Follow and Feature Friday # 34

Hi everyone!! Happy Friday!! Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee!!

So here is this week's question....

Q: You are a matchmaker — your goal, hook up two characters from two of your favorite books. Who would it be? How do you think it would go?

A: I think I'm going to pick Tristan from The Vicious Deep and Clara from Unearthly. I think both of these characters really balance each other out- with Tristan being funny and sarcastic (and part-mer!), and Clara being part-angel and such a sweet person. While both are very independent, I think they would work well as a team and a couple :)

So who would be in your dream cast for the book that you are reading this week? What do you think of my choices? Comment below and let me know what you think :)

Book Blast: Frequent Traveler

Hi everyone!! This is my first Book Blast (hosted by I am a reader Not a writer) and I am so happy to be a part of this! Don't forget to scroll to the bottom and enter the giveaway!!

From the blue oceans of Antigua to the bustling streets of Vietnam, the racing adrenaline at the Green Hell, the devastating natural disaster in Japan and the stunning architecture in Germany, Cathy Dixon finds herself in a whirlwind of fine dining, plush clothes and sheer extravagance.


But is perfection a mask for untold disaster? What is Cathy's secret and how will her world change when the world knows? Will her secrets ever catch up with her or will Cathy continue to sail alongside perfection in the world she has created for herself as a Frequent Traveller?

In conjunction, with the launch of MoonStar Luxury's new website (http://moonstarluxury.com/), we invite you to step into Cathy Dixon's world where more goodies, surprises and a little mystery awaits.


Frequent Traveller, the first book in the Cathy Dixon series will be free from 31 May to 4 June 2012. (Amazon link http://www.amazon.com/Frequent-Traveller-Cathy-Dixon-ebook/dp/B0067BKK6K)


Giveaway Details - 11 winners
Grand prize 1 x $50 Amazon.com voucher
10 x $5 Amazon.com vouchers


Terms and conditions
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday 47: The Treachery of Beautiful Things

Hi everyone! Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Spine!!

Name: The Treachery of Beautiful Things

Author: Ruth Frances Long

Publisher: Dial Books

Release Date: August 16th, 2012

Add the book on Goodreads

A darkly compelling mix of romance, fairy tale, and suspense from a new voice in teen fiction.

The trees swallowed her brother whole, and Jenny was there to see it. Now seventeen, she revisits the woods where Tom was taken, resolving to say good-bye at last. Instead, she's lured into the trees, where she finds strange and dangerous creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with secrets of his own. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack's help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where stunning beauty masks some of the most treacherous evils, and she's faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice--and not just her own.-Goodreads

My Thoughts

I LOVE the cover to this book! It is gorgeous..and I love how the flowers blend in with the girl's dress. What really caught my eye about this book was that it has some faerie aspects to it but keeps it different from other faerie stories. I am interested to see what happens in this book and especially this mythology that the author creates!!

What are you waiting for this week? Comment below and let me know :D 

The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus #2) by Rick Riordan Review

Name: The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus # 2)
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Hyperion
Release Date: October 4th, 2011
Format: Hardcover Copy
Buy the Book on Amazon

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call, To storm or fire the world must fall. An oath to keep with a final breath, And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death. 

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring any bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth 

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem - when the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for and evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams. 

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery - although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially infront of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely - enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart. Beginning at the "other" camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven.-Goodreads

My Review:
I've been a huge fan of anything written by Rick Riordan for the longest time, so I was so happy that he decided to write more stories about Percy and his friends! This second book in the heroes of Olympus series definitely was action packed, and I really enjoyed it!

One of the best parts about this book has to be the plot. It had a lot of action and suspense, but it also had some very nice sweet moments. After not seeing Percy at all during the first book in the series, I was SO happy to have him back in this one! It was really interesting to see him without his memories of his life and it kind of reminded me of The Lightening Thief where he had no idea what was going on. I especially liked when he started to remember again because it really brought back memories of previous books from the series. Of course, Percy still knows how to fight and he such an amazing fighter!

I really liked the two new characters we meet in the series: Frank and Hazel! At first, I wasn't sure how much I would like both of these characters, because I really loved all the characters from camp half-blood. As the story progressed, I really started liking them more and how much they cared for Percy. It was really interesting to see the type of powers that they had and they were a really great addition to this book! I will also say that it was really nice to see Juno (Hera) and Mars (Ares) in this book and how they interact with Percy (who doesn't have any memories).

Overall, I really liked this book and I was SO glad to see Percy again! I am really looking forward to the next book in the series, The Mark of Athena, which comes out this fall.

My Rating: Four out of Five Stars

Belles by Jen Calonita Review

Name: Belles (Belles # 1)
Author: Jen Calonita
Publisher: Poppy
Release Date: April 10th, 2012
Format: Library Book
Buy the book on Amazon

Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she’s ever known, and, unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous lifestyle of Emerald Cove doesn’t go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn’t thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and, in addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates’ Southern charm, a secret is unfolding that will change both girls’ lives forever.-Goodreads

My Review:
After reading a bunch of fantasy books..I definitely was in need of a good contemporary read! So when I saw this book at my library I knew that I had to read it..and I am so glad that I did! 

