172 Hours On The Moon by Johan Harstad Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: ATOM
 Source: Conference
 Standalone
It's been decades since anyone set foot on the moon. Now three ordinary teenagers, the winners of NASA's unprecedented, worldwide lottery, are about to become the first young people in space--and change their lives forever.
Mia, from Norway, hopes this will be her punk band's ticket to fame and fortune.
Midori believes it's her way out of her restrained life in Japan.
Antoine, from France, just wants to get as far away from his ex-girlfriend as possible.
It's the opportunity of a lifetime, but little do the teenagers know that something sinister is waiting for them on the desolate surface of the moon. And in the black vacuum of space... no one is coming to save them.
In this chilling adventure set in the most brutal landscape known to man, highly acclaimed Norwegian novelist Johan Harstad creates a vivid and frightening world of possibilities we can only hope never come true.

Review 
I didn't know what I was in for with this one! All I knew was that it would be scary and had something to do with the moon. I think I underestimated this one honestly. It was much more complex than I expected.

This tells the story of 3 teenagers. They've won the lottery and are being sent to the moon. Why? No one fully understands. Lets just say things don't go as great as they expected.

I can't say much about the characters because hello spoilers. I will say I really enjoyed them. They were very well done. I liked how strong they were. I also liked getting a glimpse into each of their perspectives.

There was only one thing I didn't like about this story. That was the purpose of going to the moon. It might have been left out for effect or I might have just missed it. I wished it had been explained though. Any other question I had was answered. The story was incredibly fast. Once things get going they never slow. The only time I stopped reading was when I got too scared to keep going. I didn't want to put it down. I liked that I had no idea where things were going. I was honestly shocked at some of the things that happened. This had tons and tons of things packed in. That made it kinda hard to keep up with everything. Overall this was quite the read. It really surprised me. I will say this isn't for everyone. It was a lot to handle. But if your up for it then I highly recommend!

The Temptation by Alisa Valdes Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: Conference
First book in the Kindred series
His touch was electric.
His eyes were magnetic.
His lips were a temptation....
But was he real?
After crashing her car on an empty highway, Shane is miraculously saved by Travis, a mysterious cowboy who walks out of nowhere. She is instantly attracted to him, and for the first time, she believes in “soul mates.” But Shane soon discovers that Travis is dead and that strict rules from the Underworld govern kindred spirits of different dimensions. Breaking these rules could destroy both their souls. And while Travis is almost impossible to resist, temptation proves to be the kindest enemy they encounter.
Can true love surpass the power of pure evil? Part love story, part supernatural thriller, this first book in the Kindred trilogy will leave readers lusting for more!

Review
I didn't know much about this when starting. It didn't impress me but it wasn't awful! The main character was a little annoying and there was some insta love. The storyline was nice though. It's been awhile since I've read a ghost story.

Shane gets into a car accident and is badly injured. There's no one around to help her so she believes she going to die. Travis appears out of nowhere and heals her. He answers no questions but says he wants to see her again. But, Shane doesn't realize with Travis comes trouble.

Shane missed the mark for me. She made some stupid choices then wondered why things turned out bad. I mean hello when someone tells you something for your own safety maybe you should listen. She was also kinda naive. Like she would go tell her friends and family what was going on when she really needed to keep it to herself. She needed to learn things don't always work out like you hope they will. But she did grow throughout the story and I did enjoy her more. I loved Travis. I thought he was a great character. He was very strong. He didn't let Shane walk over him. I'm excited to see where these characters go next!

So this one is a ghost story. But it's not just a ghost story. It kinda had a lot going on. There was good vs evil ghosts. There was the inability to touch. It just didn't feel right. It was hard to keep up. The characters didn't exactly click. There was just something off. But it wasn't a bad story. I did enjoy it. I had higher hopes but maybe the sequel will make up for it. If your a fan of ghost stories and can ignore some little problems I would say give this a shot!

Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Sourcebook Fire
Source: Bought
Third book in the Violet Eden Chapters
Once again Violet Eden faces an impossible choice ... and the consequences are unimaginable.
Violet has come to terms with the fact that being part angel, part human, means her life will never be as it was.
Now Violet has something Phoenix - the exiled angel who betrayed her - will do anything for, and she has no intention of letting it fall into his hands. The only problem is that he has something she needs too.
Not afraid to raise the stakes, Phoenix seemingly holds all the power, always one step ahead. And when he puts the final pieces of the prophecy together, it doesn't take him long to realise exactly who he needs in order to open the gates of Hell.
With the help of surprising new allies, ancient prophecies are deciphered, a destination set and, after a shattering confrontation with her father, Violet leaves for the islands of Greece without knowing if she will have a home to return to...

Review
This was a pretty good addition to the series. It didn't quite meet my expectations though. I was expecting a little more. For now Entice holds the favorite spot.

The main reason I did t enjoy this as much was because there was no character closeness. That is one of my favorite parts of this series and it drastically lacked with this one. Violet was on her own a lot. She was still strong of course but she kinda avoided everyone. I understood she was having a tough time but I just wished she hadn't cut herself off from everyone. Lincoln was amazing and frustrating at the same time. I missed the closeness between Violet and Lincoln so much. Not the kissy parts even though those are always nice. I mean the relationship. It's always been amazing even when they weren't together together. And now it's kinda just awkward. And then there's Phoenix. He was kinda just around. He didn't really have a good side anymore so I didn't like him too much. My highest hope for the next book is character closeness.

One thing this didn't lack was action! The storyline was amazing. I couldn't stop reading even if I wanted too. It was crazy fast paced. There was a pretty good amount of suspense. I had no idea where the story was going. With that being said it was a little hard to keep up because there was so much going on. The story did make up for what I missed with the characters. Overall this was a great read. I was a little disappointed but now too much. I do have incredibly high hopes for the next book though :).

Waiting on Wednesday: Across a Star Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund

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

My pick this week is:

Across a Star Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund
Expected publication: October 15th 2013 by Balzer + Bray'
Centuries after wars nearly destroyed civilization, the two islands of New Pacifica stand alone, a terraformed paradise where even the Reduction—the devastating brain disorder that sparked the wars—is a distant memory. Yet on the isle of Galatea, an uprising against the ruling aristocrats has turned deadly. The revolutionaries’ weapon is a drug that damages their enemies’ brains, and the only hope is rescue by a mysterious spy known as the Wild Poppy.
On the neighboring island of Albion, no one suspects that the Wild Poppy is actually famously frivolous aristocrat Persis Blake. The teenager uses her shallow, socialite trappings to hide her true purpose: her gossipy flutternotes are encrypted plans, her pampered sea mink is genetically engineered for spying, and her well-publicized new romance with handsome Galatean medic Justen Helo… is her most dangerous mission ever.
Though Persis is falling for Justen, she can’t risk showing him her true self, especially once she learns he’s hiding far more than simply his disenchantment with his country’s revolution and his undeniable attraction to the silly socialite he’s pretending to love. His darkest secret could plunge both islands into a new dark age, and Persis realizes that when it comes to Justen Helo, she’s not only risking her heart, she’s risking the world she’s sworn to protect.
In this thrilling adventure inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, Diana Peterfreund creates an exquisitely rendered world where nothing is as it seems and two teens with very different pasts fight for a future only they dare to imagine.
 
I know we have quite a wait for this pretty! If you haven't read For Darkness Shows the Stars be prepared for me to hunt you down and throw it at your face! I know that's a little harsh but I mean it! It's such an amazing story guys, with even more amazing characters. I cannot wait to see what else this author can do. I have high expectations but I have no doubt this will meet them :).

Top Ten Tuesday(16)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of us will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All that's asked is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get o know your fellow bloggers.

 

This weeks topic is Top Ten Books I thought I would like more/less than I did.

 

I think this is a pretty fun topic! Mine is probably gonna have more books less than more! These are just from my most recent reads.

