REVIEW: Divergent

Divergent

Veronica Roth
Divergent # 1

Goodreads Description: Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place her in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.

My thoughts:  Wow!  I really liked this book.  It had a little of everything.  And it all really made sense to me.  It wasn't one of those dystopian novels that just didn't make sense....like why would our society ever become that?  I think that Divergent actually makes sense, and if there ever were some situation that changed our world, I think having the factions might work.

Tris is a 16 year old girl who seems quite innocent.  She does as she is told and just keeps moving on.  Now she has to pick what faction she will be a part of for the rest of her life, unless she were ever to become factionless.  Tris is currently Abnegation because that is what her parents chose, but she decides she wants to be Dauntless.  At first, Tris has a hard time as Dauntless.  She comes close to giving up even.  But then she gets some burst of energy and she moves to the top.  And throughout all of this stress, she finds love with someone she thought was off-limits.

I really loved learning about Tris and seeing what she has become through all of these changes.  I am a little confused by her decision to become Dauntless.   She never was out of line or pushed the boundaries as Abnegation, so it was hard for me to tell if she had the bravery to be Dauntless. I know if I grew up Abnegation, I wouldn't be able to handle Dauntless! I would have been done as soon as I found out I'd have to jump out of a train. She must have just wanted to get out of her boundaries so bad, but had the control to do as she was supposed to.  Tris was a good friend and was really concerned about other people.  There were several times that I wanted her to punch Peter or Molly, but she stayed in control and dealt with it for a very long time. 

I really loved the whole idea of this world.  People with different virtues would be good at different things.  I am surprised that there are only 5 factions though.  However, couldn't we consider our military to be like the Dauntless?  The only huge difference I see is that our military is allowed to assiciate with others outside of the military.  I don't see them have any problem doing there job even though they associate with others.  So I think a society could survive on 5 factions like this book, although it would be a lot easier if the factions could intermingle and associate with one another.

My rating: ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺

Random Acts of Kindness: November Wrap-Up

I just love participating in this every month!  I get new books that I wouldn't typically buy myself, and get to shop for someone else.  I can somehow justify my purchase if it is for someone else. :)

Here is what I received this month, thanks to Sarah from Head Stuck in a Book.

Here is what I sent out to Stacey at Squiggles Reviews

I can't wait for December already!  I'm looking forward to looking at everyone's lists and finding someone to send books to!

"Waiting On" Wednesday (#34)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. Here is what I am waiting on:

Fever
Lauren DeStefano
The Chemical Garden #2

Goodreads Description:
Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever

REVIEW: Wither

Wither

Lauren DeStefano
The Chemical Garden #1

Goodreads Description: Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive. A dystopian fantasy series starter with wings. Editor's recommendation.

My thoughts:  Why did I wait so long to read this?  It has been on my list forever, but I just kept pushing it back so I could read other newer releases.  I am so glad that I did get to reading this though, because it was awesome!  It wasn't really fast-moving, but I loved reading about all of the details and putting the pieces together.

Rhine was kidnapped so that she could potentially become a wife.  She was put with several other girls who were there for the same exact reason.  When a man comes to look through these girls, he picks three of them, one being Rhine.  Rhine soon realizes that she was lucky to have been picked, compared to the alternative.  She goes to this mansion and is pampered and soon marries Linden.  She becomes good friends with her sister wives, and life could really be good, despite being there against her will.  Rhine is not ready to settle into this new life.  She carefully plans her escape, and ends up spending 6 months there before finding the right moment to go back to her old life.

I loved Rhine.  She never gave up herself.  She was never rude to anyone and pretty well followed along with what she was supposed to do.  She seemed to start to fall in love with Linden, but she never forgot how she got there or what she left behind.  Her twin brother has no clue where she has gone, and she does not want to live without him.  Rhine is always thinking of others.  She has the perfect opportunity to escape, but she chooses not to because her sister wife is going into labor and she wants to ensure her safety.

