Friday, August 30, 2013

Book Shelf: Mystic City (Mystic City #1) by Theo Lawrence

For fans of Matched, The Hunger Games, X-Men, and Blade Runner comes a tale of a magical city divided, a political rebellion ignited, and a love that was meant to last forever. Book One of the Mystic City Novels.

Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Mystic City is a smart, riveting debut by author Theo Lawrence that mixes dystopian with high society in this Romeo & Juliet style tale. It’s the X-Men meets Mad Men in this gripping story sure to capture from the opening page!

I’m quite disappointed. In myself. Why, oh, why did I wait so long to read this book?!? Theo Lawrence is a new author to me, but I doubt this will be the last time I read one of this tales as I found myself quite immersed in his riveting world.

I have to admit, I didn’t know what to expect when I began this book. Sadly, it’s sat on my shelf for a while, lost amongst the countless review books I have, so picking it up on a whim, I wasn’t sure what I’d be getting. What I found was a fun, intriguing read that hooked me with its action, intrigue and tantalizing romance. Lawrence blends elements of mystery and adventure perfectly with romance in this lovely paced fantasy.

Set in a world where politicians and the rich control the city of Manhattan; hiding behind their pretty faces and promises while living double lives, and the lower class live below ground and struggle to survive, finding it hard to find necisarities like food and shelter and blending into the dark, dirty Depths below Manhattan. Mystic City introduces us to mystics; individuals who have special abilities but who are seen as dangerous and are hunted and ostracized; “drained” to keep them powerless and follows Aria Rose, the daughter of one of the most prominent politicians there is.

Aria Rose was a really great character to follow throughout this book! Starting out very much a protected high class young woman, she is haunted by a past she can’t remember and is told she experienced. I liked Aria, I really did. Theo Lawrence wrote her well and I couldn’t help but find myself invested in her plight as she struggles to discover the truth, amidst the glitz, glamour and flair that comes with the parties, events and society she’s a part of.

Considering she really doesn’t remember what happened before her supposed “overdose”, as well as the young man she is supposed to love, I loved watching Aria search for the truth, becoming more daring and sufficient with the turn of every page. Lawrence writes the story in the way that you as the reader only know as much as Aria knows and I found it very enjoyable piecing together truth from lies as Mystic City unfolds.

Hunter proves to be a mystery to Aria, as well as a lifeline, and I really liked him. In fact, all the characters, the “good” as well as the bad were nice to read about as they wove together the plotline. Lawrence did a good job with the romance in Mystic City. It’s neither over bearing, nor does it fade into the background; rather it blends in with the action, mystery and high stakes of the story. Admittedly, I saw certain revelations coming, but was happy with the turn of events regardless.

Featuring plenty of shocks, twists and deception, Mystic City will hold your attention until the very last page. The stakes have never been higher for the rebel mystics of the city as well as those in power. As Aria, Hunter and those closest to them fight for freedom, love and power, the gripping ending sets the stage for book two. Mystic City will take you into a world where secrets rage and no one is as they seem, leaving you looking anticipating what Theo Lawrence will do next!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Random House Australia (Thank you Dorothy!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: Dystopian fans--you'll love this one!
Cover: Stunning. Simply stunning!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Absolutely

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday #45

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....
 
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
Releases on: January 28th 2014
Add on Goodreads!

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

Thoughts:
Ahhhhh. *picks tongue up off the floor* Eee! OMG did you read that description?!?! For fairytale retellings fans like myself this looks like pure heaven. Fantasy mixing with fairytale? Yes please! Honestly, this one sounds so fantastic and look that that awesome cover--so cool!

What do you think of Cruel Beauty?
Do you think it looks awesome too?


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Book Shelf: Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood #10) by J.R. Ward

Ever since the death of his shellan, Tohrment has been a heartbroken shadow of the vampire leader he once was. Brought back to the Brotherhood by a self-serving fallen angel, he fights again with ruthless vengeance, unprepared for a new tragedy. Seeing his beloved in dreams—trapped in a cold, isolated netherworld—Tohr turns to the angel Lassiter to save his former mate. The only way to rescue her is for Tohr to love another.

