Someone New to the World of Blogging...

Okay, so my sister... let's call her Leaf has made a blog of her own. It's called Forest of Books.
This was my second birthday gift to her. She loves books and for the past year she has asked for a blog. Now she has one!

Since she is still really new to the world of blogging, she will have grammar mistakes and short reviews. But I am 100% sure that she will improve in the coming years. She is playing around with the setting and layout of her blog, trying to make as best as possible. Leave a comment for her and tell her what to improve on, she will welcome the comments:)

Thanks, Sunshine

Review: The Selection (The Selection #1)

Author: Kiera Cass

Genre: Romance, YA, Fantasy

Pages: 327

Date of Release: April 24th, 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

Rating: 7/10


Summary: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined. -http://www.kieracass.com/

Review: This book is placed in the future, far away from the year 2012. Well, that's what I got from this book. There was a lot of stuff about China and Russia and America being defeated of some sort, so I gathered that it is set in the future. Obviously, America hasn't bowed down to China... yet. Just kidding:)

First off, the characters are very well developed. I loved learning about America Singer and the world she she lived in. I loved her stubborn attitude. It was amazing. It's in the future, but has all the fun of kings, queens, princes and of course, princesses. That is a wonderful combo. Wait, is it just me or does everyone else notice most of new YA books are set in the future? I guess no one likes the present right now.

SPOILER ALERT!

Aspen really confused me. He really was in love with America, but he kept pressuring her into the Selection. He was happy for her. Then America makes this wonderful picnic and Aspen's man pride comes out and he sayd that he should be providing for her. That ends with him leaving their secret hideout and America crushed and hopeless. After, America is Selected. When America is leaving she sees Aspen with another girl (what is wrong with you, Aspen?). Two minutes later, he is rushing up to America but she is whisked away. Near the ending the book, he becomes a officer for the palace and starts going after America.

Everytime I think I got him pegged down, he just has to do something else.

Prince Maxon was adorable. What prince isn't? Messy blond hair and brown eyes. Like summerime as America puts it. He comes off as a formal prince, that at glance may make him seem shallow. But as the story progresses, he is just another awkward, shy, cute, funny guy who hasn't been around girls. In the beginning, America is like, "No way am I falling for a dude like him." She is totally wrong. You can see that her feelings become different over time towards Maxon. And Maxon is totally head over heels for her!

The one thing that erks me though is when Aspen comes in between them. I do not what America was thinking! Why would she let Maxon let Aspen gaurd during the night? Isn't America trying to get over him? America starts breaking the rules and hooks up with Aspen many times!! Why? And poor Prince Maxon just sits there and does nothing. Mind you, he know nothing. Even the maids, don't they suspect something? Erg. At least in the end, she tells Aspen that she loves Maxon too.  

I adored America's little sister, May. Actually I liked her whole family. Her mom probably acted like any other mother would in this situation. I could believe that my little sisters would be teasing me about Prince Maxon. It was just really believeable.

The plot... I don't really see a plot. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this book, but I just didn't get the plot. In my English class we learned that the plot is what comes after the rising action and it comes after the falling action. But there so many things going on I couldn't pinpoint the plot. Oh, this book reminded me of a reality TV show! Something like The Bachelor. I only watched two episodes of that show, so I can't know for sure. I enjoyed the caste system. All royal families are One's, Two's, Three's and Four's are all celebrities or famous or the regular middle class of today. The Five's. Six's, Seven's and Eight's starve most of the time are small-class entertainers, servents or just crimimals. Kind of like how The Hunger Games.

America Singer is a 5, guess what she is? Hint: it's in her last name. Aspen is a 6, he is a servent. That's why he feels bad, when America brings food for him.

The book ended with the BIGGEST cliffhanger ever. Good thing there is a second book coming out. What is the title or when is it coming out? I do not know, but when I do, I will post it.



   "America?"
   I turned at the sound of my name. Maxon was jogging
down the hall toward me.
   I felt like I was seeing him for the first time.
   He had his suit coat off, and the sleeves were rolled up on
his white shirt. His blue tie was loosened at the neck, and
his hair that was always slicked back was bouncing around a
bit as he moved. In stark contrast to the person in uniform
yesterday, he looked more boyish, more real.

