tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625229184733278812024-02-20T10:30:21.727-06:00Monster Of BooksMonster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.comBlogger228125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-17543653922948974412015-06-03T19:02:00.001-06:002015-06-03T19:03:18.728-06:00Velvet by Temple West Review #89<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Author:</b> Temple West<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Swoon Reads<br />
<b>Pages: </b>386<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Velvet-Temple-West/dp/1250057086/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1432605315&sr=8-4&keywords=velvet">Amazon Canada</a><br />
<b>Buy:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Velvet-Temple-West/dp/1250057086/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432605352&sr=8-1&keywords=velvet">Amazon</a>/ <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/velvet-temple-west/1119741594?ean=9781250057082">Barnes and Noble</a> / <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Velvet-Temple-West/9781250057082">Book Depository</a>/ <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/velvet/9781250057082-item.html?ikwid=velvet&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=4">Chapters</a><br />
<b>Rating:</b> <b><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">5/5</span></b><br />
<blockquote>
First rule of dealing with hot vampire bodyguards? Don't fall in love.
After losing both her parents before age seventeen, aspiring designer Caitlin Holte feels like her whole world has been turned upside down, and that was before the terrifying encounter with a supernatural force. Then, she learns that her hot bad-boy neighbor, Adrian—who might have just saved her life—is actually a half-demon vampire.
Suddenly Caitlin is stuck with a vampire bodyguard who feels that the best way to protect her is to become her pretend boyfriend. Trouble is, Caitlin is starting to fall in love for real, while Adrian can never love a human. Caitlin trusts Adrian to keep her safe from his demon father, but will he be able to protect her heart? Image and Synopsis from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22561320-velvet?from_search=true&search_version=service_impr">Goodreads</a></blockquote>
GAHHH this book was A-MAZNG!!! I loved it!! It was so addicting and I could not put it down nor stop thinking about it when I actually did put it down.<br />
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So I bought <i>Velvet</i> off of Amazon since my local bookstore did not have it in stock. The first thing I noticed when I received it in the mail was : WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PAPERBACK!!<br />
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Honestly, the book is a) nice to hold in your hands b) smooth c) has little hearts dotting the page numbers :D My favourite paperback to date. Also the cover, just, basically, screams for anyone attention (it'd haunting and beautiful at the same time).<br />
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I have not read a vampire book in a LONG time. I actually almost forgot they existed but <i>Velvet</i> pulled me back. When I first read that it was a vampire book and there is a vampire family....I was like OMG this is going to be identical to the <i>Twilight</i> saga. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT (not that I am against that series or anything but I was looking for originality)!!<br />
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<i>Velvet</i> is definitely an original take on paranormal subject of vampires and honestly I adored that.<br />
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Yah, they drink blood. Yah, they are technically immortal. However, the myth varies a bit from other YA vampire novels in my opinion. It steers clear from vampires naturally becoming what they are do to vampire bites and moves more in the direction of how vampires are created. Am I making any sense??<br />
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Also the vampire love interest is actually TEENAGE AGE!! HE SPEAKS LIKE A NORMAL YOUTH :D NOT A 100 YEAR OLD MAN XD He is also a cute, intellectual and a dork XD<br />
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The romance and interaction between the characters are what made this novel so enjoyable. The witty banter and also the plain interaction between Adrian and Caitlin is super adorable (ex; Dead Canadian, little spoon/big spoon)<br />
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The first novel spends a lot of time on these two characters going from friendship/bodyguard relationship to having a romantic interest for one another.<br />
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The world building is definitely well built and the novel leaves the reader at the end with A LOT OF QUESTIONS that will hopefully be answered in the next book. What is the point of the nightmares??<br />
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I liked that there was no love triangle. The novel focuses on one relationship :D The side characters (Trish, Jenny, Stephanie etc;) all have their own personality and they brought Stony Creek to life. The Victoria Secret scene had me laughing out of my seat. And will we see more of Mark in the second novel?<br />
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I did not like Caitlin's character for the first fifty pages. I just could not connect and she was so whiny and childish. However, I believe that the reader is suppose to feel like that. Why? Because Caitlin is not in a very good place when the readers meet her. She is very sad and angry. Sad about her mother's death and angered at her aunt and uncle. Put it blankly: she is not very fun to be around.<br />
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Overall I LOVED this book and cannot wait for it's sequel. Adrian is definitely one of my favourite fictional, vampire characters.<br />
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And yes...I decided to give gifs a go :D<br />
