Only a day left to enter my first Twitter giveaway! For the contest, I'm giving away a hardbound copy of Amy Plum's Die For Me. So for those who haven't read this awesome book, you still have more than 24 hours left to RT. Open Internationally! :)
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Review: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren
Paperback: 352 pages
Release date: February 1st, 2011
In Waterfall, American teenager Gabi Betarrini accidently finds herself in Fourteenth-Century Italy . . . Knights. Swords. Horses. Armor. And Italian hotties. Most American teens want an Italian vacation, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives there with their archaeologist parents. Stuck on yet another hot, dusty dig, they are bored out of their minds... until they place their hands atop handprints in an ancient tomb and find themselves catapulted into the Fourteenth Century and in the middle of a fierce battle between knights bent on killing one another.
This book is a mix of YA Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, and Romance. It’s the first time that I read a time travelling book because I always see them in movies. I literally squealed in delight upon receiving it in the mail! And as what the rave reviews I’ve read had promised, Waterfall was a fantastic read. I was absorbed by the story from the very beginning, and it never failed to entertain me ‘til the very last page.
Waterfall was unique in a sense that the time Gabi and Lia travelled into was during the 14th century. I have little knowledge about the 1300s, except that Dante Alighieri lived during that time. It was fiction but some of the things mentioned actually happened. It was set in Italy, a place I’d love and hope to visit someday. The places (except for Florence) were unfamiliar but I never felt confused, thanks to Ms. Bergren’s great talent in executing every detail in the story. She created such intricate yet coherent novel that makes up for a riveting adventure.
I have nothing but love for the characters. Gabi is a clever and an independent heroine. I have a feeling that she could adapt to any era because of her shrewdness. Her strong resolve and feisty spirit caught the eyes and the heart of Fortelli’s future lord, Marcello.
Unfortunately, Marcello is promised to be betrothed to another woman who will guarantee the safety of Forelli’s palace. But that doesn’t stop the solid connection that they felt for each other. It wasn’t the kind of romance that made toes curl-up but it was still a very good one nonetheless. I adore the literally knight in shining armor Marcello, and I cannot wait for another fix of 14th century gentlemen.
To sum up, Waterfall is a fantastic first book in the series. It has an unpredictable plot that kept me wanting to turn the page to find out more and be surprised for what happens next. It’s definitely one of my best reads this year.
Waterfall was unique in a sense that the time Gabi and Lia travelled into was during the 14th century. I have little knowledge about the 1300s, except that Dante Alighieri lived during that time. It was fiction but some of the things mentioned actually happened. It was set in Italy, a place I’d love and hope to visit someday. The places (except for Florence) were unfamiliar but I never felt confused, thanks to Ms. Bergren’s great talent in executing every detail in the story. She created such intricate yet coherent novel that makes up for a riveting adventure.
I have nothing but love for the characters. Gabi is a clever and an independent heroine. I have a feeling that she could adapt to any era because of her shrewdness. Her strong resolve and feisty spirit caught the eyes and the heart of Fortelli’s future lord, Marcello.
Unfortunately, Marcello is promised to be betrothed to another woman who will guarantee the safety of Forelli’s palace. But that doesn’t stop the solid connection that they felt for each other. It wasn’t the kind of romance that made toes curl-up but it was still a very good one nonetheless. I adore the literally knight in shining armor Marcello, and I cannot wait for another fix of 14th century gentlemen.
To sum up, Waterfall is a fantastic first book in the series. It has an unpredictable plot that kept me wanting to turn the page to find out more and be surprised for what happens next. It’s definitely one of my best reads this year.
*Disclaimer: I was sent this book by the author in exchange for an honest review
Completely smitten!!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Review: Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens
Ebook: 546 pages
Release date: June 11th, 2010
Publisher: CreateSpace
Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source – a local rock star named Kellan Kyle. At first, he's purely a friend that she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything changes...and none of them will ever be the same.
After devouring Beautiful Disaster in a whole day, I was determined to read a book similar to the addicting story that it gave me. I am so, so proud of myself for discovering Thoughtless. Who would have thought that a free read would go into my all-time fave? It made me experience romance and heartbreak at the same time and gasp at every heart stopping moments.