 

 

1. Unravel me by Tahereh Mafi. I didn't expect to enjoy this one as much as I did!
2. Boundless by Cynthia Hand. I was actually scared to read this one! I honestly didn't think I would enjoy it but I was pleasantly surprised :).
3. Fracture by Megan Miranda. I didn't really have high expectations for this one even though I had heard some great things. It ended up blowing me away!
4. The Temptation by Alisa Valdes. This is a book I actually thought I would enjoy more. I had higher expectations that it didn't really meet! I do have high hopes for the sequel though :).
5. Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I hadn't seen very good things about this one so I didn't expect to enjoy it! And of course it was amazing!
6. Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally. Catching Jordan didn't blow me away. So I expected this one to be just average and it was much more than that! It blew my expectations out of the water!
7. The Girl of fire and Thorns by Rae Carson. I didn't even really know what to expect with this one. And it ended up shocking me. Lets just say it was incredibly impressive.
8. The Graceling Realm series. I didn't understand all the hype before reading. To be honest I didn't even want to read this series. I forced myself and I am so glad I did!

That's all I've got! I almost got all ten! Leave me links to your Top Ten Tuesday or tell me what books you expected to like less/more in the comments <3 font="">

 

GIF Review: Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

So I decided this pretty earned a gif review! I've actually never done one of these but I've always wanted too! I will have an official review coming within the next few weeks but this is just a for now :).



Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Source: Bought
Fourth book in the Covenant series
Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.
Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.
The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.
Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

Let there be gifs!

We start with the cute and how it made me feel!

I wanted to dance around the world at times, kind of like this.



All the feels ever.

Some more dancing.

And finally I faint from cute overload.

This relates to all the action. 

 

And this was Alex pretty much the whole book. Also Aiden at times.

 

And finally we come to the ending. I say no.



I think that's it for my feels! Keep an eye out for my actual review! This one was just for fun :).

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Source: Conference
Stand Alone
 Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences.
Almost one hundred forty years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse? With Ezra’s help, Hester investigates her family’s strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean—but powerful forces will do anything to keep her from uncovering her connection to Syrenka and to the tragedy of so long ago.


Review
I had no idea what to expect with this one. All I knew was that mermaids were involved. I will say it was a very unique read. The storyline was so interesting. The characters did lack for me though.

This one tells the story of Hester and Syernka. Syernka abandons her life underwater once she falls for Ezra. Little does she know abandoning the water isn't going to be as easy as she thinks. Meanwhile in present day, Hester meets a stranger named Ezra. She discovers there is more to the past than she thinks.

I really liked getting to see the past and the present stories. I thought it was cool getting to read both the characters story. I think Syernka was a little more developed than Hester. The story was wrapped around her really and she just seemed bigger. When having two perspectives it really needs to feel like both the characters are important to the story and are equally developed. This lacked that. Hester was only okay. She was a tad annoying at times. I will say I did like how adventurous she was. I also liked that she never gave up. I loved the ties between Syernka and Hester. I liked seeing how things tied together and I thought they each had a unique story.

I had no idea how creepy this was going to be. It honestly scared me so much. I had to take breaks because I was so freaked out. I really loved the history of this story. I thought it as incredibly unique and very well done. I loved all the different things that tied the two characters to each other. It was a little slow in the beginning but it picked up! There was tons of action and suspense. Once I got into it, this was pretty hard to put down. Overall this was an okay read. The characters lacked but the story made up for it. I didn't end up enjoying this too much but I do think others will. If your a fan of scary stories packed with history then this is perfect for you!

Mini Review: DreamWalkers by D.M Andrews

Reading Level: Young  Adult
Publisher: Self Published
Source: Author
First book in the Dreamwalker series
*This was gifted to me by author for review*
Callum Chase would rather study Greek myth than play sports or mingle at school. Bullied and friendless, Cal retreats every night into a world where he is the master, a world of dreams.
But one day the girl from his dreams shows up at his school and turns his worlds — both waking and dreaming — upside down...

Review
This was a super quick read! I wasn't sure what to expect. The name says it all really. This is gonna be a shorter review just because I don't really have much to go from!

