Review: Awkward by Marni Bates

 

Awkward by Marni Bates

Paperback: 300 pages

Release date: January 1st, 2012

Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.

Goodreads Summary: Mackenzie Wellesley has spent her life avoiding the spotlight. At Smith High, she's the awkward junior people only notice when they need help with homework. Until she sends a burly football player flying with her massive backpack and makes a disastrous - not to mention unwelcome - attempt at CPR. Before the day is out, the whole fiasco explodes on YouTube. And then the strangest thing happens. Suddenly, Mackenzie is an Internet sensation, with four million hits and counting. Sucked into a whirlwind of rock stars, paparazzi, and free designer clothes, she even catches the eye of the most popular guy at school. And that's when life gets really interesting...

This is the most adorable book I’ve read in a while! It is a quick and fun and hilarious read that deals with coming out of your own shell and learning how to trust again. Mackenzie, having been famous for her video on YouTube where she knocked out a jock and attempted to do CPR, suddenly faces a life of a Hollywood celebrity over the weekend. She’s been chased with paparazzi and getting the perks of being famous like free designer clothes and backstage passes to her most favorite band’s concert. Not only that, but her long-time crush and the hottest guy in the school—whom she’s tutoring—appear to be interested in her. 

What I love most about AWKWARD is how realistic the characters are. Mackenzie is the type of heroine who I can most relate myself to, being awkward and shy and all. But in reality, she’s an amazing person with a great sense of humor. She sort of reminds me a little of Sheldon Cooper of The Big Bang Theory when she casually drops trivia because it’s interesting to say (which makes me love her more). Another reason why it worked for me is her unwavering personality. If she turned out to be different because of the effects of popularity, I would’ve stopped reading it. The secondary characters were also hard not to admire especially Logan, the Notable of all Notables (read: hottest guy) and Mackenzie’s best friends, Jane and Corey.

Marni Bates wrote an incredibly cute debut novel for teenagers and young-adult readers. AWKWARD is light and sweet and I definitely recommend it to everyone who’s looking for a relaxing and enjoyable read. Fans of Meg Cabot and Stephanie Perkins will surely be entertained with this one. I can’t wait for the companion book with Jane’s story!

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Review: Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

   

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand 

Hardcover: 403 pages

Release date: January 17th, 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: Bought

Buy it on: Amazon ││The Book Depository ││ Barnes & Noble

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 would have put this book on my "favorites" shelf on Goodreads, but it wasn't worthy of the position. It was still deliciously good, but not amazingly great. Hallowed continues the story of the first book, where Clara's purpose is still not determined. She has visions occurring during her dreams, but at first she doesn't tell people about it. You get the vision: someone she love will die. It's one of the big revelations here in the book. The story also focuses on Clara's relationship with Christian. The book was a real tearjerker I tell you. After you find out who's going to die, you'll cry buckets of tears. The book's just so emotional and all that.


I really liked the book, everything in it, but the part where Ms. Hand pushed Tucker out of the spotlight and lets Christian take the center stage with Clara. Yes, Tuck isn't Clara's leading man here in the book. That's what I felt. And it didn't do me any good. I was left wanting more, well, more of Tuck. Every scene they have together just makes me so smitten. I melt with their sweetness. They are so good together that I can't even picture Clara and Christian beside each other. I love that Ms. Hand pours me answers to the questions my brain has gathered after the first book. I was simply mind-blown. I was giddy about Clara's parents, and I just can't tell you it's making me go nuts. The book will expand Clara's background I say to you. You'll feel happy that you're going to get some answers to your questions. I also love the new characters in the book. Billy, she's just a sweetheart. (I know, the name's weird.) You'll go gaga over this installment, even if it has flaws.


I recommend this to Unearthly fans, and those of you who have been waiting for a good angel story.

Amazing! Loved it.

Patrick

Waiting on Wednesday: Breathless and Flesh & Bone

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

 

Breathless by Cole Gibsen

Hardcover

Release date: March 27th, 2012

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press

Goodreads Summary: Obituary-reading emo girl Edith Small is broken - the end result of forcing herself inside a mold that doesn't fit. All she wants is to conform to her strict sergeant stepfather's rules long enough to make it to graduation day.

But a boat accident threatens to unravel the life Edith has worked so hard to keep. After waking up in a hospital with a lacerated shoulder, Edith fakes amnesia. Because admitting she received her injuries from a blue-haired girl who breathes underwater is all the reason Sir needs to send Edith on the first bus to military school.

Safe at home, Edith struggles to put the nightmare behind her. But the mysterious creatures that live in the ocean aren't about to let her forget.

After meeting Bastin - a strange boy with silver hair and black eyes - on a secluded dock, Edith learns about the war raging undersea to end human existence. A war that Edith, unwittingly, has become the key to winning.

In a world where death is an ever-present shadow and motives are as dark as the bottom of the ocean, Edith must decide if her life is worth risking for a love that can't survive past the shore. 

