Review: Fated by Sarah Alderson

Title: Fated
Author: Sarah Alderson
Series: Fated #1
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: January 5th 2012
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

What happens when you discover you aren't who you thought you were? And that the person you love is the person who will betray you? If your fate is already determined, can you fight it?

When Evie Tremain discovers that she’s the last in a long line of Demon slayers and that she’s being hunted by an elite band of assassins –Shapeshifters, Vampires and Mixen demons amongst them – she knows she can’t run. They’ll find her wherever she goes. Instead she must learn to stand and fight.

But when the half-human, half-Shadow Warrior Lucas Gray - is sent to spy on Evie and then ordered to kill her before she can fulfil a dangerous prophecy, their fates become inextricably linked. The war that has raged for one thousand years between humans and demons is about to reach a devastating and inevitable conclusion. Either one or both of them will die before this war ends.

If your life becomes bound to another’s, what will it take to sever it?

First I would like to thank Caroline over at Simon & Schuster for sending me this fantastic book, it was a surprise along with a few others that I had requested for review, and ooh boy was I glad to get it! I loved Sarah's fist book Hunting Lila and was glad to hear that she was starting another series before Losing Lila comes out later this year! 

Fated didn't disappoint me, Evie is a snarky bad-ass tough girl who has been through a lot in her short life, so there's no wonder when a bunch of 'freaks' with supernatural powers and look like the monsters from books, movies and TV shows that go bump in the night, try to kill her...

She's a little bit surprised because, why would they want to kill her? She's just a normal girl... or so she thought.

Turns out that she isn't your typical human, she's a hunter and is supposed to be a kick-ass demon slayer when she comes into her power and that's why the supernatural team of freaks wants her dead, and dead fast.

Victor (another hunter) waltzes into Evie's life with his crazy fashion sense and sits her down after saving her life from the 'unhumans' (aka demons) and explains things to her. She reacts lovely by throwing movie quotes in his face, from Twilight to the Karate Kid and numerous others! It's the exact same thing that I would do, so I found it absolutely hilarious! 

Then Lucas showed up, and ooh-lala isn't he yummy! I love how he follows his instincts, even if he believes he's a bit crazy for doing so, especially when it comes to saving Evie on numerous occasions!

Sarah tortured me with lots of steamy tension until finally the kiss happens! It made even my toes tingle! (and the thought 'about bloody time!' came across my head - definitely was rewarded for the wait!)

I was so worried about what would happen when Lucas's secret's was revealed and how Evie would react when the beans were spilled! I think that part was masterfully done Sarah, kudos to you! Also I think that all men will learn a vital lesson from reading Fated... that they should fear a girl not only with a baseball bat on hand... but one in a killer red dress!

Fated's story intrigued me and I can't wait till book two to find out what will happen next! Will we find out more prophecies that link Evie to the white light? Will we get more steamy scenes? Will Lobo the dog start talking and become a fearless warrior?

...Okay, so that last one was a bit exaggerated, but LOBO IS AWESOME!! I think I will have had to cry and curse Sarah if anything bad ever happens to him haha. All in all If you haven't read Fated yet, make sure you get your hands on it ASAP!

Fated
By Sarah Alderson
Gets:

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Two Favourite Quotes:
"Is this like Karate Kid where I learn how to do martial arts moves by hanging clothes up?"
~
"Do I look like a size 2, Evie Tremain? And do I look like I am going to spend thousands of dollars on a scrap of material no bigger than a tea towel?"

IMM #21

 In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

Well this week I got nothing in the mailbox but I got two books for my Kindle!
They were:

Minder by Kate Kaynak.
I've been meaning to get Minder for a while, I think that it sounds really great and I can't wait to start it!

Angelfall by Susan Ee.
I've been hearing AMAZING things about Angelfall and I can't wait to read it and see what all the hype is about! It also sounds good too, & it was only 99c on Amazon so I couldn't pass up the awesome opportunity!

Australia Day International Giveaway!!

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

To Celebrate this fine holiday (and my Mum's birthday) I thought why not do a giveaway of an Australian authors work! The choices were limited but I decided on a pre-ordered copy of Embrace by Jessica Shirvington that will be released in America on March 1st!

I actually haven't read Embrace yet, but I have the Aussie copy sitting on my shelf waiting to be consumed as soon as I buy the other two books and I've only heard wonderful things about it!