Kiera and Denny, who has been in a relationship for almost two years, decided to move twenty-five hundred miles from Ohio to Washington. Denny went there for an internship in an advertising company while Kiera, not wanting to be left behind by her boyfriend, applied for a scholarship in University of Washington and got accepted. Denny had to leave for Tucson because of his job and that left Kiera very lonely. She started a friendship with a rock star and roommate, Kellan Kyle. As time went by, their innocent flirting turned into something more, leaving her torn between Denny and Kellan.
*sigh* This book is long. I spent 2 days reading it but I don’t mind one bit. I even found myself missing the characters five minutes after finishing it. It was heart wrenching, romantic, and very emotional to the point that you can’t help but empathize with the characters. It’s the kind of book that will leave you wanting for more even if it’s three in the morning and your bloodshot eyes are already complaining. Enthralling and exhilarating at its finest, I can’t believe that it’s over.
The characters had grown on me, even Kiera who I disliked the most. Okay, this is the first time that I hated the main character yet still loved the book- Kudos to Ms. Stephens for that-. In the end I think I kind of forgiven her, but I spent reading seventy percent of the book tsking on her actions. I know it’s not only her that I should blame, the fact that’s it takes two to tango, but still... Anyways, she’s flawed which made her character very realistic. I feel bad for Denny. I wasn’t at first because I thought he’ll just let his relationship with Kiera crumble. When he came back from Tucson, I didn’t see that coming. I felt the same guilt and pity for him. I liked Denny and he deserves much more than that.
Kellan embodies the bad-boy with the ability to have girls kneel around his feet. His troubled past cause him to use girls so he would feel needed and wanted. It’s funny that I understand him more than I do Kiera. I can’t bring myself to blame him though I know some things are also his fault. I don’t care if I would seem shallow, but he’s one of the most beautiful and unforgettable guys in YA lit. He plays guitar-which is a HUGE point- and has the sexiest voice and writes amazing lyrics. His relationship with Kiera is passionate and as they put it, like a flame. It’s unpredictable and wonderful to read. Kiera is so lucky to have him ‘tamed’.
Thoughtless is one of the greatest romance books I’ve ever read. I can’t wait to read the sequel for another roller coaster ride of Kiera’s relationship with who she ended up with in the end. Thank you so much to S.C. Stephens for creating this chef-d'oeuvre.
Kiera and Denny, who has been in a relationship for almost two years, decided to move twenty-five hundred miles from Ohio to Washington. Denny went there for an internship in an advertising company while Kiera, not wanting to be left behind by her boyfriend, applied for a scholarship in University of Washington and got accepted. Denny had to leave for Tucson because of his job and that left Kiera very lonely. She started a friendship with a rock star and roommate, Kellan Kyle. As time went by, their innocent flirting turned into something more, leaving her torn between Denny and Kellan.
*sigh* This book is long. I spent 2 days reading it but I don’t mind one bit. I even found myself missing the characters five minutes after finishing it. It was heart wrenching, romantic, and very emotional to the point that you can’t help but empathize with the characters. It’s the kind of book that will leave you wanting for more even if it’s three in the morning and your bloodshot eyes are already complaining. Enthralling and exhilarating at its finest, I can’t believe that it’s over.
The characters had grown on me, even Kiera who I disliked the most. Okay, this is the first time that I hated the main character yet still loved the book- Kudos to Ms. Stephens for that-. In the end I think I kind of forgiven her, but I spent reading seventy percent of the book tsking on her actions. I know it’s not only her that I should blame, the fact that’s it takes two to tango, but still... Anyways, she’s flawed which made her character very realistic. I feel bad for Denny. I wasn’t at first because I thought he’ll just let his relationship with Kiera crumble. When he came back from Tucson, I didn’t see that coming. I felt the same guilt and pity for him. I liked Denny and he deserves much more than that.
Kellan embodies the bad-boy with the ability to have girls kneel around his feet. His troubled past cause him to use girls so he would feel needed and wanted. It’s funny that I understand him more than I do Kiera. I can’t bring myself to blame him though I know some things are also his fault. I don’t care if I would seem shallow, but he’s one of the most beautiful and unforgettable guys in YA lit. He plays guitar-which is a HUGE point- and has the sexiest voice and writes amazing lyrics. His relationship with Kiera is passionate and as they put it, like a flame. It’s unpredictable and wonderful to read. Kiera is so lucky to have him ‘tamed’.
