Review: Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Anna and The French Kiss
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Page Count: 372
Published On: December 2, 2010
Goodreads Rating: 4.25
Format: Paperback
Buy via: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 2/5 Crystal Balls
Summary: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited? [x]

The only reason I fit this book in right now was because of the constant hype I saw on various book blogs. I saw it over and over again and I just knew I had to make time for this book right now. Well, I'm glad I did because now I don't have to wonder if I would like this book or not. I am more of a fantasy/paranormal kind of girl, but I do love some contemporary novels. I really, really wanted to like this book. I am a huge Sarah Dessen fan and because she's the Queen of YA Contemporary, I use her books as a measure for everyone else's. I'm sorry to say that Anna and The French Kiss did not live up to these lofty expectations. Almost immediately after I started reading, I knew I wasn't going to be able to agree with all the positive hype and it saddened me. I continued reading on, hoping things would pick up, and that I would change my mind, but sadly they never did.

The main plot centers around Anna Oliphant (or "Banana Elephant" as her friends call her), a 17-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia who is forced by her star writer father to attend school in Paris, France for her senior year. This requires Anna to leave behind her bff Bridge and her crush Toph, but hope for the possibilities of holiday break in December. Until then, she is content to stay in her room, watch movies, update her movie review blog, and avoid the "difficult" French language all together. This “dull” existence all changes when she meets Etienne St. Clair and his friends. Anna finally has people to bring her out of her shell and show her Paris. Things are going great until she realizes she has fallen for St. Clair and as a result, various predictable obstacles prevent them from being together until the very end.

The world-building is the biggest asset of the book and it helps set the scene for people who have never been to Paris (like me!). Stephanie Perkins does a great job of illustrating the magical world that is Paris, France (I mean the book is called Anna and The French Kiss!). She highlights various famous landmarks such as Notre Dame, The Latin Quarter, Cinetiere du Pere-Lachaise, and Point Zero. I enjoyed the comparisons to American culture, which helped give the story some context as well. I just can't believe there weren't any scenes set in the Louvre!

One of the things Sarah Dessen does so well with her books is that they're not just about a love story. They are also family stories and character stories. The main protagonists in her stories have loads of other issues to contend with other than worrying about if some guy likes them. That is just one part of their journey. This book should have been about Anna's journey of self-discovery. Instead, it becomes all about some guy. Anna starts out the book as a promising character. She understandably doesn't want to leave home for her senior year. She has issues with her father. She has a crush on the guy at work. She wants to be a famous film critic and has a blog. She also is afraid of change; afraid of venturing outside her comfort zone. This was an aspect of her personality in which I could connect. Change is scary, especially when the changes are as a result of something negative. I wish this would have been the focal point of her characterization.

However, all of Anna's issues are railroaded by one singular obsession: St. Clair. St. Clair is not a nice guy, but he is portrayed as one. He is popular, good-looking, and has an accent, so he is a natural point of infatuation for everyone. However, throughout the book, even though he has an emotional and physical affair with Anna, he still refuses to break-up with his girlfriend Ellie because he doesn't want to be alone (and this is portrayed as a "rootable" relationship?!). This unhealthy relationship tug-of-war goes on for pages and pages ("He's leaving me AGAIN!") and I honestly thought the book could have benefited from stronger editing and page number reduction (It was about 100-120 pages too long). It is like the author kept creating various contrivances just so the book could last a certain number of pages. If that's not bad enough, the ending is silly and abrupt, with no resolution given to any other storyline (What about Anna and her dad??!) except throwing Anna and St. Clair together. Only St. Clair benefits by being able to stick it to his father and go to the college of his choice. Furthermore, all the other supporting characters have the personality of cardboard cutouts and all play to a variety of stereotypes like "the mean girl", "the best friend", "the token POC", "the band guy", "the art guy", "the sporty girl" etc...while propping up various incidents of slut-shaming, homophobia, and misogyny. (The only supporting player that seemed to have a flushed out character was Rashmi and that was probably by accident). Finally, the dialogue was incredibly cheesy and not in a good way. I can't count how many times I rolled my eyes or laughed. I even started doing ~dramatic readings aloud that ended in a burst of giggles. Of course, I'll never forget "He's A-list and you're D!" which is the best bad line ever.