                                     -The Selection, pg.224

Nominations for the Versatile Award

Here are the 15 nominations for the Versatile Award...

1. No Holos! Frankens and Nail Art Blog: Amazing how she could fit so much detail into tiny nails.
2. Sandstone and Amber: Like I said in the 7 random facts I love to travel.
3. Between the Covers: A book blog! Awesome Reviews:)
4. 365 Books A Year: Another book blog. You could see the blogger's personality through her writing.
5. Turning the Pages: More books:)
6. Bound 2 Astound: This blog has astounded me:)
7. Auggie Talk: I love your name, Auggie:)
8. Framed in Words: Her review on Firelight was really good.
9. Book Overdose: Whoa, I book blogger all the way in the Philippines? Asian Pride:)
10. City of Books: He had really cool interview with C.C. Hunter, check it out.
11. Mayhem's Reviews: I don't know if Mayhem is her name or just the blog's name...
12. Ivy Book Bindings: I love her background design. It's beautiful.
13. 2 B Read: This is a blog made by not one, not two, but three bloggers... 
14. OutRageous Pages: Will howl for a good book... funny:)
15. Story Carnivores: For some reason I thought this blog would be about meat and I'm a vegetarian...

That was sooooo hard! It took me about three hours to find all these fabulous new bloggers. I am so tired. Most of these blogs are book blogs, since I love reading out of everything else. I hope everyone that checks out this post will give the nominated blogs a look, they really are awesome.

One last shout out to Ashley from Crafts Like A Teen, who nominated me for this award. Yay! Ashley is helping me make a Blog Header for my blog, so that should up soon.

Okay, that really wasn't my last shout out, this is. I will be going on trip, so I will be inactive for next 10 days.

Goodnight, Everyone out in the world!!!!! 

yawn...

1000 Pageviews!!!

YAY! I finally reached 1000 pageviews:) I'm so happy!

I Got a Blog Award!!!

Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhaaaaaahhhhh! Oh my gosh! I can't believe this. I am so happy, I am over the moon! I have been nominated for the Versatile Award by Ashley at Craft Like a Teen. For all of you who can't see me right now, I am bouncing off the wall and having a dance party by myself... seriously. As the rules say, it is my duty to nominate 15 other bloggers for the Versatile Award.

Versatile Award

 There are rules to accept this award...

1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers who are relatively new to blogging
2. Let the nominated bloggers know that they have been nominated for this award
3. Share 7 random facts about yourself
4. Thank the blogger who has nominated you
5. Add the Versatile Award picture to your post

I will post another post about the blogs I have nominated... But for now enjoy 7 random facts about me!

1. I like Maroon 5, The Wanted, One Direction
2. I absolutely, 100% adore/love MUSIC!!!
3. I have a nose pierce
4. My background is Indian (Not Native-American, like the Indians from India)
5. I love traveling
6. I have 2 birds (Their vicious birds, really. My finger has been pecked on a billion of times)
7. I have the BEST Big and little sisters Ever. (I know some people say siblings are annoying, but for me having siblings make my world perfect) *tears and snot* I love my mom too:)

BONUS: I love watching, Avatar: The Last Airbender and Avatar: The Legend of Korra

You know, I thought that part would be easy, but it wasn't. Uh, the hard part is finally over. But, I want to make a two sentence speech, like they do at the Oscars.

"I would like to dedicate this award to my Big Sister, who got me into the idea of blogging. To my mom, who gave me permission to create a blog. And finally, to my sisters who constantly tell what to do with my blog." -Sunshine

June Releases

Flirting in Italian: Lauren Henderson
Four girls. One magical, and possibly dangerous Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys!

Rapture (Fallen #4): Luaren Kate
The sky is dark with wings . . . .

Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again.

Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen.

For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters.

In the fight for Luce, who will win?

The astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series. Heaven can’t wait any longer.

