In My Mailbox

This week's In My Mailbox is mostly due in part to my AWESOME, AMAZING, and SPLENDIFEROUS boss RACHEL CAINE!  She sent me Total Eclipse and Ghost Town.  Mockingjay I got from the library.

And because I have been dying to read all of these, the books from last weeks IMM have been put on the back burner!  Needless to say I have already finished Total Eclipse and Mockingjay, and am a third of the way into Ghost Town! lol Reviews are already up and anticipate Ghost Town's review within the next day or so!  If you haven't read Total Eclipse of Mockingjay, I suggest you go get them!!!

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

So I literally just finished Mockingjay and I am a TOTAL emotional wreck.  So I will try very hard to write a spoiler-free, coherent review. (Even though my keyboard is being splattered with tears as I write this)

From GoodReads: My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.
It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.
The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost.

So I went into this book Team Katniss.  I felt that Peeta and Gale, they were just putting undo stress on a girl who is already stressed out to the max.  I felt that they should both just back off and give her some breathing room.  If anything I was Team Cinna, seeing as how he was the only guy in life who cared about doing what was best for Katniss. 
Now as I end Mockingjay, I am even more TEAM KATNISS!!! My God that girl is strong.  Stronger than any person should ever have to be.  Sure as expected, Mockingjay is FILLED with  twists, turns, agony, betrayal, and love.  It was an emotional rollercoaster that never stopped moving until the final page.  I highly suggest that once you get to the last few chapters, you read it with a box of tissues.  I bawled like a toddler with a skinned knee!  But through the entire book my heart was breaking for Katniss.  She endures situations that would bring the biggest hero to his knees. 
I give my highest praise to Suzanne Collins for writing such an epic series.  Hats off to you Madam, you are a literary master.  (Although I think you owe me a box of Kleenex!)
To those who haven't read this series, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?  To those of you who have read the first two books, but are waiting to get Mockingjay, GO BUY IT! IT'S DEFINITELY WORTH THE MONEY!!!

Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine

So FINALLY, after weeks of anticipation, I devoured Total Eclipse byt Rachel Caine.  I must say, I was NOT disappointed! 

From GoodReads: Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin has defeated her longtime enemy and saved the world—again. But at what cost? Standing at the ground zero for the last attack, Joanne, the Djinn David, and the Earth herself have been poisoned by a substance that is destroying the magic that keeps the world alive.

Joanne and David have already lost their powers, but that's just the beginning. The poison that has seeped into the planet is destablizing the entire balance of power, bestowing magic on those who have never had it and taking it at critical moments from those who need it. It's just a matter of time before the delicate balance of nature explodes into chaos, destroying mankind—and every living thing on Earth—with it.

In true Rachel Caine form, this book never stopped bringing the action and heart-pounding scenes.  Joanne is back in full attitude to battle Mother Earth herself.  I couldn't put this book down from start to finish!  Though I am sad that it's the final Weather Warden book, Rachel wrapped the book up in such a way that I don't see how anyone could be unsatisfied.  My compliments to Rachel and a warm farewell to the characters I have enjoyed for so long.

Waiting on Wednesday

Somehow I spaced off my Waiting on Wednesday yesterday!  Arg! I'm sorry!!!  So to correct the situation, allow me to post it now!  This weeks waiting on Wednesday is one that I am UBER excited about and am actually going a little crazy waiting for.... Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr!! This is the fifth and FINAL book in the Wicked Lovely series! It isn't set to be released until February 22, 2011!!!

From GoodReads: The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful ...more The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.

Aislinn tends the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.
Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the faery courts, and in the final conflict, some will win…and some will lose everything.
The exhilarating conclusion to Melissa Marr’s New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series will leave readers breathless.

This series is AMAZING and one of my FAVORITES!!! Melissa Marr is brilliant and brings these books to life so well that the characters become real.  You feel every emotion with them and go through every scene like you are standing right there.  If you haven't read this series, in my humble opinion, you're CRAZY! Get in the car RIGHT NOW, drive to the nearest library, bookstore, etc. and GET THEM!!!  I swear you will not be disappointed!
As for me, I am going to suffer (not in silence though) until February when I can get my hands on Darkest Mercy!