As war with the lessers rages, and a new clan of vampires vie for the Blind King’s throne, Tohr struggles between an unforgettable past and a hot, passion-filled future. But can his heart let go and set all of them free?

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward tells the tale of Tohr; a broken shell of a Brother, destroyed and altered by the loss of his mate, a man who finally gets his story told.

I have to be honest here; Lover Reborn wasn’t my favorite of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with it. I just struggled to really connect like I wished I could. For some reason I wasn’t as absorbed by Tohr’s tale as I expected to me.

Lover Reborn takes place over quite a long period of time; almost a year if I remember correctly. Understandably Tohrment has quite a journey in store for me. He’s still very much broken having lost his mate Wellsie some time ago. Tohr has to go through a number of different stages, from coming to accept his loss to finding room in his heart for another. This book displays everything it means to love again having loved before, especially on Tohr’s part.

I like Tohr, I do, but admittedly he is one of the less memorable Brothers for me. That being said, I did enjoy reading his story. After all the pain and recent loss he’s experienced, he deserved to find lasting happiness again. Those who know me will know I’ve been hoping Tohr would be paired with No’One since it became apparent that Tohr was going to get his own story and she was a new edition to the series, so suffice to say, I’m happy that she was his love interest in this book.

Overall I think these two are a great pairing. No’One (Autumn) has been through a tremendous life. The things she had done to her at the hands of the Sympath that impregnated her were horrendous and she does not know what it feels like to experience pleasure. Seeing her experience all this for the first time as she finds courage and herself was great to read about.

My only issue with this book was that Tohr irked me at times with his pathetic-ness. I understood his pain, I really did, but at times it seemed to much. His constant struggles over what his body wanted and his heart versus his guilt over betraying his dead mate was something that detracted too much from the connection and romance that developed between Tohr and his Autumn.

The continued involvement of the Band of Bastards proved to be really interesting and it was a shocker some of the things they did. And yet at the same time, I have high hopes for some of these characters and look forward to seeing what Ward does with this series next!

Rating:
Source: I bought
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: This series is a MUST READ for PNR fans!
Cover: Hmmmm. It's okay, I guess, but doesn't blow me away either....
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Yes! Without a doubt!

Monday, August 26, 2013

Monday Madness Giveaway-August 2013! *CLOSED*


Welcome to the August edition of Monday Madness! As the book I most loved during August, I'm thrilling to be offering a paperback copy of Stung by Bethany Wiggins to one lucky follower!

I LOVED this book! Stung is easily one of the best dystopian's I've ever read--add it to your TBR list folks, you won't regret it!

And while you're here don't forget to check out my 5-star review of Stung or add it on Goodreads!


In a world in crisis, children are the future. Part of the cure. Not now. Children are deadly. Marked one to ten. Fiona is a TEN. She just doesn't know it yet.....

She doesn't know her true strength. Fiona doesn't remember going to sleep. But she has woken to find her entire world has changed - her house is abandoned and broken, and her neighborhood is barren and dead. Even stranger is the tattoo on her right wrist that she doesn't remember getting but somehow knows she must cover at any cost. And she's right. When the honeybee population collapsed, a worldwide pandemic occurred and the government tried to bio-engineer a cure. But instead the vaccination turned people into ferocious, deadly beasts. They have been branded as a warning to unvaccinated survivors. Key people needed to rebuild society are protected inside a fortress-like wall. Fiona has awakened branded, alone and on the wrong side of the wall....


 

· You MUST be a follower to enter!
· Giveaway is INTERNATIONAL or wherever The Book Depository ships to.
· Giveaway will run from today (the 26th of August) until the 9th of September (2 weeks time!)
· Enter by filling out the form below.
· Extra entries are available but are in no way necessary by:
+1 Letting me know what you think of Stung and....
+1 For Tweeting, Facebooking or Sharing!
 