   

Flesh & Bone (Benny Imura #3) by Jonathan Maberry 

Hardcover: 448 pages

Release date: September 11, 2012

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Goodreads summary: Reeling from the tragic events of Dust & Decay, Benny Imura and his friends plunge deep into the zombie-infested wastelands of the great Rot & Ruin. Benny, Nix, Lilah and Chong journey through a fierce wilderness that was once America, searching for the jet they saw in the skies months ago. If that jet exists then humanity itself must have survived…somewhere. Finding it is their best hope for having a future and a life worth living.

But the Ruin is far more dangerous than any of them can imagine. They are hunted by fierce animals escaped from zoos and circuses. They must raid zombie-infested towns for food and medical supplies. They discover the very real truth in the old saying: In the Rot & Ruin…everything wants to kill you.

And what is happening to the zombies? Swarms of them are coming from the east, devouring everything in their paths. These zoms are different. Faster, smarter, infinitely more dangerous. Has the zombie plague mutated, or is there something far more sinister behind this new invasion of the living dead?

In Flesh & Bone, Benny Imura, Nix Riley, Lou Chong and Lilah the Lost Girl are pitted against dangers greater than anything they've ever faced. To survive, each of them must rise to become the warriors Tom trained them to be.

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

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Private Lunch with Lauren Oliver and Philippine Book Signing Event

Last Sunday was one of the most exciting days ever! Things like YA authors coming to visit here in the Philippines are deemed a big deal since we're practically living on the other side of the globe. Thank you so much to National Book Store for bringing Lauren Oliver here and for giving some Filipino fans an opportunity to have a lunch with her!

NBS held a contest on their Facebook page and I was one of the 10 lucky winners to have a private lunch with Lauren. We were to bring another person so I brought Mary Ann with me. We ate at Recipes by Cafe Metro in Greenbelt 3 and there, we were served delicious Filipino cuisine and I'm glad Lauren loved it. But when I asked her if she has ever tasted our most famous exotic food, Balut (Google it!), she said she will never try it! LOL

 We had one of our books signed even before the event. Lauren moved to different seats and when she came to seat across from us, we grabbed the chance and conduct an interview with her (will be posted on Friday). Even better, we had Lauren do the 'wacky' pose. (we had several but I'm disturbed by the guy at the back who was in every picture) She's such an adorable and lovely person. 

(me, Lauren, Mary Ann)

(Lauren with the fans)

Two hours after was the book signing event at Powerbooks in Greenbelt 4. Here are some pictures during the event.

Lauren shares that she's currently working on a book entitled Panic. She can't spill any details about it but I'm already excited for the book! Requiem - the third book in the Delirium series has two POV (hint: the other one isn't Alex's). ;) We got to know more about her and her writing, which I think will definitely help all the aspiring writers out there - including me.

(Mary Ann, Kai, me, Precious, Jayjay, and Norman)

We also met some of the awesome Filipino book bloggers like Kai, Precious, Jayjay, Maricar and Louisse! 

It has been such an awesome experience that I still can't get over with. I want to thank Lauren Oliver and again, NBS for making this event possible.

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Teaser Tuesday: Until I Die by Amy Plum

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!

My teaser for this week is from Until I Die by Amy Plum, the second book in the Revenants series. I want to thank Jayjay of We Fancy Books for lending me his ARC!
  

 

Summary: Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love. 

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy. 
In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

Teaser:

"Some do find love. I thought.
 Charlotte had told me that Ambrose and Jules are players , dating human girls but never getting serious with anyone."

How about your teaser for this week? Please leave a link in the comments so I can check them out :))

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Review: Darkride by Laura Bradley Rede

Darkride by Laura Bradley Rede

Paperback: 410 pages

Release date: January 9th, 2012

Publisher: CreateSpace

Source: Author

Amazon ││The Book Depository ││ Barnes & Noble

Goodreads Summary: Ander McNair used to be the favorite son of a great monster-hunting family – until he was bitten by a werewolf and the hunter became the hunted. Now anything that makes his pulse race, even a kiss from his girlfriend Cicely, is enough to turn him into a monster. When he finally gets a chance to earn his cure by killing a vampire prince, he finds he has to choose between his own past and the future of the girl he loves. Can a guy who’s not even human learn what it means to be a man?

Luke Marianez used to be an immortal vampire prince – until the witch he loved betrayed him and cursed him with the ability to die. Now he lives in the world of vampire blood bars, where the waitresses are the drinks, and dreams about killing the last of the witch’s line so he can live forever. But revenge doesn’t just mean breaking the curse. He wants to break the girl’s heart, too. Can Luke seduce Cicely without falling in love himself?

Cicely Watson doesn’t believe in werewolves or vampires. She’s not even sure she believes in true love. But she’s about to discover what every werewolf knows:

People change.

This is one of the books that we have to review and I can say that I’m a little proud of my self (ha ha) for finishing this one because the notion was nothing out of the ordinary. Yes it is. Did I think Darkride offered anything new to the genre? No, not necessarily... yet, there is something I can't quite put my finger on that made the novel irresistible! The relationship of Ander and Cicely is started as friendship but then both of them feel a strong connection that pulls them to be drawn to each other and cannot be interpreted as just a friendship. I was a bit perturbed on there feelings to each other that they can’t show it together. Cicely was the more outspoken one while Ander is struggling with something that could affect there relationship together. I like both of the leading man; they equally strong and of course got the looks you can’t resist. Ander was the witty, lovable guy while Luke was more on the mysterious side and old-fashioned way.



