Monday, January 28, 2013

Melodious Monday #5


*Melodious Monday is a meme I came up with to share my weekly top picks in music.

Top Five Picks

These are the songs I had on repeat this past week:

1. Tonight by John Legend ft. Ludacris

























4. I Need Your Love by Ace Hood ft. Trey Songz







 

Enjoy the tunes!
Haysel
Saturday, January 26, 2013

Cover Mania! #1

*Hosted by The Tattered Page, Cover Mania! features covers that compel me*

Being so drawn to this cover, I felt compelled to dedicate a post to it. Take a look:


I JUST CAN'T GET OVER THIS COVER. It is steamy and captivating. Every time I see the cover for this book, I have to stop and stare. Can you blame me? The need I have to read Dare You To is driving me insane. I absolutely adored Katie McGarry's Pushing the Limits so I want down to read any of her stuff.


Details:
PublisherHarlequin
Publication date5/21/2013
Pages: 304

Overview:

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....
If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

- via Barnes & Noble


Happy Reading!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Feature Friday ARC Review : Eve & Adam by Michael Grant & Katherine Applegate


*Feature Friday is a meme I came up with to feature YA books that have not been released by reviewing them on The Tattered Page.*

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

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Pages: 304
Source: ARC

The Story:

In the beginning, there was an apple –


And then there was a car crash, a horrible injury, and a hospital. But before Evening Spiker's head clears a strange boy named Solo is rushing her to her mother’s research facility. There, under the best care available, Eve is left alone to heal.


Just when Eve thinks she will die – not from her injuries, but from boredom—her mother gives her a special project: Create the perfect boy.


Using an amazingly detailed simulation, Eve starts building a boy from the ground up. Eve is creating Adam. And he will be just perfect . . . won’t he?

via -- Barnes & Noble

RatingTHREE Gold Stars!!!

My Review: One word: CREATIVE

Eve & Adam, obvious from it's title, is a retelling about the creation of Adam and Eve. With that being said, I was instantly intrigued.

This story focuses on the idea that Eve created Adam instead of the other way around. And rather than by godly powers she creates him by way of science. But that is just one of the many twists in this particular Young Adult retelling of the biblical story of creation of mankind.

Evening "Eve" Spiker is the neglected, privileged but down-to-earth daughter of the all powerful  Terra Spiker. Being the daughter of the Ice Queen isn't a cup of tea but when Eve is in an accident that severs her leg, she is miraculously healed soon after. Thanks to her mother who is the head honcho of the groundbreaking research facility Spiker Biopharmaceuticals, Eve can not only walk again but she can still run.

To keep Eve occupied and out of trouble while she recuperates her mother tasks her to create the perfect boy. Adam. As time passes, Adam becomes more and more real. But how can science and machines create a human being from a seemingly interesting but ordinary computer program?

Solo Plissken is the resident bad boy -- seriously where is a YA book without one to throw in? -- at the research facility. And he's got his piercing blue eye on Eve. and a deep-seeded hatred for her mother. Harboring his own secrets, Solo is almost our typical brooding bad boy. But you'll find, like with other characters in Eve & Adam, not all of the characters are what you expect them to be. So, gets your hands on a copy and kick back and enjoy the read!

Overall, Eve & Adam is a light, easy read filled with humor. I had a few funnies while reading the book which helped distracted me from the permeable content -- the writing was really simple, I usually tend to like my books with a little thicker writing. Either way, I look forward to reading the sequel, Adam & Eve, coming out this year. 

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Eve & Adam:

Aislin and Eve: "So when are you going to make his unit?" Aislin asks, staring up at the gaint monitor.
"His what?"
"Exactly. His 'what.' His 'Whoa, what is that?' His area." -- Page 75

Happy Reading!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Review : Eternity by Heather Terrell


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

Release date: June 28, 2011
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 294
Source: Own 

The Story:

The end . . . or a new beginning?
As Ellie comes to grips with her destiny as the Elect One, her relationship with Michael grows tense. When she meets a mys­terious boy named Rafe, things get even more complicated.Yet the time has come for the Elect One to stand against the group of evil fallen angels who are bent on destroying the world. In order to face the immeasurable malevolence heading her way, Ellie tries to put her personal life aside. But she soon learns that whoever holds her heart also holds the key to mankind’s salvation—or destruction. As the end days approach, Ellie is faced with an epic decision. Who does her heart really belong to? And is her love strong enough to save the world?
--via Barnes & Noble


RatingTWO GOLD STARS!!

My Review: One word: RAFE

After finding out she is the byproduct of a fallen angel and a human and that her parents aren't actually her parents, Ellspeth "Ellie" Faneuil in the first book, Fallen Angel, she is trying to come to terms with her family tree. Not mention the fact that she is prophesied to be the Elect One -- an all powerful Nephilim that will determine the outcome of the war between evil Fallen Angels and the good Fallen angels. She is to be the half-human, half-angel savior of the world.