Fill Out Form To Enter!
 
 

Sunday, August 25, 2013

The Mortal Instruments Movie: What I Really Thought


 
Alright. So. I'm not big on movie reviews, in fact I've rarely done then, but with all the recent hype about The Mortal Instruments, I kinda feel like I gotta put my two cents in.
 
I'm gonna keep this short and fairly simple. I saw it on Friday and going into it I had certain expectations. Obviously I'm a fan of the books; that goes without saying, so I had high hopes for the movie and you know what.....I think they did a pretty good job!
 
It's fairly obvious that no matter what they did, the movie was never going to be the same as the book. It's just not possible. So with the that in mind, I think what they've managed to capture on film was pretty darn excellent.
 
I mean, come on! It's TMI come to life people....you gotta love it!
 
 
 
 
Seeing the world I've fallen in love with and the characters I adore was something special. Honestly, watching the movie, I wished I could hit rewind and start again when it was over--I didn't want it to end.
 


Lily Collins did pretty darn good as Clary! I have to say, now that I've seen the movie I can see her as Clary.
 
 
Going into the movie Jamie Campbell Bower wasn't my ideal Jace. In all honesty, he's probably still not, but boy, did he do a better job than I expected! I was very impressed with him at times and actually pleased with what he did. Could have used a bit more classic Jace sarcasm, but still.....not bad.
 
 
 

And FINALLY we have a couple with real chemistry! Forget the whole Bella and Edward/Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, Katnis and Peeta/Jennifer Laurence and Josh Hutcherson fiascos..... Lily and Jamie bring Clary and Jace to life with serious chemistry from the beginning. Looking forward to more from them!
 
 
With awesome action and perfectly paced, I'm itching to see this movie again. I understand everyone's gonna have different opinions on it and I respect that, but for me.....I LOVED IT and can't wait for City of Ashes!
 
My only issue? Not enough Magnus!
 
 
 
....And for fun....check out this fun interview with the leads.....


 
What did you guys think? Who's seen it?
And what did you think? I wanna know!
 
 

Book Shelf: Ink (Paper Gods #1) by Amanda Sun

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.

Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Ink is Amanda Sun’s debut novel and tells a unique tale of romance, mystery and Japanese folklore!

Honestly, I’m not completely sure how to wrap my mind around Ink by Amanda Sun. The premise of this story is straight away catching and Amanda Sun does a good job of telling this unique story. Featuring the fantastically vivid setting that is Japan, Ink had the potential to be a knock out book, but in my eyes kind of fell flat at times. Now, I’m not in any way saying that it was bad book, it certainly wasn’t, but for some unknown reason Ink failed to live up to my expectations and capture me like I hoped it would.

I have to give Sun props for thinking outside of the box with her mythology and setting for this book. Showcasing plenty of mystery and quirky Japanese tradition, Ink blends together impressive Japanese mythology with all the fun, colour and flair that is uniquely Japanese pop culture. Featuring a fish-out-of-water feel, and considering our heroine is an American teen living in Japan, Ink braves a turbulent and exciting culture.

I did like this book. I feel I have to say that. While I wasn’t “sucked in” in the same manner I was expecting, Ink was well told and did manage to hold my attention throughout the majority of the book. I found it to be a pleasant read; the characters likable enough and the story mysterious.

I liked the main character Katie, although I admittedly struggled to connect with her at times; feeling disconnected and unsure about some of her decisions and reactions. Again, she was nice enough to read and I admired her spirit, although I’ll be the first to say me and her had our moments.

I enjoyed the way Katie interacted with some of the characters in this book her different relationships with them, from her aunt Dianne to her friends Yuki and Tanaka to her love interest, the mysterious and often conflicting Tomohiro. Again I liked Tomohiro “Tomo”; he and Katie had an intriguing and usually enjoyable connection, but I found myself unendingly frustrated by his up and down actions. I understood the place for his confliction within the story but that didn’t make it any less annoying at times.