In conclusion, I really wanted to like it, but Anna and The French Kiss will remain one of my biggest contemporary lit disappointments of all time.

Stacking the Shelves (3) & Weekly Wrap-up (1)

Stacking The Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where you share what books you've acquired from various places throughout the week.

We got some great books this week! Cool news: Susan got her first ARC ever in the mail. Midnight City by the very awesome J. Barton Mitchell! We both are extremely excited to read this book. What books did everyone get this past week? We'd love to hear about it, so link us to your StS in the comments. =)

From the Library (not sure yet if any of these are for review)
Violins of Autumn by Amy McAuley
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas 
The Girl is Murder by Kathryn Miller Haines

In my Mail 
Midnight City ARC by J. Barton Mitchell (for review)

From the Library 
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins 
Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon (for review)

In case you missed it (our weekly wrap-up!)

Happy 100 followers (To celebrate, we will be hosting our first giveaway, so check back here @ thesisterstale for details sometime this week!)
Waiting on Wednesday
Teaser Tuesday
Mini-Review Monday: Slide, Hemlock, and The Vespertine
In-depth Review: Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Happy 100 Followers!

We are pleased to let everyone know that we have just hit over 100 members here at The Sisters' Tale. To celebrate, we will be hosting our very first giveaway very soon. Look out for news about the giveaway in the coming week! Thank you so much for your support!

Feature & Follow Friday (3)

Hello everyone! This is our second week of doing Feature & Follow Friday! It's been a blast meeting everyone and following so many blogs. We hope this week will be just as successful as last week! 

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee. 

This week's question is...

Q: What is the BIGGEST word you've seen used in a book lately - that made you stop and look it up? Might as well leave the definition & book too.

This is a great question! Normally, when I have a word that I have no idea what it means, I write it down on a piece of paper to look up in the dictionary later. If I'm on my Kindle though, I can just look up a word right away. It's so convenient for a word nerd like me.

So, that brings me to my answer to this week's question. My word is obstinate and it means "very difficult to change or overcome" (x). It's definitely not a word you see/hear in every day life, so I suggest everyone try using it in a sentence. You can amaze your friends and family! LOL!

Anyway, this word comes from 11/22/63 by Stephen King and it is actually used quite frequently throughout the book. One of the major themes of the novel is "the past is obstinate" meaning that the past doesn't want to be changed. Jake Epping, the book's protagonist, goes back in time to stop the Kennedy Assassination in order to change the world. However, changing time is incredibly difficult and there are consequences. I won't spoil anything about what happens, but I suggest you all pick it up now. It's an incredibly beautiful and powerful story...because I'm sure all of us wishes we could go back in time and change things without realizing how truly complex and interwoven humanity has become.

Let me know what you think in the comments! Or if you want, you can just say hi!

Waiting on Wednesday (3)- Shades of Earth

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

I'm so very excited to be doing our third Waiting on Wednesday here. Today, I will be talking about the upcoming book Shades of Earth by Beth Revis. 

SHADES OF EARTH
(Across The Universe #3)
Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience. But this new Earth isn't the paradise that Amy had been hoping for. Amy and Elder must race to uncover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. But as each new discovery brings more danger, Amy and Elder will have to look inward to the very fabric of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been meaningless.
Release Date: January 15, 2013
Pages: 400
Pre-Order: Amazon|B&N|Book Dep
Add it via: Goodreads

I first heard about the Across The Universe trilogy from my sister. She had read the first two books back-to-back and would frequently gush about them. She credits this series with getting her back into reading too. I have been trying to get her back into reading for some time, so I knew I had to read these books and see what magic they held between their pages.

I was immediately sucked in from the beginning. I love how Beth has stand-alone mysteries in each book, yet they both fit into the longer, series-defining one. Her writing effortlessly illustrated this magnificent world and I loved learning about the daily struggle of living on a generation ship. I loved Amy and Elder (and their blossoming relationship) and I could even sympathize with Eldest's plight and why he made the decisions he did.

I look forward to seeing how the series is concluded and if any more of my favorite characters will die. Beth Revis's writing style reminds me quite a bit of Joss Whedon, so I will definitely beware, but prepare for a satisfying yet bittersweet final chapter.