At first, I did not like Linden because he was keeping the girls there against their will.  I realized later that he doesn't even know what is going on most of the time.  His father is in control of everything, and takes care of his son as if he is still a little boy.  Linden is very ignorant, and many times I wish Rhine would have enlightened him.

I loved the setting the most in this story.  Everything sounded so elegant.  Everything was always so descriptive, which made up for the lack of action.  It was nice to read something slower paced!

My rating: ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ 

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This feature includes some sort of a top ten list, related to books. I have decided to participate here and there, when there is a top ten list that I can contribute.

Top Ten Books on my TBR list for Winter

A Witch in Winter
Ruth Warburton

I enjoy reading about witches way more than vampires and werewolves.  I recently saw this book on another blog and fell in love with the cover!  This will be Ruth Warburton's first book, so I'm super excited to see what kind of writer she is.

Fever

Lauren DeStefano

Wither had been on my tbr list since the beginning of 2011, and I even had it from the library for the past month.  I finally read it over the weekend and it was amazing!  So, I am expecting Fever to be equally amazing.  This one has a gorgeous cover too!

The Pledge

Kimberly Derting

I have read The Body Finder by this same author, and I absolutely loved it.  I have ever intention of finishing the series, just haven't gotten to it yet!  I have heard really good things about The Pledge, and am really looking forward to picking it up myself.  It sounds like it will be like nothing I have read before.

Darker Still

Leanna Renee Hieber

I think what drew me into this book was the cover.  I love fancy dresses from the 1800s!  I think this will be one of those books that I am either going to love or hate, there isn't anything in between.  This one has me a little unsure, but I am willing to give it a shot because it has the potential to be amazing!

Fracture

Megan Miranda

I am not a huge fan of this cover.  I think it is too dark for me.  The story sounds really good though.  I think I like it because so much if it could be real.  This is the first book by Megan Miranda, and I am excited to find out what kind of writer she is as well.

Slide

Jill Hathaway

This one has been on my TBR list for quite a while.  I absolutely love this cover, but have no clue what significance it has to the story.  I like covers that make sense, and I'm not sure if this one makes sense yet.  The story sounds really good though.  I love murder mystery type books, especially ones that are young adult!

Shattered Souls

Mary Lindsey

This one drew me in as soon as I saw the cover.  I love that she is actually shattering.  I think my favorite part of this story that has me so interested is that the main character is reincarnated and that she's gone through this cycle several times.  That part kind of reminds me of the Fallen series by Lauren Kate.  So I definitely think I will enjoy it!

A Beautiful Evil

Kelly Keaton

I am probably most excited for this book.  I read Darkness Becomes Her a few months ago and fell in love!  I love mythology and reading about the greek gods.  So this series is absolutely perfect for me!  I also love the main character.  She is so sweet, and it is as if someone else has taken over her.

 

Destined

Jessie Harrell

This is supposed to be a retelling of the Cupid and Psyche myth.  I'm not completely familiar with that myth, but I love mythology as a whole, so I am sure I will love this book too!  I'm really excited to read about Psyche and her destiny, and I'd like to see if she goes with it or if she fights it.

Disenchanted

Sherry Soule

I am so excited for this book!  I love ghosts and murder mysteries!  This author has another book out, Beautifully Broken, that I haven't picked up yet.  It is rated pretty well though, so that makes me even more excited for Disenchanted!

REVIEW: Crossed

Crossed

Ally Condie

Matched #2

Goodreads Description: In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

My thoughts:  I love that Crossed had everything that was in Matched and even more!  I loved Matched because of the whole idea of this society that controlled everything.  Crossed still had that, but it also had Cassia and Ky trying to get out and find a different world, both when they were together and when they were apart.  Even when they weren't running, they were constantly making decisions that would hide who they really are and eventually help them get out.  I constantly felt on edge and was worried that somebody would get caught.

