Waiting on Wednesday: More Than This and Just Like Fate

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

Here are my WoW picks this week (click title for the Goodreads page):

More Than This by Patrick Ness

Release date: September 10th, 2013

Publisher: Candlewick

Pre-Order: Amazon | Book Depository

From two-time Carnegie Medal winner Patrick Ness comes an enthralling and provocative new novel chronicling the life — or perhaps afterlife — of a teen trapped in a crumbling, abandoned world. 

A boy named Seth drowns, desperate and alone in his final moments, losing his life as the pounding sea claims him. But then he wakes. He is naked, thirsty, starving. But alive. How is that possible? He remembers dying, his bones breaking, his skull dashed upon the rocks. So how is he here? And where is this place? It looks like the suburban English town where he lived as a child, before an unthinkable tragedy happened and his family moved to America. But the neighborhood around his old house is overgrown, covered in dust, and completely abandoned. What’s going on? And why is it that whenever he closes his eyes, he falls prey to vivid, agonizing memories that seem more real than the world around him? Seth begins a search for answers, hoping that he might not be alone, that this might not be the hell he fears it to be, that there might be more than just this. . . .

PATRICK NESS HAS A NEW BOOK! HOORAAAH!! If you're a longtime follower of our blog, you probably know how much I love ALL his books. My first ever review (if I can call it that) was of Chaos Walking trilogy and hearing anything about it and A Monster Calls anywhere on the internetz brings out the fangirl in me.
So yeah...anything he writes, I read.

Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick, Suzanne Young

Release date: August 27th, 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pre-Order: Amazon | Book Depository

Caroline is at a crossroads. Her grandmother is sick, maybe dying. Like the rest of her family, Caroline's been at Gram's bedside since her stroke. With the pressure building, all Caroline wants to do is escape--both her family and the reality of Gram's failing health. So when Caroline's best friend offers to take her to a party one fateful Friday night, she must choose: stay by Gram's side, or go to the party and live her life. 

The consequence of this one decision will split Caroline's fate into two seperate paths--and she's about to live them both. 

Friendships are tested and family drama hits an all-new high as Caroline attempts to rebuild old relationships, and even make a few new ones. If she stays, her longtime crush, Joel, might finally notice her, but if she goes, Chris, the charming college boy, might prove to be everything she's ever wanted. 

Though there are two distinct ways for her fate to unfold, there is only one happy ending...

This reminds me a lot of Pivot Point, which I really loved. I've been looking for similar books and Goodreads stirred me in Just Like Fate's direction. Can't wait to read this! I wish I didn't have to wait so long.

2013 Summer Reads + Giveaway!

IT'S SUMMMEEEER!!!

image source link

Yes! It’s that time of the year again. Two months of basking in the sun, lying by the pool and walking along the beach. Morning run with best friends, lazy afternoons and movie and series marathons. Not to mention long nights sans homework and pressure from school. Who doesn’t love a long break after ten months of studying? Definitely not us.

One of the best things about summer though, is MORE READING TIME. We can finally curl up with good–and bad–books whenever we want and not feel guilty. Unwinding is even sweeter this time around, now that we have survived our second year in college.

And since our reading time had been scarce, we're playing catch up with our TBR pile which has grown humongous over time. The three of us set up a (realistic) goal to finish some unread books on our shelf and decided to share them with you. Some of them have been lying untouched for more than a year… so we can’t wait to get started and accomplish our goal.

Without further ado, I present to you our summer reading pile!

Dea

One of the books which have been collecting dust on my shelf for over a year is Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma. It falls under the books-I-had-to-buy-but-are-still-waiting-to-be-picked-up category. It was at the top of my wish list, but I am was too much of a coward to pick it up! It has a taboo subject matter so I’m expecting tears and heartbreak after reading it.

My reluctance goes for every book that has a sad ending *cough*Before I Fall*cough*. It’s pretty ridiculous since most of my favorites broke my heart anyway.

Among my pile, I’m most looking forward to reading The Immortal Rules, Through the Ever Night, Every Day, Code Name Verity, and Days of Blood and Starlight. I have three of Ellen Hopkins’ books (Tricks is the missing one in the picture) but haven’t read a single one. That has to change! I hope I’d enjoy her books as much as my friends did.

My mom says "hi" btw :)) 

Riz

I just finished reading City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare. She's one of my favorite authors so it would be a great pleasure to meet her in person. The book just completely made me itch to read Clockwork Princess and City of Heavenly Fire. Plenty of theories have been formed in my mind and I'm really intrigued of what's going to happen next. My next anticipated read would be Clockwork Princess. I know it's not included in the picture because I just borrowed it as soon as I reached the last page of CoLS. There are so many books aside from those above which I will read on e-format this summer...thus, this is going to be one busy summer.