One of the best parts about this book was the story! At times it had it's cliche and predictable moments, but it was really fun to read about Izzie's transition from her old life to her new one in Emerald Cove! I also really liked how the book switched narration from each chapter to both Izzie and Mira. It was interesting to see both girls points of view and how each were coping with having a new person in their lives. I did think that the book felt kind of rushed at the beginning but overall I thought the pace of the book was good.

At first, I really didn't like Mira because she did some things that were horrible to Izzie and I wasn't sure how much she would change throughout the book. As the story went on, I was happy to see Mira turn herself around, and actually learn a few lessons from Izzie. I really liked Izzie as well. She isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes in. I also loved how that even though she left her old home behind to one with a lot more privilege, she didn't let that change who she was and didn't gain a fake persona to try to fit in. I think that both girls definitely balance each other out and once they got to know each other better I could see them really getting along.   

Overall, I really enjoyed Belles! It was a quick, fun read and is the perfect book to read at the beach this summer! I really can't wait to read the next book (which is due to come out in the fall).
 
My Rating: Four out of Five Stars

Stacking The Shelves and Weekly Recap (5)

Hi everyone!! I hope you all are having a great week and Happy Saturday/Sunday everyone!! Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and is a great way for fellow bloggers to share the books that they have received over the week.

 

 So this week I was able to review some awesome books! Check out the links below and see what I thought of these books :)

 

Dark Frost (Mythos Academy # 3) by Jennifer Estep

Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson

The Enchantress (The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel # 6) by Michael Scott

Don't forget my giveaway for Silence by Michelle Sagara West ends on this FRIDAY June 1st!!

Anyways..onto what I got this week!! So I didn't receive any books for review..but I did end up getting some great books from the library and I ended up making a quick trip to Barnes and Noble! So, without further ado here is what I got this week!!

Received from the Library:

 

 Storm (Elemental # 1) by Brigid Kemmerer

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Purchased:

 Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Sweet Evil (The Sweet Evil Trilogy # 1) by Wendy Higgins

What do you think of what I got?? What did you get this week??  Leave me a link in the comments :D

The Enchantress (The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel # 6) by Michael Scott Review

Name: The Enchantress (The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel # 6)
Author: Michael Scott
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: May 22nd, 2012
Format: E-Book ARC
Buy the book on Amazon
Thank you Netgalley and Random House for sending me a copy of this book for review!

The sixth and final book in the New York Times bestselling series The Secrets of the Nicholas Flamel—The Enchantress The two that are one must become the one that is all. One to save the world, one to destroy it. San Francisco: Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel have one day left to live, and one job left to do. They must defend San Francisco. The monsters gathered on Alcatraz Island have been released and are heading toward the city. If they are not stopped, they will destroy everyone and everything in their path. But even with the help of two of the greatest warriors from history and myth, will the Sorceress and the legendary Alchemyst be able to defend the city? Or is it the beginning of the end of the human race? Danu Talis: Sophie and Josh Newman traveled ten thousand years into the past to Danu Talis when they followed Dr. John Dee and Virginia Dare. And it’s on this legendary island that the battle for the world begins and ends. Scathach, Prometheus, Palamedes, Shakespeare, Saint-Germain, and Joan of Arc are also on the island. And no one is sure what—or who—the twins will be fighting for. Today the battle for Danu Talis will be won or lost. But will the twins of legend stand together? Or will they stand apart— one to save the world and one to destroy it?-Goodreads

My Review:
What a great conclusion to an awesome series! I started reading The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel six years ago, and I have to say that this one was the best of all!

One of my favorite parts about this book was the plot! Michael Scott does a fabulous job of really wrapping things up and answering all the questions that were previously unsolved in earlier books! I also love how he was able to blend different types of mythologies together to make them all work. This book definitely has a lot of action and suspense! Also, I love how the author was able to keep the reader on his/her toes and not know what was going to happen next! I will say that at times this book was a little bit confusing because their were so many different characters it was hard to keep track of them all! The twist at the end of the book I didn't see coming at all which was great because I love when unexpected things happen in books!

The two main characters, Josh and Sophie, really progress so much throughout this novel. They really balance each other out and you can see how much they care for each other. I do wish that we got to see a little bit more about what happens to both in the future (because this is the last book) and I was a little bit unsatisfied with the ending. Michael Scott also does a really great job of showing the progression of the other minor characters such as Scathach, Joan of Arc, Shakespeare and Saint-Germain. I really liked seeing how each character was able to grow from book to book. The other two main characters, Nicholas Flamel and his wife, Perenelle also were great in this book! I feel like I know them so well as characters because I have seen them grow throughout the series.

Overall, Michael Scott does a really great job of wrapping up this series! I am sad to say goodbye to The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel series, but I am glad that this book ended with a bang! If you love different types of mythology, and action, this series is for you and I highly recommend that you check it out!!

My Rating: Four out of Five Stars

Follow and Feature Friday # 33

Hi everyone!! Happy Friday....Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read!

This week's question is...

Q: What would your dream cast be for your current book?

