Every Day by David Levithan Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers 
Source: Bought
First book in a possible series
Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.
There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day

Review
I've wanted to read this story forever. I've heard the most amazing things. This story has definitely earned all that hype. This was one amazing read.

This tells the story of A. Everyday he's a new person. This is the life he lives. One day he meets someone worth remembering. He questions how to love and be loved when you're a new person everyday.

A was honestly unlike any other character. He was incredibly unique. I can't imagine having that life but he made the best of it. He tried to be compassionate of the bodies he borrowed. He didn't let anything affect him. I loved his determination. The romance of this story was absolutely perfect. It was innocent and sweet. But it was also very challenging. It ended just open enough to keep the story going.

This book has a storyline that will blow your mind! It's impossible to put down. There is so much to be taken from this story. It has some real life struggles. It's very relatable. It's like a love story filled with life lessons. I loved all the different people and their stories. I loved that no one was perfect. I was really happy this had a semi open ending. I do hope to see more of this story because I found it very impressive! 

Waiting on Wednesday: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

****"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 Young Elites by Marie Lu

Expected publication: October 7th 2014 by Putnam Books for Young Readers

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt

I'm a huge fan of Marie Lu. I've already heard some amazing things about this story. October is right around the corner so we don't even have long to wait. 

Let me know in the comments what you guys are waiting on!

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Source: Bought
First book in the Not a Drop to Drink series
Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water. 
Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all.
Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.
But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….
With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own.

Review 
This has some raving reviews. That's the reason I wanted to read it. The beginning kind of threw me off but the rest of the book made up for it.

This tells the story of Lynn. She knows how to survive and that's top priority for her. She doesn't care about  much else. As strangers move in, they make surviving a little more complicated for Lynn.

I really enjoyed Lynn. She was a fantastic main character. I loved how she changed throughout the story. I loved her strength and determination. If I needed to learn how to survive in that world, she would be the first person I would go to. I loved that she found a loving side to herself without losing her strength. Stebbs made such a nice addition to the story. As did Eli and Lucy. I was so happy Lynn didn't only have herself anymore. 

This book has quite the storyline. I didn't really know what to expect. It was very realistic. It was a tad gruesome at times. I was not a fan of the first few chapters. They really threw me off. But the rest of the book made up for it.It was suspenseful and action packed. It was incredibly unique. You had no idea what was going to happen next. I loved it to pieces. I cannot wait to see what this author does next. 

Waiting on Wednesday: The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout

****"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 Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Expected release date: February 17, 2015
from Spencer Hill Press
It’s been a year since Seth made the deal with the gods that pledged his life to them. And so far, the jobs they’ve given him have been violent and bloody – which is kind of all right with him. But now Apollo has something else in mind for Seth. He’s got to play protector while keeping his hands and fingers off, and for someone who really has a problem with restraint, this new assignment might be the most challenging yet. Josie has no idea what this crazy hot guy’s deal might be, but it’s a good bet that his arrival means the new life she started after leaving home is about to be thrown into an Olympian-sized blender turned up to “puree”. Either Josie is going insane or a nightmare straight out of an ancient myth is gunning for her.

But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and the golden-eyed, secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all.

 I'll admit that Seth wasn't my favorite character for most of the Covenant series. Most of the time I wanted to punch him, but I knew that he could redeem himself. In the end, he finally did and I wanted more of him. So I was so excited when this was announced. I can't wait to see more of this world, see more of Seth, and see who he falls in love with. My body is ready for February.


That's what I'm waiting on this week. What about you? What are you excited to see in the Return? Another book you're waiting on? Let me know in the comments!

Reboot by Amy Tintera Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: Conference
First book in the Reboot series
Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).
Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.
The perfect soldier is done taking orders.

Review
It takes a lot for me to say I've never read anything like this. This one falls into that category! This was a very impressive story. I loved it!

This tells the story of Wren. She's the best solider in the world. When a super cute newbie comes around, she rethinks her ways. When ordered to dispose of said newbie, she decides its time to fight back.

Wren is the biggest badass. She was amazing. I loved how complex she was. I loved that she stuck to her ways. Even though she accepted change and new things, she never lost herself. Does anyone know where I can find a Callum? He was the most adorable thing. I loved seeing him grow and get stronger. I loved that he didn't let anyone control him.

This book has the best storyline. It was amazing. I loved all the fighting. I loved the Reboots vs Humans. I loved having no idea what was coming next. I couldn't stop reading to save my life. Overall this was a great start to a series. Everything was incredibly well done. I cant wait to see where this story goes.

Waiting on Wednesday: Captive by Aimee Carter

****"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:

Captive by Aimee Carter

Expected publication: November 25th 2014 by Harlequin Teen

For the past two months, Kitty Doe's life has been a lie. Forced to impersonate the Prime Minister's niece, her frustration grows as her trust in her fake fiancé cracks, her real boyfriend is forbidden and the Blackcoats keep her in the dark more than ever. 

But in the midst of discovering that her role in the Hart family may not be as coincidental as she thought, she's accused of treason and is forced to face her greatest fear: Elsewhere. A prison where no one can escape. 

