Waiting on Wednesday (20)

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Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating. The summary for the book is from Goodreads.com

This week I am “Waiting On”…

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

Published: 2nd August 2012

Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.

Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?

Pushing the Limits
by Katie McGarry

Published: 3rd August 2012

“I won’t tell anyone, Echo. I promise.” Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. “You didn’t do that-did you? It was done to you?” No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.

So wrong for each other…and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with “freaky” scars on her arms. Even Echo can’t remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo’s world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she’ll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

I am looking forward to getting my hands on both these books as I have heard REALLY good things about both of them on the whole.

So those are the books that I am “waiting on” this week. What book(s) are you waiting on this week ? Leave a comment and let me know.

July Book Clearance Giveaway WINNERS!

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First THANK YOU to everyone who entered the giveaway!

Congratulations to Carmen who won Pack 1

Pack 1

and to

Liv Wakefield who won Pack 2.

Pack 2

Could you both please email me at theflutterbyroom [at] gmail [dot] com with your name and address so I can send the prizes out to you ASAP. I appologise for not emailing you, but I forgot to ask for email addresses in the form – d’oh! I will also try and contact you via Twitter for this info.

Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

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The Iron Fey #4

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron King (The Iron Fey #4)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  MiraInk (6th January 2012)
Blurb:

My name – my True Name – is Ashallayn’darkmyr Tallyn.

I am the last remaining Winter Prince, son of the Queen of the Unseelie Court.

And I am dead to her.

MY FALL BEGAN AS MANY STORIES DO, WITH A GIRL . . .

Love is a weakness for mortals and fools. And Ash, heir to the winter court, is no mere mortal. But when he swore to be Meghan Chase’s knight, his oath bound him to her irrevocably. Now the girl ash loves is ruler of a realm where no Winter Prince can ever survive. To be with her he must have a soul and a mortal body, yet the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible.

There is one thing stronger than his will to live: his vow to Meghan. As Ash battles he larns truths that challenge his darkest beliefs and who him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Review:

The Iron Knight is a continuation of The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, this time with Ash as the protagonist instead of Meghan. In this book we see Ash’s quest to be with the woman he loves. Of course, Puck and Grimalkin deside to help him out – as well as some new characters.

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Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

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Bloodlines #2

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Title: The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)
Author: Richelle Mead
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher: Razorbill (12th June 2012)
Blurb:

WILL LOVE LOSE HER EVERYTHING SHE KNOWS?

SYDNEY IS AN ALCHEMIST.
SHE PROTECTS VAMPIRE SECRETS –
AND HUMAN LIVES.

In hiding at a Californian boarding school, Sydney’s life has become irrevocably intertwined with Jill Dragomir, the vampire Moroi princess she has been tasked with protecting. She has grown close to those in Jill’s circle – and to someone in particular. Someone that forces her to question everything the alchemists believe in. Someone forbidden.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world – her new world – apart, Sydeny’s loyalties are tested more than ever. Should she trust the alchemists – or her heart?

Forbidden temptation lies behind the iron gates . . .

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Review:

The Golden Lily is the second book in Richelle Mead’s brilliant Bloodlines series (you can find my review here), a spin-off from her amazing Vampire Academy. The Golden Lily follows and is narrated by Sydney Sage, an Alchemist in charge of keeping Jill Dragomir safe and hidden.

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Review: Deadly Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

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Hemlock #1

Deadly Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock, UK edition cover.

Title: Deadly Hemlock (Hemlock #1)
Author: Kathleen Peacock
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  SimonPulse (5th July 2012)
Blurb:

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends.
Until Amy was brutally murdered.
But Amy wasn’t killed by a human . . .
she was killed by a werewolf.

Lupine Syndrome – the werewolf virus – is spreading and werewolf attacks are increasing as those infected struggle to control their bloodlust. Amy’s death has turned Mac’s life upside down: her dreams are haunted by Amy, and the Trackers, an extremist group determined to stop those with Lupine Syndrome, have come to her hometown of Hemlock to promote their cause by hunting down Amy’s killer.

Unwilling to work with the brutal Trackers, but desperate to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate the murder herself. But the deeper she delves into the mystery of Amy’s death, the more secrets she discovers lurking in the shadows of Hemlock. Secrets that should have been left untold. Secrets that will chance her life forever.

Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Source: Won on competition on authors website/Facebook with signed book-plate and bookmark.

Review:

Deadly Hemlock is Kathleen Peacock’s debut novel and the first book in her Hemlock Trilogy. It was published as Hemlock in the US. In it we are introduced to Mackenzie, whose best friend Amy was brutally murdered by a werewolf. Amy’s death has shattered Mac, and as the book takes off six weeks after the event she is still picking up the pieces.

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Review: My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

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Soul Screamers 2

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent, UK edition cover.

Title: My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers #2)
Author: Rachel Vincent
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  MiraInk (18th February 2011)
Blurb:

When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies.

So when teen pop sensation Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn’t wail, she knows something is dead wrong. Kaylee can’t cry for someone who has no soul.

Soon Kaylee finds that Eden’s not the only starry-eyed girl who traded her life for a flickering moment of fame – a deal that has dark consequences no mortal could understand.

Banshee Kaylee swears to help those lost souls. But school football star Nash – Kaylee’s newly acquired, not to mention super-hot, boyfriend – refuses to let her in harm’s way. Still Kaylee knows it’s her duty to save the innocent from the Netherworld – even if it means putting her own soul – and love life – at risk . . .

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Review:

My Soul to Save is the second book in the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent. The book starts several weeks after the events of My Soul to Take.

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Waiting on Wednesday (19)

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Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating. The summary for the first book is from Goodreads.com, whilst the summary for the second book is taken from the author’s website. I don’t have any new books that will be published in the coming week that I’m waiting one, so I’m going to do a rewind and do three books which have already been published, which I don’t own, but am looking forward to getting my hands on ASAP.

This week I am “Waiting On”…

Anna and the French Kiss
by Stephanie Perkins

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris – until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he’s taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near – misses end with the French kiss Anna – and readers – have long awaited?

The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom
by Christopher Healy

Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You’ve never heard of them, have you? These are the princes who saved Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel, respectively, and yet, thanks to those lousy bards who wrote the tales, you likely know them only as Prince Charming. But all of this is about to change. Rejected by their princesses and cast out of their castles, Liam, Frederic, Duncan, and Gustav stumble upon an evil plot that could endanger each of their kingdoms. Now it’s up to them to triumph over their various shortcomings, take on trolls, bandits, dragons, witches, and other assorted terrors, and become the heroes no one ever thought they could be.

Team Human
by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan

Just because Mel lives in New Whitby, a city founded by vampires, doesn’t mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. They stay in their part of town; she says in hers. Until the day a vampire shows up at her high school. Worse yet, her best friend, Cathy, seems to be falling in love with him. It’s up to Mel to save Cathy from a mistake she might regret for all eternity

On top of trying to help Cathy (whether she wants it or not), Mel is investigating a mysterious disappearance for another friend and discovering the attractions of a certain vampire wannabe. Combine all this with a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and touching.

I’m on a book buying ban at the moment, but hopefully these three books will be in the next lot of books I’m going to buy. What book(s) are you waiting on this week ? Leave a comment and let me know.

**

Don’t forget I’m holding a July Book Clearance for the UK and Ireland only (sorry everyone else). For a chance to win and details on how to enter just click the image below.

Top Ten Tuesday (13)

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish. They’d love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

I’m not including blurbs this week, so all images link to the Goodreads page. I have also marked all YA and MG fiction mentioned in this list, anything not marked with [YA] or [MG] should be considered aimed at “adults”.

This weeks Top Ten topic is:

Top Ten Most Vivid Worlds/Settings In Books

As always, the books are listed in no particular order.

Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

There is a LOT of description in this series. A serious amount. And whilst at times I just want to get straight to the action, or to my favourite character, the amount of thought Tolkien has put into the world and the characters is amazing. Seriously. It makes the world seem very real, like it has a history.

The Song of the Lioness QuartetTortall in Song of the Lioness Quartet, The Immortals Quartet, The Protector of the Small quartet, the Daughter of the Lioness duology and The Beka Cooper Trilogy all by Tamora Pierce [MG/YA]

Yeah, Tamora Pierce has made it onto my list again. Sorry, it’s getting to be a bit of a habit isn’t it? 😉 But seriously, I feel like I know Tortall. It has featured in so many different series, that I honestly feel like it has rich history and present. It feels like a very vivid place to me. I’ve always kinda hoped it’s real, and not just cause girls get to be knights – or whatever else they want – and there’s magic – some that even lets you talk to animals! It just seems like a place I want to explore, guess that’s part of why I love the books.

