"Waiting on" Wednesday: Requiem

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

  

Requiem (Delirium, #3)

by Lauren Oliver

Release Date: March 5th, 2023

Publisher: HarperTeen

From Goodreads;

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight. Of Pandemonium, ALA Booklist noted that “like all successful second volumes, this expands the world and ups the stakes, setting us up for the big finale.”

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

Comments;

The first two books in this series, Delirium and Pandemonium, were absolutely amazing. So, needless to say, I'm really looking forward to this last book in the series. Not only do I have so many burning questions that need to be answered, but the description sounds really good! I'm dying to know whats going to happen to Lena's love life and if Hana's procedure really worked. Cover wise, I'm not in love with it, but it's not bad.

Any thoughts?

Review: Delirium

 

Title: Delirium (Delirium #1)

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date: February 1st, 2011

Format: Paperback (Bought) 

THEY SAY that the cure for Love will make me happy and safe forever. And I've always believed them. Until now.

Now everything has changed. Now, I'd rather be infected
with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie.

Lauren Oliver is an amazingly poignant writer and I absolutely love her stories. Delirium is definitely not an exception of her her talent. So far, this book has been my favourite of hers.

Now that being said, here's a look at the book and what I liked. Delirium revolves around the life of Lena Haloway (Tiddle). The period is a dystopian type future, set in America. In this future, love (amor deliria nervosa) is a disease and America has found a cure. Every person 18 and older gets this cure and goes on a to live a happy, care-free life because they no longer can love anything. But because love is considered dangerous and horrible, this cure is great thing to the people.

Basically, they're lobotomized. Cool? Not so much. I'd much rather be sick with the disease, thank you very much.

However, Lena can't wait to be cured so she can prove everyone that she won't wend up like her dead mother...until she falls in love. I was hoping that this falling in love stuff wouldn't be cheesy, and it turns out that it wasn't. The whole thing was very tasteful and actually beautiful. The underlying plot to this story (actually, the trilogy) is also super interesting. I can't say what that is without spoiling it, but lets just say that love always wins. Winkwink.

Alex, the one who contaminated her with amor deliria nervosa? Totally awesome character. He felt like a real guy, not a fantasized one. Lena was also a great character. Though I didn't sympathize all that much, I agreed with her feelings and her actions for the most part. (Not so much the whole, 'All praise the cure!' thing.) She was also an enjoyable protagonist. I wasn't annoyed by her mistakes or angry for things she did do (go out on a raid night) or didn't do (not leave Portland earlier, or not burn down Aunt Carol's house).

The ending is a killer. My heart was pounding through out the whole thing. I refuse, absolutely refuse, to believe that what Lena thinks what happened to Alex actually happened. She never says for sure! There /could/ be a chance! I highly doubt it...but there could! My heart will break if its true...but I again, I can't give away what happens. You'll just have to read the book.

As a whole, the book was great! There's meat to the story and the characters, and it's all super interesting. I can't wait to get my hands on the next books!

I gave it FIVE out of FIVE sporks!

Updates and Stuff!

 

Hey guys! So, it's been a long time and I thought this blog deserved an update. 

A special update.

So, I made a vlog for ya'll! Woo! And I thought it was appropos to do on my 18th birthday! So since it's a special day today, here's the special update.

 

 Thanks for watching and again, I'm super sorry 'bout the lack of activity. But please comment with anything you want to share! Thanks!

Linked:

Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Review: To The Blight

 

Title:To the Blight (Part 2 of The Eye of the World) (Wheel of Time Series)

Author: Robert Jordan

Publisher: Starscape

Release Date:  January 7th 2002 (Originally published 1993)

Pursued by Trollocs and Myrddraal, Rand and his friends find refuge in the deserted city of Shadar Logoth. But their wandering—and the many dangers they face—are far from over. For from the lips of a dying Aiel girl they learn that the Dark One means to blind the Eye of the World. Having barely escaped capture and death, Rand finds himself face to face with Aginor: a wielder of the One Power and an ally of the Dark One.

In the battle that follows, Rand will discover his true identity...and destiny.

 
The sequel of From the Two Rivers and part 2 of The Eye of the World, The Blight made for a spectacular beginning for the series. When I started this book, I didn't realize how attached I had become to the characters until one died and other came into greater danger.