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1): Leigh Bardugo
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2): Richelle Mead
The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spinoff series

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students - children of the wealthy and powerful - carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

The Serpent’s Kiss (The Beauchamp Family #2): Melissa de la Cruz
Just as things have settled down in the off-the-map Long Island town of North Hampton for the magical Beauchamp family, everything gets turned upside down once more when Freya's twin brother Fryr, or "Freddie" as he's called now, returns from Limbo with shocking news - that it was none other than Freya's fiancé, Killian Gardiner, who set up his downfall.
He begs Freya to keep his presence a secret, even from their own family, but somehow the irascible Freddie is still able to conduct many affairs with the town's young lovelies from his self-imposed exile. Until he falls for the wrong girl.

While Freya tries to keep her brother from exacting revenge on the man she loves, Ingrid has her own problems. Her human boyfriend, Matt Noble, becomes entangled in a complicated investigation, and when the magical creatures at the center of it come to Ingrid for help, she has a difficult choice to make.

To top it off, a dead spirit is trying to make contact with Joanna - but does it mean to harm or warn the witches? All hell breaks loose at the family reunion over Thanksgiving, and much mayhem ensues, but when the culprit behind Freddie's imprisonment is finally revealed, it may already be too late to staunch the poison that's been released by the serpent's kiss. The spells cast by the bestselling Witches of East End continue in this bewitching follow-up that Melissa de la Cruz's many fans won't want to miss.

Timepiece (Hourglass #2): Myra McEntire
A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results.

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.

Blood Moon (Drake Chronicles #5): Alyxandra Harvey
When the vampire tribes convene for the rare Blood Moon ceremonies, Solange’s fight with her feral nature, a mysterious stranger, family secrets and forbidden magic put all of the Drakes in danger.

A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful #2): Suzanne Young
Elise is a normal seventeen-year-old girl until the day she wakes up in a desert park, with no idea who she is.

After that episode, her life takes a bizarre turn. She’s experiencing unexpected flashes of insight into people’s lives—people she’s never met before. Strangers frighten her with warnings about the approaching Shadows. And although Elise has never had a boyfriend, she suddenly finds herself torn between two handsome but very different young men: Abe, the charming bad boy whose effect on her both seduces and frightens her, and the mysterious Harlin, who’s new to town but with whom Elise feels an urgent, elemental connection—almost as if they are soul mates.

Now Elise begins to question everything about her life. Why do these guys both want her so desperately? What are the Shadows? Why does the name Charlotte inspire a terrifying familiarity? And who is Elise, really?

Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6): Rachel Vincent
I died on a Thursday-killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul. The good news? He didn't get it. The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school... Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend. But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life....

Endlessly (Paranormally #3): Kierstan White
Try as she might, Evie can’t seem to escape her not-so-normal past. And what was supposed to be a blissfully normal school break is ruined when a massive group of paranormals shows up at her house, claiming that Evie is the only one who can protect them from a mysterious, perilous fate.

The deadly war between the faerie courts looms ever closer. The clock is ticking on the entire paranormal world. And its future rests solely in Evie’s hands.

So much for normal.

With a perfect blend of humor and suspense, Endlessly is everything readers could dream of in a conclusion—and the unexpected twists will keep them guessing until the very last page.

Happy Belated June!!!

Sorry! I just remembered that I forgot to do the monthly releases feature! Whoops. Well, Happy June everybody! June is my favourite month out of all the other months. Why? First of all, it marks the end of another fantastic year. Second of all, it marks the beginning of summer, which is on June 21st. But what else happens on June 21st? MY BIRTHDAY OF COURSE!!! That's right, I am the supreme summer baby. Just kidding. I will be turning the big 15. YAY! So, Happy June everyone and I hope everyone has a great start to their summer!