As one shocking revelation leads to the next, Kitty learns the hard way that she can trust no one, not even the people she thought were on her side. With her back against the wall, Kitty wants to believe she'll do whatever it takes to support the rebellion she believes in—but is she prepared to pay the ultimate price?

Pawn was the first book I've read by this author. It was an incredibly amazing story. It sucked me in right from the start. I cannot wait to continue the story! 

Let me know in the comments what you guys are waiting on! 

Champion by Marie Lu Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Putnam
Source: Bought
Third and final book in the Legend series
He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion? 
June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position. 
But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything. 
With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.


Review
This is easily my favorite in the series. It really blew my mind. I couldn't have imagined a better ending.


This concludes Day and June's story. June is back with the Republic. Day has a high level military position. But as a plague starts to take over the colonies, they are forced back together.


Day impressed me a bit more then June in this one. I still enjoyed June but she seemed a little average. Day was like a whole new person. It was like he had found something new to believe in. It was nice seeing him back in his old stunts. He has this amazing strength. He's always been very self sacrificing. I enjoyed June more towards the end. I didn't really enjoy the politician side of her. She is also very strong and self sacrificing. Her and Day literally cared more for the world than for themselves.


This story wasn't what I was expecting but in a good way. I loved the storyline. I loved the plague and all the medical aspects. I loved all the fighting and battles. The tension between characters was perfect. There was a great amount of suspense. I loved getting to see June and Day grow up. I loved all the different settings. Overall this was an amazing conclusion. I'm very sad to say goodbye!

Character Love #2: Ruby from The Darkest Minds

Character Love is a meme that we came up with.
It's a way to talk about your favorite fictional characters, big and small.
If you want to join us in showing the love feel free. Just say who the character
is, what book they're from, and a little about why you love them.
You can even include fan art or casting of them or some of your favorite
quotes from them. Have fun!

My pick this week is Ruby from The Darkest Minds trilogy by Alexandra Bracken

Found this pretty on the authors Tumblr.
 @gale-katniss

It's been a while since I had a character I wanted to love on, but I read The Darkest Minds and Never Fade a couple weeks ago and Ruby immediately came to mind. Cute love interests and funny side characters are normally my favorites and while this series had both of those Ruby really stood out to me. She goes through so much and every time it seems like it's looking better for her something ruins it. Despite that she manages to stay kind and care for other people-so much so that she puts their safety above her happiness (ugh still not over that) at times. I was surprised that not only was I afraid for the characters lives and relationships over the course of the series, but Ruby's character arc. I didn't want the things that happened to her or what she had to do to affect her outlook. That makes In The Afterlight scare me even more, but I'm sure she'll make it through, especially if Liam is at her side. Oh, Liam, I could go on and on about him, too, but I'll stick to Ruby for right now.


                                            Favorite quotes:

“Sometimes you're the one speeding along in a panic, doing too much, not paying attention, wrecking things you don't mean to. And sometimes life just happens to you, and you can't dodge it. It crashes into you because it wants to see what you're made of.”  


"I think maybe the most frustrating feeling in the world is to have something to say buy not know how to put it into words. To have lived through something but not be able to get it out of you before it festers.”  


“Life isn’t fair." I said. "It’s taken me a while to get that. It’s always going to disappoint you in some way or another. You’ll make plans, and it’ll push you in another direction. You will love people, and they’ll be taken away no matter how hard you fight to keep them. You’ll try for something and won’t get it. You don’t have to find meaning in it; you don’t have to try to change things. You just have to accept the things that are out of your hands and try to take care of yourself. That’s your job.”  

(I think all of those are from Ruby, but I'm not positive *fingers crossed*)

That my pick for the week. Any other nice things to say about Ruby? Or more quotes? Put them in the comments!

July Monthly Wrap Up

Happy August! We hope you guys have had an amazing year so far! Let us know in the comments what you guys plan on reading this month :)

Jasmine's wrap up

Marissa's wrap up

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Source: Conference
Stand Alone
Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.
Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.
Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?
Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?
Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.


Review
Its been forever since I've read a book by this author. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I didn't love this story but I did enjoy it.




This tells the story of Emaline. Her life is pretty average. As summer comes around, she wonders about her future. She questions the choices she's made as she figures out how to get the moon and more.




Emaline didn't wow me but I did enjoy her. I loved her humor. She was very strong and determined. I loved how true to herself she was. I also loved how she stood up for herself and those around her. I think I liked Theo because he was different. As a love interest I didn't enjoy him but as a individual I did. I wished for more Luke scenes. I really liked him. Benji was by far my favorite character. He made such an amazing addition to the story.




This had an interesting concept. I wasn't sure what to think of it. I didn't love the storyline but I didn't dislike it either. It was kinda just okay. I did love the setting. I loved the family aspects. I loved all the life lessons that could be taken from the story. I think this story needed more cute. Overall this was a pretty good read. It was a nice easy contemporary.

