Three Year Blogoversary Winners!!!!

Hi guys! Thanks again to everyone who entered our 3 year blogoversary giveaway!! We really appreciate everyone who commented, followed, and checked out our site!

And so...the winners are:

Brittany and Kara!! 

You have 36 hours to respond to the email I sent otherwise I am picking another winner.

Thanks again for entering everyone!

Waiting on Wednesday 141: Sublime

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Name: Sublime

Author: Christina Lauren

Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release Date: October 14th, 2014

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When Lucy wakes up in a frozen forest, she isn't sure why she's there, until she sees Colin.

Colin has captivated half the girls at Saint Osanna's, but no one has ever snared his fascination the way Lucy does. Even as Lucy begins to remember the details of her life–and her death–neither of them is willing to give up what they have, no matter how impossible it seems.

An adrenaline junkie, Colin begins taking himself to the brink of death, where their realities overlap–and discovers that he can physically be with Lucy. But maybe some lines shouldn't be crossed.

Goodreads

My Thoughts:

This book sounds right up my alley! The cover is beautiful and I absolutely love the color scheme. The plot sounds really intriguing as well..I am definitely interested in what this book is really about and seeing the relationship between Lucy and Colin. 

What are your thoughts? What are you waiting for this week? Let us know in the comments!

Waiting on Wednesday 140: Talon

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Name: Talon

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: October 28th, 2014

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Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I've always been a huge fan of Julie Kagawa's books so I definitely want to give this one a shot. I haven't really read any books about Dragons so I am definitely interested to see where this book goes! I will definitely be checking this one out in October. 

What are your thoughts? What are you waiting for this week? Let us know in the comments!

Paper Towns by John Green Review

Name: Paper Towns

Authors: John Green

Publisher: Speak

Release Date: October 16th, 2008

Format: E-book
Buy the book on Amazon
332 pages

Summary:
Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life — dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge — he follows.

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues — and they’re for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.

Goodreads

My Review:

Everyone that I know either absolutely loved this book, or absolutely hated it. I, however, found myself somewhere in the middle (albeit more on the "I liked it" side). As always, I was intrigued by John Green's writing. He unfailingly crafts engaging characters and weaves delicious relationships that never fail to keep my attention.

There wasn't any one thing about this book that landed it on the "I liked it" list rather than the "best book ever" one, but rather a mix of a few things. For starters, it reminded a lot of some of Green's other books. Margo, for instance, a captivating and provocative character, was quite similar to Alaska, from his Looking for Alaska. Additionally, Quentin reminded me a bit of Colin from An Abundance of Katherines. On top of those two characters (who I still loved, by the way) the plot didn't seem like anything I hadn't read before. The nerdy boys finding popular girlfriends, the road trip, the false images that people have in their heads of the ones they love. It was a brilliantly crafted story, as John Green never fails to create, and it was a delightful read, but it just didn't have that spark for me.

John Green still remains one of my favorite writers to date. His writing is captivating, his characters are enigmatic, and his intelligence is renowned. While this book didn't strike me as the most original piece of writing I've ever read, it still had many wonderful parts. Even though I found Margo and Alaska quite similar, I nonetheless thoroughly enjoyed reading about such enchanting yet puzzling characters. I never lost interest throughout the plot, and of course Green's dialogue kept me hooked. I do have to admit that Paper Towns was not my favorite of Green's books. However, I still believe that he is a fantastic writer and I highly recommend all of his books.

My Rating:

Quantum Spirit--Apocalypse by Sallie Haws Review

Name: Quantum Spirit--Apocalypse

Authors: Sallie Haws

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: August 13th, 2014

Format: ARC
Buy the book on Amazon
427 pages

Summary:
‘She’s gone!’ Katrina’s eyes were big as saucers. I guess she didn’t really believe that I would disappear because the color had drained from her face as she stared wide-eyed and slack jawed at the center of the circle. The others opened their eyes in awe. I felt the strength of the circle fluctuate with the drop in energy, and the vibrancy of the colors dimmed as the group’s anxiety increased causing the contraction of their auras.