Title: Embrace
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Series: The Violet Eden Chapters Book 1
Pages: 367
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: March First 2012
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

I slowly opened my eyes. The sun speared its first bright rays of golden orange into the sky and I leapt from the cliff, with the sorrowful knowledge that no matter what the outcome, at least part of me would die that day...

Violet Eden is dreading her seventeenth birthday dinner. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. The one bright spot is that Lincoln will be there. Sexy, mature and aloof, he is Violet’s idea of perfection. But why does he seem so reluctant to be anything more than a friend?

After he gives her the world’s most incredible kiss – and then abandons her on her front doorstep – Violet is determined to get some answers. But nothing could have prepared her for Lincoln’s explanation: he is Grigori – part angel and part human – and Violet is his eternal partner.

Without warning, Violet’s world is turned upside down. She never believed in God, let alone angels. But there’s no denying the strange changes in her body ... and her feelings for Lincoln. Suddenly, she can’t stand to be around him. Luckily, Phoenix, an exiled angel, has come into her life. He’s intense and enigmatic, but at least he never lied to her.

As Violet gets caught up in an ancient battle between dark and light, she must choose her path. The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity...

The only thing mandatory on this giveaway is to enter your e-mail, the rest is pick and choose! But you can get a lot of extra entries if you choose to do so! this giveaway goes until the 31st of January so make the most of it!

Good-luck!

Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Prince
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: The Infernal Devices
Pages: 502
Format: Paperback
Publisher: McElderry Books
Published: December 6th 2011
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Okay, let me start off by saying I loved Clockwork Angel, It got a lot of bad reviews saying 'urgh this is just a copy of The Mortal Instruments in Historical England with Steampunk thrown in for good measure.' and I was it's biggest defendant, arguing that there is a ton of potential for Cassandra Clare to take the book in a different area... that Jem didn't seem to be infatuated with Tessa like Simon was with Clary and he would be a great friend, and yes he did seem to have feelings for her at the end of Clockwork Angel but he could clearly see that Will loved her and Jem wouldn't be the type to interfere.

Then I read Clockwork Prince... (it took me a good while to plough through it too)

And thought, 'what the fuckity fuck? Are these the same characters from book one? Is this the same plot?'

I was so excited to read it also because of all the amazing reviews I've read. I have only seen one two star review and one three star, so I thought 'Holy Shit this is going to be good!' now I'm more like, 'seriously? Why!?' - But each to their own! (Plus I'm a bit weird anyways!)

So I will say that this review is my honest opinion and thoughts of Clockwork Prince, if I offend you in any way I apologise but everyone has a right to their own opinions and I respect yours so please respect mine! Also if you have not read this book, do not read any further as I will have spoilers and sorry... as you may have noticed already.. I have a potty mouth.

For me, Tessa was such a strong-willed and extremely intelligent character in book one who made me think 'yay we need more heroines like her in young adult literature' and while I was reading Clockwork Prince I couldn't believe how someone so smart could flip a switch and suddenly be so stupid! I just didn't get it.

I think that book two does not do justice to the character Tessa was previously and that her intelligence was severely hacked at with a blunt axe and the result wasn't pretty! I was thoroughly disappointed to a point were I went from raging mad to really sad... I still am pretty sad actually. I just thought that she was brought down to such a low, where all she worried about was boys this and boys that and everything else just didn't matter anymore, sure she wasn't always like this but her character was like a ghost of how strong she was in book one.

Now don't get me wrong I love romance, hell I tend not to read books without it present, but I think Miss Clare is going a bit too far with her love triangles, I mean she's been there and done that with The Mortal Instruments, I was expecting a love triangle - who wasn't? but I wasn't expecting it along the same lines as it was in The Mortal Instruments, I was expecting something different and not the same forbidden-tortured-soul-love-triangle.

Jem is another great character that I love who was brought down low, he's smart and I swear the hints were there with him knowing about Will's feelings for Tessa, I mean sure Will hides his true self, but Jem should have known him better and I thought he did! But who knows... maybe he does know and is being a little selfish and pretending not to so he can get Tessa (god knows the guy deserves to be a little selfish!), but if Clare goes with that angle she will be giving blatant injustice to Jem's character and honestly who knows what she'll do!

I love Clare's writing, her world and yes her characters, but after  The Infernal Devices series is over, I doubt I'll be reading anymore of her books until I read reviews and see if she's using a different angle.

Anyways, I'll mention some positive things now!