Questions

Yeah, I know I haven't been on for along time,but it's the last month of school!!!! Finals, cleaning my locker, getting white hairs from too much studying and all that fun stuff that comes with the ending of a another year. I promise I will do a review soon, but I need to clarify something, first. Okay, so there is this Stats thing on my blog dashboard and there is a section where it shows the keywords that people type in to answer a question or something. So I was thinking if people are typing in questions they want to know, why not leave a question as a comment? I know, I sometimes don't explain the books in details, but if you have a question, just comment. I'm not gonna bite or anything, but seriously I probably can answer every question you have about a book I've read.

So do you have a question about a book? Leave a comment and I will respond in exactly 48 hours:)

Yeeeeeeeesssssss!

Guess what I got?

After waiting for so long in line for these books, I (well, my sister) got them! Reviews will come soon after I read them! These books are so awesome...

Insurgent: Veronica

The City of Lost Souls: Cassandra Clare

Review: The Book of Blood and Shadow

Author: Robin Wasserman


Genre: Thriller?


Pages: 448


Date of Release: April 10, 2012


Publisher: Random House Children's Books


Rating: 8.25/10


Summary: It was like a nightmare, but there was no waking up. When the night began, Nora had two best friends and an embarrassingly storybook one true love. When it ended, she had nothing but blood on her hands and an echoing scream that stopped only when the tranquilizers pierced her veins and left her in the merciful dark.

But the next morning, it was all still true: Chris was dead. His girlfriend Adriane, Nora’s best friend, was catatonic. And Max, Nora’s sweet, smart, soft-spoken Prince Charming, was gone. He was also—according to the police, according to her parents, according to everyone—a murderer.

Desperate to prove his innocence, Nora follows the trail of blood, no matter where it leads. It ultimately brings her to the ancient streets of Prague, where she is drawn into a dark web of secret societies and shadowy conspirators, all driven by a mad desire to possess something that might not even exist. For buried in a centuries-old manuscript is the secret to ultimate knowledge and communion with the divine; it is said that he who controls the Lumen Dei controls the world. Unbeknownst to her, Nora now holds the crucial key to unlocking its secrets. Her night of blood is just one piece in a puzzle that spans continents and centuries. Solving it may be the only way she can save her own life. -Goodreads

Sorry, I had to put a question by the genre section! I can't seem to find a genre that fits this book. It was just too good:)

After Nora's brother died, she and her parents spent time in solitude... literally. Nora's father locked himself in his office, her mom took a 24 hour job and Nora? She was left for herself. Her friends at school didn't understand how her stupid brother and a popular girl could end up dead from a car crash.

Two years later, Nora and her parents move to a new town. There, Nora meets kind-hearted, Chris and Chris's to-be-girlfriend Adriane. Nora also meets her first true love, Max. But Max isn't what he seems to be. When Nora's professor, Chris and Max start unravel the mysterious, Lumen Dei, things start to get ugly, really fast. The professor gets a "heart attack" and then Nora steal a important piece of information to the Lumen Dei. The next day, Chris is murdered and Adriane goes crazy and Max... no where to be seen. So, naturally everyone suspects Max to be the murderer.

Through a intensifying journey of notes from the past, a possible ally and unlocking the secrets to the Lumen Dei, Nora will have to watch her back, before they get her.

To be honest, I didn't really enjoy the beginning. It started off a bit to slow. But it started going faster when Nora and Max started piecing information together about Lumen Dei. Nora was a very strong character. The book described every detail about her, so well in fact that I could actually guess what she was going to do or say next. And even though she was a bit of a pessimist, she found "true" love in Max. Though it was easy to detect that there was something wrong with him. Max had these weird mood swings, like he was fed up of Nora, then he'd go back to being Mr. Nice guy.

I don't know why they included Nora's brother's death into this. I didn't see the point. But Chris's death was a whole other thing. Nora gives him the stuff she stole and he dies the next day. That means whatever Nora stole was very, very impotant and that is where the story starts off.

I enjoyed reading Elizabeth's diary or journal or whatever you call it. It gave hints to Nora about how she was supoosed to work the Lumen Dei and keep it from prying minds. There were times, though when I thought that there were too much of Elizabeth's notes. I wanted it to hurry along and get back to the interesting parts.