If I can say one thing about Ellie, it is that she is consistent. She is without a doubt the heroine -- the good one. However, I have yet to see the Elect One make an appearance. Ellie hasn't done anything badass -- in the name of good, of course -- yet and I do so look forward to it. And being the one being on earth that will determine the fate of mankind -- salvation or destruction -- I'd say that is a badass job description. So, where in the Hell -- pun intended, hehe -- is her badassness. Yeah, I said it. BADASSNESS.  (Please, Terrell, do not let Ellie's title as the Elect One be all bark and no bite.)

On that note, YA authors know we teen reads bibliophiles do love a book that pulls on our romantic heartstrings. And Heather Terrell does manage that with a brewing love triangle in Eternity. In Fallen Angel, Michael Chase-- the all American football player and fellow nephillim -- and Ellie are perfect together and we all jump up and down with glee. But in Eternity, we're on cockblocking duty when it comes to Michael. Getting comfortable with his powers, talent and high school football stardom, it starts going to his head and Michael transforms into a "Michael" Ellie doesn't recognize. To put it plainly: he was pissing me the hell off! And Ellie, in love as she is, puts up with his crap. Insert Rafe Gregory. The mysterious but compassionate volunteer fundraiser for earthquake victims with a secret of his own.

TeamRafeTeamRafeTeamRafe . . . Sorry Mikey Boy but Rafe is sexy as all hell!

Is it no wonder that whomever holds the key to Ellie's heart also holds the key to the fate of the human race? So who, Michael or Rafe, will be the salvation or the destruction of mankind as we all know it? D-Day is soon approaching and Ellie must make her epic decision that will have consequences to last an eternity.

Unfortunately, I have to say, I was a disappointed with this book. Having enjoyed Fallen Angel , I was sad that Eternity didn't hold up to my expectations. It left much to be desired.

*** Check out Heather Terrell website for more information about her and Eternity: HERE

Happy Reading!

Monday, January 21, 2013

Melodious Monday #4


*Melodious Monday is a meme I came up with to share my weekly top picks in music.

Top Five Picks

These are the songs I had on repeated this past week:


1. Saltkin by Purity Ring








 
 

4. Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran







Enjoy the tunes! 
Haysel
Friday, January 18, 2013

Who wants FREE YA Books?!


Since I didn't receive enough feedback on the Survey for YA Books for Upcoming Thanks-Giving Thursday Giveaways I posted a couple of weeks back, I have a proposition for you guys. I live in Bronx, NY sooo . . . if you can come to the Bronx by Saturday night, January 19th (I leave for school Sunday morning) I will give you books from the list below:

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry -- *ARC
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross -- *Signed
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Invisible Sun by David Macinnis Gill *Signed
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick *Signed
Enclave by Ann Aguirre
Misfits by Jon Skovron – *ARC
Eternally Yours by Cate Tiernan – *ARC
The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken – *ARC
Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
Chime by Franny Billingsley
The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong
Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey
Black City by Elizabeth Richards – *ARC
A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford – *Signed
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa – *Signed
Soul Thief by Alison Loumeir – *Signed
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater – *ARC
Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Schultz – *Signed
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater – *ARC
Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Wither by Lauren DeStefano – *Signed to Ashley
Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter
Illuminate by Aimee Agnesti
Allegiance by Cayla Kluver – *Signed
Venom by Fiona Paul – *ARC
Fallen by Lauren Kate *Signed (two copies)
Torment by Lauren Kate *Signed (two copies; with exclusive locker poster and Fallen short story inside)
Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs (two copies)
Smoke and Bones by Laini Taylor – *two copies with exclusive extended preview of the sequel, Days of Blood and Starlight
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa (two copies)
 
If this sounds like a plan, email me at TheTatteredPage@yahoo.com to set up a meet up time and day (Friday, January 18th or Saturday, January 19th).
 
Happy Reading!
Haysel
Monday, January 14, 2013

Melodious Monday #3


*Melodious Monday is a meme I came up with to share my weekly top picks in music.

Top Five Picks

These are the songs I had on repeated this past week:



1. Tonight by John Legend ft. Ludacris













4. Drift by Forty Foot Echo






Enjoy the tunes!
Haysel
Sunday, January 13, 2013

2013 YA Books I can't wait to read!

As we all know, we Bibliophiles always have a List. The List. The list of books we want to read this week, this month, this year. The list of books we want to devour is always on our book inhaling minds. Let us be honest with ourselves. Am I wrong? I'd put one million dollars down right now -- if I were loaded like that -- on the table and bet you're thinking about your List. Your eyes are bulging and your mouth is hanging open right now wondering if I'm a fly on the wall or if you're on the other side of a crystal ball. But, although being psychic would be quite a useful talent, I am not. Insert sad face here, if you will. Anywho, I have a List . . . The List, and I am willing to share it with you -- even though you may have caught a glimpse in a previous post. Just look down . . .

Awaken by Meg Cabot
Goddess Inheritance by Aimee carter
Dare You To by Katie McGarry
Goddess by Josephine Angelini
The Elite by Kiera Cass
Hot Blooded by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Sever by Lauren DeStefanoBoundless by Cynthia Hand
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan
The Rising by Kelley Armstrong
My Name is Rapunzel by K.C. Hilton
 
So, I've showed you mine, now show me yours. 
 
 Happy Reading!
Haysel