Happy Reading Teen Readers! Enjoy your summer/spring or whatever season you're experiencing.

Mary Ann

I must say I've been in a looong hiatus. Not just on blogging but also in reading books (what?!) and that leaves me with books unread on my shelf. Now that I'm back (yeah!) I'm most excited to read the Uglies series. I think it's pretty interesting and intriguing to read and start a book in which all characters are not as beautiful as the ones we often read in YA. Of course I also really want to start The Warrior Heir as well. I mean the author is really awesome when it comes to writing and world-building (I loved Seven Realms yeah ;D).

I think I've got a nice book haul to read and that is exactly what I'm going to do NOW :))

This, of course doesn’t include eBooks which we chose not to count for I’m sure they’re a lot more than our physical reading pile.

Anyway, our giveaway for a signed copy of UNRAVEL ME by Tahereh Mafi and A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness has ended last Wednesday. I've already picked a winner and emailed him. Congratulations again Von! Thank you so much to everyone who entered. 

Didn't win? Don't fret because we're having a giveaway at the end of this post AND an epic giveaway in the near future. Our blogoversary is next month and awesome prizes are being prepared just for you gorgeous people. 

In the meantime, you can enter for a chance to win a book off our piles! Please check out the giveaway rules below. Good luck!!

Giveaway

• ONE winner will win a book of choice from our Summer Reading Pile to be ordered via Amazon or TBD.
• Enter via Rafflecopter form below.
• Open Internationally
• Open to participants 13 years old and above. Otherwise, please have your parents' permission.
• Giveaway ends on May 15th at 11:59 pm EST
• Winner will be notified via email and has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

Genre: YA Dystopia/Sci-Fi
Paperback: 452 pages
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Release Date: February 5th, 2013

The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Review

WHOA. What an awesome sequel to the much beloved and inventive Cinder!

This enchanting follow-up introduced us to new characters: Scarlet, whose grandmother inexplicably went missing, and a street fighter and mysterious new guy in town, Wolf. The police dismiss the case of Scarlet’s grandmother and announce that the woman has either left of free will or committed suicide. Knowing her grand-mere, Scarlet is convinced that she had been kidnapped, and albeit reluctant to trust Wolf, accepts his help to go on a mission to save grand-mere.

While the story is (very) loosely based on Little Red Riding Hood, it is merged with the original and main plot. It picks up shortly after the events in the first book and Cinder is on the run with another escapee named Captain Thorne. 

To be honest, I was worried about starting Scarlet because 1.) I thought there will be little of Cinder and Kai and we will only see them when their story connects with Scarlet and Wolf’s 2.) I’m still not sure about retellings in general, even though Marissa has already established herself in her smashing debut.

What do I know? Being nervous was a waste of energy because I had nothing to be worried about. Cinder and Scarlet both take center stage as the mystery of grand-mere’s abduction and how it links with Princess Selene unfolds. Their sides were told alternatingly along with a few chapters from Kai’s perspective, and I am satisfied with the way Marissa handled this dual perspective. It gave us ample opportunity to get to know the determined and loyal Scarlet and witness the development in Cinder’s character. She has become stronger and even more remarkable in this book. And in some way her reluctance to use her Lunar abilities endears her more to me.

Marissa also created additional new characters which makes Scarlet a grander read. Thorne had been the source of comic relief and numerous snorts from me. He is a kind of character who will charm you with his sense of humor and silly attitude. There was a scene in chapter 10 involving Thorne and his ship talking – that one was EPIC and had me laughing out loud! Let’s also not forget the handsome, brooding and mysterious Wolf. Yep, he is the quintessential bad boy (at least in the look and aura department) who will steal Scarlet’s heart and yours.

Other characters in the previous book were present as well. I was right about Prince Kai though. His time in the limelight was minimal – which does not bother me as I thought it would. But the chapters he appeared in were enough to show the readers how he’s dealing with everything (a.k.a Queen Levana) as the new emperor of Eastern Commonwealth. Poor Kai carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. This alone makes me anxious and excited for when he and Cinder cross paths again.

I can’t believe I ever doubted Marissa Meyer. I loved Cinder but there’s a reason why I didn't give it a perfect rating. Scarlet however, proved to be a solid installment; there’s no sophomore slump here! In fact, I think it’s better than the first one because the setting was expanded and the plot moved along at a much swifter pace. Before I know it, I’m already halfway through with no indication of stopping. It is THAT unputdownable.

Overall, Scarlet is a stunning sequel to what is becoming one of my favorite series! I can’t wait for what Ms. Meyer has in store for us in the third book. It will feature Rapunzel and Cinder in the SAHARA DESERT. How exciting is that?!