Before beginning her journey to Prague, Nora meets Chris's supposed cousin, Eli. Let me tell you, that I knew that Nora was going to fall in love or like with this guy in the end. I like to call it my sixth sense to know who with who is going to fall in love with eachother:) Anyways, Eli seems like no one should trust. Even weirder he says that his parents taught him everything to know about Prague and just happens to know how to Nora. Suspicious much?

It got confusing at the end, where there are now two groups who want or gaurd the Lumen Dei for different reasons. Then, Max and Eli are on the opposite teams and are against each other. Then, Nora is the Chosen One. Then, Adriane is having an affair with Max behind Nora's back! Oh no, she did not! Yeah, my brain still hurts from trying to figure the ending out.

I know I say this at the end of every review, but... is there going to be a sequel? It doesn't seem like there will, but I'm curious how life adapts for Eli and Nora afterwards.


    " 'Something'-would be God, I take it?" Eli asked.
"That would be God. And you know what? If there is a God,
 and it's the same God who's so eager to have temples built in
honor of his greatness, and wars fought over him, and people
dropping to their knees telling him what a wondeful, magnificent
being he is? If this all-powerful, all-knowing creature for some
reason just can't get by without my worship? Then let him give
me some proof. Or at least get over himself if I decide to go out
and get some. You think there's a reason people need faith? Like
 there's a reason for anything else happens? Right. Is there a
reason Chris had to die? Or that-" I swallowed it.

                               -The Book of Blood and Shadow, pg.296




    

Review: Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2)

Author: C.C. Hunter


Genre: Romance, Supernatural


Pages: 383


Date of Release: October 11, 2011


Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin


Rating: 4.25/10


Summary: From the moment Kylie Galen arrived at Shadow Falls Camp, she’s had one burning question: What am I? Surrounded by vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, fairies and witches, Kylie longs to figure out her own supernatural identity…and what her burgeoning powers mean. And now she’ll need them more than ever, because she’s being haunted by a new spirit who insists that someone Kylie knows—and loves—will die before the end of the summer. If only she only knew who she was supposed to save. And how…

But giving Kylie the most trouble is her aching heart. Gorgeous werewolf Lucas left camp with another girl, but he’s still visiting Kylie in her dreams. And Derek, a sexy half Fae who’s always been there for her when she needed him, is pushing to get more serious—and growing impatient, especially when Lucas returns. Kylie knows she needs to decide between the boys, and it’s tearing her up inside.

Yet romance will have to wait, because something from the dark side of the supernatural world is hiding in Shadow Falls. It’s about to threaten everything she holds dear…and bring her closer to her destiny. -Goodreads

This is my least favourite book. The plot behind the story is well written, but the characters are poorly described. And almost all the the love/like relationships in this book were very complicated... which is overkill.

The main character interests me, but annoys me. It's love and hate relationship. Speaking of relationships... Kylie+Derek+Lucas or Holiday+Burnett or Miranda+Perry? They're all so confusing!!! First of all, Kylie is torn between Derek and Lucas, why? It seems like she kisses any one of them when they're free. Either way, Derek and Lucas are both creepy. Derek can change your emotions, cross him out. That leaves Lucas, but he seems a bit possessive, so cross him out too. That leaves no one. There Kylie is without a guy and can wait another year or so to find some other ones. Secondly, Holiday was betrayed by Sky (a vampire counsellor) and afraid to start something with Burnett. Ugh, Holiday just make up your mind, your heart has to take risks too! Finally, Miranda and Perry. What can I say, Perry is my favourite character throughout the whole series so far. But, apparently Miranda can't make up her mind either. Kylie and Della say that Perry has to make the first move (kiss). But seriously, I think they should move up to the 21st century, where the female can make the first move.

Something else that bugs me was what Kylie is. What is she??? Sometimes the book focuses waaaaaay too much on the romance, that it doesn't develop the point of the book. I mean I'm sitting there waiting too figure out what Kylie is and it's all about Derek this or Derek that. Then out of no where a piece of info comes up about what she is. The info isn't helpful though. It's always about ghosts and helping them. There was something new though... at the very beginning of the book, it says that Kylie enjoys drinking blood a little too much. That's all.