The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

So this weekend I had the chance to read the first two books by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.  (Yes, finally, I know!) Upon finishing them I really must say that I can see why they are such a sensation. 

From Goodreads: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

From Goodreads: Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

The books were high voltage from start to finish, making me feel a whole range of emotions from laughter to tears.  I've notice that people that read this series always seem to pick a team, Team Katniss, Team Peeta, etc.  I've decided to be Team Cinna.  Cinna is Katniss's stylist, who also seems to be the ONLY person in the Capitol with some inteligence.  He is brilliant and stands by Katniss through everything.  (And for those who have read the book, I LOST IT when that happened before the Quell!)  I can honestly say that I enjoyed Catching Fire the best and I am definitely going to read Mockingjay when it comes out this week.  Suzanne Collins is sure to make your heart race and the tears fall in the third installment of this series.

In My Mailbox

So In My Mailbox this week is all books I got from the library.  These are all books that I have either not read or started by didn't get into at the time, so I'm trying them again.  Hopefully for some, second try is the charm!

 

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

So as I write this I can already hear the ustounded gasps that it will receive, but yes, until last night, I had not read Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  People have told me about it and I have thought 'yeah, maybe one day I'll read it'.  So finally yesterday, I did.

My reasoning: So I admit I had a motive behind reading this book.  I got an email on Thursday from a small collective of libraries in Iowa who (unbeknownst to me until Thursday) have held a mock Hunger Games at one of the colleges.  They invite all libraries in Iowa to send a "tribute" team to compete in feats of knowledge and strength.  Well of course, color me intruiged!  I know that a lot of kids from my book clubs have read this (and it is one of my boss's favorite books) and that they would LOVE to go.  I talked to my boss and we decided we HAVE to send a team!

So now I must recruit my 2-4 person team who have read the book and thought it may be slightly embarrassing if I was the only Teen Librarian there who hadn't read the books! lol Hence the reason I read it.

Sad isn't it? That I haven't read this phenomenon yet? Well I have now.  Today I start on Catching Fire, of course that will be after work and after a nap since I was up until 1a.m. finishing Hunger Games. And just as an F.Y.I. I am not going to review this book quite yet.  Since Mockingjay comes out very soon, I am going to wait and review all three books at the same time.  So keep your eye out! (Also, if you are in 6th to 12th grade and want to be on my "tribute" team, let me know!)

The Wonderful Sarah McClung!

So the wonderful Sarah McClung is having yet another contest! This one is full of awesome book ARCs and I am UBER excited about it! If you don't follow Babbling Flow blog, you're CRAZY! Sarah is one of the funniest chicks blogging! Check her out!!
http://babblingflow.blogspot.com/2010/08/arcs-arcs-arcs.html

The Versatile Blogger Award!

Here's how this award works:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.


2. Share 7 things about yourself.


3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason! (In no particular order...)


4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.
 
Thank you to Becky @ Breathless Books! http://breathlessbooks.blogspot.com/
 
7 Things About Me:
I am addicted to coffee with FAR TOO MUCH sugar and creamer.
I am a mother of two.
I have severe food and environmental allergies.
I will NEVER move out of Iowa.
I have never seen an ocean.
I have never left the country.
I want to travel the world once my kids are grown up.
 
I passed this award to:
Addicted 2 Novels
Aine's Realm
Karen's Addictions
Loony-Reads
Paperback Dolls
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥Princess Bookie♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
21 ♥ Pages: YA Book Reviews
Babbling Flow
Blog with Bite
BookHounds
Books Obsession
Confessions of a Bookaholic
Crazy Bookworm
For What It's Worth
Jaclyn Dolamore

Waiting on Wednesday

This weeks Wating on Wednesday is the second Fallen Novel by Lauren Kate, Torment, which comes out on September 28th. 
From Goodreads: How many lives do you need to live before you find someone worth dying for? In the aftermath of what happened at Sword & Cross, Luce has been hidden away by her cursed angelic boyfriend, Daniel, in a new school filled with Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. Daniel promises she will be safe here, protected from those who would kill her. At the school Luce discovers what the Shadows that have followed her all her life mean - and how to manipulate them to see into her other lives. Yet the more Luce learns about herself, the more she realizes that the past is her only key to unlocking her future...and that Daniel hasn't told her everything. What if his version of the past isn't actually the way things happened...what if Luce was really meant to be with someone else?