The whole beginning of this series is about three young boys from a tiny farming land, The Two Rivers, that is extremely secluded from the rest of the world. These three boys are supposed to change the world - either one of them or all of them - for the better or worse. In this book, Ran al'Thor is finally born into the world of the Aes Sedai and the conflict of Light versus Shadow. At the end of this book, I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat and making so many faces that my friends thought I was actually entertaining. The ending was nothing like I expected and all that I wanted. I'm still reeling from this book and I love it SO much. I can't say too much without giving away wonderful details of the story but I can say that everyone should read it.

The story line of the book is so very interesting, even if it was a bit slow in the first book. The pace definitely quickens in this book and story takes you on a thrill ride. I also really loved all the different settings used in the story as it followed the paths of each boy (and girl). The towns, the people, the countryside -- all very imaginative.

Also, don't be swayed from it because it's an older series; that doesn't make it worse. In fact, if you're a fan of the Lord of the Rings, you'll LOVE this series. I am a LOTR fan and this book really satisfies my love for literature like it.

All in all, I'm just dying to get my hands on the next book!

I gave it FIVE of FIVE Sporks!

 

Follow Friday (15)

 

It's Follow Friday time again! Woo! Anyway... This week's feature is The Housework Can Wait (@ Alison Can Read) and  
Ali's Bookshelf Reviews (@ Parajunkee)! Go check' em out. :D

Now for the question...

Q: What is one thing you wish you could tell your favorite author?

I have so many favourite authors, I couldn't even begin to choose which one to talk to exclusively. Which also brings me to another point; I don't have much to tell besides how big of a fan I am and how they've inspired me. Instead I'd like to talk with them. Learn from them; how they organize their story, what are the hard and easy parts, how did they start? Things like that. It would just vary from author to author, like J.K. Rowling and Rachel Vincent would both warrant different conversations. (Though they'd both be awesome!)

What about you?

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Defiance

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

  

Defiance

by C.J. Redwine

Release Date: August 28th 2012

Publisher:Balzer + Bray

From Goodreads;

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

Comments;

I love period books with things in them that don't exist/never happened. Sorta like historical fiction, but not. There's a word for it, but I don't remember it. But it's this book. These type of books always catch my interest and this one definately has. I can see a really nicely built world in the book and I would love to lose myself in it. Also, the cover is pretty. Like, I want a poster of it-pretty. (I love pretty covers.)
Thoughts?

Cover Reveal: The Iron Fey Books

 

Yesterday, Julie Kagawa released the cover images on her blog of two new books! Now, if you've read the Iron Fey series and are a fan, you will love this! If you haven't read them yet, I would suggest you catch up. Her new book, The Iron Legends is a compilation of three novellas; "Winter's Passage", "Summer's Crossing", and a new novella. The already released novellas were only on e-book format, but now us old-fashioned readers can enjoy them too!  (Starting in August, of course.) Cover wise, I'm not a fan of it. First thing that bothers me? Puck. Where's his famous flaming hair!? That's like his trademark! (I also don't imagine him that way and don't find the model for him attractive in the slightest.) As for Ash, he's alright, but what the heck is he looking at? As for Meghan, she's okay. I imagined her more elvish looking, like how Kagawa describes her when she's in the Fey's realm. Oh well. Back to the more important things; content. What else might this book contain? Oh, I don't know. Perhaps the first chapter of her soon-to-be-released book, The Lost Prince?!

So, Meghan and Ash and (lovely) Puck have had their run. Now, even though it's in the same world, it's time for an overlooked character to shine. Ethan Chase, Meghan's little brother, is stepping out of his big sis's shadow and becoming...well, just look at that cover. Isn't is beautiful!? Who thought that little boy would grow into that!?  While the graphics are a little distracting and not the best, I like this cover. I'm more likely to pick this book up than the other. (Though parents might be apt to choose Legends because of the more skin that is covered.) I'm still going to buy both though, because Julie Kagawa is just simply amazing. What do you think? Are the covers worthy enough of Kagawa's awesome? Do you agree with who they chose for the famous trio?

Follow Friday (14)

 

It's Follow Friday time again! Woo! Anyway... This week's feature is Little Read Riding Hood (@ Alison Can Read) and 
Book that Thing!(@ Parajunkee)! Go check' em out. :D

Now for the question...

Q: Have you had a character that disappointed you? One that you fell in love with and then "broke up" with later on in either the series or a stand-alone book? Tell us about him or her.

   Oh yes. Oooooh yes. Immediately,  a book came to mind and the certain character from it. Now, please don't hate me or tell me how horrible I am... (I mean, you can, but that would hurt my feelers.)

