Sunday, July 31, 2011

First Ever Giveaway! (CLOSED)

Because you're awesome, the three of us decided to have our First Ever Giveaway! Honestly, we didn't expect to reach 100+ followers this soon because we hardly post anything in the last few weeks. The original plan was to hold it on October when our semestral break begins. But we changed it because we're planning on having different giveaways by then.

Giveaway Rules:

2 winners will win a book of their choice not exceeding $15 from The Book Depository.

Open Internationally as long as BD ships to your country.
Must be a follower to enter

Extra Entries:

+1 Follow on Twitter

+1 Like our Facebook page

+3 For everytime you spread the word on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Tumblr, etc.

***Winners will be picked on Oct. 15th, 2011. Too long, I know. But it is only then we're certain that we have our free time. This giveaway will also serve as a celebration for surviving our first semester in college. :)

*9/3 Update* We have reached 300 followers!! Thanks so much for the support and good luck to all!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Review: Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Hardcover: 453 pages

Release date: February 15th 2011

Publisher: HarperCollins
Amazon ││The Book Depository ││ Barnes and Noble
Goodreads Summary: When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

It took me a longer time to finish this due to procrastination and perhaps a little lack of interest. It turned out to be different from what I expected. The premise was intriguing and the cover compelled me to give it a shot.

I have a neutral feeling towards the book. I don’t love it but I don’t think it’s too bad either. I have no problem with the writing and I liked the idea of reapers and angels. Ms. Moulton executed a good way of retelling the angel folklore while giving a twist to it. It’s also comforting to know that the author believes in God as much as I do. What redeemed the book for me is the action-packed plot. Almost half of the book was gripping and full of action. I’m glad I finished it and went against my earlier judgment.

Ellie was a kind of person I could connect to. She’s a normal teenager coping with her normal life while being the Preliator that protects the humankind. Little did she know that turning seventeen would change the constants in her life, finding out about her numerous lifetimes and real identity. I admire Ellie for her resilience despite the pressure she’s facing. Trying to prevent the end of the world is especially hard if you have a jerk dad. Fortunately, the dark and brooding Will, her guardian for five hundred years, was there to protect and look after her. One of the few other things that made me continue reading this is the mystery behind these two characters. I liked that their constant interaction brought Will’s tough guy façade to wear thin. His resolute fidelity with Ellie was really admirable. There were also flashbacks of Ellie’s past lifetimes, revealing the causes of some of her deaths.

It’s quite disappointing that Will and Ellie aside, the characters lack development. Ellie’s mom is likeable, but other than her, no one really stood out in a good way. Her father’s horrible, that I can very much confirm. I hope Ellie’s bad relationship with him gets resolved in the next books.

The story wasn’t very remarkable either. There were times that I almost gave up on the story (especially on the first part) and thought of it being cliché. The romance was forbidden, which wasn’t surprising either. I also found the ending too plain. There are questions left unanswered and I admit that I was expecting a cliffhanger.

Regardless of its flaws, I still feel like giving the sequel a chance. I want the answers to my questions and I hope that I will get them in the last two books of the trilogy. If you loved Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick and Fallen by Lauren Kate, I recommend this novel to you.

On My Wishlist (6)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It’s where we list all the books we desperately want but haven’t actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It’s also an event that you can join in with too – If you want to know more, click here.

Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

Paperback: 228 pages

Release date: August 2nd, 2011

Publisher: HarperTeen

Goodreads Summary: Will Elise’s love life be an epic win or an epic fail?

At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Case in point:
As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school—not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.
As the daughter of the new principal, Elise Benton isn’t exactly on everyone’s must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.
When Elise’s beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince’s best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl on campus. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long.

The Exiled Queen (Seven Realms #2) by Cinda Williams Chima

Hardcover: 586 pages

Release date: September 28th, 2010

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Goodreads Summary:You can't always run from danger...

Haunted by the loss of his mother and sister, Han Alister journeys south to begin his schooling at Mystwerk House in Oden’s Ford. But leaving the Fells doesn’t mean danger isn’t far behind. Han is hunted every step of the way by the Bayars, a powerful wizarding family set on reclaiming the amulet Han stole from them. And Mystwerk House has dangers of its own. There, Han meets Crow, a mysterious wizard who agrees to tutor Han in the darker parts of sorcery—but the bargain they make is one Han may regret.

Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana’Marianna runs from a forced marriage in the Fells, accompanied by her friend Amon and his triple of cadets. Now, the safest place for Raisa is Wein House, the military academy at Oden's Ford. If Raisa can pass as a regular student, Wein House will offer both sanctuary and the education Raisa needs to succeed as the next Gray Wolf queen.

Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

Hardcover: 368 pages

Release date: January 11th, 2011

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Summary: When an unexpected inheritance enables Ari to transfer to an elite Manhattan prep school, she makes a wealthy new friend, Leigh. Leigh introduces Ari to the glamorous side of New York--and to her gorgeous cousin, Blake. Ari doesn't think she stands a chance, but amazingly, Blake asks her out. As their romance heats up, they find themselves involved in an intense, consuming relationship. Ari's family worries that she is losing touch with the important things in life, like family, hard work, and planning for the future.

When misfortune befalls Blake's family, he pulls away, and Ari's world drains of color. As she struggles to get over the breakup, Ari must finally ask herself: were their feelings true love . . . or something else?

What's on your wishlist for this week?

Friday, July 29, 2011

Overprotected Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

Big thanks to the guys over at We Fancy Books for organizing this event! We're the tenth stop and it's our first blog tour ever. I read OVERPROTECTED two weeks ago and today I present to you my review of the book.

Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens

Paperback: 253 pages

Release date: April 29th 2011

Publisher: Grove Creek Publishing
Source: Won
Amazon ││The Book Depository ││ Barnes and Noble
Goodreads Summary: Ashlyn: A lonely society princess living in New York City.

Daddy hired you to be my bodyguard.

Colin: Childhood enemy, now her protector.

Daddy thought I’d be safe. He thought I’d never fall in love. He thought he could keep me forever.

Charles: obsessed with keeping her safe, keeping her his, he hires the one person he knows she could never fall in love with: Colin.

Daddy was wrong.

Thoughts

Here, we meet Ashlyn. A girl people would see as a princess who has everything… except freedom. Her overprotective father got obsessed with her safety after being kidnapped by her nanny. Years after the abduction, her father still kept Ashlyn in what she considers a prison. When his former bodyguard failed in his duty, Daddy hired a bodyguard from her past: Colin Brennen. The bully from her childhood who she despises but eventually fell for.

I must say I fell in love with Jennifer’s writing when I read Heavenly a few months ago. It was her gift for my 16th birthday this year and I swear she’s the most generous author ever. To read all of her books became one of my reading goals since then. Boy am I glad to win a copy of OVERPROTECTED. I would have devoured this in one sitting if I didn’t have much school stuff to do. The wait for finally winning a copy was worth it.

There are several things I really liked about this book. It has the right dose of romance and doesn’t solely focus on it, giving each character a room for development. I’ve always liked a book that has an element of music on it. And the emotions every time Ashlyn plays the piano? Surreal. Jennifer Lawrence’s descriptive ability to convey feelings is enviable. Probably the reason why I can’t get through to start writing a book is because I lack that skill.

I felt sympathetic over Ashlyn’s situation and just can imagine myself in her shoes. Her occasional defiance over her father’s rules is somehow understandable. She’s a teenager. Of course broadening her horizon would be one of her instincts. She wouldn’t be able to do that if even the food she will eat is decided by her parents. Fortunately, she has music for an outlet. Only that can’t be touched nor influenced by her parents. I admire Ashlyn for standing up to them. She’d been raised as an obedient daughter so it takes courage to do that. I love her simplicity. Total opposite from her parents’ whims, she’s not a spoiled surly brat who values material things and take them for granted.

Colin was quite different from what I expected. I thought he’d still be a jerk! Turns out he’s one of the sweetest literary guys ever. It was funny that he had absolutely no idea where Ashlyn’s hate for him at the beginning came from. He reminded me of myself when I was a kid. I was so mean but I just found out later (First year high school, 13 years old) that I became a nemesis of my classmate in first grade! Being drop dead gorgeous aside, he’s different from Ashlyn’s previous body guards because he was always there to actually protect her. Even from her father.

On the other hand, Ashlyn’s parents--specifically her father--took their daughter’s safety to a whole new level. It was all too much and ludicrous. I know he loves his daughter so much but I still don’t forgive him considering it’s their fault in the first place.

I won’t be able to share all my thoughts without giving too much away, so I would just recommend this to those who like a good contemporary YA romance and a fast-paced read.

Leave a comment with your e-mail address to enter for a chance to win a copy of OVERPROTECTED, a tote & t-shirt, and a book of choice from Jennifer!

US only and ends August 1st.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday: Hallowed and Anna Dressed in Blood

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
Hardbound: 320 pages

Release date: January 24th, 2012

Publisher: HarperCollins
Goodreads Summary: For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

I just read Unearthly a week ago and absolutely loved it! There are questions left unanswered and I can't wait to know more about the characters. (Love Tucker!)

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Hardcover: 320 pages

Release date: August 30th, 2011

Publisher: Tor Teen

Goodreads summary: Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

Isn't the cover look beautiful? I've read many rave reviews about this one. The premise is so intriguing I'm counting down the days til its release date.

What are you anxiously waiting on this week? Just leave a comment of the link to your WoW post!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Mini Review : Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Sausages by Tom Holt

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Sausages by Tom Holt

Paperback: 368 pages

Release date:Feb. 21st, 2011

Publisher: Orbit

Goodreads Summary:
Polly is a real estate solicitor. She is also losing her mind. Someone keeps drinking her coffee. And talking to her clients. And doing her job. And when she goes to the dry cleaner's to pick up her dress for the party, it's not there. Not the dress - the dry cleaner's.

And then there are the chickens who think they are people. Something strange is definitely going on - and it's going to take more than a magical ring to sort it out.

From one of the funniest voices in comic fiction today comes a hilarious tale of pigs and parallel worlds.

Thoughts

A book that will surely beloved by science enthusiasts. And a story that is unusual and comical. At first I thought that I wouldn’t finish this book because I’m not into this kind of story. But when I started reading it I got curious on where the story will gets, that I realized it’s a page-turner book for me. Bizarre things started when Polly off to pick up her dress on the dry cleaners, that the dry cleaners was the one which is missing. Then to her brother and even on her work, things seem a bit odd. The story is very new to me; I mean I thought it is really that serious (I mean the unusual thing that going on in the life of Polly). It is serious, but…it’s just that, I keep smiling every time I remember how the story ends and the whole truth about the eerie things that’s happening to Polly. You just have to read it and I know that you will surely going to adore it. I now agree that Tom Holt is the most imaginative satirist in modern times. There’s just one question that every man I know, knew and that I will left for you to answer, “Which came first? The chicken…or the egg?”

Teaser Tuesday: Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly

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!