Overall, Ink was a striking beginning to this new series by Amanda Sun and considering how much I enjoyed the different setting and unique elements in the book, I may just be persuaded to pick up its sequel…..

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by HarlequinTEEN Australia (Thank you Polina!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: If you're looking for something a bit different, a bit quirky, then Ink may just be for you.
Cover: Alright. The cover is stunning. Plain and simple
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Possibly. Undecided at this point, but maybe at some point.....

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday #44

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....
 
The Shadow Prince (Into the Dark #1) by Bree Despain
Releases on: March 11th 2014
Add on Goodreads!

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

Thoughts:
This. Sounds. Awesome! I truly love the sound of this and while I haven't previously been the biggest fan of Bree Despain's books, I'm really looking forward to this one!

What do you think?
Will you be adding this to your TBR list?


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Book Shelf: Stung (Stung #1) by Bethany Wiggins

In a world in crisis, children are the future. Part of the cure. Not now. Children are deadly. Marked one to ten. Fiona is a TEN. She just doesn't know it yet . . . She doesn't know her true strength.

Fiona doesn't remember going to sleep. But she has woken to find her entire world has changed - her house is abandoned and broken, and her neighbourhood is barren and dead. Even stranger is the tattoo on her right wrist that she doesn't remember getting but somehow knows she must cover at any cost. And she's right. When the honeybee population collapsed, a worldwide pandemic occurred and the government tried to bio-engineer a cure. But instead the vaccination turned people into ferocious, deadly beasts. They have been branded as a warning to unvaccinated survivors. Key people needed to rebuild society are protected inside a fortress-like wall. Fiona has awakened branded, alone and on the wrong side of the wall.....


More info on Goodreads.....

Review:

Stung by Bethany Wiggins is an incredibly thrilling dystopian read that had my complete and utter attention from it's opening page and held me ensnared from beginning to end with it's fast paced plot, constant action and swoon-worthy romance!

I have to be honest.....I hadn't heard much about Stung before I received a copy for review. I've never read anything by Brethany Wiggins before now and as far as I was concerned, the cover was cool and the premise looked promising, but I wasn't really sure what to expect. Going into the Stung I had an open mind and an open heart, but not too many expectations. So in saying that, it's suffice to say that Stung blew my mind! Like blew my mind--I loved this book! Love, love, loved it. Adding it to my favourite dystopian reads as we speak!

From the opening chapter of Stung I was hooked. Stung is a quick, short read and was mysterious and riveting. Featuring Fiona, a teenage girl who wakes up in a run down version of her home to discover four years of her life missing and no recollection of how she got that way, Stung is perfectly paced. This is one of those novels where you only know as much as your main character knows, and you, as they, are thrown in the deep end as they navigate a world they really know nothing about.

Despite the mixed reviews I've recently seen for Stung, Stung was exactly what I didn't even know I was looking for when began the book. I'm a fan of fast paced, survival of the fittest, run for your lives kind of dystopians and in this Stung hits the nail on the head. The concept in this book is really striking. In a world where bees are going extinct and taking with them the ability to pollinate plants and flowers and thus fruit and vegetables and food in general, scientists genetically create new bees, only to find that these genetically altered bees spread a flu that puts the entire population at risk. Their solution is to create a vaccine against this flu, only the kids vaccinated begin to slowly go crazy and turn into zombie-like individuals; real "Beasts". Chaos ensues and the world as we know it ends. Excellent idea and completely unique--where Bethany Wiggins came up with that I'll never know!

I found it really easy to like Fiona in this novel. Fo features a childlike quality to her that's quite endearing and her ability to do whatever she has to to survive; shave her head, cover herself in dirt or wade through knee deep feces and sewerage, is admirable. Being in Fiona's head you know only what she does and as she experiences flashbacks and bits of her memory you can begin to understand what happened in the past a bit more.

