Super Six Sunday (2)

Super Six Sunday is an original bookish meme hosted at Bewitched Bookworms and inspired by “Top Ten Tuesday” from The Broke and The Bookish . You can see the weekly schedule of themes here.

Super 6 Characters that You Want to Be

Again, in no particular order.

 

 

 

These are only some of the characters I would love to be. Honorable mentions include Kat from the Heist Society series by Ally Carter, Rachel from Crash Into You by Katie McGarry, Scarlet from Scarlet by A. C. Gaughen, Caymen from The Distance Between Us by Kasie West, and Addison from Pivot Point by Kasie West.

 

 

Please leave me the link to your Super Six Sunday (or another Sunday meme) in the comments and I will be sure to stop by!

 

 

 

Stacking the Shelves (12) + Weekly Summary

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

 

Here are the books I bought/received this week.

Library:
Beautiful Days (Bright Young Things #2) - Anna Godbersen
The Longest Ride - Nicholas Sparks
Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School #1) - Gail Carriger
Emerald Green (Ruby Red Trilogy #3) - Kerstin Gier
Hattie Ever After (Hattie #2) - Kirby Larson

Won:
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson #2) Movie Tie In Edition - Rick Riordan

Netgalley:
These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) - Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Stir Me Up - Sabrina Elkins (Book Tour Review Copy)

Weekly Summary:

Want an ARC of Cress? Give the gift of Cinder.
Book Review: Venom by Fiona Paul
Monday Author Interview with Alethea Kontis
Waiting on Wednesday (9)
Book Review: Mechanical by Pauline C Harris
Book Review: Aberrant by Ruth Silver











 

Aberrant Review

I was not expecting to like this so much. I have gotten used to the typical dystopian tale, that is told over and over again with nothing changing but the characters names. But with Aberrant the story was told a little differently. In the society of Cabal, Olivia Parker lives with her mother. At the age of 18, Olivia is given a "husband" chosen by the government. Luckily, the government chooses Joshua, Olivia's best friend since childhood. The choosing of a husband in a future dystopian society mi...more Aberrant In the future dystopian society of Cabal, the government instills equality for all and offers its citizens the perfect system. There is food, shelter and jobs for everyone. The one requirement is to follow the rules without question, including the government's match in marriage and "The Day of the Chosen", a lottery that randomly selects families to conceive children as natural means hasn't existed in generations. Following her eighteenth birthday, Olivia Parker accepts her requirement to marry her childhood best friend, Joshua Warren, and is eager to start her work assignment and new life when it all comes abruptly to an end as she's arrested and thrown in prison. The only crime committed, her existence. Olivia is unlike the rest of the world born not from "The Day of the Chosen." The truth haunts the government and puts her life in grave danger as one simple fact would destroy the perfect system. With Joshua's help, Olivia breaks free of prison and is forced on the run. Together they set out to find the promised rebel town in search of a new home and new life together. Their situation seems less than promising as they reach the town of Haven. New rules and customs must be adhered to in order to stay. Leaving would mean most certain death in the large expanse of the Gravelands. Time is running out as the government mounts an attack to destroy Olivia and bury her secret with her. Thrown into a world unlike their own, they must quickly adapt to survive   Review: I was not expecting to like this so much. I have gotten used to the typical dystopian tale, that is told over and over again with nothing changing but the characters names. But with Aberrant the story was told a little differently. In the society of Cabal, Olivia Parker lives with her mother. At the age of 18, Olivia is given a "husband" chosen by the government. Luckily, the government chooses Joshua, Olivia's best friend since childhood. The choosing of a husband in a future dystopian society might remind you a little of Matched by Ally Condie. But don't be deceived. This is much, much different from Matched. Right after the match is made, the government comes and arrests Olivia, along with her mother. After a little while, the Rebels break them out and take them to their hideout. Olivia is an amazing main character headstrong,(think Tris from Divergent but better)independent, non-whiny, and dedicated. The love that she shows Joshua, is something that in my opinion for most of the book Joshua didn't deserve. Joshua said some things that I just thought were not the best things to say to Olivia. But by the end of the book, Joshua had grown to be a reliable, and loving boyfriend for Olivia. The only characters that remain constant throughout the story are Joshua and Olivia, the other characters come and go so you never connect with characters other than those two. You might be reminded of other dystopian books while reading this, but they are just hints instead of whole chapters seeming like another book. Ruth managed to take an old dried out topic, and create a fresh new story which in my opinion deserves to take it's place next to Divergent, Cinder, and The Hunger Games. Right when you think you figured out the whole story, the author would throw in a new plot twist and surprise you all over again. I also liked how this was not a long-drawn out story, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a shorter story line. And I think that the reason that some dystopian novels bug me is that they are way to long. I really, really liked this. Enough to say that although I am not a huge fan of dystopian, I still enjoyed this. 4.5 stars to this, and I will definitely be checking out any other books that Ruth has to offer. I received this from the published via netgalley. I am in no way compensated for this review

