Monday, December 20, 2010

Original Sin Contest

Guess what everyone, if you're a PERSONAL DEMONS fan then you'll be excited to hear the Lisa Desrochers - author - is holding a contest to win an ARC of ORIGINAL SIN. It is the sequel to PERSONAL DEMONS and will be released July 2011.

The Story:

Luc Cain was born and raised in Hell, but he isn't feeling as demonic as usual lately—thanks to Frannie Cavanaugh and the unique power she never realized she had. But you can't desert Hell without consequences, and suddenly Frannie and Luc find themselves targeted by the same demons who used to be Luc's allies.

Left with few options, Frannie and Luc accept the protection of Heaven and one of its most powerful angels, Gabe. Unfortunately, Luc isn't the only one affected by Frannie, and it isn't long before Gabe realizes that being around her is too...tempting. Rather than risk losing his wings, he leaves Frannie and Luc under the protection of her recently-acquired guardian angel.

Which would be fine, but Gabe is barely out the door before an assortment of demons appears—and they're not leaving without dragging Luc back to Hell with them. Hell won't give up and Heaven won't give in. Frannie's guardian exercises all the power he has to keep them away, but the demons are willing to hurt anyone close to Frannie in order to get what they want. It will take everything she has and then some to stay out of Hell's grasp.

And not everyone will get out of it alive.


via -- Lisa Desrochers

The contest ends on December 31, 2010. To find out more click: HERE

Always,
Haysel
Saturday, December 18, 2010

Review : Wither by Lauren Destefano


*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.


Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Release Date: March 22, 2011 
Pages: 368
Source: Own

The Story:

What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant she trusts, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.


--via Lauren Destefano

RatingFIVE Gold Stars!!!

My Review: One word: STUNNING

Rhine Ellery is new generation baby which means that she -- like all new generation girls -- will die at the age of twenty. Rhine lives in a world that entails the kidnapping of young girls to sell them into polygamous marriages in order to keep the human species from dying out altogether. As fate would have it, one day sixteen-year-old Rhine is kidnapped by the Gatherers who take her to her new husband Linden Ashby. Linden is a twenty-one year-old House Governor she has to share with two other girls; the sultry Jenna, who is eighteen, and naive Cecily, who is the tender age of thirteen.

Determined to reunite with her twin brother Rowan and regain her freedom, Rhine disregards her husband’s genuine love for her, the threat on her life posed by his evil doctor father, Vaughn and the friendships formed with her sisterwives. Fortunately for Rhine, she manages to gain the trust and help of Gabriel, a servant she is harboring a forbidden attraction for.

Will Rhine escape and make it back to her brother? Or will she fall in love with Linden and decide to stay at the Ashby Mansion? How many more people will become one of the corpses collecting in Housemaster Vaughn's basement in order to test his experiments? Is that what Rhine’s very short future have in store? Will Linden's eccentric father finally find a cure to the genetic virus the take girls at twenty and guys at twenty-five? Is the meaning of Rhine and Rowan's eye condition - heterochromia - more than meets the eyes?

Wither is a disturbing addictive work of art. It has been a long while since I've read a Young Adult book with substance. A YA book that has delightfully shaken my moral compass. As a loyal fan, I await Book 2 in The Chemical Garden Trilogy with baited breath. Bravo Lauren Destefano.

Here is one of my favorite passages from Wither:

Jenna, Rhine & Linden:"When I knock on Jenna's door, I hear her soft giggle from somewhere in the room. There's a rustling sound, and then she says, 'Who is it?
'It's me,' I say.
Another giggle. 'Come in,' she says.
I open the door to a bedroom that's warm with candlelight. Jenna is sitting up in the bed, running her fingers through her tousled hair, and Linden is tying the drawstring of his pajama pants. His bare chest is pale; his cheeks are flushed. He pulls his shirt on in a hurry, and it's still unbuttoned when he stands and heads for the door. 'Good morning, sweetheart,' he tells me, not quite meeting my eyes.
There's nothing wrong with this. It's perfectly normal. Jenna is his wife. He is our husband. I should be used to the idea."-- Page 241

***Check out Lauren Dstefano's website for more information about her and the Wither: HERE

Happy Reading!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Wither-Afterlife

I'm completely ecstatic! I finally got my hands on some gold ... Well, not literally. But I'm no less happy. Can't wait to tear into WITHER by Lauren Destefano! And I already read the first 30 pages of AFTERLIFE by Claudia Gray and it's good. With that said, I will try to get the reviews up before the end of January - since I am currently on 6 ARC tours and have other obligations.



P.S. Shout out to Wandering Wraith -- I checked ebay before for the books but you found WITHER when they were for auction. And if you would like to read it try at We Love YA!; I just pulled out of the tour: HERE

Always,
Haysel
Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Review : Awakened by Ednah Walters


*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.