A: Well...right now I am reading The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel # 6) by Michael Scott and I'm really liking it! It's the last book in the series so it feels weird reading the last book but picking my dream cast for it would be awesome!

Sophie:

Leven Rambin of The Hunger Games

Josh:

Austin Butler from Switched at Birth and The Carrie Diaries

So who would be in your dream cast for the book that you are reading this week? What do you think of my choices? Comment below and let me know what you think :)

Feature Thursday (4)

Feature Thursday is a feature (created by me!) where I have a guest post or blogger interview with a blogger so bloggers can make new friends and find new blogs! Feature Thursday will be every other Thursday!

 This week's feature is Gianna from Books to Infinity and Beyond !!

Can you tell us a little yourself to your fellow bloggers?

Ahhhh, what is there to say? I'll give you this: I'm a teenager who enjoys wasting countless hours on social networking sites (specifically, Twitter and Tumblr), reading amazing YA books, and watching anime. :)

What is your favorite part of the blogging process?

Oh, most definitely the part where I get to meet and socialize with all my fellow bloggers! ♥ Twitter is the best site EVAR. That's right, "evar". I met so many awesome people there and made some amazing friends!


What book are you reading right now?

Wither by Lauren DeStefano and Glitch by Heather Anastasiu --- both of which are pretty good so far.

What is your favorite ya book of 2012?

What a horrible question! I have way too many already. Fantasy wise, Finnikin of the Rock hands down! Contemporary wise, Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry was just amazing! (I'll cheat a bit more: Kill Me Softly was super good too.)


What was your favorite book growing up and why?

Ah, that would have to be The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. It's one of the best MG books I've read when I was smaller, and I always felt like I was being whisked to a new world whenever I would re-read it. Kate DiCamillo has some mad story telling skills! ♥


Are there any books you would recommend to fellow bloggers and readers out there?

TOTALLY! Just look at my answer to my favorite YA books of 2012 above. Really awesome reads that stick out in my head right now is Life as We Know It by Susan Beth Pfeffer and Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. Both reads changed how I view life, and I treat life even more precious now. (God, I sound so cheesy.)

Favorite band?
AH. Too many! (J-Pop wise. Don't judge me. ;D)

Give us one fun fact about yourself:

There's nothing fun about me! D; Well... hm. I'm a lover of cats and Corgis worldwide. Anyone else who agrees, join me and let's love these adorable animals together! Anyone else who disagrees...well... this is awkward.

Last question..if you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

Right now? It'd be Texas to visit friends and cousins. :)

Thanks so much Giana for answering my questions and being my fourth feature!! Please make sure to stop by Giana's blog and follow!!

If you are interested in being one of my feature blogs make sure to send me an email at sarah.catchingbooks@gmail.com  

Waiting on Wednesday 46: The Mephisto Kiss

Hi everyone! Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Spine!!

Name: The Mephisto Kiss (The Mephisto Covenant # 2)
Author: Trinity Faegen
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Release Date: September 25th, 2012
Add the book on Goodreads 

The eyes never lie. No one’s eyes are darker than Eryx. Not even the Devil’s. 
When Jax and Sasha first see Jordan Ellis, they know she is no ordinary teenager. She’s the daughter of the President after all, but she’s also Anabo – a descendant of Eve. 
What they don’t know is that Eryx plans to kidnap Jordan and force President Ellis to pledge his soul. If Eryx’s plot succeeds, the consequences would be catastrophic. 
But the Mephisto brothers do know about Jordan’s secret identity. And for one of them, she could be the match that leads to their soul’s salvation. 
Now it’s a desperate race against time to save Jordan and prevent Eryx’s haunting eyes from discovering her true identity. 
A thrilling story of romance, danger, and intrigue, THE MEPHISTO KISS continues the marvelous mythology that began in THE MEPHISTO COVENANT.-Goodreads

My Thoughts

First off, isn't the cover to this book GORGEOUS? I love the color scheme and the lighting is perfect! I am really excited to read The Mephisto Kiss, especially since I really liked The Mephisto Covenant. I can't wait to see what happens next with Jax and Sasha and I'm interested to see the introduction of Jordan! 

What are you waiting for this week? Comment below and let me know :D

Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson Review

Name: Flirting in Italian
Author: Lauren Henderson
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Release Date: June 12th, 2012
Format: E-book ARC
Pre-Order the book on Amazon

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for sending me an ARC copy of this book!!

Four girls. One magical, and possibly dangerous Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys!-Goodreads

My Review:
When I first heard about Flirting in Italian, I knew that this would be right up my alley! It sounded like the perfect contemporary read with gorgeous foreign boys and an awesome setting! Sadly, this book didn't live up to my expectations and I found myself being disappointed in the end.

Overall, the main plot of this book was enjoyable! I liked the whole art history aspect to it (considering that I am studying it now!). I also really liked learning more about the Italian culture and how teenagers live in Italy. The romance in this book definitely is light and fun, and has a little bit of drama but overall is nice to read. The four girls (Violet, Kelly, Kendra and Page) each have their own personalities and are really fun to read about! At times they seemed a little bit cliche, but they are still nice! Violet, the main character, was a really fascinating character to read about! Violet seems pretty relatable to teenager girls out there, but at times I really wanted her to put herself out more-instead of just sitting back in the shadows I wanted her to act.