Cassia goes to the Outer Provinces to find Ky.  When she gets there, she finds out he has escaped.  She figures out how to escape as well and runs after him, even though she knows he is a couple of days ahead and she may not even be going the right way.  Cassia doesn't give up.  She is set on finding Ky and having some sort of a future with him, even though there is still so much uncertainty.  When she finds Ky, she begins learning more about what really has been going on and that the Society is even worse than she thought.  She then begins thinking more about the rebellion and less about Ky.  Cassia's focus changes and she really isn't concerned about who her match may be at all.

I am a big fan of love triangles.  It wasn't too terrible in this book though, as for half of the book, Cassia wasn't around either one of the boys in her love triangle.  I am beginning to think that she isn't really concerned with marriage at all.  She isn't focused on figuring out which boy she really wants to be with, Xander or Ky.  I am also starting to think that these boys are idiots.  They both know that she has feelings for both of them, and each of them think she will pick the other.  So if they are not going to step up and tell her to decide, what is the point of sticking around?  I can understand Xander because that is his match, but he didn't have to go visit her, and he really acts as if he still has hope. 

It didn't take me very long to finish this.  I read it in one day and was never bored.  I am really looking forward to finding out what happens next.

My rating: ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ 

Cover Crazy: The Legacy of Eden

This weekly meme is hosted by The Book Worms and is used to show the covers we are crazy about!

The Legacy of Eden
Nelle Davy

What I love:
*That sky is gorgeous!  I love that color, even though it is a color we wouldn't typically see in the sky.

*The field is so perfect.  It seems to go on forever.  There is nothing out there, and the grass is all the exact same height.

*I like that you can't see the girl's face.  I like that when reading this book, I won't have a picture of what she looks like already.  I can use my own imagination to decide what she looks like. :)

*I love her hair.  It is blowing to cover up her face.  The multitones are actually kind of ugly, but I still love it.

*She is kind of messy.  Her hair is all over the place, and it isn't even all the same color.  Her strap is hanging over her shoulder, so she seems pretty careless.

Gratitude Giveaway Blog Hop Winner!

This blog hop was so fun!  There were over 300 blogs participating, and I even entered quite a few giveaways myself!  There were 177 entries to my giveaway, and the winner is.......

Kristy @ Runaway Bridal Planner

Congratulations Kristy!  And thank you to everyone who entered.

Next up:

I will be participating in the Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop, which starts this Friday, December 2.  Look for a post early December 2 to enter my giveaway.



2012 Ebook Challenge

I am loving this challenge!  I am pretty sure that every time I get my Nook out, I have to wipe off some dust.  I am really hoping to start using it more, and this challenge is perfect to get me to do that!

If you would like to join this challenge, head on over to Workaday Reads.

Challenge Guidelines:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012.
2. Anyone can join, you don't need to be a blogger. If you don't have a blog, feel free to sign-up in the comments. You can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc).
3. Any genre or length of book counts, as long as it is in ebook format.
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the E-Book Reading Challenge.
6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

Levels:

1. Floppy disk - 5 ebooks
2. CD - 10 ebooks
3. DVD - 25 ebooks
4. Memory stick - 50 ebooks
5. Hard drive - 75 ebooks
6. Server - 100 ebooks
7. Human brain - 150 ebooks

I think I am going to go for Level 4: Memory stick, which is 50 ebooks.  This year I made it through 125 books total.  Next year I will probably shoot for 150 books, so I think 50 ebooks is a good number.  I still like the feel of real books, and have too good of a selection at my local library to not use it!  I am not going to post a list ahead of time.  I do have a ton of ebooks already, but am not sure which ones I will decide to read in 2012.

If you plan on joining, let me know in the comments so I can follow your progress!

2012 Sensational Seconds Challenge

I am so excited for this new challenge, 2012 Sensational Seconds Challenge.  It is a challenge to read the second book in a series that will be published in 2012.  Any books published in 2012 read before January 1, 2012 don't count.  Therefore, this challenge actually runs from January 1 to December 31, 2012.    Head on over to Reading in the Corner to join!