Release Date: September 2, 2010
Source: ARC Tour

The Story:

Most teens turn sixteen and get the license to drive, but Lil Falcon gets the license to kill demons. Orphaned as a child and raised by an eccentric grandfather, Lil is concerned with surviving high school and is unaware that she's a Guardian-a being with super powers charged with killing demons and protecting humanity. When she meets Bran, a mysterious boy with amazing abilities, his psi energy unlocks her latent powers. But Bran has a secret that can ruin their growing relationship, and the truth she discovers may destroy everything she believes in unless she finds the right balance between love and sacrifice.


--via Star Book Tours

RatingFOUR Gold Stars!!!

My Review: One word: ALLURING

Ednah Walters’ Awakened is the first in the Guardian Legacy series. A story woven of sixteen year old Lilith "Lil" Falcon's life that was never ordinary -- one of hearing voices in her head, moving from state to state like a gypsy, traveling with a circus -- but the day she hears Bran Llyr's eerie voice summoning her she learns that her "ordinary" was better than what her life held ahead.

In a swift unraveling spiral the only life Lil’s has ever known goes splat and all she wants is to get it back. No longer is fitting into high school and finally making friends her only concerns. The man who raised her, her grandfather, isn’t who she thought he was. Though delighted she discovers friendship with a group of misfits Lil is also unwillingly tied into an allegiance with a group of guardians-in-training. And to add the icing to the cake Lil falls for the arrogant and mesmerizing Bran Llyr whose motives for seeking out her help is not the only thing questionable but his family origins as well.

Infuriated by the egotistical Bran, Lil unlocks her latent powers -- a source of which has the greatest potential ever witnessed. Consequently, she is told to become a Cardinal Guardian and use her powers to protect humanity by killing the demons that infest the earth. But saving mankind wasn’t the life she had in mind.

Nevertheless, what is a paranormal love story entailing life changing circumstances without foes? Awakened is packed with demonic super-beings fighting to take control of Lil and her new-found powers, human souls and ultimately the world. Will Bran’s evil brother Gavyn be his downfall? Will someone from Lil’s family tree come into the picture and sway her alliances? Or will the queen of the Hermonites – soul collecting demons -- Coronis succeed at executing her plan of world domination? The fate of all human souls, Cardinal Guardians, demons and all those in between lay in Lil’s hands. To ascertain how the tale unfolds pick up a copy of Awakened and dive into Lil Falcon’s “ordinary” life.


Here is one of my favorite quotes from Awakened:

The Goetz Twins & Lil:
I missed him by a breath. Someone tried to dtop the chair, but I was faster, my psi stronger.
"Let me get her," one of the twins growled.
I smiled but on the inside, I wondered if I was getting in way over my head. there were three of them against me. No, Bran was worth it. "Bring it on, short stuff." -- Page 171

Bran to Lil:
Bran leaned down and gave me a resounding kiss. “Have I told you I love you?”
I grinned, my heart skipping. “No.”
“I do. Very much. Wait right here.”
He dematerialized and left me with a sappy grin on my face. – Pages 255-256


***Check out Ednah Walters website for more information about her and the Awakened: HERE

Happy Reading!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Review - Part 2B : Vixen - Speak Low by Jillian Larkin

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Release Date: December 14, 2010
Publisher: Ember
Release Date: August 9, 2011
Pages: 448
Source: First Look, Barnes and Noble*

*This ARC was provided by Barnes and Noble and reviewers were asked to review it in parts.

My Review Part 2B: One word: DUCKY*

For the 1920's meaning of "Ducky" look it up under "D": HERE

Can I get a “Let’s go VIXEN!”? I have to say it Jillian Larkin, you did a fine job in penning VIXEN and I cannot wait for INGENUE. And that is saying something because generally I stay away from era literature; it’s not really my interest. But I’m glad I was allowed to be a part of First Look: VIXEN.

I thought to mention how no matter what era we live in, doesn’t it same like we, as people and individuals, live the same problems continuously. For example, how many times have to felt suffocated by your circumstances and wanted to break away to become your own person – like Gloria? How many times have you tried to repent and redeem what goodness you had left to become a better person than you were, to start fresh – like Clara? Can you count the times that you whined then plotted because the grass looked greener on someone else lawn – like Lorraine?

VIXEN closed on a high note – which I am happy to say. So I think that its sequel will be juicy to say the least. There are so many possibilities that I cannot wait to see unfold as I become consumed in the pages. Will Lorraine give in to the toxic Carlito? Or will she evolve into an entirely new character that will shock us all? What about Clara and her uncovered secrets? Where will they lead her and Marcus? Is Harris gone for good or is he willing to do anything to resurrect Flapper Clara? Will Bastian be able to slither his way out of a murder verdict? What’ll happen to Vera; how is her character going to be portrayed in INGENUE? Will she -- a black woman -- be able to convince the racist "justice" system to convict a privileged white man of high society of murder even with the smoking gun as evidence? Last but not least, what is going to amount of the taboo interracial couple, musician Jerome and starlit Gloria? Will their love survive the turmoil; outlast social snubbing, or just the plain ol’ everyday hardship of living – in NYC to boot?