What are YOU waiting on this week?

Teaser Tuesday (3)- Defiance

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 

For our third Teaser Tuesday here, I will be teasing a little something from the book Defiance by CJ Redwine, which was released on: August 28, 2012.  My sister Shauna has already read and reviewed this book and now it's my turn. I am enjoying it so far. :)

I haven't gone more than three yards before I slam into a hard, unyielding obstacle. Strong fingers reach out and grab my arms, and I look up.

Commander Chase.

Terror rips a white-hot path through my body, and I can barely breathe.

I'm dead.

He stares at me through the turret's arched doorway, two members of this Brute Squad on his heels. One of them strikes flint at the lantern resting on the room's table, and the sudden light stings. Fury burns in the Commander's dark eyes, and my knees threaten to collapse beneath me.

p 55-56

Add it via Goodreads
Buy it via Amazon|B&N|Book Dep
Read Shauna's review here

What is YOUR tease this week?

Mini-review Monday (2)

Welcome to the 2nd edition of Mini-Review Monday, our new abridged review feature inspired by Entertainment Weekly's Quick Takes. This feature will be posted every Monday and will include 1-3 short reviews. Both adult and young adult books will be included in this feature.

Title: Slide (Slide #1) by Jill Hathaway
Pages: 250
Published on: May 8th, 2012
4/5 crystal balls (partly sunny), high priority.

Summary: Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth--her sister's friend Sophie didn't kill herself. She was murdered. Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn't actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else's mind and experiences the world through that person's eyes. She's slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed "friend" when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie's slashed body. Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can't bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting distant lately, especially now that she's been spending more time with Zane. Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

Slide is an engaging, intense thrill-ride. Packed with a cool mystery, raw emotion, and a fantastic lead character who can slide into people's minds, this is one book you won't be able to put down until you get to the last page. I admit I saw the ending coming, but that never took away from my overall enjoyment of the story. I'm so thrilled there's going to be a sequel out next year!

Title: Hemlock (Hemlock #1) by Kathleen Peacock
Pages: 416
Published on: May 8th, 2012
4.5/5 crystal balls (party sunny) high priority

Summary: Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered. Since then, Mac's life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac's hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy's killer: A white werewolf. Lupine syndrome--also known as the werewolf virus--is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control. Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy's murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy's boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk. Kathleen Peacock's thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love. 

Part supernatural mystery, part romance, Kathleen Peacock gives readers a compelling and believable world where werewolves are a part of society. I was impressed with the way the complicated dynamic of the three lead characters were handled, and the ending left me in absolute chills. Ultimately, Hemlock is a fantastic debut! It's nice to take a break from other 'supernaturals', and give werewolves some much needed focus in the spotlight.

Title: The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
Pages: 293
Published on: March 7th, 2011
2/5 crystal balls (heavy rain) lowest priority

Summary: It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him. When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

In the beginning, I thought The Vespertine had a lot of potential. However, by the middle it completely fell flat for me. This disappointed me because I love period pieces and -visions! forbidden romance! - all sounded so delectable. It was beautifully written and the atmosphere was incredibly rich and easy to get absorbed in, but in the end I really couldn't connect to any of the characters, romance or the book as a whole. There was something lacking here, and I think I just found the overall story to be a little dry, and unable to spark an emotional chord with me. Still, I do want to pick up the sequel one day because I heard The Springsweet is very different, and I find Saundra Mitchell's writing style to be quite lovely.

Review: Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Title: Defiance by C.J. Redwine
Page count: 403
Published on: August 28th, 2012
Goodreads rating: 3.87
Format: Hardcover
Buy via: Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository
5 /5 Crystal Balls - Sunny, highest priority 

Summary: Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city's brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father's apprentice, Logan--the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same one who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but a fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her. At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city's top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor's impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared. As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

You know sometimes you come across a book, and you know, you know somehow its tailor-made for just you? This is the epitome of Defiance for me. When I first saw the cover, I let out a gasp and when I read the premise, I immediately started counting down just how long I would have to wait until I could get my hands on it, and I was sure there was absolutely no possible way I could wait that long. Well, sometimes trusting your instincts pays off, because Defiance was everything I hoped it would be and more.