As I was nearing the end of this book, I was started to get frustrated because I really felt like their wasn't any solutions to the main conflict of the story. It really just seemed like the author kept dragging things out to make the story longer. Their definitely were a few scenes that didn't add anything special to the book. The whole reason why Violet goes to Italy is to try to figure out if she has any connection to a girl that she sees in a painting and looks just like her. I thought this conflict was somewhat unnecessary to the story, and it would have been better if the author focused more on the girls' adventures in Italy. The main issue I have is that the author never resolved this conflict and instead decided to made a second book to this series!

While at times this book definitely was really enjoyable to read, I was very disappointed by the ending. That being said, this book may or may not work for you and I recommend picking this book up from the library this summer and giving it a shot!

My Rating: Three out of Five Stars

Dark Frost (Mythos Academy # 3) by Jennifer Estep

Name: Dark Frost (Mythos Academy # 3)
Author: Jennifer Estep
Publisher: Kensington
Release Date: May 29th, 2012
Format: E-Book ARC
Pre-Order the book on Amazon

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington for sending me a copy of this book for review!!

I’ve seen so many freaky things since I started attending Mythos Academy last fall. I know I’m supposed to be a fearless warrior, but most of the time, I feel like I’m just waiting for the next Bad, Bad Thing to happen. Like someone trying to kill me—again.
Everyone at Mythos Academy knows me as Gwen Frost, the Gypsy girl who uses her psychometry magic to find lost objects—and who just may be dating Logan Quinn, the hottest guy in school. But I’m also the girl the Reapers of Chaos want dead in the worst way. The Reapers are the baddest of the bad, the people who murdered my mom. So why do they have it in for me? 
It turns out my mom hid a powerful artifact called the Helheim Dagger before she died. Now, the Reapers will do anything to get it back. They think I know where the dagger is hidden, but this is one thing I can’t use my magic to find. All I do know is that the Reapers are coming for me—and I’m in for the fight of my life.-Goodreads

My Review:
After reading a Kiss of Frost and getting totally hooked on this series a few weeks ago..I knew that I had to read the third book! Definitely a great addition to an already awesome series!

One of my favorite parts of this book was the plot!! Jennifer Estep does a really great job of weaving an amazing story..with new characters and lots of intrigue! I was on the edge of my seat reading this book..not knowing what would happen next. I really liked that this book was action packed and didn't spend a whole lot of time explaining different mythologies and details, and instead really showed what was going on. The action and fight scenes in this book were awesome! I really liked reading also about the development of Gwen's powers as well.

I also really liked the progression of the main character Gwen! Of course she's still her sarcastic, determined self, but she really becomes a strong person. I really liked seeing her growth as a character and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!! I also loved the development of her relationship with Logan!! The romance in this book definitely heats up..and I really like how Jennifer Estep incorporated it into Dark Frost! It was the perfect amount.

Overall, this was a great third book to a really enjoyable series!! After leaving us on a cliffhanger at the end of this book, I can't wait to see what's in store next!!


My Rating: Four out of Five Stars

Stacking The Shelves and Weekly Recap (4)

Hi everyone!! I hope you all are having a great week and Happy Saturday/Sunday everyone!! Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and is a great way for fellow bloggers to share the books that they have received over the week.

 

 So this week I was able to review a bunch of awesome books! Check out my reviews at these links :)

Dreamless (Starcrossed # 2) by Josephine Angelini

Transcendence by C.J. Omololu

The Lost Code (The Atlanteans # 1) by Kevin Emerson

I'm also hosting a giveaway!! Click the link underneath to check it out :)

Silence by Michelle Sagara West Giveaway

Okay so this week I didn't receive any books from the library..but hopefully next week I will get some in!! Anyways..here's what I got for review this week!!

Received for Review:

 The Enchantress (The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel # 6) by Michael Scott

Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

The Goddess Legacy by Aimee Carter

Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo

Thank you Netgalley, Random House, and Harlequin Teen for sending me all of these awesome books!!

What do you think of what I got?? What did you get this week??  Leave me a link in the comments :D

Dreamless (Starcrossed # 2) by Josephine Angelini Review

Name: Dreamless (Starcrossed # 2)
Author: Josephine Angelini
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: ARC
Release Date: May 29th, 2012
Pre-Order the book on Amazon

Thank you HarperTeen for sending me a copy of Dreamless for review!!

Helen needs to get through hell in two ways: by night they reflected the underworld, even worse torments her day that Lucas and they may possibly love. In the underworld, Helen meets Orion. The more time they spend together, the closer they come to. Then something totally unexpected happens, the forces calculated for holding and Lucas Orion: The four houses are combined and Scion, a new Trojan war seems inevitable!-Goodreads

My Review:
After falling in love with this series after reading the first book, I was super excited to get my hands on a copy of Dreamless! Once this book arrived, I could not put it down, and I found myself staying up so late at night, because I had to know what happened next! Needless to say, this book definitely didn't disappoint and was a fabulous followup to an awesome series!