INGENUE has an insurmountable number of possibilities for the road around in The Flappers series. Heartbreak, betrayal, coming into adulthood, treachery, murder, redemption. All the world of possibilities. What will happen next?

I look forward to reading INGENUE. Keep up the good work J. Larkin!


Rating: FOUR Gold Stars!!!!

Memorable Quotes:

Marcus and Clara:

He smiled in a maddening way and took her wrist again in his hand. “I want you. Clara, will you” – he paused, his finger poised on the clasp of the bracelet. “Will you move to New York with me next summer? After I graduate.”
“What?” Clara sprang up from the bed. She wished more than anything that she weren’t dressed in a towel. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“Clara,” Marcus said, exasperated, “if I don’t act now I may never see you again.”
“Did you not hear what Lorraine said last night? Don’t you know what this means for my reputation in Chicago? New York? And, frankly, everywhere?”
“I don’t care what you did or didn’t do before me. I just care about you, now. I love you. I’m in love with you, Clara,” Marcus said, pulling her back down to the bed so that she was practically sitting on his lap. “I had some time to think about everything. And the thing is, when I imagined what my life would be like without you, well ... I didn’t see anything at all.”
– Page 390 - 391

Vera and Bastian:

“I don’t give a damn about Gloria,” Bastian said. “It’s her money I want to marry.”
Vera couldn’t stay in this apartment for another second, for fear of doing something she might regret. “You won’t get her or her money. I’ll make sure of that.”
Bastian smiled wickedly. “And how are you going to do that?”
Vera opened the door, looked back at Bastian, and smiled, because she knew what he did not: that she had his smoking gun tucked away in her purse, linking him to the murder outside her brother’s apartment.
“Just you wait and see,” Vera said.
– Page 421

***Check out Jillian Larkin's website for more information about her and VIXEN: HERE
***My review is in a 4 part series: 1A1Band 2A***

Happy Reading!

Wither Dilemma

I have a dilemma... There is a YA book I am DYING to read! It is WITHER by Lauren Destefano.
Release Date: March 22, 2011
The Story:

What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant she trusts, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.
356 pages
Published by Simon & Schuster

--via Star Book Tours
So please, if anyone finds a way I can get my hands on this book I would be much obliged.
Always,
Haysel

Review : Fallen Angel by Heather Terrell


*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.


Release Date: January 4, 2011
Source: ARC Tour

The Story:

The first book in a dark, edgy new angel series about a girl who finds herself forced to choose sides in the battle between fallen angels, even if that means going against the boy she loves.

When Ellie Faneuil first sees Michael Chase she feels an instantaneous connection. But she does not realize how much they have in common, including the ability fly and to see what others are thinking - not to mention a taste for blood. Reveling in their new powers and their growing feelings for each other, Ellie and Michael are determined to uncover what they are, and how they got this way ... together.

But the truth has repercussions neither could have imagined. Soon they find themselves center stage in an ancient conflict between fallen angels that threatens to destroy everything they love. And it is no longer clear whether Ellie and Michael will choose the same side.

In this electrifying novel Heather Terrell spins a gripping tale of soul-mates, supernatural powers and a truth that will change Ellie and Michael‘s world forever.

--via Star Book Tours

RatingFOUR GOLD STARS!!!!

My Review: One word: OTHERWORLDLY

In Fallen Angel, Ellspeth "Ellie" Faneuil is a teenager leading a simple life whose parents, Professors Hannah and Daniel, specialize in organic farming and dragging her all around the world every summer to promote earth-friendly ways for increasing production by teaching local farmers’ methods. Her “such attractive parents” give a whole new definition to the term “going green.” But then one day Ellie notices the new guy in school -- "tall, impossibly blond-haired" with unsettling pale green eyes -- leaning against a door frame, watching her. And the moment she lays her eyes on Michael Chase events are set into place that will change Ellie's life forever.
Ellie isn’t who she thought she was and there is only one other person in the world who is just like her. Michael. Michael claims to have met Ellie three summers prior during a mission but she can’t conjure up a single memory of their time spent in Guatemala and her parents’ odd reaction to her inquiry about Michael and his parents raises further questions about who – or what --she really is and how they are all involved.