The first thing I want to say about my reading experience with this book is that the whole time I was reading it, my heart was in my throat. When I wasn’t reading it, I wanted to be, and when I was reading it, I turned the pages with a fiery determination while simultaneously grieving over the fact that I’d be soon done with it.  Yes, I never wanted it to end, and here’s why.

Defiance is a lot of things, and it is combination of things done extremely well. I really don't want to give too many specifics much away, because I feel like that'll take away from the impact of the story, but here are a few reasons that make this book one of my absolute favorites.

1. Defiance is a magnificent blend of high-fantasy, science fiction, and dystopia. The mix of the classic Old World flare and futuristic technology infuses the story with a freshness and excitement. 
2. One of the reasons Defiance is such a complete, and rewarding read is because it offers readers dual point of views from the two main characters, Rachel and Logan. I feel like with getting to see through both their eyes, I got to know them both in such a way that a solo point of view could never offer, not only individually, but together. There’s no guessing what the other one is thinking and feeling. Readers will know what’s at stake for both of these characters. Ultimately, by going back and forth between their perspectives, it added a powerful depth not only to their relationship but to the overall story that made my heart soar, and my eyes well-up. 
3. When I'm reading a book, I need the characters to face real repercussions, or what’s the point? Defiance does an outstanding job of illustrating through our characters, the fragility of life, and that for every choice we make, there are real, and true consequences. There are some harrowing moments that we have to watch our characters suffer through in book, but they are necessary. The sad truth is, as human beings, we unfortunately will have to face horrible situations throughout our lifetime. Through these experiences though, we learn, and we grow as people. Life throws us curveballs that we can never be prepared for. We can train ourselves to protect our bodies, and we can train our minds to make them sharp, but we can never prepare our hearts. We can never be ready, but Defiance also shows us that where there is dark, there is light. Where there is death, there is life. Where there is complete devastation, there is happiness. 

Above all, Defiance is a story about loss, and learning to cope with that loss. This is a story about learning how to just to find a way to breathe when the pain is so real, so crushing, you don’t know how you’re going to get through the next minute, let alone after the dust settles. This is very much a story about the strength of the human spirit. This is a saga about finding a way to pick up the pieces. This is a tale about two broken souls coming together, as their whole world around them is crumbling, and it’s simply beautiful. 

Defiance asks you: How far will you go for the love a parent? For the person you’re in love with? For revenge? I like books that challenge my emotions on every level, and that have that ability to speak to me on a personal level. This is one of those books.

C.J Redwine gives readers an intense, gut-wrenching journey yet ultimately one that stitched in hope, and momentous love. Defiance is a powerful and unforgettable gem in a sea of YA fiction. This is a story that not only broke my heart but one that put it back together in a way that was better than before. Now I can only begin the process of sitting here waiting  impatiently with baited breath to see what comes next. Until then Defiance will never be far from my mind.

Scooping The Screen (2)

Welcome to the second edition of Scooping The Screen, our own new original feature in which books on television and in film will be spotlighted. This feature will be posted at varying frequencies, so please keep checking our site for further updates (although I hope to have it out at least once a week).

~BOOKS ON TELEVISION~

Tomorrow is the official start of the fall television season with the premiere of several series over the next three weeks. It's hard to believe that networks are already making plans for next season!

Lifetime, ABC, Fox and The CW together have already picked up several book-based projects for possible next season berths.

Lifetime is preparing to shoot the pilot for Witches of East End which is based on The Beauchamp Family series by Melissa de la Cruz. The project will start Julia Ormond, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Patrick Heusinger, Rachel Boston, and Daniel DiTomasso. The pilot will shoot over 10 days in and around Wilmington, NC starting October 17th.

The CW is developing several pilots for next season including: Wunderland, an Alice in Wonderland re-imaging; Embrace, based on a new book series by Jessica Shrivington about angels; Amazon, a Wonder Woman origin drama, and Sleepy Hallow, based on The Legend of Sleepy Hallow by Washington Irving. Interestingly enough, Fox also has a Sleepy Hallow pilot in development as well.

ABC has ordered a pilot script based on The Heart Speaks, a memoir by Mimi Guarneri. For more details, please check out Variety.