Forgive me. I may squeal like a schoolgirl when I think of Bowen. And Fo together with Bowen. Some may say their relationship came on fast, but to me it was a delicious undertone to all the action and the running-for-your life aura that radiates from Stung. When Fo first meets Bowen he's not exactly her white knight. I actually liked this aspect of the story. This society is harsh and dangerous, whether it's the Beasts, the militia or the raiders proving to be a danger, and as the novel progresses it becomes quite clear that most people look after number one.

Bowen is a part of the militia; strong and capable and as cruel to Fiona as everyone else in the beginning, but there's an honorable part to him that shines through once he realizes who she is and the fact that she's not a monster. I thought these two were so very sweet. To me, Bowen was sexy as hell, and he and Fo had a great connection. I lived for the romantic moments between these two in the midst of all the fear and desperation and fast pace of the plot and loved watching them interact.

Honestly, I don't think my review really does this book justice--it's just something you need to read. Quick, addictive and riveting, Stung is a page turner! Bethany Wiggins leaves the story at the perfect point and I for one am eagerly awaiting the release of it's sequel!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Bloomsbury Australia (Thank you guys!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: Dystopian lovers will enjoy this one. Add it to your TBR peeps!
Cover: I think it's simple, but fitting--I like it.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: YES!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Owl Post #17


Inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, Owl Post allows us bloggers to showcase the books we've bought, won or received throughout the week and is hosted by Brodie over at Eleusinian Mysteries. We all know that the Owl Post is the fastest way to send and receive mail and they certainly make me happy every time they drop a book off.
 
Welcome to another Owl Post! Let's look what I received this week......



For Review:
 
From Pan Macmillan Australia.....
 
- Briar Rose by Jana Oliver
I LOVE Jana Oliver's Demon Trappers series and I'm so very excited to read her latest YA release. This book looks fabulous!
 
.....Thank you guys!
 
I Bought:
 
- The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges
I enjoy stories about Russia and Russian folklore--hope I can get to this one day in the future, lol.
 
 
And that's me this week!
What did you receive?
 
 

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Book Shelf: Just for Now (Sea Breeze #4) by Abbi Glines

The day Preston Drake figured out that wealthy women paid well for a set of tight abs and a pretty face his life turned around.

The run down rat-infested trailer he had shared with his alcoholic mother and three younger siblings was now only a place he visited to pay the bills and stock the pantry with food.

He no longer worried about his family starving or living without electricity. The money he made entertaining rich older women more than covered his family’s needs and his own. He had it all figured out. Except…

There was this girl.

She was as innocent as he was tainted.

Amanda Hardy wished her knees didn’t get weak when Preston walked into a room. She hated the fact her heart raced when he flashed his smile in her direction. He had a different girl in his bed every night. He was the kind of boy a smart girl ran from. So, why was she coming up with ways to get close to him? Even when it was obvious he wanted to keep her at a distance.

Maybe her heart knew something the world didn’t. Maybe Preston Drake was more than just a pretty face.

More info on Goodreads....


Review:

Just For Now marks the 4th book in Abbi Glines's wildly successful Sea Breeze series and follows in the tradition of the previous with all the romance, attraction and love you can handle!

Ugh. Why does Abbi Glines do this to me? I mean, really? How can she write a book that I love so completely and yet still want to throw at a wall? I don't want to give too much away but Just For Now certainly took me on one hell of NA ride. Honestly, I'm at a mixed mind when it comes to this story. On one hand I loved it and on the other.....not some much.

As with the previous three books in this series, Just For Now features two fantastic characters and a really addictive storyline. The attraction and chemistry between Amanda and Preston is off the charts, but I really, really struggled with Preston's deception in this novel. I understood why he did what he did and why he had to....I even agreed with him at times, but to me the why's didn't matter....what he did was still cheating, even if he wasn't in it emotion, the physicality of it made it cheating.

