Stacking the Shelves #6

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews, inspired by In My Mailbox. It is a way for blogger to share the books we got during the week.

For Review:

A Midsummer Night's Scream by R.L. Stine

The Collector by Victoria Scott

Thank you to Entangled Teen, Raincoast Books and MacMillan

Bought:

With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent

Everneath by Brody Ashton

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Crown of Embers by Rae Carson (Audible)

And I had bought The Scorpio Races, but I had to take it back (after reading half of it) because it was missing some pages. Thankfully, I had the audiobook already, so I managed to finish it.

Here is what I got this week! What did you get? 

Review: Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Fire and Thorns #1

Release Date: September 20^th, 2011

Number of Pages: 423

Publisher: Greenwillow

Source: Bought

GR - Amazon - BD - Chapters

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.Elisa is the chosen one.
  

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will.
  

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.  

And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.  

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.  

Most of the chosen do.

Girl of Fire and Thorns has been on my wishlist for a while, but I never got around to actually read it until this week. I have to say, I’m not sure if I should be mad at myself for waiting so long to read it, or if I should be mad for having read it before the release of The Bitter Kingdom. It took me about five minutes after having finished this book to buy the sequel on audible. Rae Carson simply created a world so additing and original, and I fell in love with it. The more I read high fantasy, the more I love it. Rae Carson took us on an epic ride. Girl of Fire and Thorns is a real page-turner, and I ended up devouring this book in one afternoon.

When it comes down to the main character, I had mix feelings about Elisa. One thing is for sure, Elisa grows up a lot through the course of the novel. She gains confidence through all she has to face, and I love seeing her become stronger and stronger. The main reason I had mix feelings about her wasthe importance given to her weight, both by her and those around her. I got the message Rae Carson wanted to give us, but it bothered me in the first half of the novel.

There were so many strong and interesting characters in the novel, some of which I will refrain from mentioning to avoid spoilers. There’s King Alejandro, the new husband of Elisa. I couldn’t help wanting to love him, wanting him to be the amazing husband I wanted her to have. Then, there’s Humberto. He was so sweet, so charming, and I could understand why she would feel for him the way she does.

Rae Carson created an amazing world and story. I found the idea of Godstone really interesting. The writing kept me hooked, and I am now completely in love with this story and Rae Carson’s world. I believe fans of high fantasy should really give this series a chance. She created a world you will want to go back to as soon as you leave it.  As I’m writing this review, I’m already half way through the sequel, Crown of Embers, and I know I will be dying for the final book as soon as I will be done.

About the Author:

From GoodReads

“I write books about teens who must do brave things. I'm originally from California, but I moved to Ohio to marry my husband, who is the smartest and therefore sexiest man I know. We live in Columbus with my teenaged stepsons, who are awesome. My books tend to contain lots of adventure, a little magic and romance, and smart girls who make (mostly) smart choices. I especially love to write about questions I don't know the answers to.”

Her Website

Her Twitter

Review: The Archived by Victoria Schwab

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

The Archived #1

Release Date: January 22^nd, 2013

Number of Pages: 328

Publisher: Hyperion

Source: Bought

GR - Amazon - BD - Chapters 

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.  

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.  

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often—violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.  

Being a Keeper isn’t just dangerous—it’s a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da’s death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.  

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.

I fell in love with Victoria Schwab’s writing in her first book The Near Witch. I’m glad to say that I was far from disappointed with her second novel, The Archived. It was different, but some of the aspects of her book that made me love it are still present in this. What really got me excited for this book was the premise. Dead people stacked on shelves like books? That got me interested. Victoria Schwab created an original story get set in an old hotel now turned into an apartment building, creating a strange atmosphere. I really like the idea of the Library and the Keepers, and I found it to be presented in a really interesting way.

The story follows Mackenzie, a sixteen-years-old keeper who took over her Da’s job after his death four years ago. As a narrator, Mac was interesting to follow, and her voice made it easy for me to get into her story. One of the things I liked about Mac was to see her interact with her family. Her relationship with her parents might be strained thanks to her lies and her brother’s death, but there was something realistic to it.  The flashbacks also gave us an insight on her relationship with her Da, which was really useful to understand how Mac became a Keeper.