Michael and Ellie share more in common than their unusually pale eyes, eco-friendly professor parents but their supernatural “gifts” as well, so Michael believes they’re destined to be together. “Ellie, I told you that you were different. We are different. And that difference means we are meant for each other” [Michael to Ellie, Page 68]. But life doesn’t always turn out how you plan and their love is put to the test when the evil fallen angel Ezekiel – also known as Zeke – shows up in Tillinghast, Maine looking for them. Apparently Michael and Ellie aren’t the only ones with powers and secrets to hide.

In an effort to keep those she loves safe and reveal the truth about what she really is, Ellie goes to Harvard University in search of the Professor McMaster, who is not only a vampire believer and enthusiast but an “expert” in the origins of vampires and other supernatural beings. While at Harvard waiting for a meeting with Professor McMaster Ellie does some research on her own in the Andover-Harvard Theological Library. During her visit she discovers the Book of Enoch and how the pages foretell the origins of her unraveling life. However, the book raises more questions than it answers. Questions that aren't answered until Michael and Ellie's final showdown with the evil Ezekiel. Are you dying to know what happens? What Michael and Ellieare are? Then read Fallen Angel and be prepared to be sucked into another world full of fallen angels where choosing between good and bad isn't always easy.

Heather Terrell’s ethereal tale of fated love, bloodlust and supernatural “gifts” and of course, the age old battle between good and evil will continue in Eternity – to be released in Summer 2011. With that, I leave you with this: “Feels like London out today, doesn’t it?” [page 309].

Here is some of my favorite quotes from Fallen Angel:

Michael & Ellie:

"Have you ever sensed that you were different from other people?"
I had to laugh again, and not just because he was acting so melodramatic. Looking up at him, I answered honestly. "If by ‘different’ you mean more awkward than most people, then yes.”
“Awkward? You’re kidding, right?”
I shook my head. Even though I found my gawkiness funny sometimes, I definitely wasn’t kidding.
“If you’re really serious, then you’ve got to understand that you are the only one who sees you that way. Everyone else sees you as smart and intimidating and worldly and pretty.” --Pages 65-66

Michael to Ellie:

“If only you could see how beautiful and unique you really are,” Michael said, and leaned in to kiss me. – Page 19

***Check out Heather Terrell's website for more information about her: HERE

Happy Reading!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Review - Part 2A : Vixen - Speak Low by Jillian Larkin

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Release Date: December 14, 2010
Publisher: Ember
Release Date: August 9, 2011
Pages: 448
Source: First Look, Barnes and Noble*

*This ARC was provided by Barnes and Noble and reviewers were asked to review it in parts.

My Review Part 2A: One Word: SWELL

For the 1920's meaning of "Swell" look it up under "S": HERE

Roaring Love! Part two of VIXEN, Speak Low, was definitely all about love; Falling in love, and falling out of love in the Roaring 20s. Case in point, I have to say I do not believe that there are no regrets with love. I also think it is important to love in your lifetime and not be scared or embarrassed to love. But I do say that even if you really love someone that you can still harbor regrets. Take for instance a couple that fell in love at a young age and grew up to fast – having children or getting married too young – while they may truly love each other one or both persons may regret not doing certain things – graduating from college, traveling or just going out and having fun while they were young -- or rushing into the life they willfully chose instead of waiting a few more years.

However, I do agree with Clara when she stated that even if the love turns out badly it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll regret it. For one example, falling in love with the “wrong” person – whether wrong entirely or just wrong for you – can teach a person a lot about themselves. Self evolution can be a monumental result of falling in love with the wrong person – or any person for that matter. Falling in love can reveal what qualities you desire and deserve in a companion, make you grateful for the people you have in your life who already love you and those who will possibly love you in the future. The experience can make you stronger, as well as better equipped to handle loving someone – good or bad – or being loved by someone the next time around. But most of all, falling in love can teach you one of the most essential lessons on love: how to love yourself.

With all this talk about VIXEN love I just realized that Clara and Marcus are my favorite love couple. The ex-playgirl falls for the playboy. So does Clara falling for yet another playboy, Marcus, show readers that she hasn’t indeed changed? Is that a bad thing? Vixen love couple number two is – drum roll please -- ... Jerome and Gloria. They take second place since I am pos-i-lute-ly interested in seeing where their prohibited love will lead them. “Romeo and Juliet” finally took hold of their lives and didn’t continue to let ignorant society, controlling family or disproving friends dictate who they should love, what they should do about their love, where and when they can love and why they should or shouldn’t love the person they love. I think Jerome and Gloria deserve laurels for that!

On that note, so Lorraine didn’t spill the beans to Bastian about Gloria’s secret. I have to say, I am ... not surprised. While Lorraine can be a bit on the distasteful side I never suspected her of betraying Gloria beyond her kiss with Bastian. She was absolutely distraught about that kiss so I had my doubts about her ratting Gloria out and she genuinely seems to want Gloria to be her best friend again – not break ties. Besides although I think Lorraine may be a villain in the making she is still in the developmental stages.