And yet saying that, I actually appreciated this story. I didn't like what Preston did, for so many reasons and in so many ways, but Abbi Glines managed to write Preston's confliction and despair so well that I felt for this lost boy. This poor soul who was backed into a corner and saw no other way out; who did what he did for his family and the little ones who depended on him simply because he had no other choice

With Preston's life so difficult and messed up, the complication of Amanda Hardly, his best friends little sister and the girl who makes him want things he doesn't think he should is a perfect recipe for excitement. Amanda really is a sweet girl. In a way she's sheltered and spoiled, but she's also so very kind and likeable. My only issue with her was that I felt like she forgave too easily at times. If it wasn't Preston and I didn't know the man he was inside, seeing her let a man walk all over her and treat her how me does at times, would have been too much for me. Amanda deserved only goodness and love and I'm glad she ended up getting it.

Preston and Amanda's relationship is all kinds of forbidden. She's his best friends sister and he's the notorious playboy, but they have such a great chemistry from the beginning. They're attracted to each other so intensely and it's interesting seeing Preston fight it in the beginning only to give up in the end.

The family dynamic Preston has with his younger sibling is a delightful extra in this story. Abbi Glines really rattles things in this book, facing some tough issues and not shying away from the harsher things in life.

 Just For Now was very sweet at times, sizzling at others and heart wrenching the next.....there's a wedding, a death and a new beginning. I cannot wait to see what Abbi Glines has in store for this series next!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Simon & Schuster Australia (Thank you Anabel!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: NA fans don't want to miss this series.
Cover: Fits in perfectly with the series
Will I read sequel/continue with series: YES!

 

Thursday, August 15, 2013

VAMPIRE ACADEMY: BLOOD SISTERS-FIRST TRAILER

It's here! Finally. After all these months of waiting the first "teaser" trailer for Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters has been released!

Now, I may not be the biggest sharer but I had to share this with you guys. Four words....Dimitri. In. The. Flesh. Eeeeee!!

Enjoy!



What do you think?!?! I want to know!
Are you excited?
 
 

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday #43

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....
 
Inhuman (Fetch #1) by Kat Falls
Releases on: September 24th 2013
Add on Goodreads!

In a world ravaged by mutation, a teenage girl must travel into the forbidden Savage Zone to recover lost artifacts or her father’s life is forfeit.

America has been ravaged by a war that has left the eastern half of the country riddled with mutation. Many of the people there exhibit varying degrees of animal traits. Even the plantlife has gone feral.

Crossing from west to east is supposed to be forbidden, but sometimes it’s necessary. Some enter the Savage Zone to provide humanitarian relief. Sixteen-year-old Lane’s father goes there to retrieve lost artifacts—he is a Fetch. It’s a dangerous life, but rewarding—until he’s caught.

Desperate to save her father, Lane agrees to complete his latest job. That means leaving behind her life of comfort and risking life and limb—and her very DNA—in the Savage Zone. But she’s not alone. In order to complete her objective, Lane strikes a deal with handsome, roguish Rafe. In exchange for his help as a guide, Lane is supposed to sneak him back west. But though Rafe doesn’t exhibit any signs of “manimal” mutation, he’s hardly civilized . . . and he may not be trustworthy.

Thoughts:
Inhuman sounds fantastic! Reminds me of Under The Never Sky, one of my favorite ever Dystopian novels! Fingers crossed it lives up to it's premise.

What do you think of Inhuman?
Will you be adding it to your TBR list?


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Book Shelf: Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout

He’s arrogant, domineering, and... To. Die. For.

Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something... unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable—breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life… or is it Hunter?

More info on Goodreads....


Review:

Hot on the heels of her undeniably successful Lux series, author Jennifer L. Armentrout gives readers an explosive glimpse into the "other side" of her world as she explores the Arum in a never before seen or expected way with her stand alone novel Obsession!

Okay, first off, I'm a massive Lux fan. Adore it, I really do. So in saying that, I've had certain set beliefs about the two sides that are at war with each other within the Lux series; the Luxen and the Arum. Featuring Luxen characters, the Lux books have detailed the Aurm as the evil ones of the two. Obsession explores this the other way round, and boy....did it open my eyes!