Then I noticed the woman . . . ‘Hello, Salena,’ she greeted me with a smile.

‘My name is Amalya Gaian. Welcome to the Fifth Dimension.’”

Salena Hawthorne is coming of age in more ways than one. And, the changes she is experiencing go way beyond simple hormonal overload. When her “family gift” comes on with a vengeance, Salena has to learn how to channel her developing psychic abilities to stop a pandemic from wiping out millions of lives.

Her newfound gifts of reading auras and inter-dimensional travel give Salena more trouble than she is ready to handle. With the weight of several worlds on her shoulders, Salena will need to call on her family, the Society of the Silver Moon, her Spirit Guide, and a few other unexpected allies to take on the supernatural enemies that threaten their very existence.

Goodreads

My Review:
Thank you JKS Communications for sending me a copy of this book to review!
I wasn't really sure what to expect with this book..especially since I haven't read anything like it before. Overall, I really enjoyed this book..it had some flaws but overall it was an interesting read.

What I really liked about this book was how different is from other books on the market. I really haven't read anything like this before and it was really refreshing to read a book like this one. I thought the writing was flawless. I also thought the main character Salena was really great. It was nice to see a strong willed character and I thought she really grew as a person throughout the novel.

What I didn't like about the book was the mythology and the gifts of reading auras. It was just a little too much for me and out there. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I think for other people who are interested in inter-dimensional travel and auras, this would be the book for you! For me, I just couldn't really get into it.

In the end, this wasn't the perfect book but I LOVED the writing style and I'm excited to see what Sallie Haws has to offer in the future.


My Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday 139: Heir of Fire

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Name: Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3)

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Release Date: September 2nd, 2014

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Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy. 

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I am SO SO SO SO excited for this book! I really love this series and Sarah J. Maas does a fantastic job bringing this story to life. I can't wait to see what this book brings to the table and see more of Celaena's adventures.

What are your thoughts? What are you waiting for this week? Let us know in the comments!

Waiting on Wednesday 138: Crown of Ice

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Name: Crown of Ice

Author: Vicki L. Weavil

Publisher: Month9Books
Release Date: December 16th, 2014

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Thyra Winther's seventeen, the Snow Queen, and immortal, but if she can't reassemble a shattered enchanted mirror by her eighteenth birthday she's doomed to spend eternity as a wraith.

Armed with magic granted by a ruthless wizard, Thyra schemes to survive with her mind and body intact. Unencumbered by kindness, she kidnaps local boy Kai Thorsen, whose mathematical skills rival her own. Two logical minds, Thyra calculates, are better than one. With time rapidly melting away she needs all the help she can steal.

A cruel lie ensnares Kai in her plan, but three missing mirror shards and Kai's childhood friend, Gerda, present more formidable obstacles. Thyra's willing to do anything – venture into uncharted lands, outwit sorcerers, or battle enchanted beasts -- to reconstruct the mirror, yet her most dangerous adversary lies within her breast. Touched by the warmth of a wolf pup's devotion and the fire of a young man's desire, the thawing of Thyra's frozen heart could be her ultimate undoing.

CROWN OF ICE is a YA Fantasy that reinvents Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen" from the perspective of a young woman who discovers that the greatest threat to her survival may be her own humanity.

Goodreads

My Thoughts:

This book sounds super intriguing!! Not only is the cover gorgeous but the plot sounds really interesting! I can't wait to see this reimagination of "The Snow Queen" and how Hans Christian Anderson's original story fits into this one.

What are your thoughts? What are you waiting for this week? Let us know in the comments!

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern Review

Name: Say What You Will

Authors: Cammie McGovern

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: June 3rd, 2014

Format: E-book
Buy the book on Amazon
352 pages

Summary:
John Green's The Fault in Our Stars meets Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor & Park in this beautifully written, incredibly honest, and emotionally poignant novel. Cammie McGovern's insightful young adult debut is a heartfelt and heartbreaking story about how we can all feel lost until we find someone who loves us because of our faults, not in spite of them.