The Curse Workers #1The Curse Workers by Holly Black [YA]

As soon as I started reading this the world that Cassel lives in became VERY real to me. I could totally imagine it. It is a really interesting alternative-reality. There is a very definite mob-feeling to the world, which I adored.

Hemlock 1Hemlock from Deadly Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock [YA]

I’m not going to say much because a) I’m still reading it, b) I don’t want to spoil it, and c) I think I’m probably going to cover it in my review BUT OMG Peacock definitely captures the setting and the reaction of people in this book.

The Redemption of Althalus by David and Leigh Eddings

Getting to see this world twice – yes, twice! – is an interesting experience. Whilst the world isn’t as fleshed out as some on here, there is something completely compelling about it – I think mainly because of the people who inhabit it.

The Blooding by Patricia Windsor [YA]

This is a very atmospheric and almost claustrophobic book. It is also one of the best werewolf books I have ever read. The world is haunting, and sad, and intense, and scary. It’s set in England, but so not an England I recognise really.

Hogwarts from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling [MG]

I wouldn’t want to draw a map of Hogwarts, BUT the castle and its classrooms and corridors still seem very real and present to me five years after the final book was published.

Abhorsen #1Sabriel by Garth Nix [YA]

This has one of the most interesting and best crafted worlds in it. It is just so fascinating. All the history and the magic. I kinda want to visit it, but it would be a very scary place. The world is haunting and vivid and spectacular.

Temeraire by Naomi Novik

This is one of the best fantasy alternative realities I’ve read. Seriously, the way Novik seamlessly blends in dragons to the Napoleonic wars is just amazing. What’s not to like – there are dragons! And the way the dragons are used is really interesting, at least I think so. And the cover art is GORGEOUS!

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne-Jones

This is probably influence by the fact that I saw the Studio Ghibli interpretation first, but wow – what a world! It is one of the most complicated and chaotic, but still very real ones that I have ever read. The world Wynne-Jones creates is more fantastical and somehow more real than that of the film. It’s also more complicated and heart-breaking. I really enjoy both versions for different reasons. There’s such a sense of wonder for me to this world.

. . .

So those were my top ten most vivid worlds/settings in books. Let me know what yours are, I would love to know.

***

Don’t forget I’m holding a July Book Clearance for the UK and Ireland only (sorry everyone else). For a chance to win and details on how to enter just click the image below.

Review: Dragon’s Oath by P.C. and Kristin Cast

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House of Night Novella #1

Dragon’s Oath by P.C. and Kristin Cast.

Title: Dragon’s Oath (House of Night Novella #1)
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Atom (12th July 2011)
Blurb:

Had I chosen differently those many years ago,

perhaps I could have kept all this from happening.

Strength tempered by mercy was a mistake.

Do you not remember, my love?

I do. I will never forget.

Dragon Lankford wasn’t always an instructor at the House of Night. Once he was a student: young, talented and in love. But the mistake that cost him everything might be the key to helping Zoey and the rest of the vampyres in their fight against the darkness . . .


Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

Dragon’s Oath is the first novella in the House of Night series, and the novella is set partly during the events of Awakening, and partly in the past when Dragon and his Anastasia first meet. I would not suggest reading this novella before you have read Awakened as you might be spoiled.

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Review: Awakened by P.C. and Kristin Cast

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House of Night #8

Awakened by P.C. and Kristin Cast, UK edition cover.

Title: Awakened (House of Night #8)
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Atom (25th October 2011)
Blurb:

‘Zoey lives.’

Neferet’s voice was flat, cold, lifeless.

‘She does. What will happen next?’

‘It is quite simple. I will ensure Zoey is drawn back to Oklahoma. There, on my own terms, I will complete the task you failed.‘

Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’a House of Night, Neferet has sworn vegence on Zoey. But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Sky and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there. Bring Queen could be cool, wouldn’t it?

And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim? The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship? Does he betray his father or his heart?


Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

Awakened is the eight book in the House of Night series by P.C. and Kristin Cast. Awakened follows on from the dramatic events of Burned.

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