Yes, I did like some parts in Clockwork Prince! Shocking I know! The side characters were the best part of the book for me! Magnus, Sophie, Gideon, Charlotte and Henry. Sophie is such a strong, lovable character and I was so happy that she found Gideon, I especially can't wait to see what happens with them in book three!

Also I loved how Clare finished off the book with Will's sister walking in, that was great and I can't wait to see how everything will turn out in book three with that as well.

Another thing I didn't like was how so much was going on and happened plot wise in Clockwork Angel, in Clockwork Prince however, although the plot did progress I thought it was mostly focused on the love-triangle and there wasn't enough action.

And honestly Tessa treated Will like shit (even before he confessed)... sure he was a bastard at times, and wishy washy, but I just thought she was a lot smarter and would be able to see through Will - sure everyone could say she has her reasons, but later when she confesses and breaks his heart she kind of contradicts herself with this line:

"you cannot hide what is good about yourself, however hard you try." I call BULLSHIT!! I would have actually believed this statement if she didn't go all throughout the book going 'oh Will doesn't care about me, he doesn't care about anyone because he's a heartless bastard' and goes all shocked when he shows emotion... and then she says this!

Also Jem deserves so much better than a woman that does not love him! Tessa pretty much said in her internal dialogue that although she loves them both she doesn't want to break them up and she doesn't think that Jem could cope or find someone else even though she swears she'll find a cure for his disease. I'm sorry but that is such an insult to Jem and belittling him which he totally doesn't deserve, sure I think he will be hurt, but he is just so much stronger than that, I'm just hoping that he himself will realise this in book three!

I've talked to a lot of people about the plot, everyone's terrified that the only way to solve the problem is for Jem to die and for Tessa and Will to end up together that way, but I have another theory.

In CA I had the strong feeling that Jem only felt about Tessa as a friend until the end of the book (which I found very refreshing) and thought because of something Jem said himself to Tessa about not loving her straight away and it slowly grew and later to Will about sensing their bonds and whatnot. I then thought, perhaps Jem's feelings for Tessa are actually Will's strong feelings for her felt through their bond.

But hey that's just a crazy theory that could resolve in not everyone hating each other in the end, but Casandra Clare likes to torture and to shock, so who knows what will really happen! At this point I wouldn't actually mind for Tessa to turn evil and die haha, and who knows after she burned herself she may turn to more drastic measures and I'll keep Will.. and Jem (hmm I'm so evil).

So yes i had a lot of issues with this book and I think I've covered them all. No I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either, I hope that I'll enjoy Clockwork Princess a lot more than I've enjoyed this one and that Tessa will grow some balls and redeem herself in my eyes!

Clockwork Prince
by Cassandra Clare
gets:

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Manga Mondays: The Tarot Cafe by Sang-sun Park

Manga Mondays is an amazing meme hosted by Alison Can Read! I've been posting irregularly lately, but look forward to a constant stream of manga mondays from now on!

Title: The Tarot Cafe
Author: Sang-sun Park
Type: Manhwa (Korean manga)
Anime-Planet | Amazon | Goodreads

Meet Pamela, the owner of The Tarot Cafe - what she offers on the menu isn't always a treat for her customers. Pamela is also a clairvoyant who caters to an elite clientele that frequents the cafe for more than just tea. Vampires, fairies and other creatures that live among humans come to learn of their future from the predictions of this young woman. But Pamela must come to terms with a deep dark secret before she can move onto the next life...

The Tarot Cafe is one of my favourite Manhwa's. Pamela is the owner of The Tarot Cafe and although she does take normal human customers, after midnight she gives tarot readings to the supernatural... if they pay the right price!

While Pamela is our main character along with a few other regulars with each volume we learn a little more about her as she helps her supernatural clients, we meet new characters each volume and hear their story, but as the volumes go on we get into more detail on Pamela and her story until we finally reach the end!

I wont go into anymore detail about the other volumes, because I'm only going to be reviewing volume one!

In the introduction to the first volume we are introduced to a cat boy! who, by normal humans is just seen as a cat and he falls in love with the girl that saves him.

This cat isn't any ordinary cat either, he is a wish fulfilling cat and can only grant three wishes before his life is over. He has fallen deeply in love with this poor girl that can't walk, he decides to fulfill her wishes so that she can be happy.

First he heals her legs so she can walk and become a normal girl, that can go shopping with her friends and then she wanted a boyfriend and so he made her be able to see him as human for one day and took her on a date.

But then, she meets a guy that looks exactly like him in his human form and she falls in love and so that's when he goes to Pamela for advice on whether or not she'll be happy and Pamela tells him that he can kill her and gain an extra wish back and prolong his life, or let her go off with this other man and be happy.