So this tells the story of Cal and Ash. Cal has been able to control his dreams. One day he finds a girl and notices he's not in control anymore. Then said girl shows up at his school. He realizes that he is no longer in his dreams. Someone has pulled him and Ash into another dream. They must then find out why.

Cal and Ash were pretty good characters! I didn't really get the chance to connect with them because the story was so short. I thought they worked well together and both had great personalities. I am curious to see more of them and see where their story goes!

The one bad thing about this book was how short it was. It felt like a short story. I didn't realize it was going to be that short. It flew by. By the time I neared the end the story was just picking up. The ending didn't really end, it was very open. It was a pretty fast story. It had a unique concept. There was a little action but not much. I think this was a good setup for a series but it did feel like too much buildup! I'm curious too see where the story goes and I hope I can get my hands on the next part soon.

Requiem by Lauren Oliver Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Harper Collins
Source: Bought
Final book in the Delirium series
They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.
But we are still here.
And there are more of us every day.
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.
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.
Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.
Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.
But we have chosen a different road.
And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.
We are even free to choose the wrong thing.
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.


Review
There's been a lot of hype about this book. Before reading I had heard terrible things about the ending. So I was worried. With the way the second book left off I was honestly scared out of my mind. But I loved it. I thought it was amazing and well worth the wait.

This concludes Lena's story. Lena and Julian have fled to the wilds in hopes of safety. But, the wilds aren't so safe anymore. Alex, Lena's first love has also arrived in the wilds. Not only does Lena have a tough choice to make she also has a difficult fight ahead of her. All the while Hana has her own battle to face back in Portland.

I loved Lena in this. She was incredibly strong but still had her human emotions. What she was facing wasn't easy by any means. But she still handled everything well. Julian has never been my favorite but he was good to Lena and a sweetie. So I did enjoy him. Now Alex, has all of my heart forever. I loved seeing a different side of him. Yes, at times he was kinda a jerk but I think he's earned that. His reasoning is understandable. Let me just say these guys were accompanied by some amazing characters. I loved all the secondary characters with all of my heart. I loved the addition they all made to the story. I'm gonna miss these characters but I've enjoyed their adventure.

Man, this had an amazing storyline. I loved all the action and suspense. I loved that I couldn't predict the story. I loved the tension between characters. The only reason I didn't read this in one sitting is because I didn't want it to be over. Believe me when I say I cried my eyes out. Not because there was anything to be sad about, because the ending was perfect. I know a lot of people didn't like the openness of the ending. But, there was just enough to satisfy me. Yes it was open not every question was answered but I have an imagination. And I like the feeling that I can decide how I want it to end for me. Overall I'm sad to say goodbye. I thought the ending was perfect and I can't wait to see more from this author! If your scared for this pretty don't be! Give it a shot!

Waiting on Wednesday: Abandon by Elana Johnson

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

My pick this week is:

Abandon by Elana Johnson
Expected release date: June 4th, 2013
from Simon Pulse
The fight for independent thought becomes a matter of life or death in this sizzling and intense conclusion to the Possession trilogy. Vi has made her choice between Jag and Zenn, and the resistance may have suffered for it. But with the Thinkers as strong as ever, the rebels still have a job to do. Vi knows better than anyone that there’s more at stake than a few broken hearts.



But there is a traitor among them…and the choices he makes could lead to the total destruction of everything Vi has fought for.



Vi, Jag, and Zenn must set their problems aside for the resistance to have any hope of ending the Thinkers’ reign. Their success means everything…and their failure means death.
 

I've been reading these books since Possession came out, and it's one of my favorite dystopian series. I love that you get to see so much of the world through different characters eyes. I'm not sure whose perspective it is going to be this time, but I know I won't be disappointed no matter who tells the story. After the ending of the last book I'm dying to know what's going to happen in this one and how the author wraps it up.

 

What was your pick this week? Let me know in the comments!

 

Top Ten Tuesday (15)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of us will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All that's asked is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

 

The topic that I chose this week is Top Ten Books That Made Me Cry. You may know this already, but I'm a huge crier. So this was a topic I knew I would have plenty material for. Here we go! Fingers crossed I don't cry just thinking about these (no kidding it's been known to happen).