There were some really interesting secondary characters in this book. I really liked Roland, one of the Librarians. I love how he acted like some kind of mentor to her. Then, there are the romantic interests, which surprised me a little. I thought there would only be one love interest, but there were two, but it didn’t really give us a love triangle. I knew of Wesley (guyliner!!), and I was disappointed to see her fall for another guy. After all, I could I not swoon over Wesley. He is totally addicting, with his sweet and fun personality. He was just an amazing character.

Overall, The Archived was a novel that really pleased me. The fast-paced story kept me hooked. Victoria Schwab’s writing made me love that book. She created an eerie atmosphere I cannot wait to go back to with the upcoming sequel. Victoria Schwab secured herself a spot on my favorite author’s list with her sophomore novel.

About the Author

From GoodReads

Victoria is the product of a British mother, a Beverly Hills father, and a southern upbringing. Because of this, she has been known to say "tom-ah-toes," "like," and "y'all."

She also tells stories.

She loves fairy tales, and folklore, and stories that make her wonder if the world is really as it seems.

Her Website

Her Twitter

Waiting on Wednesday: If I Should Die by Amy Plum

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It is an opportunity for us to show books we can't wait to get our hands on.

This week, my pick is:

If I Should Die by Amy Plum
Revenants #3
Harper Teen
May 7th, 2013

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself. 

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want. 

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.
After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

I've read the first twoo books, and I really enjoyed this series. I'm really curious to see how this seres will, especially with the ending of Until I Die

What are you waiting for this week?

Top Ten Books I Recommend the Most

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and Bookish

Most books are the first book in series  I love, since most of my favorite seem to be series.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diane Peterfreund

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers

Review: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

The Infernal Devices #3

Release Date: March 19^th, 2013

Number of Pages: 568

Publisher: Margareth K. McElderry Books

Source: Bought

GR - Amazon - BD - Chapters

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy 

Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy? 

Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. 

A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her.

I was terrified to read Clockwork Princess, as I knew I was bound to cry (I did.) I didn’t really want to leave these characters behind, leave this story behind, especially since I knew many characters would get their heart broken. Cassandra Clare can sure take her characters (and readers) on an emotional rollercoaster, and she is not afraid to break her readers heart. Be warned, you should probably keep a box of tissue at our side, especially as you approach the end. And you should probably finish it at home. I was happy I was, since I was crying like a baby by the epilogue.

One of the reasons I couldn’t help getting emotional while reading Clockwork Princess were the characters. Tessa, Jem and Will are three characters you can’t help but love, each to a different level. Will’s sense of humor charmed me form bok one, and his strong love for Jem made me love him even more. Jem was the synonym of kindness and strength, and you can’t help but feel for him as he is slowly dying because of the drug. And then there is Tessa. I think Clockwork Princess really shows the extremes she would be ready to go to for those she cares about, both Jem and Will. The love those three characters share is the reason why you can’t help but be heartbroken over what they have to face.

Clockwork Princess does have a few predictable moments, but there were many surprises to keep you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what would happen next. As the final book in the series, I found it more than satisfying. Cassandra Clare ties the loose ends left from the main story, but leaves us an opening large enough to wonder if we will see Tessa again in Cassandra Clare’s other series. Overall, I was more than pleased with this ending. Clockwork Princess will leave you with your emotions all over the place, but it will give enough to leave both the Team Will and Team Jem satisfied to a certain extend. Now I simply need to find someone who has read it to talk about all the spoilery stuff I can’t really share here. I may be sad over seeing this series come to an end, but I’m happy with the way things ended for Tessa.

About the Author

From GoodReads

Cassandra Clare was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments trilogy and a New York Times bestseller. Cassandra lives with her fiance and their two cats in Massachusetts.

Her Website

Her Twitter

The Trailer

Stacking the Shelves #5

Stacking the Shelves was something I missed doing, and I've decided to start doing it again for Spring. I probably won't do it every week, since I'm on a budget (meaning I can't buy as many book as I would like).

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews, inspired by In My Mailbox. It is a way for blogger to share the books we got during the week.

I'm really excited to be part of a blogtour for The 5th Wave. I have already read it, and I think it will be one of the best books of 2013. It is simply amazing.

Thank you so much to Penguin Canada!

I also got some other eARCS:

The Girl Who Was Supposed To Die by April Henry

Charmed Vengeance by Suzanne Lazear

The Ward by Jordana Frankel

Thanks to Flux, Henry Holt & Co. HarperTeen, NetGalley and Edelweiss

I also bought ONE book, since I had been waiting for it forever:

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Here is what I got this week! What did you get? 

