































I must say, I am controversial about this cover.  For one thing, is that a dragon rocket?  Looking at a picture of the cover, I don't like it.  BUT...when holding the cover in my hands I must say it's quite pretty.  It's shiny, and golden, and the dragon rocket even looks good!

I give this cover a 4/5 and the book a 5/5, so over all, if you judge this book by it's cover (at least from my view), your going to get even more than you bargained for:)

Waiting On Wednesday (11) AND In My Mailbox (11)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

This week I am waiting for:

Whit and Wisty Allgood have sacrificed everything to lead the resistance against the merciless totalitarian regime that governs their world. Its supreme leader, The One Who Is The One, has banned everything they hold dear: books, music, art, and imagination. But the growing strength of the siblings' magic hasn't been enough to stop the One's evil rampage, and now he's executed the only family they had left.

Wisty knows that the time has finally come for her to face The One. But her fight and her fire only channel more power to this already invincible being. How can she and Whit possibly prepare for their imminent showdown with the ruthless villain that devastated their world-before he can truly become all-powerful?

In this stunning climax of the epic Witch & Wizard series, the stakes have never been higher-and the consequences will change everything.

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted at The Story Siren.

In My Mailbox I have:

At seventeen, Cordelia is an ordinary teen with an extraordinary and frightening secret. A secret that induces vivid dreams which she not only experiences true love, but crippling fear while barely escaping with her life each night.

After a life altering event, Cordelia has an unexpected encounter with Evan, the mysterious boy from her dreams, who reveals who and what she is, a descendant of the Greek gods. At that moment everything she knows of her world is a lie, and she must leave the present and go into the past to assume the role she was put on this earth for, safeguarding her ancient empire amidst evil forces that toil hastily to destroy it.

In a race against time, Cordelia must decide if she is truly a part of this dangerous world, or risk defying the gods, and ultimately lose the boy who has put a claim on her heart.

Betrayal is the debut novel by Mayandree Michel. She is currently hard at work on the second installment of the Descendants series. Learn more about Mayandree at www.mayandreemichel.blogspot.com

It's Monday. What are you reading? (9)

It's Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted by One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.

Today I'm Reading:

Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire... fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil... until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops.

Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don't exist), and they're shocked she survived. They're even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl's family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King's feast -- as the entrees.

The only problem? Pearl's starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends—especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache—to be slaughtered? Then again, she's definitely dead if she lets down her family. What's a sunlight-loving vamp to do?

I'm almost done with it, and so far it's pretty darn awesome:)

What are you reading?

Cover Reveal: Just for Fins

When Lily Sanderson decided to remain Crown Princess Waterlily of the mermaid kingdom Thalassinia, she knew she couldn't just coast along in the current. But since she's spent the last couple years on land-with gorgeous human Quince by her side-Lily's not sure she has the fins to lead a kingdom. Even her maddeningly pretentious cousin, Dosinia, seems to know more about ruling than she does.

But Lily has to dive in deep to keep her promise to Tellin, her mer-bond in name only, whose kingdom is suffering in the changing ocean climate. From sea animals dying to oil spills and threats to humans, Lily knows this is a seven seas-sized problem. They'll need to make some serious waves to make the mer community aware and joined together to make things right. Even if that mean facing one of the iciest queens in the mer-kingdoms

I'll admit, I'm not the biggest fan of these covers (the books, however, are another story).  The colors are just so...I don't know, off.  BUT, they are still good, pretty covers, and the books totally make up for where the covers lack!  Goodreads link!

Waiting On Wednesday (10)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

This week I am waiting for:

The third book in the Paranormalcy trilogy.

The final chapter of Evie's adventures. Old friends, new ones, all wrapped up in impossible decisions. And some ball gowns. Because what's a life of normal and paranormal drama without a ball gown or two?

 

Why am I waiting for this?  Because the first two ROCKED!  I can't wait to see how Evie's story ends:)

Another Guest Post

Hi!  I guest posted over at Once Upon a series, an awesome blog run by Chrissie.

Make sure to go check it out!

Slayers by C.J. Hill

Dragons exist. They’re ferocious. And they’re smart: Before they were killed off by slayer-knights, they rendered a select group of eggs dormant, so their offspring would survive. Only a handful of people know about this, let alone believe it – these “Slayers” are descended from the original knights, and are now a diverse group of teens that includes Tori, a smart but spoiled senator’s daughter who didn’t sign up to save the world.

The dragon eggs have fallen into the wrong hands. The Slayers must work together to stop the eggs from hatching. They will fight; they will fall in love. But will they survive?

I really liked this book!  I was so excited when I won it, as it was written by one of my favorite authors, whose name shall not be mentioned (coughJanetteRallisoncough).  And it did NOT live down to the challenge!

Let's talk about characters!  I didn't really like Tori when she starts to notice that there's something weird about her dragon camp.  But all in all, I grew to like her, as she was a great, well rounded character, who wasn't too "Mary-Sue" in a bad or perfect way.  Once again, I didn't like Jesse at first, but once again, he grew on me.  And once again, I didn't like Dirk at first, but this time he didn't grow on me.  I didn't like him, then I learned his "little" secret, and I didn't like him even more.  Then, I started to feel bad for him, as his situation was pretty bad.  Lilly and Alyssa were mean, but even though, I kind of liked what Lilly's character added to the story.  Bess was fun, and Rosa was sweet.  Shang was cool cause he put up with Lilly.  Kody was okay, but he wasn't really all that memorable.  I also thought Mr. B (Bartholomew) was a good mentor, though a bit loony.  All the other characters were pretty good.  Ryker was sort of a name that floated around and in the end you got to meet him as sort of a "this is what happens next book"!

The plot was awesome, and even though it differed greatly from the authors previous works, and that was probably why the author went with a pen name.  Although it was really different, you could still see how it was written by the author under the pseudonym.  The plot was smart, and it left me wanting more.  I liked how the dragons were bad.  It seems like all dragon books have good or neutral dragons.  Personally I like those books, but SLAYERS was kind of refreshing! 

I am a big lover of fantasy, so this was a really great read.  It was also a romance and action book, so that was nice.  The romance was kind of cliche, but it was also sweet, and the guy I was rooting for ended up with the girl!

I can't wait for part two in this series!  SLAYERS actually only took place in four days, so I'm sure the next books will take place during the rest of the month that the characters are at dragon camp.  I'm assuming the next book will be about Ryker Davis, by the way SLAYERS ends.

I give this book a 5/5 and would recommend it to lovers of fantasy, action, adventure, romance, and a certain author name Janette Rallison!

Market: YA
Language: MILD (the h-word and stuff like "so and so said a string of curses")
Sensuality: Mild, just some kissing
Violence:  Moderate

In My Mailbox (10)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted at The Story Siren.

In My Mailbox I have:

Dragons exist. They’re ferocious. And they’re smart: Before they were killed off by slayer-knights, they rendered a select group of eggs dormant, so their offspring would survive. Only a handful of people know about this, let alone believe it – these “Slayers” are descended from the original knights, and are now a diverse group of teens that includes Tori, a smart but spoiled senator’s daughter who didn’t sign up to save the world.

The dragon eggs have fallen into the wrong hands. The Slayers must work together to stop the eggs from hatching. They will fight; they will fall in love. But will they survive?

I got this from the awesome Candace at Candace's Book Blog.  And yes, I already finished it.  What?  It was amazing!   Look for a review soon!  (I still have to review TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE...WHOOPS).