ALSO:
Haven, based on Stephen King's The Colorado Kid, premiered this past Friday. Here's a preview as to what to expect for the rest of the season.

Tonight is the 64th Annual Primetime Awards! Game of Thrones is looking to add to its 6 Creative Emmy wins with its two other nominations including one for Best Drama and Best Supporting Actor (Peter Dinklage). Winter is Coming, folks! :)

~BOOKS IN FILM~

Beautiful Creatures, the first novel in the series written by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, had its first trailer debut. It will be released on February 13, 2013.

The Hobbit, the three-part prequel film series to The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, has had a new trailer released. Part 1 will be released on November 28, 2012.

The Mortal Instruments's film set in Toronto, CA recently hosted several TMI fansites. Check out Mundie Moms and TMI Source for posts on their experiences. The movie will be released on August 23, 2013.

Well, that concludes the second edition of Scooping The Screen. I hope to have additional editions out regularly.

Stacking The Shelves (2)

Stacking The Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where you share what books you've acquired from various places throughout the week

Although this is our second week doing StS, this is my first week contributing something since my sister did it last week. I don't have much this time around, but I hope to have more of a haul in the future. My preferred way to read these days is my Kindle, but I still do read and enjoy physical books. Last year, I donated many of my books because I don't have alot of room and they were just sitting in boxes. Ebooks are just more convenient as well as trips to the library. I still have Harry Potter in hardcover though. ;)

Just curious, what is your preferred way to read?

Bought (for Kindle)

Please feel free to link me to yours in the comments below! Can't wait to see what you are reading!

Flash-forward Friday (1)

Welcome to our brand new feature, Flash-forward Friday, which was inspired by Waiting on Wednesday hosted by Breaking the Spine. Basically FfF is a way to showcase 2-5 future books we're extremely excited about, but with a twist. Every week's picks will feature a certain theme/genre (ie. high fantasy, sci-fi, historically-themed, dystopian, contemporary, thrillers, or more specific like time-travel, aliens, ghosts, zombies, etc) which will change every week. If you want to join in on the fun, this can definitely be a meme. If anyone is interested, let us know in the comments. :)

This week's theme: High-Fantasy

Title: Greta and the Goblin King (Mylena Chronicles #1) by Chloe Jacobs
Release Date: November 13th 2012
What it's about? While trying to save her brother from the witch three years ago, Greta was thrown into the fire herself, falling through a portal to a dangerous world where humans are the enemy, and every ogre, goblin, and ghoul has a dark side that comes out with the full moon. To survive, 17-year-old Greta has hidden her humanity and taken the job of bounty hunter—and she’s good at what she does. So good, she’s caught the attention of Mylena’s young Goblin King, the darkly enticing Isaac, who invades her dreams and undermines her determination to escape. But Greta’s not the only one looking to get out of Mylena. The full moon is mere days away, and an ancient evil being knows she’s the key to opening the portal. If Greta fails, she and the boys she finds stranded in the woods will die. If she succeeds, no world will be safe from what follows her back...   

Why I want to fast-forward time for this book: First of all, LOOK AT THAT COVER. It's so captivating, it sucked me in immediately. Also, the premise.. portals and goblins?! I'm so there.

Title: The Flame in the Mist by Kit Grindstaff
Release Date: April 9th 2013
What's it about? Fiery-headed Jemma Agromond is not who she thinks she is, and when the secrets and lies behind her life at mist-shrouded Agromond Castle begin to unravel, she finds herself in a chilling race for her life. Ghosts and misfits, a stone and crystals, a mysterious book, an ancient prophecy—all these reveal the truth about Jemma's past and a destiny far greater and more dangerous than she could have imagined in her wildest fantasies. With her telepathic golden rats, Noodle and Pie, and her trusted friend, Digby, Jemma navigates increasingly dark forces, as helpers both seen and unseen, gather. But in the end, it is her own powers that she must bring to light, for only she has the key to defeating the evil ones and fulfilling the prophecy that will bring back the sun and restore peace in Anglavia.

Why I want to fast-forward time for this book: I don't read a lot of middle-school fic (I'm pretty sure this is) BUT I can't resist this one. How adorable is that cover and the premise?! It sounds like a lot of fun and an awesome, delightful adventure.

