Friday, January 4, 2013

Cover Reveal: Disconnect (Divided Worlds Trilogy #1) by Imran Siddiq

Disconnect (Divided Worlds Trilogy #1) by Imran Siddiq
The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: February 22, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published

Even in space, love has boundaries 

If all the Underworld has to offer is dodging junk and digging within filthy sewers then life is fast approaching a worthless state for Zachary, a 16-year old scavenger. Except one day, he discovers the imagery of a girl from Overworld that pulls his desire in wanting to know why she sounds so sad with her lavish lifestyle.

Zachary will seize the chance to meet her, and although hatred builds, with time, friendship and something he’s never felt, even for his parents, will grow.

Though nothing unbelievable can last without harm. The rulers of Overworld have plans for the Research Base that orbits Jupiter’s moon, Europa, and Underworld stands in the way.

Zachary must overcome boundaries and climb from darkness to light, but in doing so, he’ll uncover a twisted secret that may devour his new reason to live; Rosa.

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I am kind of drooling over this cover. I cannot wait to read this book! The synopsis is as intriguing as the cover is eye-catching. I will definitely be looking for this release!
What do you think of the cover? Do you think you'll read the book?

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Book Review: Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1) by Veronica Rossi

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
374 Pages

Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

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Review:

I first read Under the Never Sky in January of last year. I've read over three-hundred books since then, so I have to be honest and say that I didn't remember much of it. When I first read the novel, I remember not being very impressed, though I wanted to love it because everyone else did. It is such a good thing that I read the book again, because I absolutely loved it the second time around. Plus, I really, really needed a refresher. If I had started Through the Ever Night without rereading Under the Never Sky, I would constantly look like this:
But enough about Through the Ever Night, though zomg guys…, that review will come later. This review is about the book that started it all.

Aria grew up in a protected dome that hid from the devastation of the outside world. She has no interest in the world beyond her home of Reverie, and the cyber realms in which she lives her life. When a twist sends her to the outside, she must rely on on of those she has been taught to fear and hate the most. Perry lives on the outside. He sees Aria as a mole, a threat to his way of life. He relies on his strength and his Sense to survive, while she cowers with her peers in their dome. But he needs her help, as much as it pains him to admit, and she needs his. Together they must overcome their ideals and work towards saving the world and the people they love most. 

The thing I may love most about this book: It doesn't have a love-triangle, or a severe case of insta-love. I know what you are thinking:
But I'm serious. This book produces conflicts based on things other than romance, though it takes some time for the romance to build up because they must learn to overcome the prejudices they were raised under. I, like many YA fans, have grown wary of love-triangles and insta-love because of how often they are used. I mean, how are so many girls struggling with the affection of two extremely different, extremely sexy guys?! Well, in Under the Never Sky, we see a couple that isn't put in either of those situations, and the story still was captivating.

These characters are realistic to their situations. From the moment you meet them, you can understand their thought processes and actions. That's not to say that you'll always agree with them, but they make sense. You won't be left confused by actions don't fit the personalities of the characters that you've come to know. Aria really annoyed me in the beginning of the novel. Actually, Perry annoyed me as well. Not because they are unlikable characters, but because of their prejudices. Roar, on the other hand, is probably my favorite character. His wit and humor really add to the story, as well as his ability to be serious. He's just an overall great guy and a fantastic friend. He makes me swoon! 

Many people have, and will, enjoy this book. Even with its fault, it will easily entertain its readers. Under the Never Sky is brilliant debut. I am sincerely looking forward to the next installment. I think Ms. Rossi is a wonderful storyteller and I cannot wait to see what road she takes these characters on next!



Cover Reveal: Raksha by Frankie Rose

Raksha by Frankie Rose
Cover designed by Chelsea Starling.

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: March 1, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published

She has no name. 

She has her knives; her training; her halo. 