One of the main things that I loved about Dreamless was that it had a lot more action than the first book in the series. The scenes with the fighting and the battles were awesome! It was great to see Helen actually use her different powers and see her in action a lot more. Of course, I loved seeing Lucas, Hector, Jason and Adriane fight as well..and also Claire and Matt too!! The plot of Dreamless definitely wasn't too slow or too fast and Josephine Angelini does a really great job of keeping the plot moving without the book moving so fast that we have no idea what is going on. I also loved reading about the scenes in the Underworld when Helen is trying to accomplish her mission. Josephine Angelini really creates a place that I can imagine in my head while I'm reading this book.

Now onto my other favorite part about Dreamless...the characters! In this book, I really saw Helen develop so much as a character. She becomes so much more independent and willing to fight. She really is a courageous character and is willing to sacrifice herself for those that she loves. I really love that she is such a caring girl, and just wants to make things better for her friends and her family. Now onto Lucas....one of my favorite boys! We also see a huge change in Lucas from the first book. No longer do we see the outgoing, friendly boy, but we see a shadow of his former self. (Spoiler Alert for those who have not read the first book) Lucas (and Helen!) is crushed after learning that Helen is his cousin and he tries so desperately to stay away from her, no matter what the cost. I will say that I really liked seeing this darker side of Lucas, but it was also nice to see moments where he really came out and shined as a hero.

When I first read the summary of this book, I had no idea who Orion was/what he would be doing in the book. After reading Dreamless, I have to say that Orion easily has become one of my favorite characters! He is really brave, and super strong, but he also has an awesome sense of humor that really balances Helen out. He really is a great partner for Helen to have in the underworld and they really do make a great team! I was really worried about their being a love triangle because I'm not the biggest fans of them, but Josephine Angelini does a great job of straying away from the "typical" love triangle scenarios and makes this one work in a way that I really liked! I really didn't feel that I was rooting for one guy over the other. What I felt was that Helen needs both boys because they both balance her out and I really can see how she is torn between the two!

The introduction of a bunch of new characters including a bunch of minor gods and a few major ones as well! I really liked seeing a whole different group of characters included in this book, especially since I love reading about Greek mythology! These new characters definitely make the plot really stand out, and I found myself keep re-reading scenes with these characters in them because I liked them so much!

Overall, Dreamless is an AMAZING followup to an already awesome series!! This book has action, suspense, and romance, and of course Greek mythology! I can't wait to read the third book in this series and make sure to pick up a copy of Dreamless when it comes out on May 29th!!

My Rating: Five out of Five Stars

Follow Friday # 32

Hi everyone!! Happy Friday!! Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee!!

 So here is this week's question...

Q: Summer Break is upon us! What would be the perfect vacation spot for you to catch up on your reading & relax?

A: I have so many places that would be the perfect place for me to read! So I think I'm going to go with my top two. My first choice has to be Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. My family goes there every summer for the week and it's so relaxing!! I always love sitting on the beach with my kindle or a book and soaking in some sun! My other perfect vacation spot for me to catch up on reading has to be Kensington park, in London. I visited England last summer, and this being my second trip there, I really wanted to explore the different parks and gardens around London this time! I fell in love with Kensington park and I found a great spot to sit and read/people watch during the day!

Other relaxing vacations that I loved: Italy, Paris, Hawaii, and Canada!!

The lovely Kensington Gardens taken by moi

The view of Martha's Vineyard at night..also taken by moi!

So what's your perfect vacation spot this week?? Leave me a link in the comments so I can check it out :D

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway here

Giveaway Time!!

Hi everyone!! So it's that time again when I am hosting a giveaway!! I am giving away ONE copy of Silence by Michelle Sagara West!

Here are the rules: 
1. You must be 13 years or older to enter 
2. You must be from the United States 


Good luck!! The giveaway ends June 1st :) a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday 45: Monstrous Beauty

Hi everyone! Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Spine!!


Name: Monstrous Beauty
Author: Elizabeth Fama
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)  
Release Date: September 4th, 2012
Add the book on Goodreads

Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences. 
Almost one hundred forty years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse? With Ezra’s help, Hester investigates her family’s strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean—but powerful forces will do anything to keep her from uncovering her connection to Syrenka and to the tragedy of so long ago.-Goodreads

My Thoughts

After reading a bunch of mermaid books, I am totally hooked on this new trend! Monstrous Beauty sounds awesome and I love the cover! I do know that the changed the cover and I have to say this one is beautiful!  The plot of this book sounds really interesting as well..I can't wait to see what happens!

What are you waiting for this week? Comment below and let me know :D

Transcendence by C.J. Omololu Review

Name: Transcendence
Author: C.J. Omololu
Publisher: Walker & Company
Release Date: June 5th, 2012
Format: E-Book ARC
Pre-Order the book on Amazon
Thank you Netgalley and Walker & Company for giving me a copy of this book for review!