There was a random pop out here as well. Like who was targeting her in the woods? It's the guy who was at the zoo (in Born at Midnight)! Add his creepy grandpa who wants grandchildren more powerful than him. eeewwww. Then, Kylie finally thinks that she might be more than just one type of supernatural. And the only way to confirm this is to add another question into the story... who was her real father's parents? Not the adoptive ones.

Okay, let's end this on a kind of positive note. What happened to Socks? Kylie's adorable kitten-turned-skunk? Miranda turned him into a skunk and never changed him back, even though she said she would! So many questions, so little time. *sigh* There is a third book coming out, Taken at Dusk. Let's hope it shall be better than the previous books in this series.



    The girl returned to shrieking. Miranda beamed with pride.
    No doubt, catching Tabitha was good for Miranda's ego. Kylie
hated to pop Miranda's bubble, but..."As cute as she looks in
the cage, you do know you can't keep her."
  "I don't plan on it," Miranda said. "I told her that as soon as she
turns Socks back into a kitten, she can leave."

                                - Awake at Dawn, pg. 320

May Releases

There are so many good YA novels coming out this month!!! Here are the May releases...

Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3): Kristin Cashore
Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.

Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart. -Goodreads

Sweet Evil: Wendy Higgins

What if there were teens whose lives depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.

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 it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip to meet her father forces Anna to face the reality that hope and love are not options for her kind. When she confronts her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns? -Goodreads

Darkness Before Dawn (Darkness before Dawn #1): J.A. London

This electrifying new trilogy blends the best of paranormal and dystopian storytelling in a world where the war is over. And the vampires won.

Humans huddle in their walled cities, supplying blood in exchange for safety. But not even that is guaranteed. Dawn has lost her entire family and now reluctantly serves as the delegate to Lord Valentine, the most powerful vampire for miles. It isn’t until she meets Victor, Valentine’s son, that she realizes not all vampires are monsters....

Darkness Before Dawn is a fresh new story with captivating characters, unexpected plot twists, a fascinating setting, and a compelling voice. Written under the name J. A. London by a talented mother-son team, the trilogy is perfect for fans of True Blood and the House of Night and Morganville Vampires series. -Goodreads

Unbreak My Heart: Melissa C. Walker
Sophomore year broke Clementine Williams’ heart. She fell for her best friend’s boyfriend and long story short: he’s excused, but Clem is vilified and she heads into summer with zero social life. Enter her parents’ plan to spend the summer on their sailboat. Normally the idea of being stuck on a tiny boat with her parents and little sister would make Clem break out in hives, but floating away sounds pretty good right now. Then she meets James at one of their first stops along the river. He and his dad are sailing for the summer and he’s just the distraction Clem needs. Can he break down Clem’s walls and heal her broken heart? Told in alternating chapters that chronicle the year that broke Clem’s heart and the summer that healed it, Unbreak My Heart is a wonderful dual love story that fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Susane Colasanti will flock to. -Goodreads

Underworld (Abandon #2): Meg Cabot
Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn’t dead.

Not this time.

But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.

Her captor, John Hayden, claims it’s for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they’ve come back as Furies, intent on vengeance…on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.

But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there…and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.

And unless Pierce is careful, this time there’ll be no escape. -Goodreads

Keep Holding On: Susane Colasanti
A romantic and empowering book about bullying

Noelle's life is all about survival. Even her best friend doesn't know how much she gets bullied, or the ways her mom neglects her. Noelle's kept so much about her life a secret for so long that when her longtime crush Julian Porter starts paying attention to her, she's terrified. Surely it's safer to stay hidden than to risk the pain of a broken heart. But when the antagonism of her classmates takes a dramatic turn, Noelle realizes it's time to stand up for herself--and for the love that keeps her holding on. -Goodreads

Hemlock (Hemlock #1): Kathleen Peacock
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. -Goodreads

Until I Die (Revenants #2): Amy Plum
Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series. -Goodreads

One or Two Things I Learned About Love: Dyan Sheldon
A wise, sometimes hilarious, always witty new novel from Dyan Sheldon, in which our heroine learns that "love" is not always what it seems...