Also, both of their families are mafia rivals (Romeo and Juliet anyone? haha) and as they were running away to elope the cat boy granted her last wish and the guards saw him as the young man as he looks exactly alike and dies.

Not all sunshine and rainbows I must admit, but then after the first story we learn a bit more about Pamela and then she gets a few more customers and we hear there stories also, but I wont go too much more into it as I don't want to spoil... and that's only the first volume!

Pamela is such a snarky character who although she would never admit it, has such a kind and caring heart! This is a great series for paranormal lovers!

The Tarot Cafe
by Sang-sun Park

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IMM #20

 In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

YAY finally got back to making a vlog! Been in the sun all day and ended up sunburnt and a bit of heatstroke haha so excuse all the fumbling over words and mistakes haha.

Superstitions: Omens, Charms, Cures 1787 by Francis Grose
From Simon and Schuster
~
Everneath by Brodi Ashton
Frozen By Robin Wasserman
Amy & Rogers Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Fated By Sarah Alderson (Bec @ Wicked Ink)
~
From NetGalley
~
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman
Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz
~Books I Bought!
~
A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton
Tempest by Julie Cross (Brett @ Demons Read Too)
The Pregnancy Project by Gabby Rodriguez with Jenna Glatzer
Intuition by Fenton Paul Smith

TGIF #16

 

TGIF aka Thank God It's Friday! Is a fantastic meme created over at GReads!

Recommend It: Which book from the last 10 you've read would you recommend to a friend?

That's easy!

The Agency ~ A Spy in the House by Y.S Lee!

Its an amazing series and the first book start's off with a bang so if you like Mysteries, and 18th century England with smart girl detectives, this books is for you.. even if you're not really into that kind of stuff I'm sure you would find something that you love out of this series!

Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners — and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady’s companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust — or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets — including those of her own past.

& The WINNER of the signed copy of Hush Hush goes tooo...

Congratulations

Cayce!!

You are the winner for the signed copy of Hush Hush!
I hope that you love it!

You have 48 hours to answer the e-mail I'm about to send you with your address added or I'll have to assign another winner.. :(

Thank you everyone who participated in this giveaway!

Waiting on Wednesday: Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that fellow bloggers can't wait to get their hands on!

Title: Shooting Stars
Author: Allison Rushby
Release Date: February 28th 2012
Publisher: Walker & Company
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment.

I love photography so this sounds extra awesome for me, I can't wait to read this, I think it sounds like a nice easy and fun read!

Review: Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink

Title: Guardian of the Gate
Author: Michelle Zink
Series: Prophecy of the Sisters
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback
Publisher: ATOM
Published: August 5th 2010
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this highly-anticipated sequel to Prophecy of the Sisters, sixteen year-old orphan Lia Milthorpe continues her quest to end an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other. Having now accepted the responsibilities tied to her role as Gate, Lia journeys to the unchartered isle of Altus to continue her search for the missing pages of the Book of Chaos--the pages that could tell her how to end the prophecy once and for all. Along the way, her courage, strength, and soul are tested in ways she never could have imagined.

Meanwhile, twin sister Alice continues to hone her spellcasting abilities, completely ignoring the rules that govern the Otherworlds. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim Lia's role of Gate, and that's not the only thing she wants. There's also Lia's true love, James.

The outcome of this battle between sisters will have consequences of Biblical proportion. In the end, only one sister will be left standing.

Ever since I finished reading Prophecy of the Sisters I couldn't wait to get my hands on Guardian of the Gate, excited to see what Michelle Zink would throw at me next in the sequel of this amazing, unique tale!

I got to it as soon as I could (which wasn't soon enough actually) and although I really enjoyed Guardian of the Gate, I found that it wasn't as gripping as the first. Which sometimes happens with middle books, don't get me wrong, it was still good and had its exciting moments, yummy scenes and a few where I gripped the edges of the book worried about what would happen to Lia and her companions next, it's just that I think since the first book was such a roller-coaster ride, I was expecting the second to be the same.

Guardian of the Gate was a bit more slow paced from the first, it has it's fast paced scenes too, so don't worry! We kind of took a step back and got to see Lia's growth from the first book and her constant worries for the journey yet to come, also Guardian of the Gate was practically Lia coming to terms with her quest and the possibilities that may occur from it, and accepting herself.