 

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green-This might be a little obvious. Actually as of today one book has passed on making me more than this one, but I still think it deserves to be at the top. Simply because it was the first book that had me outright sobbing in the middle of the night, and because I'm convinced that it ruined my tear ducts forever. I wasn't as much of a crier before I read this book. Now I cry at everything.
2. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare-This gets recognition for being the one and only book to make me cry harder than The Fault in Our Stars. I think it's probably because of the size of the book plus the fact that there wasn't just one moment of sad parts. I mean it's a Cassie Clare book. I like choked on sobs and ruined tissues probably 500 of the 568 pages in this book. And then I closed it and kept crying.
3. Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl-I cried over this book not once but twice. I cried the first time I read it and even harder when I reread it(which was after TFiOs). That ending will never not be awful.
4. Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl-Of course I had to include the last book in this lovely series. Last books always get to me. Rarely do all the characters make it out alive, and even if they are alive I'll never read about them again. So yeah another middle the night cry-fest.
5. Tiger's Destiny by Colleen Houck-You probably already know about my investment bordering on obsession with these books and it's characters. Especially with one character in particular. So when something happened to that character I lost it. This was also not too long after The Fault in Out Stars.
6. Shades of Earth by Beth Revis-Yet again with the last book in a series and with threatening my favorite characters existence. I cried for like 50 pages in this book because it just went on and on and I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel.
7. Shadows in the Silence by Courtney Allison Moulton-Another one of those last in a series, and goodbyes, and just ouch.
8. The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan-Slight spoiler ahead, but chances are you probably already know. I knew it was coming, but as soon as Percy couldn't reach his sword it was like the River Styx was coming out of my eyes. Talk about a cliffhanger-too soon?
9. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan-This series is pretty freaking depressing altogether, but this one was especially bad. Which is unusual for the first one so kudos to Carrie Ryan for making me cry so soon.
10. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater-The reason this is on the list isn't really for the amount of tears. It's because Maggie Steifvater made me cry over a horse. And not just a horse, a killer water hybrid thingy kind of horse.

So that's my list for this week. Surprise, surprise I had to not include a few. 

 

What topic did you pick this week? Are you a crier? Did you cry in any of these books too? Do you need as much time as Tessa did (possibly more) to get over Clockwork Princess? Tell me in the comments!

 

Fire by Kristin Cashore Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Dial Books
Source: Conference
Second book in the Graceling Realm series
It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. The young King Nash clings to his throne while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. The mountains and forests are filled with spies and thieves and lawless men.
This is where Fire lives. With a wild, irresistible appearance and hair the color of flame, Fire is the last remaining human monster. Equally hated and adored, she had the unique ability to control minds, but she guards her power, unwilling to steal the secrets of innocent people. Especially when she has so many of her own.
Then Prince Brigan comes to bring her to King City, The royal family needs her help to uncover the plot against the king. Far away from home, Fire begins to realize there's more to her power than she ever dreamed. Her power could save the kingdom.
If only she weren't afraid of becoming the monster her father was.

Review
Someone tell me why I waited so long to read this? I honestly was hesitant because I had such high expectations. I have no Ida why I was worried! This surpassed my expectations by a long shot. It might even be my favorite out of the series.

This one tells the story of Fire, the last human monster in the world. She is both loved and hated for her appearance. She has the ability to control minds. Unexpectedly, she finds herself needed in the Kings City. Whole there she finds out she's capable of more than she thinks.

I instantly fell I'm love with Fire. I loved how unique she was. There was no one quite like her. She also had an amazing personality. I loved bow strong she was. She had a lot to deal with and always remained strong. I also loved the caring side of her. She was also very loving. I could fangirl about Archer for all of my life. My goodness he was amazing. I loved how epic he was and he knew it. He had this confidence that I loved. I also loved how protective he was over Fire. He cared about her so much. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Barigan. He made a great addition to the story. I liked how complex his character was. I'm not saying anything about who the love interest is. It does involve spoilers but its also not too terribly important. It was well done and very cute!