Title: The Cadet of Tildor by Alex Lidell
Release Date: January 10th 2013
What's it about? There is a new king on the throne of Tildor. Currents of political unrest sweep the country as two warring crime families seek power, angling to exploit the young Crown's inexperience. At the Academy of Tildor, the training ground for elite soldiers, Cadet Renee de Winter struggles to keep up with her male peers. But when her mentor, a notorious commander recalled from active duty to teach at the Academy, is kidnapped to fight in illegal gladiator games, Renee and her best friend Alec find themselves thrust into a world rife with crime, sorting through a maze of political intrigue, and struggling to resolve what they want, what is legal, and what is right.

Why I want to fast-forward time for this book: There's all kind of goodness going on in that premise. Cadet Renee de Winter is an awesome name and she sounds to be a promising lead female character. Also, illegal gladiator games, kidnapping, and political intrigue?! Yes, yes, yes. Also, I'm a sucker for stories where two people have to team up to save, solve, be bad-ass together, etc.

Title: Fireblood (Fireblood #1)
Release Date: October 2013
What's it about? To save a kingdom, Zara must choose between a prince who could be the answer and a rising rebellion that threatens to take control. When Zara Dane is chosen to marry Prince Sebastian Hart, son of the man who ordered her father’s capture, Zara knows she must fight to save everything she loves from ruin. Being betrothed to the prince means a life trapped behind the towering stone walls of the Camelot-forged realm. Under the watchful eye of the prince's first knight, Sir Devlan Capra, changing her future becomes difficult. When an unlikely rebel reveals the truth about the deadly secrets that fuel King Hart’s twisted world, Zara’s path to rescue her father becomes clouded by deception. The Rebels clear her path by forcing Zara’s hand with an ultimatum: sway Prince Sebastian to join the Rebels, convincing him of his father’s evil nature, or they will take him out. But Zara is uncertain about a future under the Rebels’ command and where the prince’s heart truly lies. She must decide who to trust, what to believe, and what she’s truly fighting for before the king destroys all of Karm, including her heart.

Why I want to fast-forward time for this book: That cover is just so PRETTY. I also love anything with princesses and princes. Also, I'm very intrigued to see how the dynamic between Zara and Sebastian will play out.

Title: Prophecy (Prophecy #1) by Ellen Oh
Release Date: January 2nd 2013
What it's about? The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms… is a girl with yellow eyes. Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope… Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king. Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy

Why I want to fast-forward time for this book: Yeah...I think the "is a girl with yellow eyes" was the thing that got my attention immediately. I find it beyond fascinating that Kira is the only girl in the king's army, and that so many people despise her. I really want to see how this will affect her character. Also, she's not only the prince's bodyguard but she goes on the run with him?! Yes please. (crossing my fingers that's a well-done plot because it seems so promising.). ALSO demon soldiers and evil shaman?! Sign me up. It all seems very exciting.

So that's it for this week! If you read through this, what book or books got your attention, if any? Hit up the comments below with any thoughts.

Next week's theme: Science Fiction

Feature & Follow Friday (2)

Hello everyone! This is our second week of doing Feature & Follow Friday! It's been a blast meeting everyone and following so many blogs. We hope this week will be just as successful as last week!

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee.

This week's question is...

Q: What hyped up book was worth all of the fuss?
The hyped up book series that is worth all the hype is A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. Even before Game of Thrones aired on HBO, my BFF tried to get me to read the books. She even bought me the first book. I did crack it open, but to be honest I was scared. I love high fantasy, but it is a big commitment. This is a whole new world. New names to learn, new family trees to keep straight, and even new geography to learn. I love high fantasy; I read The Lord of The Rings and I loved it, but those books were shorties compared to the whopping 1100+ pages of a book like A Storm of Swords (which ironically later became my favorite of the series so far). Before this series, I never read a book that was so long other than a textbook. Feeling overwhelmed, I put the book down, but after watching Season 1 of Game of Thrones, I went back and read all the books! It took me about 4 months to tackle the series, but it was SO worth it. George created this masterpiece and as long as you can keep everyone's names and houses straight, you'll do fine! Watching the series really helped with sorting that all out, but the books just give so much depth and beauty to the story. Every chapter is from a different characters POV, so you really get inside their heads. My favorites are Sansa, Tyrion, Ned, Brienne, and Jamie. Just truly, truly remarkable books. You will love them, just as I'm so sure I'll be waiting for Book 6, The Winds of Winter, until the end of time. So, any fans out there?

