Top Ten Tuesday (9)

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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!

This weeks Top Ten topic is:

Top Ten Books On My Summer TBR List

The list is going to be in no particular order, and the books I’m putting in this list are books which are published or going to be published between Friday 1st June 2012 and Friday 31st August 2012.

Unbound Series #21. Shadow Bound (Unbound Series #2) by Rachel Vincent [Published: 1st June 2012]

I am really looking forward to getting my hands on this. I’ve heard some good things . . .

Bloodlines #22. The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead [Published: 19th June 2012] (YA)

I adored the first book in this series and I have been really looking forward to getting my hands on this. I’m hoping it lives up to expectations, as I haven’t really heard much about it (mostly by choice).

3. Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan [Published: 3rd July 2012] (YA)

I’ve heard some mixed things about this book, but I’m hopeful it will be a good read.

Soul Screamers #64. Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6) by Rachel Vincent [Published: 6th July 2012] (YA)

I’m really enjoying this series – I’m only up to book 3 – and I can’t wait until I catch up so I can read this in July. It sounds really interesting.

Women of the Otherworld #135. Thirteen (Women of the Otherworld #13) by Kelley Armstrong [Published: 24th July 2012]

I am so sad that this is going to be the last book in the series 😦 I can totally understand why Armstrong is ending it here, but I really adore the characters in  Women of the Otherworld. Still, there are the YA book . . .

6. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas [Published: 24th July 2012] (YA)

I think this sounds like it could be a really interesting book, and I’ve heard some good reviews. Can’t wait to find out for myself though.

Chicagoland Vampire Novel #67. Biting Cold (A Chicagoland Vampire Novel #6) by Chloe Neill [Published: 9th August 2012]

This is one of my favourite vampire series at the moment, and I cannot wait to see how this book turns out 🙂

8. The Cavendish Home For Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand [Published: 28th August 2012] (YA)

Don’t you just love the cover?! Or maybe that’s just me . . .

Starling #19. Starling (Starling #1) by Lesley Livingston [Published: 28th August 2012] (YA)

This I think sounds interesting. I can’t wait to see how Livingston handles the Norse Gods – it should be really interesting, me thinks.

The Lynburn Legacy #110. Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan [Published: 30th August 2012] (YA)

I am a HUGE fan of Sarah Rees Brennan’s The Demon’s Lexicon, so I am really looking forward to getting my hands on this series. The blurb sounds really interesting and the cover looks amazing. Hopefully it will be good.

So, those are my top ten summer to be read books – what are yours?

Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

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Vampire Academy #1

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Title: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1)
Author: Richelle Mead
Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Penguin (26th May 2009)
Blurb:

Lissa Dragomir is a mortal vampire.

She must be protected at all times from the fiercest and most dangerous vampires of all – the ones who will never die.

Rose Hathaway is Lissa’s best friend – and her bodyguard.

Now, after two years of illicit freedom, they’ve been dragged back inside the iron gates of St. Vladimir’s Academy. The girl’s must survive a world of forbidden romances, a ruthless social scene and terrifying night-time rituals.

But above all, they must never let their guard down, lest the immortal vampires take Lissa – forever . . .


Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

Vampire Academy is the first book in Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series. Although this series has been out for around five years, this is the first time I’ve read it. I read its spin-off Bloodlines first (read my review here) so I had a bit of an idea what I was getting into when I started this book.

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Women of the Otherworld Challenge: Stolen Review

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Each month beginning March 1st, 2012, challenge members will read or re-read the title for that month. In addition, challenge members will either post a review, their reading experience, character castings or anything else related to that title. You have freedom to have fun with your monthly post so be creative! Seeing as this series is 13 novels long, this challenge will last 13 months.

As this challenge started in March and it is already the start of June, you can tell that I am a little behind…

Women of the Otherworld #2

Stolen by Kelley Armstrong, UK edition.

Stolen (Women of the Otherworld #2)
by Kelley Armstrong

Published by Orbit 22nd April 2004.

Elena Michaels is a wanted woman. She hasn’t done anything wrong. Well, not recently, anyway. But ten years ago her lover turned her into a werewolf: the only female werewolf in the world, in fact.

And now, just as she’s finally coming to terms with it all, a group of scientists learns of her existence. They’re hunting her down, and Elena is about to run straight into their trap. But they haven’t reckoned with Elena’s adoptive family, her Pack, who will stop at nothing to get her back. They haven’t reckoned with Elena herself, either, and that’s a very big mistake . . .

As with Bitten, this isn’t going to be a “normal” review. I adore this series and these characters. I haven’t read it quite as much as I have Bitten, but I do go back occasionally and re-read it.