I have read so many good books this year with sequels coming out in 2012, so I think this will be a lot of fun!  There are 4 different levels, and I am choosing Level 4 (Crazy): 13+ books.  I definitely think that is achievable for me.

Here is what I plan on reading so far:

1. Insurgent by Veronica Roth

2. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

3. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

4. Fever by Lauren DeStefano

5. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

6. Until I Die by Amy Plum

7. Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

8. Arise by Tara Hudson

9. Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes

10. Underworld by Meg Cabot

11. A Beautiful Eveil by Kelly Keaton

12. The Nightmare Garden by Caitlin Kittredge

13. A Fractured Light by Jocelyn Davies

14. Once by Anna Carey

15. Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel

Approximately half of these I haven't even read the first book, so I think I will have a lot of work to do!  I'm really excited for this challenge because I have a ton of amazing picks.  Let me know if you're joining, I'd love to keep up on your progress!

REVIEW: Where it Began

Where it Began

Ann Redisch Stampler

Goodreads Description: Gabby Gardiner wakes up in a hospital bed looking like a cautionary ad for drunk driving and lacking a single memory of the accident that landed her there. What she can remember, in frank and sardonic detail, is the year leading up to the accident.

As she takes us through her transformation from invisible girl to on-trend Girl Who Dates Billy Nash (aka Most Desirable Boy Ever), she is left wondering: Why is Billy suddenly distancing himself from her? What do her classmates know that Gabby herself does not? Who exactly was in the car that night? And why is Gabby left alone to take the fall?
Putting the pieces together will take every ounce of Gabby's strength. As she peels back the layers of her life, she begins to realize that her climb up the status ladder has been as intoxicating as it has been morally complex...and that nothing about her life is what she has imagined it to be.

My thoughts: I think I felt every emotion possible while reading this book!  In the end though, I was more shocked and angry than anything.  The author did such a great job at making these characters real, and it was many of the characters that made me so angry and upset.  These characters could be my circle of friends!  I am a very trusting person, and it would very much sadden me if I had to go through what Gabby went through.

Gabby was in a terrible car accident that landed her in the hospital.  She can't remember a single thing from the accident, but clues here and there help her put the picture together.  She was completely wasted and was found with the car keys in her hand.  Gabby is led to believe that she did it.  And she really seems to believe that she did.  However, the car she was driving was her boyfriend Billy's, and he would NEVER let anyone drive his car.  But Gabby isn't one to get wasted either, so is it possible that she actually stole Billy's car?  Gabby goes through several different scenarios and still cannot remember what actually happened.  So she just does as she is told by her boyfriend and lawyer in hopes that everything will be all right in the end.

Gabby used to be a nobody.  And then her mom found some reason to attempt to make Gabby a younger version of herself (to some extent).  When Gabby goes back to school as her new self, she gets a lot more attention.  Billy Nash even notices her.  I didn't know much of Gabby before her makeover, but I didn't really like her after the makeover.  She hated what she had become, but still didn't do anything to change it.  She loved having Billy as her boyfriend, but I think it was all so fake.  She wanted him because she was supposed to want him.  Everyone else found him desirable, so she should too.  I think Gabby gave up so much of herself and didn't actually find herself again until the very end of this book.

I would love to just let loose on all of the other characters!  However, I can't without giving anything away. :)  So I will just say that Gabby's "friends" weren't really friends.  I think her two friends from before her makeover were closer to real friends than anyone else.  But her new friends that she aquired when she began dating Billy weren't real at all.  They were just kind of there.

I loved this book.  I honestly wasn't expecting it to be this great, but it really was.  It was so real, and I feel like I could really connect with Gabby as she was putting together all of the clues.

My rating: ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺

In My Mailbox (#44)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. These are the books I bought or received this week.