Memorable Quotes:

Clara and Marcus:

“‘Hello there, handsome,’ Clara said, tugging at his silk tie.
He kissed her on the cheek. ‘Don’t think I didn’t see your little pose over there, Miss Clara. Did they teach you in Pennsylvania how to make those sultry eyes for the camera?’
‘Marcus! Don’t you dare say that dirty word here,’ she said, taking a sip of his seltzer.
‘I wasn’t aware that sultry was a dirty word.’
‘I meant Pennsylvania.” – Page 345

***My review is in a 4 part series: 1A1Band 2B***

Happy Reading!

Pages to Screen : Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1


Release Date: November 19, 2010

Directed by: David Yates
Screenplay written by: Steve Kloves
Based on: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint

So like many I have been a Harry Potter fan for many years and yesterday I had the chance to see the first half of the seventh installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Here are my two overall thoughts:

1. The film was amazing!
2. You have to watch it.

I truly believe that it does not matter what age group you fall in -- young, old or somewhere in between -- chances are you will enjoy it. Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters are as evil as ever, Hermione and Ron (my absolute favorite character by the way) are as marvelously functionally dysfunctional as ever, Harry Potter is as Harry Potter as ever, and so on. The graphics are phenomenal. The cast's acting was superb. And that is all I will say; You have to go watch the film and see for yourself.

With that said, I salute David Yates for yet another smashing job done with a Harry Potter film.

Happy Reading!


Saturday, November 13, 2010

Review - Part 1B : Vixen - Speakeasy by Jillian Larkin

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: Ember
Release Date: August 9, 2011
Pages: 448
Source: First Look, Barnes and Noble*

*This ARC was provided by Barnes and Noble and reviewers were asked to review it in parts.

My Review Part 1B: One Word: HOTSY-TOTSY

For the 1920's meaning of "Hotsy-Totsy" look it up under "H": HERE

Yes, the second half of VIXEN's Part I contains plenty of action and surprises.

As luck would have it I do believe our playboy, Marcus Eastman, is indeed genuinely falling for Clara. But is it Clara or Country Clara? Does it matter? Will the gorgeous Marcus get a dose of his own medicine and have his heart broken by the ex-flapper Country Clara and her secrets? Speaking of Clara’s closet of skeletons, I wonder who’s sending her the creepy notes. My majority guess was the notes’ sender was the guy back in NYC who shattered her. But then again I thought maybe it could have been a jealous psycho debutante out for revenge on the up and coming Country Clara? Though as the book continued Clara finally had a rather interesting encountered with a mister Harris Brown -- the creepy note sender in the flesh.

So Clara isn’t the only VIXEN girl living a double-life. Gloria seems to be coming into her own. I mean she’s falling for Jerome, a black man – talk about taboo in the Roaring 20s, converting into a full-fledged flapper, sneaking out of the house, and starting a “career” as a speakeasy singer. Gloria definitely gives a 360 degree transformation a whole new definition. But let’s get back to Jerome, the Mr. Hot & Cold, I think he can handle himself so why is Vera – his sister – so protective of him? Is it justifiable? Well I think Vera is the way she is plain and simple: Gloria is a white girl. And for a black man in their time to be consorting with a white woman could get Jerome killed and I take it that he is probably the only family Vera has left. On that note I think it is justifiable for Vera to be protective of her brother. Nonetheless, how much longer do you think Vera can protect Jerome from the alluring hold that is Gloria? Watch out the elite and the oblique of Chicago, here comes Gloria Carm – oops – Gloria Carson!

Poor girl Lorraine does it again ... and again ... and yes you’ve guessed it, again. Illegal drinks with Carlito Macharelli and late night visits with Sebastian Grey that just may have included a leak about Gloria’s stage time at the Green Mill.

Memorable Quotes:

Clara and Marcus:

“’You left me with quite the first impression,’ Clara said, trying not to reveal too much. ‘I’m still not over it.’
‘You mean you found me irresistibly attractive?’
‘More like irredeemably aggressive.’
‘I thought I redeemed myself after our date!’ Marcus protested, sliding down to the floor and leaning against the bed.” – Page 209

***My review is in a 4 part series: 1A, 2Aand 2B***

Happy Reading!

Friday, November 12, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010

Review - Part 1A : Vixen - Speakeasy by Jillian Larkin

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher
: Ember
Release Date: August 9, 2011
Pages: 448
Source: First Look, Barnes and Noble*

*This ARC was provided by Barnes and Noble and reviewers were asked to review it in parts.

The Story:

Jazz . . . Booze . . . Boys . . . It’s a dangerous combination.