   For me, it was Katniss Everdeen from the ever-popular series, The Hunger Games. When I started reading the series, I loved Katniss. She was kick-a**, but not rude. She was tough, but not insensitive. She could handle herself, take care of her family, and still not break under pressure. I loved her. In Catching Fire, I loved her even more. I can't say I understand why she does get so gushy sometimes, given who she was set up to be, but oh well.
   However, when I started Mockingjay, I immediately thought, "Wait. Where's my Katniss?" In that third book, Katniss wasn't so up to being kick-a**, tough, and taking care of others. In fact, she broke under pressure and she was super sensitive. She didn't want to get back out there and DO SOMETHING. Instead, she let herself be the emblem of the rebellion. She could have been both and have done wonderfully. We all know it was in her, she just gave up. The whole mental problem from her injury may have factored into it, but I don't think that was the root of this. I think she changed because Suzanne Collins wanted her to, or she changed because there was this huge flaw in her character that Collins didn't show us earlier. And that, IMHO, is chicken poo. Sorry, but I'm pretty touchy about this subject. I just loved Katniss so much, and then Mockingjay happened.
(Also, Gale fits into this disappointment too. I loved Gale but then I was like, "Who are you!?". However, he didn't bother me as much as Katniss.)

Anybody feel the same or have some way explaining to me about what happened to Katniss (with a legit reason)?
 Because I would love to know.

Teaser Tuesday

 

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• 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 that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

It's Tuesday again! Here's my teaser: (I usually don't do just two sentences. Whatever it takes to finish the blurb.)

""Well," Loial said, "perhaps you humans do have short lives, but you do so much with them, always jumping around, always so hasty. And you have the whole world to do it in. We Ogier are bound to our stedding. " "You're Outside." "For a time, Rand. But I must go back, eventually. This world is yours, yours and your kind's. The stedding are mine. There's too much hurly-burly Outside. And so much is changed from what I read about."" 
- page 204 of " To the Blight: The Eye of the World Part 2 " by Robert Jordan

Review: From the Two Rivers

 

Title:From the Two Rivers (#1 The Wheel of Time series)

Author: Robert Jordan

Publisher: Starscape

Release Date:  January 7th 2002 (First published in 1990)

For Rand al’Thor and his pals, life in the sleepy village of Emond’s Field has been pretty dull. Until the appearance on festival night of Moiraine, a mysterious woman who claims to be an Aes Sdeai—a magician who can wield the One Power. Soon after, the village is attacked by Trollocs—a savage tribe of half-men half-beasts. Rand’s father is nearly killed. But for Rand, the news gets worse. It was not the village the Trollocs were after, Moiraine tells him. It was you, Rand.

Rand and his friends are forced to flee. But his escape will bring him face to face with the Dark One...the most powerful force of evil in the universe.

The Wheel of Time series is an old series for young adult, but it has had nothing but high acclaims. I have been strongly urged to read this series by one of my best friends and I'm glad she did.

One thing that always daunts me with books like these are the old tiny fonts. They hurt my eyes, especially when there's a lot. And there is A LOT. However, I didn't let that sway me. It took me a long time to finish this book because it just didn't hook me right away. The beginning wasn't up to the speed I like but it wasn't that slow either. It was at that iffy area. But, by the end of the book, I was attached to the characters and immediately wanted to know more.

Something I loved about this book is the style. It is so very similar to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series. Being a big LotR fan, I couldn't help but love this book. The landscape, the descriptions, the characters, the writing style...all very Tolkien-esque.

The only downside of this book is the pace. I don't care for the pace. It's a little too long for my liking, but that's how it is with lots of description. All in all, I loved the book. Not a light read in the slightest but I'd recommend the series. (Albeit daunting with it's 15 books...)

Follow Friday (13)

 

It's Follow Friday time again, and it's on Friday the 13th! Woo! (No, I don't believe it's bad luck. I support the day because I was born on a 13th! :D) Anyway... This week's feature is Book Briefs (@ Alison Can Read) and Gizmos Reviews (@ Parajunkee)! Go check' em out. :D

Now for the question...

 

Q: What is one book that you would be nervous to see a movie adaption of because you think the movie could never live up to the book?

I'm nervous with all books when they're made into adaptations, but there is one book (actually, series) that I would be SUPER nervous about. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa. I'd be really worried who'd they cast, mainly for Puck. Ben Barnes is a dead ringer for Ash but I don't like anyone but Xavier Samuel for Puck (Ever since Nicki @WORD For Teens suggested him for Puck's role, I can't imagine anyone else filling his shoes.). I also don't think that the world it's set in could be accurately portrayed. However, if filmmakers got it right, I would be ecstatic beyond belief. I would love that film to my dying day. :D

So, what book did you choose?