Crossed by Ally Condie

Where it Began by Ann Redisch Stampler

Thank you to Around the World Tours for these books!

The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

The Deepest Cut by J.A. Templeton

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Julia Templeton for these books! 

The Princesses of Iowa by M. Molly Backes

The Key on the Quilt by Stephanie Grace Whitson

On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane

The Legacy of Eden by Nelle Davy

Thank you to NetGalley for these great books!

What did you get in your mailbox?

REVIEW: The Alchemy of Forever

The Alchemy of Forever

Avery Williams

Incarnation #1

Goodreads Description:
Seraphina’s first love made her immortal…her second might get her killed.

Incarnation is a new series that introduces a fresh mythology perfect for fans of bestselling series like The Immortals by Alyson Noel and Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

After spending six hundred years on earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world’s riches, but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to swap bodies with other humans, jumping from one vessel to the next, taking the human’s life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she’s done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again.

Then sixteen-year-old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body. For the first time, Sera finds herself enjoying the life of the person she’s inhabiting—and falls for the human boy who lives next door. But Cyrus will stop at nothing until she’s his again, and every moment she stays, she’s putting herself and the people she’s grown to care for in great danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that’s eluded her for centuries: true love?

My thoughts: I could not put this book down.  The whole concept was so intriguing.  This is the first I have read about alchemy at all.  And actually, this book makes me want to learn more about what alchemy actually is and the history of it.  I really enjoyed reading about a completely different concept than what many other books are using lately.

Over six hundred years ago, Sera's boyfriend Cyrus discovered a way to swap bodies with other humans, taking the human's life in the process.  When Sera almost dies, Cyrus saves her.  Sera has a different body, but it is still her inside.  Cyrus only chooses someone who has nothing to live for when swapping bodies, so that is supposed to make it ok.  Sera has spent the last six hundred years making herself believe that it is ok.  But now she is so overcome with guilt, and wants to get away from Cyrus and his "lifestyle" completely.  Then a sixteen year old girl named Kailey gets into a car accident right in front of her.  While attempting to save her life, she accidentally takes over her body.  She feels guilty, but attempts to live this girl's life.  She actually ends up enjoying this life, and falls for the boy next door.  Cyrus is willing to do anything to get Sera back, and he will make sure that she never has anyone else.

Sera is such an amazing character.  I think she really did love Cyrus at one point in her life....but six hundred years is a long time to spend with one person!  I like that she is still looking for something more.  It isn't that she is bored with her life, she really just wants to become a better person and really have a life worth living.  I am really impressed with her courage.  She no longer is concerned about herself.  She is putting everyone else first.  When she takes over Kailey's life, her thoughts are always about how her family and friends are being affected.

Cyrus seemed very sweet in the beginning.  I mean, he saved Sera's life!  And he protected her and loved her.  But as the story went on, I began thinking that he may be a little possessive and controlling.  His abilities have really gone to his head and he thinks very highly of himself.  He is only concerned about himself, and I don't think he would ever be concerned about Sera and her feelings.  So I can definitely see why she ran away from him!

The settings throughout this book were amazing.  I especially loved where it started.  Six hundred years ago, things were a little different.  And although I don't know if everything written was accurate, I still enjoyed reading it.  I just loved the pictures in my mind while reading this.  I think I was thinking mostly about gorgeous dresses and people actually acting proper than the setting though.  I also loved the setting while Sera was Kailey, although it was quite normal for a teenager.  I mostly just liked having different pictures going through my mind. :)

I really enjoyed this book.  I enjoyed the second half the most, and am really looking forward to what is coming next!

My rating: ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺

On My Wishlist (#45)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming.

Carrier of the Mark
Leigh Fallon
Carrier Trilogy # 1

Goodreads Description:
From the moment she sets foot at her new school in Ireland, Megan is inexplicably drawn to the darkly handsome Adam DeRis. But Megan soon discovers that her feelings for Adam are tied to a supernatural fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that unites them could be their ultimate destruction.