Every girl wants what she can’t have. Seventeen-year-old Gloria Carmody wants the flapper lifestyle—and the bobbed hair, cigarettes, and music-filled nights that go with it. Now that she’s engaged to Sebastian Grey, scion of one of Chicago’s most powerful families, Gloria’s party days are over before they’ve even begun . . . or are they?

Clara Knowles, Gloria’s goody-two-shoes cousin, has arrived to make sure the high-society wedding comes off without a hitch—but Clara isn’t as lily-white as she appears. Seems she has some dirty little secrets of her own that she’ll do anything to keep hidden. . . .

Lorraine Dyer, Gloria’s social-climbing best friend, is tired of living in Gloria’s shadow. When Lorraine’s envy spills over into desperate spite, no one is safe. And someone’s going to be very sorry. . . .

From debut author Jillian Larkin, VIXEN is the first novel in the sexy, dangerous, and ridiculously romantic new series set in the Roaring Twenties . . . when anything goes.


-Barnes and Noble

My Review Part 1 A: One Word: COPACETIC

For the 1920's meaning of "Copacetic" look it up under "C": HERE

First off, I really quite enjoyed VIXEN and look forward to reading its sequel, INGENUE. Thanks to Jillian Larkin I am now bug-eyed and foaming at the mouth for the next book of The Flappers series.

Section 1: So now on to the discussion. Sarah, I have to agree with you when you stated that: “Each of the characters seems to be trying to change their lives by manipulating their image.” Gloria is the every-mother-wishes-she-had-me-as-a-daughter bored with her life and following the rules. Although Gloria sometimes rubs me the wrong way I still say: Go get ‘em girl. Reading her chapters were a bit empowering. Although she may be naïve about the real world and plunging off the deep end a little too quickly – is there any other way to do it – it’s refreshing to see a character growing into her own after a lifetime of jumping through loops of fire, “Yes, mother” and “Sure mother, I’ll marry any guy you choose for me so he can take over the reins of controlling my life where you left off while I sit pretty without any qualms.” Very refreshing indeed.

Lorraine, Lorraine, Lorraine... I have to admit, my heart does go out to this character. She’s so lost in life it draws a sigh from my chest every time I think about her character. Don’t get me wrong, Lorraine’s character is quite interesting and has tremendous potential at being a great villain – I can’t wait to see if she’ll grow into herself or just the spawn of jealous, parent-issues, being misunderstood, love deprived and gift-wrapped as a teenage girl. As Lisa Desrochers wrote (give or take): “Circumstances – especially extenuating ones -- dictate action” [Personal Demons, page 230].

My, my Country Clara; have we skeletons in our closet? Clara is the epitome of a good-girl-gone-bad-reformed. Aside from being a born-again flapper trying to successfully complete her sentence in Chicago as Country Clara I wondered what the secret she doesn’t want anyone – not a single soul – to discover. I think I have a few ideas? You?

Section 2: “You're here because you think it makes you free” [Jerome to Gloria]. I believe that this quote defines the whole essence – soul -- of the book, VIXEN. Gloria – especially Gloria, Clara and Lorraine are all trying to accomplish one goal. And that one goal boils down to one thing: being free. Gloria wants to be free of her measured, puppeteered life. Clara wants to be free of her haunting past. And Lorraine wants to be free of her role as the overlooked best friend – free from being in the shadow of her shining star best friend Gloria.

With that said, here is my favorite tidbit from Part I of VIXEN, Speakeasy through to page 144:

“‘I’m Gloria Car – Gloria Carson, from a hick town so hick I moved to Chicago just to find out what a gin tasted like. And to become a famous singer. Which means” – she batted her lashes coyly at the trumpet player – “I hope to God I can carry a tune. Otherwise, what the hell am I doing here?’” – page 107.

***My review is in a 4 part series: 1B2A and 2B***

Happy Reading!



Friday, October 29, 2010

Book Giveaway!

From the TBR Pile is giving away ARCs of Nightshade and The Replacement, as well as a finished copy of Freefall. Check it out: HERE

Always,

Haysel

Monday, October 11, 2010

TORMENT Book Signing: Day 1

Hola! I went to Lauren Kate's book signing at Barnes & Nobles earlier tonight -- my first signing ever! -- and I loved it. I got my own personal copy of TORMENT signed plus the HALLOWEEN TORMENT Contest copy of TORMENT signed. But even better: Ms. Kate was so nice and she even read several pages from TORMENT (which I recorded but unfortunately the video file is too large to be uploaded). AHH, I feel awesome!! And tomorrow I am to going to get more FALLEN Novels signed for future contests.

If you would like to check out the photos from the book signing they too can be found at The FALLEN by clicking on the "Photos" tab. But here's a peek at the HALLOWEEN TORMENT Contest Prize:


Don't you love it?

Always,
Haysel

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Premature Delights!