This had an amazing storyline. It was addicting. There was tons of action and I couldn't put it down. I loved learning about a new Graceling world. I loved how well it intertwined with Graceling and Bitterblue. I loved all the twists and turns. I had no idea where the story was going. I adored the characters with all my heart. Overall I loved every page of this book. It was beyond amazing. I can't believe I took so long to read this. If you haven't read this one, I oh so highly recommend.

Short Story Review: The Unfortunate Tale of Little Mary Jekins by F.W Adams

Reading Level: Young Adult
Self Published
Source: Author
Stand Alone
*This was gifted to me by author for review*
Sam and his three best friends, Nick, Jeff and Scout, find themselves in the middle of a hot boring, summer.
Looking for something to break the boredom, they escape into the dark desert behind Sam’s humble double-wide trailer with a cooler full of sodas with plans to have a night of fun around a bonfire in a secluded clearing.
Surrounded by darkness and the strange sounds of the dark desert night, Scott tells the tragic story of little Mary Jenkins and an innocent game of hide-and-seek—gone terribly, terribly wrong.
What happens when a not-so-friendly neighborhood rivalry ends in tragedy?
Vengeance from the dark, dark beyond.

Review
I wasn't sure what this was about when I started it. I was surprised to see it was the story of Scary Mary or as I knew Bloody Mary. I think everyone heard that story as a kid. This was a super short fun read. It was uber creepy and made for a great ghost story.

I would say this is a story of how Scary Mary came to be. 4 teenagers get together around a fire and decide to tell a scary story. But, this scary story is true! I had no idea how Scary Mary came to be. I liked learning about how she became the creepy ghost she is. It was nice and fast paced. It was very creeptastic. I shouldn't have been reading this right before bed! It had me spooked.

This is pretty short so there isn't too much for me too say. I thought it was a cool read. Everything seemed well done and thought out. It did its job and got me scared. If you like scary stories this one is for you!

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: Conference
First book in the Monument 14 series
Your mother hollers that you’re going to miss the bus. She can see it coming down the street. You don’t stop and hug her and tell her you love her. You don’t thank her for being a good, kind, patient mother. Of course not—you launch yourself down the stairs and make a run for the corner.Only, if it’s the last time you’ll ever see your mother, you sort of start to wish you’d stopped and did those things. Maybe even missed the bus.But the bus was barreling down our street, so I ran.Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong.
In Emmy Laybourne’s action-packed debut novel, six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids trapped together in a chain superstore build a refuge for themselves inside. While outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapons spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.

Review
I'm actually really surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. I was a little hesitant because I didn't want it to be like other books in this genre. I wouldn't compare it to any other book. It was completely unique. And I loved it very much.

This one tells the story of 14 kids. They have an accident and end up trapped in a local superstore. They must band together to survive whilst the world around them is torn apart.

I think I liked the characters best. I loved how they were all different and had something different to contribute. I loved all the different ages. I loved how well they stuck together. The older ones took care of the younger ones, but the younger ones had their roles too. They really were the best biggest family. And it was so sweet. With that ending I'm so curious to read more about these fabulous characters. Because there was so many of them I'm not gonna individually talk about them. But they were extremely well done and super adorable!

One of the reasons I loved this book so much was because the storyline wasn't what I was expecting. It really surprised me. I expected everyone to die and the kids to be all alone when really that wasn't the case. I loved that there was so many unique aspects. All the challenges the kids faced never failed to surprise me. I read this one in one sitting and it was lovely. Overall I thought this was an amazing read. I'm so glad I read it and I can't wait to continue the series.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvator

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

 

My pick this week is:

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvator

Expected publication: September 17th 2013 by Scholastic Press

The second installment in the all-new series from the masterful, #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater!
Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...

 

 

So I loved The Raven Boys! I thought it was insanely unique and I was so happy to have something new from this author! I will read anything Maggie writes. I'm not too fond of this cover but it is pretty. And I know the story will be fantabulous :).

 

What are you guys waiting on this week?