Let's Trade Books!

I am always looking for some new books to read.  And because it is coming into the Christmas season, I don't have quite as much money to buy all the books I want!  So, I decided to post my wishlist and see if anyone would like to do a trade so we can both get something we want!  Comment on this post if you find something you're interested in!

Here is what I have to trade:

Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter (ARC)
The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
White Cat by Holly Black
Tempest by Julie Cross (ARC)
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Dead on the Delta by Stacey Jay
A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang
Aries Rising by Bonnie Hearn Hill
Trapped by Michael Northrop
Distant Waves by Suzanne Weyn
Radiance by Alyson Noel
Shimmer by Alyson Noel
Ruined by Paula Morris
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia
Elixir by Hilary Duff
The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
Sweep Vol 1 by Cate Tiernan
Dead is a State of Mind by Marlene Perez
Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
Soul Thief by Jana Oliver

Here is what I am looking for:
The Pledge by Kimberly Derting
Destined by Jessie Harrell
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Wherever You Go by Heather Davis
Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber
On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker
Fateful by Claudia Gray
Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs
The Shattering by Karen Healey
Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Legacy by Cayla Kluver
Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
Red Glove by Holly Black
The Next Always by Nora Roberts
Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey
Unlovable by Sherry Gammon
Dark Eden by Patrick Carman
Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson
Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart

There are several others I am looking for and I am open to something new too!

REVIEW: Forbidden

Forbidden

Syrie James and Ryan James

Goodreads Description: Syrie joined forces with her talented son Ryan to co-write her next novel, Forbidden. The book is about a 16-year-old girl who comes into unusual powers, only to discover that she's half-angel... and her entire existence is forbidden.

Alec MacKenzie is fed up with his duties to watch and, when necessary, eliminate the descendants of his angelic forefathers. He chose Emerson Academy as the ideal hiding place where he could escape and be normal for once. He hadn't factored Claire Brennan into his plans...

Their love is forbidden, going against everything Alec has been taught to believe. But when the threat to Claire's life becomes clear, how far will Alec go to protect her?

My thoughts:  This book was really sweet, except for the part where Claire's existence is forbidden and someone is coming after her to make sure she no longer exists.  The romance was what I really enjoyed though.  I felt myself pulling for Claire and Alec throughout the whole book, and I haven't really felt that way in any book before.  I think I just love both of the characters so much, so obviously they would be even better together!

Claire is noticing some changes in herself.  She is seeing these visions.  At first, it is as if she is seeing things that are happening right then, and that she is in somebody else's body, watching it happen.  Then she starts having visions of the future, and realizes that she can change it.  Alec is at Emerson Academy as well.  He is trying to get away from his old life and create a new one.  That is, until the Elders are made aware that someone in that town is half-angel and gaining more power.  Vincent, Alec's mentor, shows up to do some investigating and figure out who the half-angel is so that he can take care of the situation before it gets out of hand.  And then Alec is found.  Alec uses Vincent to keep Claire safe.  He assumes that Vincent will follow through with his word and has the same intentions as Alec.  However, Vincent's intentions are nothing like Alec's intentions.

Claire is a sweet girl who just wants to be noticed by her crush.  Alec starts school with them and joins their little group.  Claire starts developing feelings for him as well.  She is torn though.  She has liked her crush for a couple of years and has been slowly gaining his attention.  She barely knows Alec, but he totally has the hots for her!  She spends her time with both of them, and really thinks things through before deciding who she really wants to be with.  Claire is a very smart girl who thinks things through, but still listens to her feelings before making a decision.  She is a good friend.  When she has a vision that her crush will fail a test, she helps him study so that he can pass...and he does!