Mechanical Review

Mechanical

Drew is an android. From the very beginning of her existence, she has been programed by her creators to understand her superiority and overwhelming responsibilities. She was created for a mission, a mission more important than anything she could ever have imagined. Drew is sent to a high school to observe the humans and report back to her creators. But when she begins to form friendships with these humans and starts feeling strange human emotions, she doubts the creators' ways of dealing with her and wonders whether her mission is as wonderful as it once seemed. As Drew falls deeper and deeper into the mystery surrounding her mission and her creation, she's suddenly left with a choice. Does she follow through with what she's known all her life or does she act on what she now knows is right?







Review:

This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I thought that even though sci-fi is not my thing, Mechanical was pretty good. More like a middle-grade than a young-adult book though.

Drew (the main character an android) struggled with many things that regular teenage girls do, with added things like trying to pretend to be human. She meets Jessica, and they become very close friends, with Drew standing up for Jessica and Jessica standing up for Drew, they were both admirable characters. Drew dealt with the "bad guys" pretty well, with her maturity and understanding growing throughout the book.

The romance between Michael and Drew, was really adorable, even though their circumstances caused their relationship to have many conflicts. They struggled through and came out stronger on the other side.

The plot was pretty exciting, with enough action to keep everything running smoothly. I also thought that although short, the author did a good job in explaining everything, and I was not left with any questions. There is however a sequel (yes the ending is a total cliffhanger) I thought that both books could have been put in one, longer book, but having two books is perfectly reasonable also.

I would suggest this book to fans of middle grade sci-fi (there are no inappropriate parts in the whole book) (something I appreciated.

I am not sure if I would read it again, but Mechanical definitely interested me enough for me to be interested in the sequel! And it is very well written.

3.5/5 (just not really my thing or it would be a 4)

Waiting On Wednesday (9)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is


The One
Kiera Cass
Expected publication: May 6th 2014 by HarperTeen


The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.













The Selection is one of those books that is not for you if you want to tear it apart, and not for you if you are expecting awesome writing, but it was still a really fun read that had enough interesting factors to keep it good.
Plus, who can resist those covers?


The Selection                           The Elite






 

Monday YA Author Interview With Alethea Kontis

 

 

Where are you from?
I was born in Vermont and raised in South Carolina. After graduating college I lived in
Tennessee for ten years, and I currently live in Northern Virginia.

When and why did you begin writing?
I was a very dramatic child from a family of storytellers, and I loved reading books more
than anything else in the world. Somewhere around eight years old, when we started
doing poetry exercises in school, I just *knew* I was a writer. I haven't stopped since.

What books have most influenced your life most?
It's such a wide range of titles I can' even begin to describe them! But I did write
a post about my "21 Most Influential Books" which you can still find here: http://
aletheakontis.com/2009/06/my-21-most-influential-books/

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
The best teachers of my writing life have been Sherrilyn Kenyon, Orson Scott Card, and
Andre Norton.

What book are you reading now?
Witchstruck, by Victoria Lamb

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I wish! I don't read nearly as much as I used to, and I miss it. It's one of the toughest
trade-offs about being a full-time author. I actually feel more pressure to go back and
read the classics I missed than to find new authors, which surprises me.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Oh, man...I have too many favorite authors for different reasons. Jude Deveraux
and William Goldman for dialogue. Sharon Shinn & Meredith Ann Pierce & Anne
McCaffrey for world building. Robin McKinley & Tamora Pierce & L. Frank Baum for
kick-butt heroines. Diana Wynne Jones and Neil Gaiman for plain-old magic.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

The actual "sitting down and writing" is the hardest part. Coming up with the story is
amazing, living in it while I struggle to get words on the page is magical, meeting fans
who have read it and loved it is one of the most wonderful feelings in the world. But
putting my butt in the chair every day is just like doing my homework in high school all
over again. Good thing I loved high school!