Hildy D'Angelo is seventeen and this is the summer she falls in love for the first time. She isn't what you'd call experienced when it comes to boys, but Connor is good looking, smart, charming and sweet (with a melt-that-ice-cap smile). Hildy is a sarcastic and funny, down-to-earth girl with lots of friends, and yet she proves to be a little bit of a fool for love. When Connor uses the L word, Hildy, already half in love with the idea of falling in love, releases her hold on the Earth. And because it's all very new to her, she thinks that Connor's irrational bursts of jealousy are signs of affection. Teething pains. No big deal. She ties herself in knots trying to appease him and not let on to her suspicious friends (or herself) that there is anything wrong. Until, finally, poor tortured Connor goes a step too far - and Hildy sees the truth at last...-Goodreads

Dark Kiss (Nightwatchers #1): Michelle Rowen
I don't do dangerous. Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back. Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me.... NIGHTWATCHERS When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising... -Goodreads



The Summer My Life Began: Shannon Greenland
Elizabeth Margaret—better known as Em—has always known what life would contain: an internship at her father’s firm, a degree from Harvard and a career as a lawyer. The only problem is that it’s not what she wants. When she gets the opportunity to get away from it all and spend a month with the aunt she never knew, she jumps at the chance. While there, Em pursues her secret dream of being a chef, and she also learns that her family has kept some significant secrets from her, too. And then there’s Cade, the laid-back local surfer boy who seems to be everything Em isn't. Naturally, she can’t resist him, and as their romance blossoms, Em feels she is living on her own terms for the first time. -Goodreads

                                                         Insurgent (Divergent #2): Veronica Roth

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

 Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature. 

 

 City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5): Cassandra Clare The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?

Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.

And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

                                                                                                                      

The Serpent's Shadow (The Kane Chronicles #3) Rick Riordan                                                                                                      He's b-a-a-ack! Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sade Kane can’t seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all. Unfortunately, the magicians of the House of Life are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos.

To find the answer they need, the Kanes must rely on the murderous ghost of a powerful magician who might be able to lead them to the serpent’s shadow... or might lead them to their deaths in the depths of the underworld... -Goodreads

This is So Not Happening (He's So/She's So #3): Kieran Scott After their long summer apart, Ally and Jake were hoping for a drama free senior year. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like things will work out that way...again. — It turns out that Chloe is pregnant and says that Jake is the father. Hammond is pissed at his best friend, but mostly can't believe that Ally would stay with Jake. But Ally is tired of being apart from Jake and is willing to make it work. But that is easier said than done when Jake starts blowing Ally off to go to doctor's appointments with Chloe and Ally joins the school play and meets a new cute guy.

But as graduation approaches, things get more complicated as new secrets come out and Ally realizes maybe Jake isn't the guy she thought he was. After everything they've been through can Ally and Jake get out of Orchard Hill with their relationship intact? -Goodreads

                                                                         

Monthly Releases!

Happy May Day everybody!!!

I just wanted everyone to know that I have a new feature coming out called Releases. It will be a post once a month, to inform all those YA lovers out there of all the new books coming out that month. Today will be the first post on this feature so make sure to check it out!!!

Review: Sequel to Unearthly

Hallowed (Unearthly #2)

Author: Cynthia Hand

Genre: Paranormal, Romance

Pages: 403

Date of Release: January 17, 2012

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Rating: 9.5/10

Summary: For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning. -Goodreads 

Oooo... I've been waiting for month to read the sequel to, Unearthly! There was so much left unresolved in the first book, like the love triangle between Tucker and Christian and what was going to happen to Clara's purpose. Once I got my hands on this book, I breathed it in... literally.