Love isn’t the only emotion to survive death . . . When a visit to the Tower of London triggers an overwhelmingly real vision of a beheading that occurred centuries before, Cole Ryan fears she is losing her mind. A mysterious boy, Griffon Hall, comes to her aid, but the intensity of their immediate connection seems to open the floodgate of memories even wider. As their feelings grow, Griffon reveals their common bond as members of the Akhet—an elite group of people who can remember past lives and use their collected wisdom for the good of the world. But not all Akhet are altruistic, and a rogue is after Cole to avenge their shared past. Now in extreme danger, Cole must piece together clues from many lifetimes. What she finds could ruin her chance at a future with Griffon, but risking his love may be the only way to save them both. Full of danger, romance, and intrigue, Transcendence breathes new life into a perpetually fascinating question: What would you do with another life to live?-Goodreads

My Review:
When I first heard about this book, I was really intrigued! I haven't really read any books about reincarnation so I was interested to see how that would play out in this book. Overall, I enjoyed Transcendence! There were some moments that were dragged out really long and some moments were confusing.

One of the best parts about this book has to be the plot! It was really refreshing to read a totally different paranormal book then I had read before! I really needed a break from the mermaid/vampire/witches books that I have been reading and this was the perfect fix! It was interesting to see the different mythology that C.J. Omololu uses in this book and how she makes it work with the story. The beginning starts out a little slow..but as the novel progresses the story really picks up and I couldn't put this book down! I also enjoyed the flashback scenes to Cole's other lives and seeing her learn more about how she lived in her different lives! I was a little bit confused at certain moments..but my confusion was clarified later on in the story! So if you are confused at first don't worry :)

I also really liked the main character Cole! She is a really strong character, and I really liked learning more about her throughout the story! I wish we got the chance to learn more about her past lives, but I'm sure that in the next book in the series we will learn more!

In the end, I really enjoyed Transcendence! It was a really great book and once I got into it, I couldn't put this one down! Definitely check this book out this summer if your looking for a new paranormal book to read!!

My Rating: Four out of Five Stars

The Lost Code (The Atlanteans #1) by Kevin Emerson Review

Name: The Lost Code (The Atlanteans # 1)
Author: Kevin Emerson
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Release Date: May 22nd, 2012
Format: E-Book ARC
Pre-Order the book on Amazon
Thank you Edelweiss and HarperCollins for sending me a copy of The Lost Code for review!!

WHAT IS OLDEST WILL BE NEW, WHAT IS LOST SHALL BE FOUND. 

The ozone is ravaged, ocean levels have risen, and the sun is a daily enemy. But global climate change is not something new in the Earth’s history. No one will know this better than less-than-ordinary Owen Parker, who is about to discover that he is the descendant of a highly advanced ancient race—a race that took their technology too far and almost destroyed the Earth in the process. Now it is Owen’s turn to make right in his world what went wrong thousands of years ago. If Owen can unlock the lost code in his very genes, he may rediscover the forgotten knowledge of his ancestry…and that less-than-ordinary can evolve into extraordinary.-Goodreads

My Review:
I haven't really read many books about Earth in the future so I was a little bit hesitant about giving this book a try. Overall, I really liked The Lost Code! It was a rough start at first, but once I got more into it I enjoyed this book a lot more.

One of the best parts about this book was the plot! Kevin Emerson does a really great job of explaining what has happened to Earth and how people are living now. I also really liked the whole Atlantis concept that was brought into this book! I wish that the book focused a little bit more on that aspect but it was still really interesting to see how it will fit into the rest of the series! One of the problems I had with the start of this book though was that it was really slow. While I really liked the explanations of certain things, some scenes were really dragged out and at times it felt like scenes were never ending. Once the plot picked up, however, I really enjoyed reading the different actions scenes and such!

The main character, Owen, definitely was interesting. I wasn't really sure what to think of him at first, but as the book progressed I really started to like him! He really is a great guy and isn't afraid to stand up for what he believes or to question why things are happening! He is also willing to do anything to help the people he loves!!

In the end, I liked The Lost Code. I do wish that some parts were explained a little bit better and that their were more action scenes. I would check this book out if you are a fan of dystopian novels!

My Rating: Three out of Five Stars

Stacking The Shelves (3)

Hi everyone!! I hope you all are having a great week and Happy mother's day as well!! Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and is a great way for fellow bloggers to share the books that they have received over the week.

This week I got some AWESOME books for review!! I can't want to get started on them!!

Received for Review:

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass # 1)by Sarah J. Mass

Betrayed (The Guardian Legacy # 1) by Ednah Walters

Wake (Watersong # 1) by Amanda Hocking

Dark Frost (Mythos Academy # 3) by Jennifer Estep

Thank you Netgalley, Bloomsbury, Spencer Hill Press, St. Martin's Press and Kensington for sending me all of these awesome books this week!!

What do you think of what I got?? What did you get this week??  Leave me a link in the comments :D

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks Review

Name: Of Poseidon 
Author: Anna Banks
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: May 22nd, 2012
Format: ARC Copy
Pre-Order the book on Amazon

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom 
. . . Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.-Goodreads

My Review:
This year definitely is a great year for awesome mermaid books and Of Poseidon is one of these books!