The first and second give her the tools and the skill to defeat the opponents she is pitted against each month. The third frees her from pain and fear. From any kind of emotion at all. Everything is as it should be. Everything is as it should be, until… 

FearPainAngerHappinessDesireGuilt

Love.

When a newly-named Kit escapes the Sanctuary after killing her best friend, the last thing she needs is another knife in her hand. Or Ryka, the damaged, beautiful blonde boy, who she refuses to let save her. Still learning how to process the onslaught of her new feelings, the sights and sounds of Freetown are overwhelming and strange. There are a hundred differences between her old home and her new one, but one thing remains starkly similar: the matches. Yet where the blood in the Sanctuary landed only on the colosseum floor, Kit will quickly learn that a river of red runs through Freetown’s very streets. 

Freed from the oppression of a society who stole her right to feel, the true horror of her old life leaves Kit wondering if she really has been freed at all. Would she be better off without the crippling horror of all the blood on her hands, or is the love of one boy worth living through all the pain?

Raksha is the call of the dead. It is the rumbling chant for fresh blood from the other side, the demand for sacrifice. The colosseum is behind Kit. The fighting pits await.

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I'm a little intimidated by the cover and blurb, but I'm definitely going to try this one! I haven't read one of Frankie's books before. I really hope to get a chance to read it.
What do you think of the cover?

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Book Review: Roar and Liv (Under the Never Sky #0.5) by Veronica Rossi

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
68 Pages

Before Perry and Aria, there was Roar and Liv.

After a childhood spent wandering the borderlands, Roar finally feels like he has a home with the Tides. His best friend Perry is like a brother to him, and Perry's sister, Liv, is the love of his life. But Perry and Liv's unpredictable older brother, Vale, is the Blood Lord of the Tides, and he has never looked kindly on Roar and Liv's union. Normally, Roar couldn't care less about Vale's opinion. But with food running low and conditions worsening every day, Vale's leadership is more vital—and more brutal—than ever. Desperate to protect his tribe, Vale makes a decision that will shatter the life Roar knew and change the fate of the Tides forever.

Set in the harsh but often beautiful world of Veronica Rossi's "unforgettable" Under the Never Sky (Examiner.com), this captivating prequel novella stands on its own for new readers and offers series fans a fascinating look into the character of Roar. Poignant and powerful, Roar and Liv is a love story that will "capture your imagination and your heart." (Justine on Under the Never Sky)

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Review:

This review may have spoilers from the first book in the series, Under the Never Sky. You have been warned.

When I heard that Veronica Rossi was releasing a short story about Roar and Liv, I got really, really excited. As much as I love Perry and Aria, I, as I'm sure most of this series' readers wanted to know more about Liv and Roar's love for her. This fit in perfectly with the series and gives the audience a sense of understanding regarding the background and actions of our favorite male characters, Roar and Perry. 

Roar and Liv was a short and sweet little insight into the lives of Roar, Perry's best friend, and Liv, Perry's sister, before Liv sold to the Horns for food for the Tides, their tribe. I love Roar and Liv's dynamic. They just fit together. The way relationship developed was beautiful. I love stories like that, where the two have grown up with each other and fall in love as they grow. It gives me the swoony-swoonz. Plus Roar always says the most romantic things to her. Every scene with Roar and Liv together will have you sighing and swooning like a schoolgirl. Another thing I liked was getting a glimpse of Perry's life before he met Aria and learning more about his friendship with Roar. Talk about a bromance.

I have a huge crush on Roar. It's pretty depressing because his love for Liv is so obvious that I know I have no chance. Our reason for not being together has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he's a fictional character. Because a love like ours cannot be bound by pages. But really… Roar's a hottie.

I really enjoy the author's writing style. It's smooth and easy to follow. It doesn't hurt that she writes a compelling story. While this series doesn't have the best world-building, Ms. Rossi's writing has matured with her following novel, and this novella. I honestly think the story has gotten better as well. Roar and Liv is a fantastic prequel to the series. It was a nice, short read that actually made me desperate for more! I hope Ms. Rossi will release another (or twelve-thousand more) short stories like this. One about Vale would be extremely insightful and give us a better idea of why he did what he did.



Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday (43)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!
This week's theme is: 
Top Ten Books I Resolve to Read in 2013

1. Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1) by Tahereh Mafi
- I've been putting this off mostly because I'm nervous that I won't like it. I want to, really, really badly, but hyped up books and I have a history of not being friends.

2. The Unwanteds (The Unwanteds #1) by Lisa McMann
- My dad bought me a copy of this and I'm so, so excited to read it! I just need my copy, which is in the mail from my dad now! Woo!

3. Dairy Queen (Dairy Queen #1) by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
- I have heard so many good things about this series. I just need to remember to request a copy from my library!

4. Delirium (Delirium #1) by Lauren Oliver
- No... I have not read this. Partially because I want to wait until the final books is out, so I can read them together and partially because I'm nervous I'll be one of the few people who don't like the series.

5. Gone (Gone #1) by Michael Grant
- This has been sitting in my kindle books since I bought my first kindle. I'm pretty ashamed of myself for not having read this yet!

6. A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George RR Martin
- I want to start watching the series, but I've been told you should watch the show before you read the books. I'm waiting for the opportunity to watch the show! (I don't have HBO - boo!)

7. Outlander (Outlander #1) by Diana Gabaldon
- I planned to read this while at school, because there is actually a hall at my university that is named after Ms. Gabaldon. She is an alum. I thought it would be cool since I was staying in that hall, but I never managed to snag a copy!

8. Gone with the Wind (Gone with the Wind #1) by Margaret Mitchell
- I am not a big fan of the movie, but I have always wanted to pick up the book. I've had a copy on my bookshelf since before I was even born. My mother keeps pushing me to read it, because she wants the book back. I really would like to get to it this year!

9. The Diviners (The Diviners #1) by Libba Bray
- The length of this one intimidates me. I want to read it so badly though. I have one read other book by Ms. Bray and it didn't blow me away. I think this one could do it, though!

10. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma
- A friend of mine sent me an ARC of this months ago, but I keep psyching myself out over it. I'm a big fan of Happily-Ever-Afters and there is no way this has one! But most everyone I know has loved it. I will definitely read it sooner rather than later!

What books are you determined to read this year?

Teaser Tuesday: Teeth by Hannah Moskowitz


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading!
To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read
•Open to a random page
•Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!) 


 Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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"Our house is creaky, gray, weather stained. It's probably held a dozen desperate families who found their cure and left before we'd even heard about this island."
Chapter 1, 1% e-ARC
Teeth by Hannah Moskowitz


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Happy New Year 2013 Giveaway Hop

The Happy New Year 2013 Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and runs from January 1st to January 7th.

We have joined in this hop to celebrate the new year, surviving the apocalypse and the upcoming releases of novels that we seem to have been waiting on F-O-R-E-V-E-R! Here are some of the ones we are looking forward to most:


Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer
- Released in February, I've already pre-ordered two copies. I loved the first book and have been impatiently waiting for Scarlet!



- Gimme, gimme, gimme. A lot of people don't enjoy this series, but it's my guilty pleasure! 



Dark Triumph (His Dark Assassin #2) by Robin LaFevers
- The first book was one of my favorites of 2012. I can't wait to see if I enjoy this one as much as I adored the first!



- This release cannot come soon enough! 





Giveaway Details:
- One winner will get two pre-orders of their choice
- Open internationally (as long as The Book Depository ships to you)
- One entrant per household
- Cheating results in immediate disqualification
- Winners have 48 hours to respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen
- We are not responsible for lost/damaged packages
- Ends 01/07/2013

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy New Year, friends and followers! May it be filled with happiness and books!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!
May it be filled with happiness, excitement and books galore!

 
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