Stolen is the second book in the Women of the Otherworld series, and honesly it doesn’t have quite the same spark for me as Bitten does. In Stolen we get to meet Elena and Clay again. Life has moved on from the end of Bitten and both Clay AND Elena are trying to make their relationship work. They still have the brilliant chemistry of Bitten, but they both seem more comfortable about it – especially Elena, though there are a few wobbles. Jeremy also turns up in this book – well someone has to keep an eye on them 😉 – but the rest of the Pack are elsewhere, so we get to meet a few new characters which set up later books in the series. We get to meet Ruth and Paige Winterbourne, who are in many ways the fulcrum of this book. This book also has the first appearances of Adam, Cassandra, Aaron, and Savannah. Elena remains the narrator of this book, and I like the way she has matured since Bitten.

‘You smell so good.’

He chuckled. ‘Like ham?’

‘No, like you. I missed you so much.’

– Kelley Armstrong, Stolen (Orbit, 2004), p. 425.

The plot of Stolen is very different from Bitten. In this book we get a greater hint of the greater world and politics of the Women of the Otherworld series. Before there were just werewolves, now there are witches, sorcerers, vampires, and half-demons. What I liked in this book is that not all the danger came from the supernatural in this book. Part of the plot is, I think, an interesting and insightful look at human nature.

If you’re a fan of Urban Fantasy then I highly recommend this series. It really is an interesting world. Don’t worry if you’re not a fan of werewolves, because they’re not alone in this world.

Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

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The Iron Fey #2

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Daughter (The Iron Fey #2)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  Mira Ink ( 15th April 2011)
Blurb:

I’ve been in the palace of the Winter fey for a while now. How long exactly? I don’t know. If I ever get out of here, I might find a hundred years have passed and all my family and friends are long dead.

I try not to think about that, but sometimes I can’t help but wonder.

My name is Meghan Chase

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fitted anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey – ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan’s own fey powers have been cut off. She’s stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting the prince who betrayed her, deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can’t help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.


Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

The Iron Daughter is the second book in Julie Kagawa’s The Iron Fey series. It continues an indefinite amount of time after the events of The Iron King.

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Waiting on Wednesday (13)

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Just a quick note to let everyone know I am now out of hospital and am back home taking things slowly. Glad to see that the scheduled posts worked – I knew there was a reason to get ahead with reviews. If you’re awaiting an email reply from me don’t worry – I will get to you soon. Sorry that there hasn’t been a whole lot of content on here other than reviews, but hopefully things will go back to normal . . .

 

Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating. As always, the summary provided is from Goodreads.com This week I am “Waiting On” two books which I think sound like they’ve got potential.

The Elemental SeriesStorm (Elemental #1)
by Brigid Kemmerer

Published: June 13th 2012.

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn’t want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming . . .

My Life Next Door
by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Published: June 14th 2012

A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another

“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase’s family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

I think both books sound really interesting and like they could be absolutely brilliant reads! And I have to admit that I love both of the covers too.

What are you “Waiting On” this week?

Review: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

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Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly, UK edition cover.

Title: Revolution
Author: Jennifer Donnelly
Genre:  Historical Novel, Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Bloomsbury( 3rd October 2011)
Blurb:

Andi is broken. She is failing school and failing life. Since the death of her brother, all she cares about is music. Taken to Paris by her estranged father, she makes a discovery that could transform everything. Hidden in the compartment of an old guitar case is a lost diary from Revolutionary France . . .

Alexandrine is a street performer who is trying to save a young life from the devastation of war. She writes her deepest thoughts in her diary, hoping that one day someone will read them and understand.

These two girls, though centuries apart, are tied together by more than just the diary. As its words transcend paper and time, Alexandrine’s past becomes Andi’s present and lives are changed for ever.


Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

Revolution is a stand-alone young adult novel half set in Brooklyn, New York and half set in Paris, France both in the present day and during the late 1700s whilst the French Revolution is reaching its peak.

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Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

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The Iron Fey #1

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron King (The Iron Fey #1)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  Mira Ink (21st January 2011)
Blurb:

My name is Meghan Chase.

In less than twenty-four hours I’ll be sixteen. Countless  stories and songs have been written about this wonderful age, when a girl finds true love and the stars shine for her . . .

I DON’T THINK IT WILL BE THAT WAY FOR ME.

MEGHAN CHASE HAS A SECRET DESTINY – ONE SHE NEVER COULD HAVE IMAGINED . . .