I am so excited for this book!  I read Fallen and have been waiting for what seems like FOREVER for Torment.  I finally can countdown the days until it comes out, and believe me, if my book company at the library doesn't have it to me the day of release, I am jumping in the car and driving to the closest bookstore to get it! So if you haven't read Fallen yet, I suggest you check it out!

Laney by Joann I. Martin Sowles

In a small college town in Northern California, Laney Alexander leads a regular, uneventful life–that is, until the charming and alluring Oliver Knight enters her world. Who is this gorgeous and mysterious stranger? Or, rather, what is he?

As Laney’s sophomore year of college begins, so does an unbelievable adventure–including a love she didn’t know she longed for. She soon learns that Oliver is not ordinary, nor is the rest of his family, including a sister who openly hates her and a brother who will stop at nothing for revenge. As she fights for her life, and Oliver’s love, Laney discovers that the fictional world of vampires isn’t so fictional after all. Nobody is safe, especially Laney, Oliver’s most important priority, and he will stop at nothing to protect her. With her mortality at risk, and a commitment revealed that she, without a doubt, knows she wants, Laney’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn…

So I started this book and was instantly worried I wasn't going to like it.  The first half was almost too much like Twilight for me.  (And those of you who know me know that I am not a fan of Twilight) However, by the last half of the book I was hooked.  The adventure and mayhem really started to get going and it was more like the Morganville Vampires than Twilight.  The ending left off in such a way that I wanted to scream "NOOOOO!!!!"  And I am now (impatiently) waiting for the next book.  I think Laney was a good build up for this series and I am fully intending to read the rest of the Brookehaven Vampires series!  But I have to say my favorite part of this book is the diversity.  Not only is there vampires and werewolves, she also states that unicorns, leprechauns, and DRAGONS are real! Whoo-hoo!!! I love me some dragons! lol Joann I. Martin Sowles really started this series off with a bang! Laney, the first in the Brookehaven Vampires series comes out in October and I recommend you give it a read!  (Also, I'm calling it now, I think the mysterious coven leader, D, is Laney's dad.  Let me know if you think so too!)

In My Mailbox

So In My Mailbox is normally done on Sundays, but as I will gone camping with my family this weekend, I am posting it early. I ran out of books on Tuesday, so thank goodness the book I requested came yesterday and I actually managed to find a book at the library that I haven't read! Now at least I have something to read while fishing this weekend!

Here are the books I am reading!

This is Laney by Joann I. Martin Sowles.  It is the first in the Brookehaven Vampires series and comes out in October. 

From the Brookehaven Vampires Website:

In a small college town in Northern California, Laney Alexander leads a regular, uneventful life–that is, until the charming and alluring Oliver Knight enters her world. Who is this gorgeous and mysterious stranger? Or, rather, what is he?

As Laney’s sophomore year of college begins, so does an unbelievable adventure–including a love she didn’t know she longed for. She soon learns that Oliver is not ordinary, nor is the rest of his family, including a sister who openly hates her and a brother who will stop at nothing for revenge. As she fights for her life, and Oliver’s love, Laney discovers that the fictional world of vampires isn’t so fictional after all. Nobody is safe, especially Laney, Oliver’s most important priority, and he will stop at nothing to protect her. With her mortality at risk, and a commitment revealed that she, without a doubt, knows she wants, Laney’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn…

Just One Wish by Janette Rallison is not a new release, in fact it's almost a year old, yet somehow it slipped by me!  So I'm making up for it now!