One of my favorite parts about Of Poseidon was the characters! I really thought Anna Banks did a great job of alternating chapters between Emma and Galen's POV so the reader could really understand what was going through both of their minds. I actually really like reading books from a males perspective especially Galen! He is such a swoon-worthy character! He has his sweet moments..but he also is a prince of Syrena so he can be a little bit stuffy at times. Since, Emma is such a feisty, and strong willed character, she and Galen really balance each other out! The cast of supporting characters as well really add to the story and make this book a fun read!

The plot of Of Poseidon really captivated me when I started reading. At first, I wasn't really sure what to expect with this book because sometimes some mermaid books really end up being very similar, but Anna Banks does a fabulous job of keeping the mythology really different! I liked learning about the Syrena mythology and also learning about what is "Of Poseidon." I will say that moments of this book are depressing, and there were definitely a few scenes that I didn't see coming. I guess the best type of story is one that you never expect!

Overall, I really enjoyed Of Poseidon..and I especially liked how Anna Banks creates a whole new type of mermaid mythology for us readers! I can't wait to read the second book in the series (of course the novel ends with a cliffhanger). I recommend checking this book out this summer..it really is the perfect beach read :)

My Rating: Four out of Five Stars

Follow Friday # 31

 Hi everyone..Happy Friday!! Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee!!

 This Friday's question is..

Q: What is the best mother/child relationship in a book you've read?

A: This a tough one!! I think I'm going to have to go with Clara from the Unearthly series and her mom. During the first book, I was really frustrated by their relationship because I felt that Clara's Mom was always hiding things from her. But my view on their relationship totally changed after reading the second book. They both have such a loving bond, and I really saw how Clara's mother was willing to do anything for her and her brother. There were so many scenes between the two that were so heartbreaking..and I really saw the strong relationship between mother and daughter.

So what's your pick this week?? Leave me a link in the comments so I can check it out :D

Feature Thursday!! (3)

 Feature Thursday is a feature (created by me!) where I have a guest post or blogger interview with a blogger so bloggers can make new friends and find new blogs! Feature Thursday will be every other Thursday!

This week's feature is Rachel from Booktastic Reviews!!

 

Can you tell us a little about yourself to your fellow bloggers?

Hey, I'm Rachel and I'm fourteen years old. When I'm not reading I like going out with friends, dilly-dallying outside and eating chocolate!


What is your favorite part of the blogging process?

Oooh, this is a hard one! I love the whole blogging process really but if I had to choose I think I'd say either say meeting new book bloggers or when I get a book review request from an author or publisher... but I also just generally love posting book reviews! Ahh, I don't think I can pick a favourite! 


What book are you reading right now?

Right now I'm reading Fever by Lauren DeStefano. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Wither, so I just had to pick this one up! I really can't wait to see what happens!

What is your favorite ya book of 2012?
Hmmm... probably Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter at the moment, but I'll most likely change my mind a few times throughout the year!

 


What was your favorite book growing up and why?Growing up I went through phases of the Nancy Drew books, the Alex Rider books, the Saddle Club books and pratically all of Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo and Cathy Cassidy's books. When I got slightly older I remember loving The Lost Island of Tamarind by Nadia Aguiar because it was just full to the brim with action and adventure... so I think I need to go for this one!

 


Are there any books you would recommend to fellow bloggers and readers out there?

Loads! Divergent by Veronica Roth, Wither by Lauren DeStefano, The Lost Island of Tamarind by Nadia Aguiar, Virals by Kathy Reichs, Across The Universe by Beth Revis, Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman, Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon... there are just so many!

Favorite band?

I don't really have a favourite band as such, but a favourite singer, and that is Taylor Swift!

 

Give us one fun fact about yourself:

I like to go seeking for adventure!

Last question..if you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?
The Amazon Rainforest! Ever since reading Journey to The River Sea by Eva Ibbotson I've always longed to go there... I just want to go everywhere really - travel the world! =]

 

Thanks so much Rachel for answering my questions and being my second feature!! Please make sure to stop by Rachel's blog and follow!!

If you are interested in being one of my feature blogs make sure to send me an email at sarah.catchingbooks@gmail.com  

Waiting on Wednesday 44: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine!!

Name: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century
Author: Rachel Harris
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: September 11th, 2012
Add the book on Goodreads

On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze. 

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore. Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?-Goodreads

My Thoughts

This book sounds like a really great read! I love books about time travel..especially ones that go back in time to sixteenth century Italy! I'm also interested to see how Cat goes back in time as well. I'm not a huge fan of the cover but either way I am definitely reading this book when it comes out!!

 What are you waiting for this week? Comment below and let me know :D

The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy #1) by Jennifer A. Nielsen Review

Name: The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy, #1)
Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: April 1st, 2012
Format: Library Book
Buy the book on Amazon

THE FALSE PRINCE is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end.

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well. 

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together. 

An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.-Goodreads

My Review:
The False Prince has become the best book I have read this year..once I started it I could not put this book down! At first, I wasn't sure how much I would like this book...I'm not a huge fan of all out fantasy types of books, but four hours later, I couldn't believe that I didn't pick this book up sooner.