Hey everyone! You might just start hating me in about 4.5 seconds... Guess where I came from ... Barnes & Nobles. Take a peek at my purchases:

I so cannot wait to dig into CRESCENDO but first I have some business to attend to. From Monday, October 11 until Wednesday, October 13, I will be attending book signings. Monday and Tuesday I will be getting FALLEN and TORMENT books signed for my FanSite of Lauren Kate's FALLEN Novels, The FALLEN. Then come Wednesday I will be getting ELIXIR signed by Hilary Duff.

Always,
Haysel
Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Crescendo Book Trailer

Hey fellow book lovers,

Can't wait for Becca Fitzpatrick's Crescendo to come out? Well me neither. But to sustain us for now Simon & Shustser have given us a Crescendo Book Trailer.

Check out the trailer below or : HERE


Friday, September 24, 2010

Review : Torment by Lauren Kate (Fallen Series #2)


*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.


The Story:

The sequel to FALLEN ... where love never dies.

Hell on earth.

That's what it's like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel. It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts -- immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gift students: Nephilim, offspring of fallen angels and humans.

At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn't told her everything. He's hiding something -- something dangerous.

What if Daniel's version of the past isn't actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else?
--via Barnes & Noble

My Review: One word: ADDICTIVE


First off, I have to say that I very much enjoyed Torment by Lauren Kate. Some authors when they write sequels seem to lose momentum but not in this case. Ms. Kate delivered absolutely! Luce is still the tormented mortal -- or is she really?-- girl in love. I thought starshots only killed angels? So why is it that Daniel and Cam expected Luce to die when Cam shot "her?"Daniel is still the good boy turned fallen addict. In Torment readers are still able to witness Daniel's addiction to Luce -- his taboo love for all eternity. Cam is still the sexy demon you should never bring home to Mom. One minute he's eating Thanksgiving dinner and flirting at Luce's house and the next he's shooting her out of the sky! After Luce witnesses her supposed death she decides there are too many secrets, much more at stake than she realized, and too many people willing for die for her. There is more to patch up then there is needles and thread. With that realization she uses an Announcer, A.K.A. a Shadow, to escape into one of her numerous pasts --the unknown -- to set her mind straight. For a break from all things holy, satanic and fallen.

Torment has left me with so many wonderful tormenting questions that has me itching and twitching for my next fix -- the next book in the Fallen Novels:

Will Daniel find Luce? Who or rather what is Luce, really? What else is Daniel not telling Luce? Is Shelby going to become a Demon or does she just have a snippy attitude? Will Luce choose Miles -- yet another great guy who has fallen in love with her -- or will things work out between Daniel and Luce in PASSION [to be released Summer 2011] because Love Never Dies ...

P.S. Torment came with a locker poster that also has a short story on the back!

Rating: FOUR 1/2 GOLD STARS!!!!

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Torment:

Daniel: "'I shouldn't even be here, but I cannot keep myself away from you. I worry about you in every waking moment. I love you, Luce. So much it hurts.'" -page 236

Daniel: "'Moments like this,' he said, 'make everything we've had to go through worthwhile.'
Then he kissed her as he'd never kissed her before. A long, extended kiss that seemed to claim her lips forever." -page 210
"'Daniel,' she called out, feeling her voice catch on his name.When he turned to face her, the drawn look on his face was one of absolute agony. As if Luce had just ripped his heart out. He bent his knees, unfurled his wings, amd took off into the night.
A moment later, he looked liked just another star in the sparkling black sky?" -page 366

Check out Lauren Kate website for more information about her: HERE

*** Also Torment has a cool website: HERE

Happy Reading!

,Haysel

Review : Linger by Maggie Stiefvater


*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.


  • PublisherScholastic, Inc.
  • Publication date4/29/2014
  • Page: 384
Source: Own

The Story

In Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabel, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love—the light and the dark, the warm and the cold—in a way you will never forget.


--via Maggie Stiefvater's website

Rating
THREE Gold Stars!!!

My Review: One word: GOOD, BUT...

So I was super excited when the sequel to Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver was released. Long before I even finished with Shiver I was anxious to read Linger. Unfortunately, I have to admit that after reading Linger I was a bit disappointed. The sequel seemed to lose the Sam and Grace element -- yes, they were still themselves but there really weren't any make-me-coo moments like in Shiver. But I rather enjoyed the whole bad-ass, ex-junkie Cole and misunderstood, snippy Isabel dynamic; I am very interested in seeing what path their relationship is going to take in the next book. Overall, Linger is a good book and I am still a faithful Wolves of Mercy Falls fan and fidgeting in my seat for the last book of the trilogy, Forever [2011].

Here is a couple of lines that I enjoyed from Linger:

Grace & Sam: "
I wrote Get a job. He wrote Keep loving my job. I wrote Stay madly in love. He wrote Stay human.
'Because I'll always be madly in love,' he said, ..." -page 24

Check out Maggie Stiefvater website for more information about her: HERE

*** Also Linger has a neat book trailer on YouTube: HERE

Happy Reading!