From GoodReads:

Seventeen-year-old Annika Truman knows about the power of positive thinking. With a little brother who has cancer, it’s all she ever hears about. And in order to help Jeremy, she will go to the ends of the earth (or at least as far as Hollywood) to help him believe he can survive his upcoming surgery.

But Annika’s plan to convince Jeremy that a magic genie will grant him any wish throws her a curveball when he unexpectedly wishes that his television idol would visit him. Annika suddenly fi nds herself in the desperate predicament of getting access to a hunky star actor and convincing him to come home with her. Piece of cake, right?

Waiting on Wednesday

So I chose The first in the Infernal Devices series, Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, for my Waiting on Wednesday book. 

From GoodReads: Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.


Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.


Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: Jem, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa.


As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.
 
I LOVED the Mortal Instruments series and am anxiously waiting for this new work of art from Cassandra Clare.  I see all the buzz from other reviewers on Twitter EVERYDAY and I can honestly say that the anticipation I feel while waiting for this book can only be decribed as the same feeling you get from holding your breath too long. 

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

In Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus, Phe (short for Persephone) goes off to boarding school in a town called Shadow Hills after the death of her sister.  She has been experiencing repeditive nightmares and strange coincidences, but she feels drawn to the school after reading about it in her sister's diary.  Once at the school she makes new friends, a few enemies, and meets Zach.  But the town of Shadow Hills is hiding a secret.  The people of Shadow Hills are strange, attracting metal objects, melting price guns, speed-reading an entire textbook in minutes, and it just gets weirder.  All the while Phe is being haunted by dreams that end up coming true. 

This book is really hard for me to review... while I enjoyed it a lot, I felt it was a little rushed in places and I thought the end was a little predictable.  However, if this book is just the first in a series, then I think it could be off to a great start and I look forward to the next book. But if this is a stand-alone, I would have to say I'm under-whelmed.

Congratulations Lisa!

So I had to blog this real quick.  As you know, Lisa Mantchev is one of my FAVORITE authors and also one of the SWEETEST people I know.  When we talked two days ago about her pregnancy, she said that Tiny Doom (LOVE the nickname!) was still "percolating".  Well today HE HAS ARRIVED!!!

His name is Xavier and he was 8lbs. 12 oz. and 21 inches long! 

My congratulations go out to Lisa and her family (I'm sure the SugarBean is excited!) and I hope Mom and Baby are well! If you follow Lisa on Twitter or Facebook, shout out your congrats! (Though she will also welcome cookies and cupcakes! lol) Here's to you Lisa and Baby Tiny Doom!!! *hugs*

Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund

So Ascendant is the sequel to Rampant, the story of the killer unicorns and Astrid, a unicorn hunter.

In Ascendant, Astrid goes through hell and back again.  No longer is she the scared child she once was, instead she questions everything she has come to know.  I am having a really hard time writing this review because A) I don't want to reveal too much and B) right now, having literally just finished it, all I can think or say is Oh. My. God.  This book was AWESOME! I was torn between feeling bad for Astrid, wanting to "stop being an idiot!", and wanting to cry for the unicorns.  So I will just say this, if you have read Rampant, you MUST read Ascendant.  This book brings adventure, emotion, and most of all answers that you will NEVER believe! Hats off to Diana Peterfreund. You, Madame, are an AMAZING storyteller and I look forward to reading anything and everything you write. 

La Femme Reader Contest

So my fellow blogger, La Femme Reader, has quite a few great contests going on right now! My favorite being her 2011 Releases Contest! http://lafemmereaders.blogspot.com/2010/07/2011-ya-releases-giveaway.html She is SO great to her followers! I hope that my little blog grows up to be like hers!

Contest from Sara McClung!

Here is another great contest to win some AWESOME ARCs!!!!

http://babblingflow.blogspot.com/2010/08/arc-contest-update-extra-entries.html

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

Before I start Ascendant, I wanted to write a review of a galley I read a few weeks ago.  This book was so emotional and amazing that I felt it deserved a raving review.  Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler is a story about an anorexic girl, Lisa, who gets tapped by Death to become one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Famine.