One of my favorite parts about the book was the plot! Jennifer A. Nielsen does a fabulous job of creating a world that sucks you right into the story. Like I said above, once I started The False Prince I could not put it down. There was so much action and mystery packed into one book, that I never knew what was going to happen next! I really like reading books where I have no idea what will happen and this book definitely does just that. Another thing that is so great about the plot of this book is that certain details, while at first don't seem very important, end up playing a HUGE role towards the end of the book! I love when authors do that in books..it really makes the reader want to re-read the book and see the scenes with a different perspective. What really intrigued me about this plot was how Conner (the nobleman of the court) is able to come up with this whole elaborate scheme without anyone really finding out! 

Of course, my favorite character has to be Sage. I really enjoy reading books from a male POV, especially one like Sage! He is very cunning, and very smart, but underneath it all he is a caring person. He doesn't submit to Conner's games like the other boys, which makes me like Sage even more. Seeing things from Sage's perspective was a really great aspect to this book, and made me as a reader feel like I was on Sage's journey with him.

Overall, I LOVED The False Prince. I don't want to give away any spoilers but Jennifer A. Nielsen adds an awesome twist close to the end of the book that makes me love The False Prince even more! If you are looking for a book with mystery, action, and a really great main character, definitely check this book out!!

My Rating: Five out of Five Stars

Stacking The Shelves (2)

Hi everyone! I hope you all are having a fabulous week!! Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and is a great way for fellow bloggers to share the books that they have received over the week.

So this week I didn't receive much..I'm trying to save my money to buy lots of books this summer!! Did anyone see the avengers this weekend? I just saw it tonight and it was AWESOME..I highly recommend that you all check it out :)

Anyways..on with the books!!

Received for Review:

 The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe (Thank you Edelweiss and Random House!!)

Shift by Kim Curran (Thank you Strange Chemistry!!) 

What do you think of what I got?? What did you get this week??  Leave me a link in the comments :D

Vampire Diaries Season Finale

Hi everyone! Since next week is the season finale of Vampire Diaries I thought I would do an extra special post in honor of my favorite show :) Below is a clip for next week's finale..

So what do you all think?? Do you watch Vampire Diaries/what do you think will happen next week?? Leave your theories below..I would love to see what you all think :D

Follow Friday # 30

Hi everyone!! Hope Friday!! Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read!!

 Okay so here's this Friday's question....

Q: What is one thing that you could tell your favorite author?

A: Ah this is a hard one! I don't think I have just one favorite author..but ones that come to mind would be Stephanie Perkins, J.K. Rowling, Josephine Angelini, and Tahereh Mafi. I think I would ask all of these authors questions about their life and what influenced them to write the books that they wrote. I also would ask who their favorite/least favorite character is and why..I always think that's a great question to ask authors :)

Oh and I would ask one specific question to Stephanie Perkins..can you please write more swoon worthy Etienne scenes?! I need to read more about my book crush ;)

So what's your answer this week? I can't wait to see who your favorite author is/what you would want to say to them!!

Immortal City by Scott Speer Review

Name: Immortal City
Author: Scott Speer
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: April 3rd, 2012
Format: Library Book
Buy the book on Amazon

Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them.  
He's days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone's obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect - everyone except for Madison Montgomery. 

Maddy's the one girl in Angel City who doesn't breathlessly follow the Angels on TV and gossip blogs. When she meets Jackson, she doesn't recognize him. But Jackson is instantly captivated by her, and against all odds the two fall in love. 

Maddy is swiftly caught up in Jackson's scene, a world of glamour, paparazzi - and murder. A serial killer is on the loose, leaving dead Angels' wings for the police to find on the Walk of Fame. Even the Guardians are powerless to protect themselves in the face of this threat & and this time it's up to Maddy to save Jackson.-Goodreads

My Review:
When I first heard about Immortal City, I knew that I definitely had to check it out! I'm a huge fan of reading angel books so I thought this would be the perfectly read. Sadly, I was disappointed by this book.

One of the reasons why Immortal City didn't work well for me was because it was so predictable! I felt that I could change the type of genre to vampires or werewolves, and it would be just like other books that I had read. I wish that the author made this book more suspenseful for the reader instead of me knowing what would happen next. That being said, I did really like the idea of the angel/guardian aspect of the book and how society now knows that angels exist.

The characters in this book, Maddy and Jackson, were fine characters. I didn't love them but I didn't dislike them- I just felt that I couldn't really attach to either character. When I read a book, I want to be able to feel some sort of connection to the character but in Immortal City I just felt that the characters weren't that relatable.

Overall, Immortal City wasn't the best angel read for me. That being said, I think that this book might work for others so if your interested in reading it you should still give it a shot!

My Rating: Two out of Five Stars

Waiting on Wednesday 43: Venom (Secrets of the Eternal Rose # 1)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Spine!!

Name: Venom (Secrets of the Eternal Rose # 1)
Author: Fiona Paul
Publisher: Philomel
Release Date: October 30th, 2012
Add the book on Goodreads

Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape. When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco? Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.-Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Okay so when I first saw the cover of this book I was blown away by how gorgeous it is!! I love the mask/the colors. The plot of Venom sounds awesome!! Very mysterious and I'm in the mood for a great historical read! I will definitely be checking this book out!!

 What are you waiting for this week?? Comment below and let me know :)