I think it was very clever of Armentrout to write this book. Seeing as the characters I love are Luxen, I've never stopped to think of the possibility of an even remotely good Arum. For me the Luxen were good, the Arum bad. In Obsession our male lead is actually an Arum and because of this we're allowed a never before seen view of this race of aliens.

Hunter is an Arum. Simple as that. He features true characteristics you'd expect of an Arum. He's dark and fierce and feeds on Luxen. He fights and he kills and makes no excuses for what he is and what he does. Hunter is a bad boy and while he's far from "good" he's in no way a bad person. At least not as far I'm concerned.

Jennifer L. Armentrout blurs the lines between her two alien races in Obsession and shows that individuals can be more than their natures dictate. Written in dual POV, Obsession follows Serena Cross, a human woman who witnesses her best friend's death at the hands of a Luxen and then her decent into the Arum world with Hunter. I really liked Serena. She was a normal woman and someone easy to read about.

Both her and Hunter had a great chemistry from the very beginning and with this book more Adult than any of the Lux books, Armentrout writes the relationship between them strong and fierce with the chemistry hot and the sex scenes hotter.

Action and romance run rampant in this book and with the banter that trades back and forth between Serena and Hunter pitch perfect, Obsession proves to be a great addition to the Lux world!

Rating:
Source: I bought.
Format: Kindle ecopy.
Buy it:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble
My Recommendation: Fans of the Lux series don't want to miss that!
Cover: Pretty smoking!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: This is a stand alone, but I'm a fan of the Lux series, so I'll read more of that for sure!

Monday, August 12, 2013

Owl Post #16


Inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, Owl Post allows us bloggers to showcase the books we've bought, won or received throughout the week and is hosted by Brodie over at Eleusinian Mysteries. We all know that the Owl Post is the fastest way to send and receive mail and they certainly make me happy every time they drop a book off.
 
It's Owl Post time! Hope you all had a great week/couple of weeks in books! Let's look at what I got :)

For Review:

From Bloomsbury Australia.....
 
- All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
This one sounds pretty good--looking forward to reading it
 
- Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
Eeee! I loved the first book in this series. Can't wait to read book two!
 
 - The Fall by Claire Merle
I haven't read the first book in this series, nor do I have a copy, so I don't know when I'll get around to reading this. Anyone read the first book, The Glimpse
 
......Thank you Sonia!
 
 
From Hot Key Books.....
 
- The Elites by Natasha Ngan
This book sounds fantastic and I've heard great things about it. Excited.
 
- The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo
This book sounds so very different. The concept is something that intrigues me to no end--hope it's as good as it looks!
 
- The Rig by Joe Ducie
I have high hopes for this book. It makes me think of The Hunt by Andrew Fuduka with a mix of Prison Break!
 
....Thank you Sandra, you're a goddess!
 
 
From Allen & Unwin.....
 
- Every Breath by Ellie Marney
I'll be participating in the Aussie Blog Tour for this so I'm hoping to dive into it soon. Awesome heroine name aside, this sounds alright. We need more books set in Oz.
 
.....Thank you so much Lara!!!
 
 
From Pan Macmillian......
- The Vale Girl by Nelika McDonald
This book sounds incredibly deep and heart breaking. The kind of book that would really make you sit and think. Honestly, it's not my normal kind of read, but maybe one day.....
 
.....Thank you guys!
 
 
 
I Bought:
 
 
- Lover At Last by J.R. Ward
Finally. Just.....finally. That's all I have to say
 
- The Darkest Craving by Gena Showalter
I LOOOOOVE this series. One of the best PNR series out there. Already read this and while it wasn't as good as some of the previous books, Showalter can do no real wrong for me!
- A Touch of Midnight by Lara Adrian
 Another PNR series I love, this is a prequel to the series. I just had to have it.
 
- Replica by Jenna Black
 This book sounds so fantastic! I've only read one book by Jenna Black, but this book looked right up my alley so I wanted to get a copy of this!
 
 
So. That's me.
What did the Owls drop off for you this week? I'd love to hear!