Review : Paranormalacy by Kiersten White


*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.


Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Pages: 335
Source: Own

The Story:

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.


via Barnes & Noble

My Review: One word: FUNNY

I just finished this book about a week ago and I can't say Paranormalacy was addictive because I could put it down. I needed more. But it was decent and what I enjoyed most about the author's writing style was that she is FUNNY! And the ending did leave me wanting to read more. Hoping for more, I could say the book got the job done. I was glad to find out that there will be two more sequels to Kiersten White's NYT Bestselling novel.

What I would love to see in the sequel: More gripping moments between Lend and Evie.
As for Evie I have to say I liked her; Evie's pretty in pink but don't underestimate her because she's a sassy badass. I especially loved her pink taser named Tasey -- a girl's best friend.

Rating: THREE Gold Stars!!!

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Paranormalacy:

Steve: "What, imminent death isn't exciting enough for you?" -page 1

Check out Kiersten White website for more information about her: HERE

*** Also Paranormalacy has a cool book trailer on YouTube: HERE

Happy Reading!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Crossroads: How to Deal...?

*This was during a period of my life when the reality of a choice I made earlier years before finally knocked me on my head. And I am very interested in knowing how do others cope with such emotions, with decisions that at the time seemed miniscule but later so profound.

Ashley is wondering: What do people do when they desperately want to let go - to the point of anger and frustration, but a part of them is whispering in their ear not to? How do you move on when the last step you have to take it to forgive yourself - how do you forgive yourself for the only choice you regret in your life? Where do go from there? Not only are you dealing with the remorse you feel for that mistake but the anger you feel rage inside of you because you’re not strong enough to finally let go.

WHERE DO YOU GO FROM THERE?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past.”” -- Lily Tomlin

Happy Reading!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

This Isn’t My Life … Is it?

Warning: This is a vent post. Proceed at your own risk . . .

Have you ever felt like the life you live, or the role you play just isn’t …right?

Well, in that case, I’m a Ivy league girl at a community college.

I got left back a grade in elementary school because I was out sick with chicken pox for two weeks-- I mean, what was I supposed to do go to school? Really?

But with nothing less than sweat, tears and blood, I graduated from high school early. But during my time in H.S., I played for the varsity volleyball, junior varisty volleyball, softball, and shortly for the basketball, teams. By the way I was named MVP and captain twice for volleyball team. I went to Sunday class, youth group on Saturdays, the HPREP medical program hosted by Cornell Medical School, volunteered endless hours at school, on my personal clock, at the Boys & Girls Club. I started a non-profit organization [Relief For The Homeless] dedicated to raising money for NYC homeless by recycling plastic bottles, and so on… Blah, blah, blah…

*So now tell me, am I a total loony for feeling like a IVY league at heart girl? Am I wrong?
*Back to my first question: Have you ever felt like the life you live, or the role you play just isn’t right? How so? Of all the parts of your life, what is the ONE thing you would change?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.” -- Tom Bodett

Happy Reading!

First Place

So to start off The Tattered Page I will post a blog about something that we do almost every night … drum roll please … Dreams. Yes, dreams. I have this weird obsession with looking up the dreams I have (surnames too, I don't know, don't ask). Lame you say, well there are some nutcases, such as myself, who actually enjoy looking up a dream or two.

Real-Life Dreams

I had the oddest but nicest dream last night... It would be great if it were true... And don’t ask because I'm not telling! LOL Doesn’t it suck when you’ve had an amazing dream and then … bam, you wake up?! I usually feel like I’d just been robbed of my most precious valuable.

On that note, I always found it enjoyable to look up the meaning of some of my dreams. Listed below are resources to do such, if you’re interested:
These are the two that I use:
1. The Success Dream Book by Professor de Herbert
2. The Dream Dictionary at Myjellybean.com

Extra:
* Dream moods: What’s in your dream? 
* Dream Forth

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.” -- Oscar Wilde

Happy Reading!

Introductions

Hey my fellow Bookies! It’s Ashley here and I just wanted to welcome you all to my new blog -- The Tattered Page.

About Me:

5 Random Facts About Me:
1.) I have a bright blue 94 Mustang GT
2.) My favorite color is red
3.) I have a wicked sweet-tooth
4.) I can't dance to save my life
5.) Everyday I hear the siren song of southern California calling me

Who can learn more about me under the About Me tab.

About The Tattered Page:

The Tattered Page is a book review blog dedicated to Young Adult fiction. I started The Tattered Page as a way to share with others my love and absolute obsession with young adult fiction.

I pray that you enjoy and refer The Tattered Page to your friends and families.

Happy Reading!