This book is graphic and emotionally gripping.  There was several points where I wanted to cry from the graphic description of Lisa's pain and suffering from anorexia.  I can honestly say that ANY teenage girl that is even THINKING of becoming anorexic should read this story.  I tip my hat to Jackie for writing this BRILLIANT story and cannot wait to read more.

Check Out These Contest!

So PageTurners blog is having a great contest to win Low Red Moon and Beautiful Darkness! Check them out!

http://www.pageturnersblog.com/2010/08/beautiful-moon-giveaway.html

Up Next

Now that I have finished Insatiable, what will I read next you ask? Well, I am lucky enough to have a copy of Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund (THANK YOU LENA!!) to read and review! I don't know if I will get it read quite as fast as my last two books, seeing as how I have been down sick with flu this week and am planning to be back to work tomorrow.  So I will just say that I hope to have it read and post my review by the end of the weekend.

Insatiable by Meg Cabot

So, being a Library Director, as well as a Children's and Teen's Librarian, I am quite familiar with Meg Cabot's books.  However, to my knowledge, she has never written a Sci-Fi/Fantasy book.  Nor has she wrote a book that I was particularly drawn to reading.  That has changed with Insatiable. 

After watching several of Meg's faithfull reader's (mostly of her Inspirational works) bring this book back, I decided that I must at least check it out.  I was not disapointed. 

Insatiable is about Meena Harper, a writer for a daytime soap opera, who lives with her unemployed older brother.  After being attacked by bats and rescued by a tall, dark stranger, she falls into the crazy world of vampires and the war between two brothers.  She falls in love with the prince of the vampires, Lucien, becoming a pawn in his brother, Dimitri's, plan to assassinate him.  Enter in Alaric Wulf, vampire hunter with the Palpatine Guard, who annoys, protects, and falls in love with Meena.

This entire book was a wild ride from start to finish that I enjoyed immensely.  Though I must say that my favorite part of this book was Meena's dog, Jack Bauer.  Yes.  The dog is named after Jack Bauer of 24.  I love it. So, without giving away too much, I leave you with this: Insatiable is a fun, fast-paced book that will take you on a wild ride through every page. I highly recommend you check it out.

Quick Contest Post

So I stumbled upon this amazing contest to increase followers!
http://sparkling-reviews.blogspot.com/2010/07/20-follower-giveaway.html
This sounds like a great way to bring attention to your blog! If I ever get some prizes together, I may have to steal this idea! So take a minute to check it out!

What I'm Reading Now

So, now that I have devoured Jealousy, I am starting INSATIABLE by Meg Cabot.  This one IS an adult book, but I couldn't resist.  I mean, it's Meg Cabot, queen of fun adult books, beloved inpsirational books, and adored teen books.  And now, she's wrote a VAMPIRE book! I had to check it out.  The cover alone drew my eye.  So after watching die-hard Meg Cabot inspirational readers return it to the library, I decided that this book must be read.  I am starting it now, but plan to have it done ASAP!

Jealousy: A Strange Angels Novel by Lilith St. Crow

I last night I finished the 3rd Strange Angels novel, Jealousy.  For those who haven't read the first two, these stories are about a girl named Dru who hunts the things that go bump in the night with her father.  Once night, he father comes home, but he is no longer her father.... HE'S A ZOMBIE!!! After being forced to kill him, she starts the wild ride of being hunted by the badest vampire of them all. Along the way she mets Graves, an Emo boy bitten by a werewolf and Christophe, who is a djamphir (half vampire). 
In the third novel, Dru has been moved to the Schola Prima by the Order.  They claim that she will be safe here, but then strange things start happening and Dru starts having dreams of the past that make her question her future.
So I must say, if you haven't read these three book, DO IT!!! Lilith St. Crow writes an amazing story that will not only suck you in, but have you ignoring the world until the very last page!  The detailed way that she brings her characters to life will make you feel like you are right there going through it all with them.  Jealousy brings a new level of treachery and deceit that will keep you wondering who is REALLY on Dru's side all the way to the end.  Hats off to Lilith once again for another AMAZING book, and NOOO to the torture of almost a year until the fourth book!!