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<br />Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-84288116805331535122015-06-03T18:37:00.001-06:002015-06-03T18:39:06.243-06:00Waiting on Wednesday - June 3, 2015 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5yp7ypWjIYXmUj8fT9qhJ8MLxBTfK-BG3ThMxQg2ZhYjyGsiHT-Q568qfyCVRKLUC3f64U3K6aTMNAne9AUvnKGULk171-oR23nju9whQ1d1b7B9wwAwG05kQ_JeV3gHGa8zflFxMiuy/s1600/17788681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5yp7ypWjIYXmUj8fT9qhJ8MLxBTfK-BG3ThMxQg2ZhYjyGsiHT-Q568qfyCVRKLUC3f64U3K6aTMNAne9AUvnKGULk171-oR23nju9whQ1d1b7B9wwAwG05kQ_JeV3gHGa8zflFxMiuy/s320/17788681.jpg" width="209" /></a>
<b>Author:</b> Rachel Vincent<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Delacorte Press<br />
<b>Release:</b> June 9th, 2015<br />
<b>Preorder:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stars-Never-Rise-Rachel-Vincent/dp/038574417X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433377972&sr=8-1&keywords=the+stars+never+rise">Amazon</a> / <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-stars-never-rise/9780385744171-item.html?ikwid=the+stars+never+rise&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0">Chapters </a>/ <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-stars-never-rise-rachel-vincent/1120347801?ean=9780385744171">Barnes and Noble </a>/ <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Stars-Never-Rise-Rachel-Vincent/9780385744171">Book Depository</a><br />
<blockquote>
Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.
When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.
To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?
Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her. Image and Synopsis from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17788681-the-stars-never-rise">Goodreads</a></blockquote>
<b>Thoughts:</b> At first when I read this I immediately thought of a zombie apocalypse. However, this is sometime different, it's a soul-consuming demon apocalypse. This book seems like it will be an adventure on it's own and I can't wait to get my hands on it.<br />
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What is your Waiting on Wednesday??? Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.ca/">Breaking the spine</a>.<br />
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Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-37618361302172772852015-05-27T19:52:00.001-06:002015-05-27T19:52:20.934-06:00Waiting on Wednesday: May 27, 2015 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Author:</b>Sarah J. Maas
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<b>Publisher:</b> Bloomsbury USA Children<br />
<b>Release:</b> September 1st, 2015<br />
<b>Preorder:</b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Queen-Shadows-Throne-Glass-Sarah/dp/1619636042/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432777527&sr=8-1&keywords=Queen+of+Shadows">Amazon</a>/<a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/queen-of-shadows-a-throne/9781619636040-item.html?ikwid=QuEEN+OF+shADOWS&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0">Chapters</a>/ <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/queen-of-shadows-sarah-j-maas/1121116385?ean=9781619636040">Barnes and Noble</a>/ <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Queen-Shadows-Sarah-Maas/9781619636040">Book Depository</a><br />
<blockquote>
<span id="freeText16670382246656052491" style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><strong>Sarah J. Maas's <em>New York Times</em> bestselling Throne of Glass series reaches new heights in this sweeping fourth volume.</strong><br /><br />Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . .<br /><br />She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.<br /><br />Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world. Image and Synopsis from<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18006496-queen-of-shadows?from_search=true&search_version=service_impr"> Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thoughts:</b> I LOVE THIS SERIES!! I literally devoured the first two books back to back. Celaena is just an amazing character. I actually haven't read the third book in the series because I am waiting for <i>Queen of Shadows </i>to come out so I can do back to back reading XD And how badass is that cover??<br />
<blockquote>
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.ca/">Breaking the Spine</a>, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.</blockquote>
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Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-20898563064206801292015-05-24T20:39:00.000-06:002015-05-24T20:39:27.638-06:00The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey Review #88 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Author:</b> Melissa Grey<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Delacorte Press<br />
<b>Pages: </b>357<br />
<b>Source: </b><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Girl-at-Midnight-Melissa-Grey/dp/038574465X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432252954&sr=8-1&keywords=the+girl+at+midnight">Amazon Canada </a><br />
<b>Buy:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Girl-at-Midnight-Melissa-Grey/dp/038574465X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432252954&sr=8-1&keywords=the+girl+at+midnight">Amazon</a> / <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-girl-at-midnight-melissa-grey/1120054887?ean=9780385744652">Barnes and Noble </a>/ <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Girl-at-Midnight-Melissa-Grey/9780385744652">Book Depository</a>/ <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-girl-at-midnight/9780385744652-item.html?ikwid=the+girl+at+midnight&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0">Chapters/Indigo </a><br />
<b>Rating</b>: <b><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">3.8 </span></b>
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<blockquote>
Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.
Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.
Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, though if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.
But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.</blockquote>
The one aspect of <i>The Girl at Midnight</i> that captivated me the most, while reading, was the use of foreign words (example : tsundoku and callipygian). The words were so beautifully interwoven into the novel and reflected the adventure Echo and her friends faced while travelling to different parts of the world (Japan, New York and Taipei to name a few).<br />
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Grey's novel, I admit, took me a while to get hooked onto (maybe about 200 pages in I was addicted) and the ending was fabulously done. The ending had just enough action and excitement that you could not put the book done. I literally ploughed through 150 pages in one sitting. <br />
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Echo's world mixes real life settings with paranormal atmospheres (think <i>The Mortal Instrument </i>series) and was well built. I, as a reader, had no trouble understanding the Avicen and Drakharin myth and why they were at war with one another. The world Melissa Grey built was easy to get lost into and I was constantly cheering for Echo and the team. My only complaint is that I wished the Avicen were better described. I had a hard time with picturing what they looked like.<br />
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Echo was a well developed character. She goes from feeling like an outsider within the Avicen to belonging to a family of her own. I loved both Echo's rebelliousness and snarky-ness. Echo's troubled past is hinted at in the first book and I hope we, as readers, learn more in the sequel.<br />
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Echo, in the first half of the book, is dating Rowan. Rowan is an Avicen and a Warhawk so his loyalty is, obviously, torn in half. A part of him wants to be faithful (and protective) towards Echo and the other half wants to follow through on his duties of being a Warhawk. Eventually Echo falls in love with Caius. Rowan and Echo's relationship do not overshadow Caius and Echo's relationship which is nice. However, I would have liked to seen more of Rowan interacting with Echo because he felt more like a background character in Echo's life.<br />
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My favourite characters were: Dorian, Jasper and Ivy. I absolutely loved how these three interacted with one another and was excited whenever a chapter containing the three came up. I definitely thought of Alec, Magnus and Jace's relationship (from <i>The Mortal Instruments</i>) while reading about Caius, Jasper and Dorian's relationship. I really liked Ivy's and Dorian's relationship. Chapters were told in different character's POV. This allowed the readers to see both Dorian's and Ivy's perspectives on certain events. Dorian is angered and traumatized over events that have happened in his past and takes it out on Ivy who eventually forgives him (even though what Dorian did was horrendous) because staying angry or acting meaner brings about no end.<br />
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Due to the multiple character views the readers learn Caius's true identity way before Echo does. I think it would have been neat and a great plot twist to seen the readers learn Caius's true identity the same time Echo does.<br />
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The big plot twist at the end wasn't that shocking however, it was nicely done and made the book more interesting.<br />
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Overall: I really enjoyed <i>The Girl at Midnight</i> especially the last half of the book. I am looking forward to the sequel :D<br />
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<br />Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-49233683573518159212015-05-23T15:40:00.003-06:002015-05-23T15:40:57.435-06:00Stacking the Shelves (4) : May 23, 2015 and Weekly Wrap- Up <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Images from <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/">Tynga's Reviews</a>)</span></div>
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"Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!"-Hosted and Quoted By: <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/">Tynga's Reviews </a></blockquote>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Bought (From Amazon)</u></div>
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First rule of dealing with hot vampire bodyguards? Don't fall in love.
After losing both her parents before age seventeen, aspiring designer Caitlin Holte feels like her whole world has been turned upside down, and that was before the terrifying encounter with a supernatural force. Then, she learns that her hot bad-boy neighbor, Adrian—who might have just saved her life—is actually a half-demon vampire.