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fitted in at school . . . or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar and her little brother is taken, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

She could never have guessed the truth. Meghan is the daughter of a faery king and a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will have to choose between a normal life and her magical destiny – and between her best friend and a darkly dangerous prince.

It’s time for Meghan to enter the faery world . . .


Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

The Iron King is the first book in Julie Kagawa’s The Iron Fey series. Mum got me this book because of my interest in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as some of the characters in the play feature in the series.

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Review: Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

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Unbound #1

Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

Title: Blood Bound (Unbound #1)
Author: Rachel Vincent
Genre:  Urban Fantasy
Publisher:  Mira (1st September 2011)
Blurb:

Bound by blood, condemned by fate.

As a blood tracker, Liv is extremely powerful. And in a world where power is a commodity that can get you killed, Live’s learnt to survive by her own rules.

Rule number one? Trust no one.

When a friend’s daughter goes missing, Liv is bound by a potent magical oath. She can’t rest until the child is safe. And that means trusting her dangerous ex, Cam.

A sinister prophecy tells that she and Cam will be the death of each other, yet Liv’s tired of being a slave to destiny. She’s ready to play the forces controlling her world at their own game.

No matter what the cost.


Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Review:

Blood Bound is the first book in Rachel Vincent’s new adult series Unbound. As I enjoyed her The Shifters series, this was a must read for me.

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Review: Abandon by Meg Cabot

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Abandon by Meg Cabot, UK edition cover.

Title: Abandon (Abandon Trilogy #1)
Author: Meg Cabot
Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Macmillan (1st September 2011)
Blurb:

Pierce knows what it’s like to die.

Last year she flatlined following an accident.

During that time Pierce saw a dark world and met a mysterious, irresistible boy.

Now that boy, John Hayden, has turned up at school. Every time she sees him Pierce finds herself in terrible danger. Yet she’s still drawn to him.

John wants to take her back to the place she fears the most: the Underworld.

The question is, why?


Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Review:

Abandon is the first book in Meg Cabot’s latest trilogy. I am a huge fan of Meg Cabot’s for a variety of reasons. I really enjoyed reading The Princess Diaries, All American Girl duology, and I particularly enjoyed her The Heather Wells Mysteries series – I thought the titles were brilliant. So I went into this book will a LOT of expectations, and it totally lived up to them.

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Top Ten Tuesday (8)

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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!

This weeks Top Ten topic is:

Top Ten FIVE Books Written In The Past 10 Years That I Hope People Are Still Reading In 30 Years

Women of the Otherworld #1

Women of the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong

Okay. . .  so this is a bit of a cheat, but I really love this series. Seriously, I do – you just need to look at my challenge entries to tell that. This has so many wonderful characters, and I love the world that honestly I would be a little heart-broken if people forgot it.

The Curse Workers #1

The Curse Workers trilogy by Holly Black

This too is a bit of cheat, but if you read one book of this trilogy you’ll find yourself reading them all. I’m hoping that this will still be around in 30 years because Holly Black has created such a wonderful world. The characters are brilliant. And the humour in the narrative just makes me smile.

The Demon's Lexicon #1The Demon’s Lexicon trilogy by Sarah Rees Brennan

Anyone starting to sense a theme?

But seriously, this is an awesome trilogy. It made me LOL – seriously! If you’ve not tried this trilogy then you should. Each book is narrated from a different POV, but that’s part of what makes it so awesome. Also I think everyone should meet Nick, well not meet him meet him but you know get to know him through the pages – I think meeting him in real life might be a little scary.

Abandon #1Abandon trilogy by Meg Cabot

I’m going to make a confession here – I’ve only read the first book, but I’m sure the next two will be just as awesome if Meg Cabot’s other series are anything to go by. I REALLY enjoyed this book and its take on the Persephone myth. It would be really cool to see it in 30 years time and to read some of the critical thinking on it – okay so I’m an English Lit nerd 😛

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein and Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

I’ve linked these two together because they are both about war, in particular WWII. I’m a HUGE proponent of George Santayana’s two most famous sayings:

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
–  Reason in Common Sense (1905), volume 1 of The Life of Reason

[O]nly the dead have seen the end of war.
– Soliloquies in England and Later Soliloquies (1922), number 25

I would like these books – or at least other books about this subject – to exist in 30 years time. I think they need to exist in 30 years time because if we can destroy the world now what on Earth will we be able to do 30 years in the future?!

Apart from this, I think these books deserve to be remembered in 30 years time because they are heartbreakingly beautiful.

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I know this is supposed to be a Top Ten list, but I can only think of 5. I hope you enjoyed it, and I’d love to hear which books you think will still be around in 30 years.