Let me know what you think in the comments! Or if you want, you can just say hi!

Also, we just got our facebook up and running, so feel free to like us there as well!

What's Next? (2)

What's Next? is a weekly meme hosted by IceyBooks in which readers help choose what books I should read next.

So here are my picks! I need all the help I can to decide. Also, feel free to link me up to yours in the comments! :D

16 year old Anna Rogan has a secret she's only shared with her best friend, Rei; she can astrally project out of her body, allowing her spirit to explore the world and the far reaches of the universe. When there's a fatal accident and her classmate Taylor takes over Anna's body, what was an exhilarating distraction from her repressive home life threatens to become a permanent state. Faced with a future trapped in another dimension, Anna turns to Rei for help. Now the two of them must find a way to get Anna back into her body and stop Taylor from accusing an innocent friend of murder. Together Anna and Rei form a plan but it doesn't take into account the deeper feelings that are beginning to grow between them.

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl. There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere. It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day. With his new novel, David Levithan, bestselling co-author of Will Grayson, Will Grayson, and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, has pushed himself to new creative heights. He has written a captivating story that will fascinate readers as they begin to comprehend the complexities of life and love in A’s world, as A and Rhiannon seek to discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day.

Ten months after vampires revealed their existence to the mortals of Chicago, they're enjoying a celebrity status usually reserved for the Hollywood elite. But should people learn about the Raves--mass feeding parties where vampires round up humans like cattle--the citizens will start sharpening their stakes. So now it's up to the new vampire Merit to reconnect with her upper class family and act as liaison between humans and bloodsuckers, and keep the more unsavory aspects of the vampire lifestyle out of the media. But someone doesn't want peace between them--someone with an ancient grudge.

A walled city surrounded by lush land, protected by high mountain summits, and fortified by a massive gate to secure the only pass into the valley, The Bastion remained humanity’s last hope against the fearsome undead creatures known as the Inferi Scourge. On one fateful day, the valley gate failed and the Inferi Scourge overran and destroyed the human settlements outside the walls, trapping the remaining survivors inside the city. Now, decades later, the last remaining humans are struggling to survive in a dying city of dwindling resources…and dwindling hope. Vanguard Maria Martinez has lived her entire life within the towering walls of steel. She yearns for a life away from the overcrowded streets, rolling blackouts, and food shortages, but there is no hope for anyone as long as the Inferi Scourge howl outside the high walls. Her only refuge from the daily grind is in the arms of Dwayne Reichardt, an officer in the Bastion Constabulary. Both are highly-decorated veterans of the last disastrous push against the Inferi Scourge. Their secret affair is her only happiness. Then one day Maria is summoned to meet with a mysterious representative from the Science Warfare Division and is offered the opportunity to finally destroy the Inferi Scourge in the valley and close the gate, reclaiming the lost lands and energizing the populace with renewed hope for the future. The rewards of success are great, but she will have to sacrifice everything, possibly even her life, to accomplish the ultimate goal of securing the future of humanity and saving it from extinction.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna. Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

Join the Army of Ten! (Ten by Gretchen McNeil)

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury. But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine. Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Pages: 304
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Book Dep
Add it via: Goodreads
JOIN THE ARMY OF TEN

Join The Army of Ten, the street team for the new horror release, Ten by Gretchen McNeil! As you progress up the ranks, you win cool prizes and get to call yourself things like Major and General! Amaze your friends! Vanquish those villians! Save the day! Doesn't this all sound like fun? And if that doesn't impress you enough...horror legend Christopher Pike and Buffy book writer Nancy Holder love the book! So what are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday (2)- Midnight City

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I'm so very excited to be doing our second Waiting on Wednesday here. Today, I will be talking about the upcoming book Midnight City by J. Barton Mitchell.