Suddenly Caitlin is stuck with a vampire bodyguard who feels that the best way to protect her is to become her pretend boyfriend. Trouble is, Caitlin is starting to fall in love for real, while Adrian can never love a human. Caitlin trusts Adrian to keep her safe from his demon father, but will he be able to protect her heart? <span style="font-size: x-small;">Synopsis and Image from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22561320-velvet">Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thoughts:</b> I fell in love with the cover and the synopsis. Currently I am reading this novel and basically devouring it :D I love it!! I cannot wait until it's sequel. Review will be up soon.<br />
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<b><u>Weekly Wrap Up</u></b></div>
<b>Monday: </b><i>Review</i><b> </b><a href="http://monsterofbooks.blogspot.ca/2015/05/the-elite-by-kiera-cass-selection-2.html">The Elite (Selection #2) </a>by Kiera Cass<br />
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<b>Thursday: </b><i>WoW</i> <a href="http://monsterofbooks.blogspot.ca/2015/05/waiting-on-wednesday-may-20-2015.html">The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall </a>by Katie Alender<br />
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<b>Friday:</b> <i>FF (4): </i><a href="http://monsterofbooks.blogspot.ca/2015/05/4-ff-feature-and-follow.html">How do you write your reviews?</a><br />
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<b>Saturday:</b> <i>Stacking the Shelves:</i><i><b> </b></i>Velvet by Temple West<br />
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<br />Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-62102226745561372272015-05-22T16:35:00.000-06:002015-05-22T16:35:21.002-06:00#4 FF: Feature and Follow <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Picture from<a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/"> Parajunkee</a>. Meme hosted by <a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/">Parajunkee</a> and <a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/">Alison Can Read</a>)</span></div>
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How do you write your reviews</div>
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I just sit down and write them. While writing, I remember all of the points I had felt while reading the book I am writing a review on. Honestly, I am starting to think I should take notes while reading the books. However, I feel if I do that I will distract myself from fully appreciating the book I am reading.<br />
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Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-63853534114647825212015-05-21T17:59:00.000-06:002015-05-21T17:59:15.492-06:00Waiting on Wednesday - May 20, 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image and Bio comes from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24612533-the-dead-girls-of-hysteria-hall?ac=1">Goodreads</a>)</span></b></div>
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<b>Author:</b> Katie Alender</div>
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<b>Publisher:</b> Point</div>
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<b>Release:</b> August 25, 2015</div>
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<b>Preorder @:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Dead-Girls-Hysteria-Hall-ebook/dp/B00SZI8KPG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432172164&sr=8-1&keywords=the+dead+girls+of+hysteria+hall">Amazon</a> / <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dead-girls-of-hysteria-hall-katie-alender/1121103222?ean=9780545639996">Barnes and Noble</a> /<a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Dead-Girls-Hysteria-Hall-Katie-Alender/9780545639996"> Book Depository</a> /<a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-dead-girls-of-hysteria/9780545639996-item.html?ikwid=the+dead+girls+of+hysteria+hall&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0"> Chapters </a></div>
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Asylum meets Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, in this riveting tale of ghosts, secrets, and family, from master of suspense Katie Alender.
Delia's new house isn't just a house. It used to be an insane asylum, a place to lock up "troubled" young women long ago. And a restless, wicked spirit is still at play--and it doesn't want defiant girls like Delia to go anywhere.
So the house kills her.
Now Delia is a ghost, trapped in her creepy home forever. As she meets the other ghost girls who haunt the narrow hallways, as well as the handsome ghost boy on the grounds, she learns shocking truths about the house's history. Delia also realizes that her alive and grieving sister might be the house's next target. Can Delia unlock the mystery of the old asylum, save her sister, and free herself?</div>
<b>Why? </b>I love the synopsis :) insane asylum, ghosts, dead main character, handsome ghost boy and a house with secrets :D This book sounds amazing. I also love how creepy the cover looks.</blockquote>
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<b><u>What's your </u><i><u>Waiting on Wednesday</u>? </i></b><br />
<span style="text-align: start;">Sorry for the late post :D I have a tooth infection :( So I did not have the energy to post this on Wednesday.</span></div>
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"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.ca/">Breaking the Spine</a>, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.</blockquote>
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Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-41938007894733956712015-05-18T18:28:00.000-06:002015-05-18T18:28:30.078-06:00The Elite by Kiera Cass (Selection #2) Review #87<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Author:</b> Kiera Cass<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Harper Teen<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 323 (paperback)<br />
<b>Source:</b> Chapters :D<br />
<b>Links</b>: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elite-Selection-Kiera-Cass/dp/0062059971/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431991324&sr=8-1&keywords=the+elite">Amazon</a> / <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-elite-kiera-cass/1113200519?ean=9780062059970">Barnes and Noble</a>/ <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Elite-Kiera-Cass/9780062059970">Book Depository</a> / <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-elite/9780062059970-item.html?ikwid=the+elite&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0">Chapters </a><br />
<b>Rating:</b> <b><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">4/5 </span></b><br />
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The Selection began with thirty-five girls.
Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?
America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America's chance to choose is about to slip away.</blockquote>
I definitely enjoyed <i>The Elite </i>a lot more then I did <i>The Selection</i>. Out of all three books, this one was by far my favourite. The cover is absolute breath-taking and I felt a lot more action happened in this novel then in it's predecessor.<br />
I surprisingly found myself falling in love with Aspen in <i>The Elite</i>. In my review of <i>The Selection</i> (<a href="http://monsterofbooks.blogspot.ca/2015/04/the-selection-by-kiera-cass-review-85.html">click here</a>) I talked about how Aspen was annoying and dragged the book. However, I found myself more drawn to him in this book and wished there was more scenes of him.<br />
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<b><a href="http://monsterofbooks.blogspot.ca/2015/05/the-elite-by-kiera-cass-selection-2.html">READ MORE</a></b></div>
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The character that annoyed me the most in this novel was Maxon.<br />
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I don't think I could ever enter a competition where your competing to win 1 guy's heart and he is the one, in the end, that gets to choose. I don't think I could ever be ok with the concept of this one guy going on multiple dates, and kissing multiple women, and all the while you are constantly aware of it.<br />
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America is constantly torn between Maxon and Aspen. Aspen is faithful whereas there a lot of miss communication between America and Maxon. Maxon is testing the waters and getting closer to Kriss. He is trying to make sure he has a back up if America bails on him or is not committed to becoming his wife.<br />
Maxon and Americ are both afraid to get their hearts broken and that ends up hurting the both of them. I think that if they could both just be honest to each other and America could honestly express how she feels that a lot of the drama they faced could have been avoided.<br />
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America is also questioning if she wants to spend the rest of her life as a Queen in the spotlight.<br />
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<i>The Elite</i> takes the readers further into Illéa history of how George Illéa came to power and created the monarchy. I really enjoyed the diary aspect of it. The diaries made the chapters that much more enjoyable and interesting. This is the same for letters that America receives from her family.<br />
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The readers also witness how messed up Illéa really is with Marlee's caning and America starts to question what true justice is. By the way, Marlee's forbidden relationship was not that big of a shocker to me.<br />
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America also starts to fight back against Illéa's norm by suggesting to the public of the dissolution of the caste system.<br />
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Maxon's father, the king, becomes the antagonist for the remainder of the series. I actually liked him as an antagonist. The King abuses his power both onto the people and as a father. Maxon's reaction to Marlee's caning was foreshadowing the abuse that he suffered under his father's hand.<br />
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While reading <i>The Selection</i> did not really think much of America. Her character did not stand out and she was neither annoying or special in my mind. However, <i>The Elite </i>made me have a deeper understanding and appreciation for her character. America questions the world she lives in and the people around her. America does what she feels is right even if that gets her in the bad books with powerful people. However, she gains strong allies along the way.<br />
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The Norther and Southern rebels become a bigger part of this book too and are bit more fleshed out. Though the southern rebels still remain behind the scenes.<br />
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I really wished there was a lot more rebel scenes or the attacks could of been more described/action (instead of them hiding) allowing for more time for the rebel groups to develop.<br />
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Kass does a great job at getting readers addicted to her work however, I feel there could have been more scenes that were better described or had been more fleshed out. Lack of description is a really big problem for me while reading <i>The Selection</i> series. I still feel the rest of the elite and The Queen could of been fleshed out as characters. <br />
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Overall the book is a fast read and definitely will get you excited about reading <i>The One</i>.<br />
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<br />Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-79258429899866006902015-05-14T22:01:00.002-06:002015-05-14T22:04:48.488-06:00#3 FF: Feature and Follow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image from <a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/">Parajunkee</a>. Meme hosted by <a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/">Parajunkee</a> and<a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/"> Alison Can Read</a>)</span><br />
<blockquote>