  

Author Bio

I live in Tacoma, Washington, with my fiancé and our two cats. In addition to my slight obsession with books and writing, I'm big on road-tripping, wine-tasting, and hunting for antiques. I'm represented by Jill Grinberg.

CINDER, my debut novel, is a futuristic re-envisioning of Cinderella in which Cinder is a cyborg mechanic. Release date: 3 Jan 2012.

Follow her on these sites: Website||Twitter|| Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Grab Your Pole series by Jenn Cooksey

Hello everyone! Today I had the honor of revealing the new covers for Jenn Cooksey's Grab You Pole series. I'm pretty excited about this one because I read the first book (Shark Bait) earlier in March and adored it. I'm sure those of you who haven't read it love funny and romantic reads will be smitten as well. The sequel which is entitled The Other Fish in the Sea will be out this spring. I hope it will be as hilarious and fun as the first one - if not more.

Shark Bait (Grab Your Pole #1) by Jenn Cooksey

Release date: June 15th, 2012

Buy a copy on Amazon: Kindle | Paperback

Previously homeschooled Camie Ramsey is being shoved into the shark-infested waters of public high school, where even helium filled, penguin bespeckled arm floaties likely won’t help keep her inexperienced, fifteen-year old head above water in that rip current of hormones and emotions.  

Camie’s worldly wisdom might be severely lacking (i.e., the closest she’s come to being kissed was sitting too close to the TV whilst Jake Ryan leaned in to give Samantha that fateful 16th birthday kiss), but she does understand her only hope for survival is if she’s thrown some kind of “social” life preserver before she sinks like a freaking rock. However, what will her fate be when she endeavors to flag down the only lifeguard on duty, the enormously popular and ridiculously beautiful Tristan Daniels? The most sought after and virtually most unattainable guy in school who not only makes Camie’s heart flatline on a recurring basis, he’s also the one guy who seemingly doesn’t know she exists. 

Feeling like an inept piece of chum that could ultimately be swallowed by Jaws, can Camie get Tristan to rescue her from floundering in the treacherous deep, or is she destined to be Shark Bait?         

_______________________________________________________________

 Author's Note: While the tales themselves are fictional, some of the events and characters are very loosely based in reality and on my experiences—but don’t worry, the names of the characters, most of their unfortunate fashion sense and/or questionable taste in music has been changed to protect the not-so innocent.

 _______________________________________________________________

 Due to language and some adult content, this book may not be suitable for readers under the age of 16.

The Other Fish in the Sea (Grab Your Pole #2) by Jenn Cooksey

Expected Publication: Spring 2013

Due to language and some adult content, this book may not be suitable for readers under the age of 16. 

Camie and Tristan are back and so are their friends! Dive deeper into the lives of the GYP gang with The Other Fish in the Sea, the second installment in the Grab Your Pole Series by Jenn Cooksey.

Author Bio

Jenn Cooksey is a Southern California girl born and bred, and proudly boasts being a member of Grossmont High School's alumni. 
 She currently resides in the 7th Ring of Hell (aka; Arizona) with her husband (whom she married on a dare while in Las Vegas), their three daughters, and more pets than she has the patience to count. 
 Aside from her husband and one cat, everyone living under the Cooksey's roof is female. She's sure her husband will be not only be awarded sainthood when he kicks the bucket, but that Jesus will welcome him into heaven with a beer and a congratulatory high-five. 
 She also believes that Bacon should be capitalized. Always.

Follow her on these sites: Website||Twitter|| Goodreads||Facebook

I have to say that I'm pleased with the result of Shark Bait's cover change. I think it matches the story and the book's genre more than the previous one did. Besides, it compliments the sequel's cover (yay for matching covers!).

Waiting on Wednesday: Pining Over Sequels

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

Here are my WoW picks this week (click title for the Goodreads page):

The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater

Release date: September 17th, 2013

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Pre-Order: Amazon | Book Depository

The second installment in the all-new series from the masterful, #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater!

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...

 I can't wait to go back to this new imaginative world Maggie Stiefvater created.  The Raven Boys was glorious so my hopes and expectations are pretty high for this one.
Good news is, Maggie claimed on GoodReads that The Dream Thieves is her favorite of her books! So what could go wrong?

Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Release date: June 4th, 2013

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. 
Pre-Order: Amazon | Book Depository

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

Shadow and Bone has been receiving much love since its release last year. That's not surprising considering its originality and creative approach to high fantasy. 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure there are tons of others who are pining over Siege and Storm (and Darkling).

Have you read these books' predecessors? Leave your thoughts and don't forget to share the link to your post in the comments!