Alec is a guy trying to figure out how he needs to behave to be considered "normal".  He really doesn't even need to go to school.  He knows more than anything that will ever be taught.  He is super strong too.  He is just trying to get as far away from his old life as possible.  And although he had a couple of mess-ups, he overall did a pretty good job of fitting in.  Everyone liked him, although that may be that he isn't too hard to look at either.  He really likes Claire.  Although he is trying to just live a normal life, he makes it his mission to focus on Claire and keep her safe.

My favorite part of this book is when Alec can really start being honest with Claire.  Everything is starting to make sense to Claire (and to me too)!  I feel like after this, they really develop stronger feelings for each other and can move forward into a relationship.

I just loved this book.  I really felt like I could connect with the characters, even though one was an angel and another one was half-angel!  The school setting really helped with the connection.  I really enjoyed the forbidden love story and all of the conflicts they had to deal with through to the end.

My rating: ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺



"Waiting On" Wednesday (#33)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. Here is what I am waiting on:

A Witch in Winter
Ruth Warburton

Goodreads Description:
Anna Winterson doesn't know she's a witch and would probably mock you for believing in magic, but after moving to the small town of Winter with her father, she learns more than she ever wanted to about power. When Anna meets Seth, she is smitten, but when she enchants him to love her, she unwittingly amplifies a deadly conflict between two witch clans and splits her own heart in two. She wants to love Seth, to let him love her – but if it is her magic that's controlling his passion, then she is as monstrous as the witch clan who are trying to use her amazing powers for their own gain.

Although a perfect fit for the paranormal romance genre, A WITCH IN WINTER avoids fangs, excessive body hair and submissive female leads, and tells the heart-wrenching story of a couple meant to be together, but being forced apart. Seth is utterly irresistible and Anna is an empowered, proactive young woman with unimaginable magic inside her. This is fast-paced, sensuous writing with believable incantations inspired by Warburton's research into witchcraft legend and old English.

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This feature includes some sort of a top ten list, related to books. I have decided to participate here and there, when there is a top ten list that I can contribute.

Top Ten Authors I'd Love to Have at my Thanksgiving Feast

1. Kristin Hannah - I just love her books.  I feel like she could fit in with anyone's family.
2. Janet Lee Carey - She is the sweetest!  I have only talked with her online, but she is just so real!  Dragonswood was amazing and I just love her imagination!
3. MaryJanice Davidson - She would always have something funny to say!
4. Tess Gerritsen - My family is so into investigative type shows, and with the books she has written, I think she would be quite informative!
5. Lauren Conrad - She's young and stylish!  She is mature and responsible, and around my age, so I think we would get along quite well!
6. John Grisham - His books are so informative and well-planned.  He has definitely done his research.  I think it would be awesome to have him at my Thanksgiving feast just because he would definitely have something to add to the conversation!
7. Diane Chamberlain - I just love her books!  She takes you around twists and turns and the endings blow you away!
8. Jodi Picoult - She seems so real, although I have never talked with her.  Her books are very real.  She writes about things that probably wouldn't happen, but they are definitely possible.
9. Richelle Mead - The Vampire Academy series is my favorite.  I just want to know her!
10. Rachel Vincent - The Soul Screamers series is unlike anything else I have read.  I love her ability to think for herself and come up with her own ideas!

What is on your top ten list?  Post your link so I can check it out!

200 Follower Giveaway!!!

Annabell's Book Nook has officially reached 200 Followers!  I am so excited to do another giveaway!  I have some great books up for grabs!  One lucky winner will get all THREE of these books!

Thank you to all of my new followers!  I am doing this giveaway to show my appreciation!  I have to admit that I haven't read this series (yet!), but just look at these covers!  Isn't that enough to want them?  I know, I know, I shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but I do!  And these covers are gorgeous!

Contest Rules:

* You must be 13 or older.

* You must live in the U.S. (Sorry!)

* You must be a follower.

* Giveaway ends December 17.

Enter this giveaway HERE.

Extra entries:
Blog about giveaway +5
Add button to sidebar +3
Tweet about giveaway +2
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Good luck and thanks for following!