Born with cerebral palsy, Amy can't walk without a walker, talk without a voice box, or even fully control her facial expressions. Plagued by obsessive-compulsive disorder, Matthew is consumed with repeated thoughts, neurotic rituals, and crippling fear. Both in desperate need of someone to help them reach out to the world, Amy and Matthew are more alike than either ever realized.

When Amy decides to hire student aides to help her in her senior year at Coral Hills High School, these two teens are thrust into each other's lives. As they begin to spend time with each other, what started as a blossoming friendship eventually grows into something neither expected.

Goodreads

My Review:

I had high hopes for this book when I started it, which may have been part of the problem. Don't get me wrong, I liked Say What You Will. I thought it was a great read, and I would recommend it to anyone interested. However, I was still slightly disappointed, if only from all the hype it had previously received. I thought I would love this book. I thought it would be my new favorite book. I thought I would walk around telling everyone about this amazing book I just read, and how they should all read it too. But, that wasn't the case.

It was an interesting book to read. It was about a relationship, really: a troubled relationship, one that had issues on both side. The surprising part was that, at times, the seemingly normal boy with OCD was more difficult than the somewhat well-adjusted girl with cerebral palsy. As the book progressed, it seemed that there were issues at every corner: they misinterpreted each other, they didn't believe each other, they didn't believe themselves. It was a nice attempt at conveying the miscommunication that all teenagers struggle with, but after a while, it just grew old. The high school seniors graduated. They grew older, but their attitudes didn't change. Big things happened to them (bigger than I was expecting for a young adult book), but they still didn't change. After a while, the bickering grew old and the drama simply unnecessary.

Besides that, however, I really did enjoy this book. I thought it covered a broad array of issues, and I was impressed by the author's ability to make the reader forget that the two main characters each suffered debilitating illnesses. Amy, the young woman with cerebral palsy, could only speak with the help of a voice box and dribbled food all over her lap when she ate, but the way Matt loved her, it was almost as if her weaknesses never existed. While the reader did not get to see too much of how others in the school felt about her (besides a sort of indifference that came with her familiarity among the students), it was just wonderful to read how these two troubled teens were able to ignore each other's faults so easily.

While this book did not hit the mark like I hoped it would, I still thought that it was a great read. McGovern did a fantastic job of showing the lives of two kids who were anything but normal, yet she still made the readers love them, faults and all. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who thinks they would find it interesting, yet I would warn them against taking the reviews of other readers too seriously. In the end, reading a book for yourself is the only way to test whether or not it really is the best you've ever read.

My Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday 137: Mortal Gods

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Name: Mortal Gods (Goddess War #2)

Author: Kendare Blake

Publisher: Orchard Books
Release Date: September 1st, 2014

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Ares, God of War, is leading the other dying gods into battle. Which is just fine with Athena. She's ready to wage a war of her own, and she's never liked him anyway. If Athena is lucky, the winning gods will have their immortality restored. If not, at least she'll have killed the bloody lot of them, and she and Hermes can die in peace.

Cassandra Weaver is a weapon of fate. The girl who kills gods. But all she wants is for the god she loved and lost to return to life. If she can't have that, then the other gods will burn, starting with his murderer, Aphrodite.

The alliance between Cassandra and Athena is fragile. Cassandra suspects Athena lacks the will to truly kill her own family. And Athena fears that Cassandra's hate will get them ALL killed.

The war takes them across the globe, searching for lost gods, old enemies, and Achilles, the greatest warrior the world has ever seen. As the struggle escalates, Athena and Cassandra must find a way to work together. Because if they can't, fates far worse than death await. 

Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed the first book in the series so I can't wait for the second one!! I am definitely intrigued in how Ms. Blake is going to continue the series after the epic cliffhanger at the end of the first book, so I am really looking forward to reading this in September. 

What are your thoughts? What are you waiting for this week? Let us know in the comments!