All three of them will do anything for love and even change for it. This story will solidify the words that “Love can be taught”. Overall I enjoy the story and will wait for the sequel.

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Review: Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout

 

Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Paperback: 400 pages

Release date: December 6th, 2011

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Amazon ││The Book Depository ││ Barnes & Noble

Goodreads Summary: Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Another fabulous work by Jennifer Armentrout! Obsidian is an unputdownable and fast-paced page-turner filled with sizzling romance and action packed story. It’s just amazing that other than knowing it’d be incredible because it’s written by Jennifer, I didn’t have any idea what this book is about nor what to expect from it. Granted, it ends up being awesome. I am pulled right into the characters’ world immediately and stayed there until the last page. 

This YA paranormal is a breath of fresh air from any other fantasy books. Sure, aliens in YA are not so new, but the author succeeded in creating a story that will leave its own mark and identity to the YA world. 

Katy and her mom moved to West Virginia to start over a new life. They have lost her dad a few years ago and now, she left Florida and the past behind just before her senior year in high school. Living next door are twins Daemon and Dee Black. She gets along easily with Dee, but her twin brother has a negative approach towards their friendship and never approve of it. Despite Daemon’s cruel and unkind attitude for her, she never backs down. What she didn’t expect for them to have is the strong attraction and chemistry they felt towards each other. 

It’s really hard not to like Katy. I mean, she’s a BOOK BLOGGER! She posts IMM vlogs and other book blogging memes, which is really awesome and new. I’ve never encountered something like it before in books. She’s also an independent and adorable heroine with just enough wits and character. She stood her ground and never let the others bully her. But like everyone in real life, she has also made some stupid decisions… like making herself the bait to the bad guys. Daemon is the epitome of a real bad boy protagonist! He’s protective and sexy as hell. I really like that Jennifer Armentrout goes consistent with his character. He shows some soft side of him without ruining his bad boy image. The chemistry between these two is enough to ignite an entire house. So much that I had a hard time fanning myself in one particular steamy scene. 

Aside from the sizzling romance, this book also has some intense action scenes that left me wanting for more. Obsidian was one heck of an excellent read that YA fans do not want miss. The graphical and descriptive scenes are hard not to be captivated with, especially the action and swoon-worthy ones! The ending wasn’t a cliffhanger (thank goodness!) that would have left me wanting to pull my hair out. But there’s no way the lack of cliffhanger made me feel any less excited for the sequel. All in all,Obsidian is a must buy and read! 

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Review: Love Story by Jennifer Echols

   

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Paperback: 243 pages

Release date: July 19th, 2011

Publisher: MTV Books

Source: Author

Buy it on: Amazon ││The Book Depository ││ Barnes & Noble

Goodreads Summary: She's writing about him. he's writing about her. And everybody is reading between the lines..

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true.

The latest book I’ve read by Ms. Echols, and I wanted to thank her for giving me a chance to review this one, so… 

Erin Blackwell is majoring in creative writing it is her ticket away from the awful memories she left behind their farm. But when the day that she’s sharing her assignment in the class came, Hunter walks in. He is the stable boy in Erin‘s story and the one who take her college tuition given by her grandmother when she refuses to take over the farm someday. 

The first part of the story is really lovable. The banter of Erin and Hunter, how Hunter revise his own story for Erin and how he used some medical/scientific terms (I hate that subject! tsk) which I don’t understand some of it and so on and so forth. I view this book as a powerful one for me. But there still some parts wherein I feel bored; I think the latter part of the story is where the weak point kicks in. Though I don’t want and try not to compare this book with the other books I’ve read by Ms. Echols I still feel that this is not the book I would give a 5 star. The location was new to me, the farm and horses; the place was described unmistakably and marvelously. The romance arises precisely that not only the adult readers will love but also the young ones. I’m a bit not satisfied with how the ending turns up. But overall I enjoyed the book and salutes Ms. Echols for bringing great contemporary books in our shelves. :)

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Waiting on Wednesday: Such a Rush and Ten

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

 

Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols

Hardcover: 288 pages

Release date: July 10th, 2012

Publisher: MTV Books

Goodreads Summary: A sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers.

High school senior Leah Jones loves nothing more than flying. While she’s in the air, it’s easy to forget life with her absentee mother at the low-rent end of a South Carolina beach town. When her flight instructor, Mr. Hall, hires her to fly for his banner advertising business, she sees it as her ticket out of the trailer park. And when he dies suddenly, she’s afraid her flying career is gone forever.

But Mr. Hall’s teenage sons, golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson, are determined to keep the banner planes flying. Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business--until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers--and the consequences could be deadly. 

Ten by Gretchen McNeil 

Hardcover

Release date: September 18th, 1012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Goodreads summary: And their doom comes swiftly.

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives – an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school's most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off the from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn't scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?( 
her trademark wit and wisdom in a hilarious new novel.

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

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