Thoughtless is one of the greatest romance books I’ve ever read. I can’t wait to read the sequel for another roller coaster ride of Kiera’s relationship with who she ended up with in the end. Thank you so much to S.C. Stephens for creating this chef-d'oeuvre.
Completely smitten!!
Teaser Tuesday: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Synopsis: Gabriella has never spent a summer in Italy like this one. Remaining means giving up all she's known and loved... and leaving means forfeiting what sh'es come to know... and love itself.
Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives with their parents, famed Etruscan scholars, among the romantic hills. Stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, dusty archeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds… until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.
And thus does she come to be rescued by the knight-prince Marcello Falassi, who takes her back to his father’s castle—a castle Gabi has seen in ruins in another life. Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting. But what do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?
Teaser:
"I stared at him for a moment and then looked down to my own utensils. Only a knife. Well, this'll be tricky... The Pre-fork Era." - page 57
I just started this one and I'm absorbed with the story already! How about your teaser for this week? Leave a link in the comments and I'll check them out. :)
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Review: Sirenz by Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman
Hardcover: 280 pages
Release date: June 8th, 2011
Finding that delicate balance between their fashion addiction and their new part-time job in the eternal hellfire biz turns out to be harder than Meg and Shar expected, especially when an entire pantheon of Greek deities decides to get involved. Then there's the matter of the fine print in their own contracts...
“Be careful of your wishes and who you tell”, this quotation would be the main idea of the story of Sirenz.
Frenemies Meg and Shar are fighting over a pair of shoes when they find it in a midnight sample sale. But what they don’t expect is to get in a serious, dangerous consequence with an innocent bystander. After a second they were on the hands of Hades-the God of the underworld. To make them atone from what they done, Hades gave them a new part-time job on becoming a Sirens, luring to the Underworld an individual whose contract is up.
At first, I was not that eager to read it, and because I’m not an aficionado of fashion but when I catch sight of the name of Hades I begun to wonder what it would be if a strong, vicious god of the Underworld become a fashionista--and given the fact that I really adore Hades of all the Gods and Goddesses in the Greek Mythology.
The book was made in just 275 pages but the story is packed of details, it ends in a good way, it does not need a sequel--but if ever they would do I’m glad--and definitely a clear-cut, trouble-free to read. Meg and Shar have a different personality, Meg was the silver-tongued one, and she could get a person to get along with her. While Shar was the total fashionista, she has those beautiful features that could totally bring somebody’s attention. There friendship was not in the affable way, but as they come to their task together, they get to realized that they really deserved each other as friend and that they have similarities too. It was fun to read their journey on becoming Hades Sirens temporarily--if they’ll pull their assignment. Especially if involves a penalty whenever they break the rules.
I learned a lot from this story. How a person should control oneself from behaving towards another person. How a person should take the consequences out of his/her actions and to correct what he/she have done. These are the few things that I learned from Sirenz.
Frenemies Meg and Shar are fighting over a pair of shoes when they find it in a midnight sample sale. But what they don’t expect is to get in a serious, dangerous consequence with an innocent bystander. After a second they were on the hands of Hades-the God of the underworld. To make them atone from what they done, Hades gave them a new part-time job on becoming a Sirens, luring to the Underworld an individual whose contract is up.
At first, I was not that eager to read it, and because I’m not an aficionado of fashion but when I catch sight of the name of Hades I begun to wonder what it would be if a strong, vicious god of the Underworld become a fashionista--and given the fact that I really adore Hades of all the Gods and Goddesses in the Greek Mythology.
The book was made in just 275 pages but the story is packed of details, it ends in a good way, it does not need a sequel--but if ever they would do I’m glad--and definitely a clear-cut, trouble-free to read. Meg and Shar have a different personality, Meg was the silver-tongued one, and she could get a person to get along with her. While Shar was the total fashionista, she has those beautiful features that could totally bring somebody’s attention. There friendship was not in the affable way, but as they come to their task together, they get to realized that they really deserved each other as friend and that they have similarities too. It was fun to read their journey on becoming Hades Sirens temporarily--if they’ll pull their assignment. Especially if involves a penalty whenever they break the rules.
I learned a lot from this story. How a person should control oneself from behaving towards another person. How a person should take the consequences out of his/her actions and to correct what he/she have done. These are the few things that I learned from Sirenz.
Amazing! Loved it.
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