Waiting on Wednesday: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

****"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:




An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Expected release date: April 28th, 2015
from Razorbill

Set in a terrifyingly brutal Rome-like world, An Ember in the Ashes is an epic fantasy debut about an orphan fighting for her family and a soldier fighting for his freedom. It’s a story that’s literally burning to be told.

LAIA is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire’s greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution.

ELIAS is the academy’s finest soldier— and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias is considering deserting the military, but before he can, he’s ordered to participate in a ruthless contest to choose the next Martial emperor.

When Laia and Elias’s paths cross at the academy, they find that their destinies are more intertwined than either could have imagined and that their choices will change the future of the empire itself.

Vow your blood and body to the empire.

Keep your heart for yourself.

I didn't even know what book I was going to do when this caught my eye on Goodreads, but as soon as I read the synopsis I knew it had to be my WoW. To me it sounds like Legend in a historic setting. Why wouldn't I want to read it?

That's my surprise pick this week. Any other books coming out that you think I should know about? Let me know in the comments!

Top Ten Tuesday (67)

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

This weeks topic is Top Ten Books I'd Give To Readers Who Have Never Read X. My pick is Contemporary, but I'm going to do it a little differently. The first few recs are if you really haven't read any contemporary, and the last few are if you've already those and want to know what to read next. That should give you enough options, right?

Contemporary newbies:

• Stephanie Perkins books-I doubt you'll see any list without Anna and Lola on it. The reason they're on mine is because they actually got me into contemporary. Before them I was honestly kind of terrified of the genre and had no idea where to start. I'm so, so glad I chose these because they remain my favorites to this day. 

• Rainbow Rowell books-I'm sure you have heard about this ladies books in the past year. You're probably tired of hearing about them by now, but if you haven't read them yet, you're really missing out. She has some of the most well written characters I've ever read.
• Huntley Fitzpatrick books-My Life Next Door and What I Thought Was True are the perfect read-in-a-day-during-the-summer reads. She knows how to write her couples.
• The Fault In Our Stars by John Green-I had to include this one. Duh. I'm sure you're excuses for not reading it are very valid, but I say drop them. It really will change your life. Or at least the way you look at things.

I've Read Those Now What?

• Jennifer E. Smith books-If you loved Anna and Lola and you want that travel-the-world-through-a-book feeling again, read these. I can't even list all the settings in these books. On top of that they read like movies and I never want to put them down.
• Katie McGarry books-If I didn't think her books were a little less popular, she would be on the first list. Katie McGarry is one of my all time favorite authors. I paired her with Rainbow Rowell because her books aren't just cutesy contemporary. They deal with things like abuse and anxiety and even homelessness in a way that makes the characters come out even better for it in the end. If you liked that about E&P and Fangirl, Katie is your girl.
• Kasie West books-I think Kasie and Huntley have pretty similar plots, but not in a bad way. In a can't put down because of the romance and the plot sort of way.
• Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy-I'm assuming you read and loved TFIOS (and all his other books) and you want another cancer book that's not really a cancer book. I feel you and I can't recommend this enough. Give it a shot.

Those are my picks this week. If you have at least have one more book to add to your TBR then I have done my job. Let me know in the comments if there's any contemporary's I should add to my TBR.

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Spencer Hill
Source: Bought
Last book in the Covenant series
It's a beautiful day for a war.
As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.
And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.
In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself


Review
I am so sad to see this series end. It will be dearly missed. But, it couldn't have had a better ending.




This concludes Alex's story. The world is on the brink of war. Alex is the only one who can stop it.
But it will come with a price. Everything is riding on her.




Alex, you have been the best main character. Your snark is perfection. One of the best things about Alex is her strength. She handles everything well. She puts the entire world above herself. Aiden, perfect doesn't even begin to describe you. You've had my whole heart from the beginning. What I loved most about Aiden was how strong and loving he was. I loved seeing him stand up to Alex. They've been through so much. They've never had an easy relationship. But, it was worth it. Their relationship has grown into something absolutely amazing. It just might have been my favorite part of the story. I was actually glad to see Seth. He's never been my favorite character but I actually liked him in this one. I cant wait to see more of him.




Can you say action packed? Goodness, this book was exciting. I couldn't stop reading for the life of me. I loved all the Greek Gods. I loved all the fighting and bad guys. I loved having no idea what was going to happen next. This story really couldn't have been better. I have been a fan of this series for a very long time. I'm really not ready to say goodbye. But, this series couldn't have gone out with a bigger bang!

Series Love #28: Sweet Series

Series Love is a meme we came up with. There are so many amazing book series out there. We love to share the love and help spread the word. If you want to play along all you have to do is pick a series. It doesn’t matter if it only has one book or a million, as long as you include the authors name and the covers of the books.

My pick this week is:

I haven't finished this series yet. But I've read the first two books and they were amazing! I love angel stories. This series is so fun! I'm a really big fan. I cannot wait to finally read Sweet Reckoning to see how it all wraps up. Plus I miss my babies Kia in particular. If you haven't read this series I highly recommend checking it out :)