Review: Shades of Earth by Beth Revis

Shades of Earth by Beth Revis

Across the Universe #3

Release Date: January 15^th, 2013

Number of Pages: 369

Publisher: Razorbill

Source: Bought

GR - Amazon - BD - Chapters

Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.  

But this new Earth isn't the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? Godspeed's former passengers aren't alone on this planet. And if they're going to stay, they'll have to fight.  

Amy and Elder must race to discover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been for nothing.  

FUELED BY LIES.RULED BY CHAOS.ALMOST HOME.

After finishing A Million Suns, I simply couldn’t wait to read what would happen next to Amy and Elder. The story picks up right where we left up in A Million Suns. In Shades of Earth, we are making our way to the new Earth, but things aren’t exactly as expected. A traitor is on the loose, and no one seems to be safe. Beth Revis sure isn’t afraid to kill off some of her characters, so be prepared. The third book in the Across the Universe series will give you many of the answers of the questions still left unanswered from the first two books. The story ties up the plot twists and the loose ends. This book is a little more mature than the first two books, partly because of all the characters’ death. The novel is definitely easy to read in one sitting, as the pacing will keep you hooked into the story.

We get to see in this book another side of Amy. With the appearance of her parents, she doesn’t act the same way she used to on Godspeed. She’s used to be on her own, and her parents aren’t letting her do what she wants, especially since her father doesn’t trust the people of Godspeed. Her father takes the role of leader, which doesn’t sit well with Elder. I could understand why Elder would be a little angry about it, as he wanted to protect and lead his people. Yet, he is still young and inexperienced. I was a little disappointed not to see step up and fight for his people a little more. He is mostly brooding in the back, until he does step up in the end, proving what he can do to protect his people. We also meet a few new characters, and they bring another side of the world the story takes place, and the world they come from.

Beth Revis gave us a satisfying ending to an excellent series. The ending will make you feel so many things, and it will answer most of the questions you might have left. Beth Revis wrote an amazing trilogy, and I cannot wait to read what she will write next. The world needs more great YA Sci-Fi series like this one.

About the Author:

From GoodReads

Beth Revis wrote her first books as a student in classrooms, when the professors did not hold her interest and she jotted down stories instead of taking notes. Beth writes science fiction and fantasy novels for teens.

Her Website

Her Twitter

Review: Boundless by Cynthia Hand

Boundless by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly #3

Release Date: January 22^nd, 2013

Number of Pages: 438

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: Bought

GR - Amazon - BD - Chapters

The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life. 

 Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.
 

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal. 

 In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.

There is always this bittersweet feeling when you start reading the final book in a series you’ve loved. Letting go isn’t easy. After all, there isn’t a next book coming next for you to pine after. I had enjoyed both Unearthly and Hallowed, and it left me a little terrified to see where Cynthia Hand would be taking us next with this final installment. Would she break my heart? Boundless brought me so many feelings, and yes heartbreak was one of them. It is hard to feel nothing when the characters you met and learned to love are torn.

Clara’s life isn’t any easier than it was before. She still has many things to face, and she is still broken over her feelings for Tucker. She is pushed into doing so many dangerous situations to save those she cares about. She can’t see to catch a break. Despite being a little tires of the whole love triangle thing, I could understand why she feeling the way she was. Even if I wasn’t a big fan of Tucker, I could get why she liked him, and why she couldn’t move on. Even if he was sometimes a jerk, he can still be a really good guy with her.

Christian was certainly my favorite, and I felt so bad for the way Clara treated him, as he could see how broken she was over Tucker. Yet, he was always there for her, even if it sometimes kills him. Angela is still, in a way, by Clara’s side, but she has her own things to think about. She has her own story going on, and she has her bigger part to play I this book. I was so happy to see more of her, since I find her to be a really interesting character.

Boundless was a heartbreaking, but satisfying ending. There were a few twits that will keep you hooked into the story. Of course, this book also comes with the knowledge of who Clara will finally end up with, and I think that most will be satisfy on a certain level, even if Clara doesn’t end up with your favorite.