In the beginning, Clara is left confused on what her purpose is. Her mom says that a purpose can take a long time to finish, but now she is left with the aftermath of the fire and the choices she made that day. Meanwhile, things between Tucker are going great, but it doesn't help when Christian starts coming back to Clara. Clara knows that she loves Tucker, but she can't deny that she feels a pull towards Christian too. Is it because he is an Angel too? Or could it be something else. Every time, Clara is with Christian, she feels happier and stronger, but she doesn't know if she loves him. Putting all that drama aside, Clara has a new vision. A vision that states that a loved one will die within a few months. Clara is thinking Tucker is the one in the vision, since he doesn't appear in the vision... at all. What is Clara going to do now? What sacrifices will come with this vision?

Here is a another love triangle, but it doesn't annoy me. Because it seems like Tucker is the One for Clara, but what about Christian? I admit I'm not the biggest fan if Christian's. He had all last year to make a move on Clara and now he is popping back into her life like he has every right too! That is so not right. But still, the way Christian could take some of Clara's grief left me wondering that something else is happening here. I was right. Christian and Clara are one of the rarest kind of angels... *spoiler* Triplare. A Triplare is 75% angel, so more angel than human. No wonder Clara has all that special feely powers. That is why I kind of enjoyed the love triangle in this book. Though, there is more to this book then boy love. And it might get you crying. Which happened to me.

At the end of the book, I was crying... full-on, with the snot and tears, etc. I never expected for that to happen. Well they hinted at it in the beginning, but it was still a shock that it happened. I hope this isn't the end of the series, because I want to know how Clara will fit into the world after her mom is gone. I mean, Clara is a Triplare and that should be a scary thing to live with. Especially since the Black Wings will be after her and trying to convert and all that. But I really want to know, is if Tucker and Clara will still be together, after she goes to University and he stays at home. Will that tear them apart? Another character that leaves questions behind is Jeffrey. The whole novel, he is being a grumpy ogre of a brother. In the middle of the book, I thought it was about his mom or the fact his dad shows up after a long time, but it was something so much bigger then that. When I read Jeffrey's side of the story, I could see his point. Clara has had everything revolving around her for a while, I think it's time that Clara started noticing her brother rather than herself. Anyways, I think Cynthia Hand put love, family and fear for the future in a great and compelling novel. I don't think I can find anything that confused me or left me with questions in this book - except the question,"Is there going to be a third book?!"

"So who's lucky number three?
No answer.
I turn around to look at him again.
No.
He grins.
Now I get it, I tell him. You're stalking me."  

                    -Hallowed, pg. 391



 

New Page...

Hey, Everyone!

Sorry I haven't been on the net for awhile, I was creating a new page for the blog... which took about 2 weeks to finish! It's called, Books I've Read, and I put all the books I've read since 2009. Some of the books are for a younger audience, but 98% are for teens. So, if you're looking for a book to read, just look at that page and I'm sure you will find something good enough. Also, if you want to read a book but aren't quite sure about, ask me (just comment) to do a review on it and I will have a couple days later. That's all the news for now, but keep an eye out for my upcoming page... Guys for Life! Now, if you don't understand what that means, don't worry I will give a little info about it, It's basically a page that has my favourite male characters on it. It will be in a numerical list, so my top guy will #1 and the rest will follow down. I was inspired to do this, because my sisters and I always fight over if this guy should be mine or the other way around... you get the idea. I will make sure to have the page ready in 2 weeks. Don't worry the list will look way better than example given below.


Ex:

1. Four (Divergent). He is the boyfriend of Tris...

My First Post Ever!

This is a shout out to everyone everywhere who completely loves books. So, I being a person who completely loves books have made a blog devoted to Young Adult novels. My name is Sunshine and I have been reading ever since I've been four and a half. I started reading the Young Adult section, since I was eleven and now I am 14 years old and am still reading. Hence, the blog name, A Thousand Books and Still Going.

I don't know how many books I've actually read, but I've read enough that I decided to document my readings onto a blog. In this blog, I will be reviewing all the wonderful books I've been reading and will read with an honest opinion. But, since this is my first book blog, I am still an amateur at this, but hopefully I will become better over time. Technically, this isn't my first blog, because I share one with my big sister, Mikey, who calls us, "The Dynamic Duo."