One of the best things about book two is... Dimitri! I wasn't a big James fan and I had read in other reviews about Dimitri so I was just bursting at the seams for him to show up! & ooh boy is he yummy! Lia and Dimitri's relationship did evolve fast, but Michelle does it in such a way that it doesn't seem so, I mean with all the crazy things that are happening around them I think they got together rather slowly!

& then I was literally biting my nails in worry and anticipation for when Lia or one of her trusty companions would let the beans spill about James to Dimitri... I mean come on they were practically engaged, I don't particularly like the guy but that would cause some reaction from Dimitri hearing about it.. no? But I guess I'll be waiting for that in book three! (I was actually kind of bummed it wasn't in book two)

I also was disapointed with the lack of creepy/bitchy Alice scenes, don't get me wrong when she did appear she made a splash with her evil ways that sent chills down my spine, but I wanted more evilll! Not that there wasn't any.. Michelle writes a good creepy scene! And I just wanted more! haha.

Okay before I babble on for too much longer, I shall end this review with... *drum-roll* Edmund is adorable and I love him to pieces! Where can I get one!?

Also, I can't wait to read the conclusion to this amazing series... Circle of Fire, where I've heard that things will pick up the pace like never before! & yes I'll admit, I'm a bit scared to find out what will go wrong happen next!

Guardian of the Gate
by Michelle Zink
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Manga Mondays #3: Nightschool vol.1 by Svetlana Chmakova

Manga Mondays is an amazing meme hosted by Alison Can Read! I've been posting irregularly lately, but look forward to a constant stream of manga mondays from now on!

Title: Nightschool
Author: Svetlana Chmakova
Series: The Weirn Books
Type: OEL (Original-English-Language Manga)
 Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Where do Demons get their diplomas?

Schools may lock up for the night, but class is in session for an entirely different set of students. In the nightschool, vampires, werewolves, and weirns (a particular breed of witches) learn the fundamentals of everything from calculus to spell casting. Alex is a young weirn whose education has always been handled through homeschooling, but circumstances seem to be drawing her closer to the nightschool. Will Alex manage to weather the dark forces gathering?

Svetlana is one of my favourite mangaka's, her drawings are fantastic, her characters are lovable and hilarious and her plot is always interesting! So I was beyond excited when I found out that she would be releasing a new series and bought the first volume as soon as I could!

Nightschool didn't disappoint!

Alex waking up Sarah!

I recommend this to all YA paranormal/urban fantasy lovers out there, especially if you haven't read manga before this would be a fantastic place to start! Svetlana's plot manages to be deep and meaningful with the right amount of suspense and interest but still manages to be light and very funny at the same time!

The main character in this manga is a young weirn (witch) named Alex, who is home-schooled due to an incident that we don't know about yet. Her sister, Sarah is her only relative and is a keeper at a high school for the paranormal.

I love the school idea, it's a normal high school that gets used by humans during the day and then taken over by the paranormal at night!

A keepers job is to make sure that everything is kept in order and that no humans will find out about them - Sarah is only new to the job and has a hard time getting to work on time (picture above is Alex waking her up!)

Alex doesn't want to go at school but when her sister is at work, she manages to sneak out to the local graveyard for her 'social studies' class to study a vampire teen put the moves on his human girlfriend (Alex snickering at 'stupid humans' was hilarious).

Although not everything goes to plan when she runs into some hunters and we see a strange ghost-like figure that looks a lot like Alex take possession of her,  and then discover that there may be a lot more to Alex than meets the eye!

The story really starts when every trace of Sarah disappears, Alex is the only one that remembers her (that we know of at this point) and she decides to investigate her sisters disappearance... but will she be able to step foot inside the school? I can't wait to see what happens next!

Nightschool
by Svetlana Chmakova

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Sarah Disappearing... even in photos!

In My Mailbox #20

 In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

This week I've been on a bit of a hiatus, but hopefully I'll be back in full swing starting now!
This week I got some great goodies!

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
(I've been waiting for this one for a while, but have been hearing some mixed reviews, so I'm interested to see my take on it!)
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
(Heard some fantastic reviews, and of course I've been waiting for it as soon as I heard about it! & talk about that amazing cover!)
Fated by Sarah Alderson
(DYING to read this!!)
The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges
(I heard about this through one of my blogging buddies Britt! Her glowing review and the synopsis sold this for me straight away!)
A Million Suns by Beth Revis
(Hmm couldn't help myself... I suppose I should hurry up and read Across the Universe already!!)

