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!

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?  

 

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!

 

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?  

 

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?

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!

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!