Review: I Heart You, You Haunt Me

 

Title: I Heart You, You Haunt Me

Author: Lisa Schroeder

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date:  January 8th 2008

Formant: Paperback (Bought)

Girl meets boy.
Girl loses boy.
Girl gets boy back...

...sort of.

Ava can't see him or touch him,
unless she's dreaming.
She can't hear his voice,
except for the faint whispers in her mind.
Most would think she's crazy, but she knows he's here.

Jackson.
The boy Ava thought she'd spend the rest of her life with.
He's back from the dead,
as proof that love truly knows no bounds.

I Heart You, You Haunt Me was a light, easy, and enjoyable read. It was the first verse story I've ever read and I absolutely love that style. It's so interesting!

The story itself was good. It grabbed the reader right away, played on an interesting concept, and developed into a nice read. I wasn't that happy with the ending since I really did like Lyric a lot. I felt that it could have gone a little farther in the end, showed the main character with a new guy. However, I still enjoyed the story.

So, a short review for a short book. I enjoyed it and I'm sure many will continue to. I'd definitely recommend this for an easy summer read. 

I gave it FOUR out of FIVE Sporks!

 

Apologies

 

First off, Happy Easter guys! (If you observe, of course.) So, I do have some explaining to do. 

Today is my first day back at home from a very long trip! I was able to participate in an overnight program at UCSD (University of California, San Diego for those who don't know the acronym.) and it was wonderful! My days were jammed packed with things to do and I enjoyed it. I also went on various mini trips with my family and caught up on a lot of work.

 Unfortunately, that meant that the whole month of March was out for my blog. While I may have caught up with most everything else, I let this slide. My apologies to you, and to myself, because I LOVE this blog. I WILL be starting this up regularly again, so you'll start to see posts gearing it up to run full time again. 

If you have any suggestions for the blog, feel free comment/email me. I love hearing from people.

Anyway, stay tuned for more posts!

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Breathe

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

  

Breathe

by Sarah Crossan

Release Date: October 2nd 2012

Publisher: GreenWillow

From Goodreads;

Inhale. Exhale. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe . . .

The world is dead.
The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

ALINA
has been stealing for a long time. She’s a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she’s never been caught before. If she’s careful, it’ll be easy. If she’s careful.

QUINN
should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it’s also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn’t every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

BEA
wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they’d planned a trip together, the two of them, and she’d hoped he’d discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days’ worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?

Comments;

This book makes me think of a cross between The Maze Runner by James Dashner and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It has an interesting world, that's for sure. Whether it will be a great book, I can't tell. But the cover is interesting! :D

Thoughts?

Teaser Tuesday

 

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• 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 that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

It's Tuesday again! Here's my teaser: (I usually don't do just two sentences. Whatever it takes to finish the blurb.)

""Because of those three", Lan said angrily. "The fire, the injured, the going on -- all because of those three. The fact that the price must be paid is proof that it is worth paying. The Dark One wants those boys of yours, and anything he wants this badly, he must be kept from. Or would you rather led the Fade have them?"" - page 257 of "From the Two Rivers: The Eye of the World Part One" by Robert Jordan

Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

 

Title: The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #1)

Author: Carrie Ryan

Publisher: Delacorte Books

Release Date:  February 9th 2010

Format: Paperback (Bought)

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

This was one of those books that drew me in by the cover. I read the description and it sounded good, but the story just didn't live up to it. I was looking forward to a good post-apocalypse story that describes that new world -- with some romance thrown in.

Instead, it was all about the main character whining for the whole book about how much she loves this one guy that she just can't have. It was really, /really/ annoying. Even when she has a perfectly good guy that loves her. Oh, and the post-apocalypse thing was really just a background. I wanted to know SO MUCH more about about the Sisterhood and the Guardians. I wanted to see a story that delved into the secrets of their world and revealed the ugly truth. However, the story just follows the selfish whims of the main character - Mary - and the quest for freedom...which is a severe let down in the end. And not because of where she ends up...because of the characters.

So, I gave this three stars because I liked the idea of the book most of all. Otherwise, I would have given it two. I wouldn't really recommend this book, because its mostly a waste of time and/or money. Sorry, but true.

I gave it THREE out of FIVE sporks!