Annnd
Pokemon Season Four!!
(haha, I couldn't help myself adding this to my IMM, I'm re-watching the pokemon series. It started as a joke to re-live one of my favourite shows when I was a kid... and now I've fallen in love with the series all over again!)

Waiting on Wednesday: Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that fellow bloggers can't wait to get their hands on!

Title: Onyx
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: A Lux Novel

Release Date: May 2012
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Goodreads 

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town.

The Department of Defense is here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

If you haven't read Obsidian (my review) yet... do it NOW!!!! This amazing series must not be overlooked!!I think I may spontaneously combust from Daemon hotness as soon as I get my hands on Onyx haha, probably before then and all the re-reading I'll be doing with Obsidian!

In My Mailbox #19

 In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

This week I'm feeling lazy so it's picture time!

The Secret Sisterhood of Heart Breakers
by Lynn Weingarten
I've been really looking forward to this one, it sounds like a whole lot of fun!

Touch of Frost
by Jennifer Estep
I love this one and I'm so glad to finally have my own copy!
(my review)

Touch of Power
by Maria V. Snyder
Another favourite! I'm happy to have this on hand, but I still want to go buy the aussie version!
(my review)

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

by Jennifer E. Smith.

Heard so many good things about this and can't wait to start it, it sounds like a nice read!

TGIF #15

 

TGIF aka Thank God It's Friday! Is a fantastic meme created over at GReads!

Reading Resolutions: What are some of your reading goals for the new year?

I actually probably have more blogging goals than reading, but here are some of my reading goals!

• My first goal, is to read 123 books on my goodreads challenge, but really I would like to get to 150... but I'm trying to be a bit realistic about it haha, I'll be lucky if I get to 123 with uni, but in 2011 I got up to 121... so it is possible!

• Read more contemporary YA books! I love and adore paranormal and spend most of my time reading all sorts of strange and quirky things, even though I also enjoy contemporary, I'm more likely to read adult contemporary rather than YA, so this year I've joined the YA Contemporary Challenge and hope to read at least 20. (and I already have quite a few!)

• Must read books that I already own before buying new ones, especially the old ones! & not try to just focus on the newly released books!

• Catch up with my massive stack of Net Galley books, and only request ones that I REALLY want to read in the future!!

• Read as many debut authors that I can! (and not only just for the Debut Authors Challenge, I just love reading new authors work!)

• READ MORE CLASSIC'S!! (I want to read some like Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Emma by Jane Austen, etc.)

Well thats all I can think of at the moment, I'll probably think of some more later and hopefully I'll be awesome and actually get all these lovely goals done by the end of the year!!

Most Anticipated Books for 2012

Okay, I have a lot of books that I'm excited to get in 2012, and these are just the ones with covers that I'm dying to get! I'll start off with my top five!

These five are probably the books that I would kill to get my hands on, as soon as I heard about them I've practically been drooling and looking up any info that I can about them.
 (I'd say Shatter Me #2 would be on this list as well if the cover was released)

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood:

I've been DYING to get my hands on this ever since I heard about it and read the first two chapters over at Penguin, so far it's amazing and I cant wait till its released later this month... I'll probably be foaming at the mouth around then!

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund:

I loved Diana's Killer Unicorn series, so I was interested in her next book no matter what it was... then I found out that it's inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion with a sci-fi twist! Which left me ecstatic! I'm a big fan of Jane Austen, and Persuasion is my second favourite from Pride & Prejudice, so I can't wait!!

Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout:

I think the name itself describes my excitement, Jennifer is Amazing, her books are amazing, Daemon and Katy are amazing... and Daemon is holy shit awesome sauce delicious... need I say anymore? Plus Obsidian was my favourite book of 2011!

Toxic by Jus Accardo:I loved Touch, the first installment in this new thrilling series and it also made my top list of 2011, so I'm equally excited and thrilled to get my hands on Toxic for not only for more yummy Kale and Dez moments! But for the kick-ass action scenes also!

Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout:
As I mentioned above, I love all of Jennifer's books so far and I loved Half Blood and can't wait to get my greedy fingers on the sequel! From the teaser scenes that I've seen, this ones going to be one hell of a ride!

 These are listed in no particular order, I'm equally thrilled to get my hands on each and every one of these, and honestly I'm excited for many more and not just these twenty, but I wouldn't want to be here forever boring you with an even more massive list, so I've just listed these.

2012 is going to be an amazing year for books and I can't wait to get started!!
Happy New Year!