Have you been an avid reader your entire life? (since you could read)
Yes! My father read books to me every night from the time I was a baby, and I was
reading by the age of three. It was such a young age that I can't actually remember a time
in my life when I couldn't read...which is kind of awesome.

What character in your books do you relate to most?

 It sounds cliché to say, but I'm closest to whatever character I'm writing at the time. Each
one of my characters has such a significant amount of my own personal feelings and
experiences that it's almost difficult pulling away to write from another point of view.

Ok now some fun questions:
What is your favorite sport to watch and or play?
I was a big gymnast & figure skater as a kid (not anymore!) so I've always enjoyed those.
I'm a big fan of the Olympics. Saturday Woodcutter got a lot of her strength from the
women of the London Olympic Games.

Favorite Movie?
Toss up between The Princess Bride and The Hunt for Red October.

Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla. Ben & Jerry's. With Heath Bars.

Puppies or Kittens?
I'm definitely a dog person.

Beach or Mountains?
Beach, though I'm a big tree lover so I'll probably end up living in a forest somewhere
with the fairies.

If you could be a color, what color would you be?
Green.

Favorite Dessert?
Homemade tiramisu. I've only ever had it once, and I we were all tipsy afterwards. It was
amazing.

If you could be a book character, what character would you be?
Aeriel from Meredith Ann Pierce's The Darkangel Trilogy.




Enchanted (goodreads link)
Published May 8th 2012 by Harcourt Children's Books            

It isn't easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.

When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises.

The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past - and hers?





Hero (goodreads link)
Published October 1st 2013 by Harcourt Books


Rough and tumble Saturday Woodcutter thinks she's the only one of her sisters without any magic—until the day she accidentally conjures an ocean in the backyard. With her sword in tow, Saturday sets sail on a pirate ship, only to find herself kidnapped and whisked off to the top of the world. Is Saturday powerful enough to kill the mountain witch who holds her captive and save the world from sure destruction? And, as she wonders grumpily, "Did romance have to be part of the adventure?" As in Enchanted, readers will revel in the fragments of fairy tales that embellish this action-packed story of adventure and, yes, romance.

Book Review: Venom - Fiona Paul

Title: Venom
Series: Secrets Of the Eternal Rose #1
Author: Fiona Paul
Source: ARCycling

Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.

When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.




Review:

I really liked the plot in this book, as it is a murder mystery in renaissance  ITALY!  And it is also a love story! What can get better than that!
Honestly, there are some things that the author could have explained for the plot to flow better, but most everything was explained well, and the different plot twists worked out.
The main character Cassandra, is not the best main character that I have come across, but she was still ok. I think that Cass didn't stand up for herself as much as I would have liked. And she also made some stupid decisions regarding where she should be at different times.
Example: Cass goes to a graveyard, alone, in the middle of the night. Daring or just plain stupid? Who knows. Some of the other things that she did, were either something that someone does who is seriously in love, or just seriously dumb. And seeing as how she doesn't act in love at other parts, I am leaning toward the seriously dumb.
The plot in this made the solid 4 stars for me. Not the characters, although I do think that the author did an amazing job with them, no matter how unlikeable they were they lacked the fall-in-love-with-me quality that I really like characters to have. The romance in this book is a love triangle, sort of. Cass is engaged to Luca who is studying in France, but she goes and meets interesting young artist Falco, who introduces her to newer more exciting things. Neither of the guys, were amazing or book boyfriend quality.
There were some mature things in this book that were a little too much for a young adult book and I think that the author could have left quite a few of the things out.
I usually can figure out a whole book after about half of it. But this one wasn't like that. The plot twists and turns were so incredible and I was never completely right! The way that the author caused the book to flow from one mystery to another was just plain beautiful. And although the characters were sub-par, the plot just did it for me. I could not put this down! Everything about it screamed for me to read it. Which is probably why I read it in the same day I got it in the mail :-)
4/5 stars to this amazing story line.