MIDNIGHT CITY
(The Conquered Earth #1)
Earth has been conquered. An extraterrestrial race known as The Assembly has abducted the adult population, leaving the planet’s youth to fend for themselves. In this treacherous landscape, Holt, a bounty hunter, is transporting his prisoner Mira when they discover Zoey, a young girl with powerful abilities who could be the key to stopping The Assembly. As they make their way to the cavernous metropolis of Midnight City, the trio must contend with freedom fighters, mutants, otherworldly artifacts, pirates, feuding alien armies, and perhaps most perilous of all: Holt and Mira’s growing attraction to each other.
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Pages: 384
Pre-Order: Amazon | B&N | Book Dep
Add it via: Goodreads

I first heard about Midnight City when I tried to win an ARC at LibraryThing. Normally there are not very many books that appeal to me on their Early Reviewers list, but as soon as I read the description, I just knew I had to have it. Sadly, I did not win an early copy, but my anticipation for this book only grew even more.

Not only am I huge fan of the latest ~dystopian book, but I also love adventure sagas. I love classic series like: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien, Harry Potter by JK Rowling, and The Talisman by Stephen King & Peter Straub. I am also a huge Buffy fan and also enjoy series like The Walking Dead. I love how a group of unlikely people work together toward a common goal. They all have to go on an adventure together and fight the forces of darkness. This is the purest form of storytelling in my eyes: Good VS Evil and how we deal with the shades of gray in between. It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from, everyone comes together in an epic battle and as a result, all the characters are forever changed.

Just reading the summary of this book gives me chills. I cannot wait to see the trio of Holt, Mira, and Zoey kick some serious alien butt! I am also a huge shipper, so I cannot wait to see how Holt and Mira deal with their growing attraction while trekking across the wasteland that was once Earth. All I ask is that their relationship doesn't become splintered because of a triangle. Thank goodness Zoey is too young to really factor in that love connection. I love when trios are NOT triangles. They are the best kinds of dynamics and this is the best kind of story for that dynamic.

Finally, this book comes out right before Halloween! What better way to celebrate? Do a little reading before trick or treating (and that horror movie marathon).

So, what book are you "waiting on" this Wednesday? Link me to yours in the comments!

Teaser Tuesday (2)- Ten

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading 

For our second Teaser Tuesday here, I will be teasing a little something from the book Ten by Gretchen McNeil, which was released today: September 18, 2012! I have only read four chapters so far, so the story is still being set-up!

Meg's backpack thumped against her hip as she ran. She didn't even look at the ocean to see if a rogue wave might be gathering to wash her out to sea. She honestly didn't care. She was so elated T.J. still wanted to be friends with her that death at the hands of a merciless current seemed a small price to pay.

Add it via: Goodreads
Buy it via: Amazon|B&N|Book Dep

Mini-Review Monday (1)

Welcome to the first edition of Mini-Review Monday, our new abridged review feature inspired by Entertainment Weekly's Quick Takes. This feature will be posted every Monday and will include 1-3 short reviews. Both adult and young adult books will be included in this feature. 

[Click here for book details.]

For about 2/3rds of book one of James Dashner's dystopian series, I felt like I was the one running the titular maze; a maze of confusion with only vague bursts of comprehension. This is the feeling that the main protagonist of the story, Thomas, also shares. Still, instead of commiserating with his predicament, I was too distracted by the lack of story clarity. The arrival of Teresa, the mystery girl, only added to my frustration as her only function was to manufacture a "love connection". In fact, the plot was a muddled mess. It seemed like all the characters were going around in circles; that this was all just build-up to...something. Perhaps this was the point because after struggling to connect with earlier parts of the story, I breezed through the incredibly alarming climax and twist ending. By the time I was finished, I realized I still had enough interest in the mysterious elements presented at the ending that I wanted to finish out the series. Eventually.  

[Click here for book details.]

All the hoopla for Gillian's Flynn's latest mystery thriller couldn't be worth all that hype right? That's the exact question I had when I started her third novel, Gone Girl... and let me say it is worth the ride. The book was a pure twisted delight, with masterful storytelling, complex characters, and one doozy of a twist that will make you rethink everything (if you weren't already). The story is too good to spoil, so let go of your tv crime show expectations and immerse yourself into this brilliant masterpiece. You think you know, but you have no idea.