About the Author:

From GoodReads

Cynthia Hand grew up in southeast Idaho (very near the Wyoming border). Currently she lives in southern California with her husband and two small children. She teaches courses in creative writing at Pepperdine University. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Unearthly series with HarperTeen: UNEARTHLY, published in 2011, HALLOWED published January 17, 2012, and BOUNDLESS, due out in January 2013.

Her Website

Her Twitter

Waiting on Wednesday: Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It is an opportunity for us to show books we can't wait to get our hands on.

This week, my pick is:

Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

The Royal Circle #2

Release Date: June 18th, 2013

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Anne Boleyn is the odd girl out. Newly arrived to the court of King Henry VIII, everything about her seems wrong, from her clothes to her manners to her witty but sharp tongue. So when the dashing poet Thomas Wyatt offers to coach her on how to shine at court—and to convince the whole court they’re lovers—she accepts. Before long, Anne’s popularity has soared, and even the charismatic and irresistible king takes notice. More than popularity, Anne wants a voice—but she also wants love. What began as a game becomes high stakes as Anne finds herself forced to make an impossible choice between her heart’s desire and the chance to make history.

I absolutely loved Gilt, and I'm really excited to see her new novel, especially since it's about Anne Boleyn. King Henry VIII is one of the English King I find the most interesting.

Add it on GoodReads

What are you waiting for this week?

Review: 17 & Gone by Nova Ren Suma

17 & Gone by Nova Ren Suma

Release Date: March 21^st, 2013

Number of Pages: 354

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Source: NetGalley

GR - Amazon - BD - Chapters

Seventeen-year-old Lauren is having visions of girls who have gone missing. And all these girls have just one thing in common—they are 17 and gone without a trace. As Lauren struggles to shake these waking nightmares, impossible questions demand urgent answers: Why are the girls speaking to Lauren? How can she help them? And… is she next? As Lauren searches for clues, everything begins to unravel, and when a brush with death lands her in the hospital, a shocking truth emerges, changing everything.  

With complexity and richness, Nova Ren Suma serves up a beautiful, visual, fresh interpretation of what it means to be lost. 

When I read Invisible Girls by Nova Ren Suma, I wasn’t the biggest fan. With her newest book, she did manage to charm me to a certain extend, but she didn’t wow me. If there is one thing I really loved about this book, it is the creepy atmosphere. I did enjoy the psychological side of the story, and I did enjoy the writing, but I did not love this book. 17 & Gone is a character-driven novel, and this may be part of why I didn’t love this novel. I simply had trouble loving her story as much as I wished I could.

Lauren is a 17-years-old, who suddenly starts to be haunted by the ghosts of 17-years-old missing girls. The thing is, her story is also laced by the stories of all the missing girls, and this leaves us with only some superficial knowledge of who Lauren really is. She is so obsessed with the girls that we don’t learn that much about who she really is. We do get some knowledge of who she was through the few peeks we get into her past, her life before her visions. I did like learning to know about all those girls, but I needed to know more about the main character. At the same time, it was heartbreaking to see Lauren lose herself because of her visions and her obsession. She loses herself, she loses her boyfriend Jamie, and she loses her relationship with her mother to a certain extant. There is one of the missing girls we do get to learn a lot about, Fiona, and I found myself really enjoying learning about her. Lauren knew Fiona before she went missing. She was a really interesting character, and I found myself wishing I could get to know more about her.

Overall, 17 & Gone was a great read. It won’t make it to my favorites list, but I did enjoy it. Those who enjoyed Invisible Girls will likely enjoy this book, as those two books do share many qualities. The writing and the atmosphere were two of this novel’s greatest strength.

About the Author:

From GoodReads

Nova grew up in small towns across the Hudson Valley and can currently be found in New York City and online at her blog distraction no. 99.

Nova Ren Suma has an MFA in fiction from Columbia University and a BA in writing & photography from Antioch College, and has been awarded fiction fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the Corporation of Yaddo, and, twice, from the MacDowell Colony. She has published short stories for adults in literary journals including Gulf Coast, LIT, Small Spiral Notebook, and more, and is the author of the tween novel Dani Noir (Simon & Schuster/Aladdin, 2009).

Her Website

Her Twitter

Top Ten Books I had to Buy, but are still sitting on my shelf unread

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and Bookish

13 by Kelley Armstrong

Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

Field Gray by Philip Kerr

The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

All these Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

Jinx by Meg Cabot

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Cracked by K.M Walton