How do you organize your books? Either at home on your bookshelves or on your reading-device, or on your bookish platform like Goodreads,Leafmarks or Booklikes.-<a href="http://unconventionalbookviews.com/">Unconventional Book Views</a></blockquote>
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I use to organize my bookshelf by authour name and series. However, as of lately my bookshelf is very disorganized and nothing is alphabetically correct haha. Thus, I rely on memory of cover art to find certain series or books when I am searching for them once more. </div>
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I don't really use electronic devices (I love physical books) so my kobo is disorganized as well. </div>
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I LOVE GOODREADS. On Goodreads I sort books by read and currently reading. I also mark books in my wish list. I also have in previous years marked books by the year I read them (ex; read-2014, read-2013, read-2012). This is a good track record of what books I have read and in what year I read them. I also really love the progress option on goodreads.</div>
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I don't really use Booklikes and I did not know what Leafmarks was until today haha!!<br />
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Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-50987209192821390682015-05-11T17:32:00.001-06:002015-05-11T17:32:25.745-06:00Musing Mondays- May 11, 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image from <a href="http://adailyrhythm.com/">A Daily Rhythm</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">Musing Mondays is a meme created by </span><a href="http://adailyrhythm.com/">A Daily Rhythm</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"> in which we chose and answer a prompt and then answer a random question of the week. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"><b><u>Up Next I Think I will read...</u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22561320-velvet?from_search=true&search_version=service"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERbmOGxKALBV78tGq2GsnDJkTuay5yzZklfEFszC1SiDdML738ZgDhE5Z7UT18XDlejVTzNhZz0RXBzOLytLk7rdoarH-UtgV_JKvHoh5-FHu_q8VYU1TQDPPtnlIHrqzc2eWfyrpCaCv/s320/22561320.jpg" width="219" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22918050-the-heir?from_search=true&search_version=service"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQlMCnVglRhAIf8WZfW37L3rYgKSAKzF9uVtrbafwO2UnTwTUPvB3HO9-u4zVEZ6cXbpajS8TqGXjPerZ-yWows30btilWfpmIhoQMxS3_z_GhEmW1mlRB1WqwfEsLMYdmKMYzI4HQzYg/s320/22918050.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
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I already bought a copy of <i>The Heir (Selection #4) </i>by Kiera Cass and <i>Velvet</i> by Temple West comes out this week :D Images come from Goodreads. </div>
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<b><u>This Week's Random Question</u></b></div>
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Do you have a “kindred” reading buddy — someone who very closely shares your taste in books? If not, do you wish you did?</blockquote>
Not really. Most of my friends do not read :( and the ones that do have different taste in books. I have one friend who loves Cassandra Clare's books as much as I do though. Both of us are excited for the upcoming Shadowhunter T.V series and have been talking a lot about that lately.<br />
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I wish I could have a "kindred" reading buddy (or will find one soon) because then I could actually express my excitement for fictional characters and have them understand what in the world I am talking about. <br />
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<b>What is your answer to this question?</b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-42462390875730246232015-05-10T19:22:00.002-06:002015-05-10T19:32:32.994-06:00The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken Review #86<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Author:</b> Alexandra Bracken<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Disney Hyperion<br />
<b>Pages: </b>488<br />
<b>Source:</b> Chapters<br />
<b>Links:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Darkest-Minds-Alexandra-Bracken/dp/1423157370/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431307742&sr=8-1&keywords=the+darkest+mind">Amazon</a>/<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-darkest-minds-alexandra-bracken/1108621279?ean=9781423159322">Barnes and Noble</a>/<a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-darkest-minds/9781423157373-item.html?ikwid=the+darkest+minds&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0">Chapters</a>/ <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Darkest-Minds-Alexandra-Bracken/9781423157373">Book Depository</a><br />
<b>Rating:</b> <b><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">4/5</span></b><br />
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When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.
When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.
When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image and Bio come from<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10576365-the-darkest-minds?from_search=true&search_version=service"> Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
Where do I even begin? The <u style="font-weight: bold;">world building</u> was freaking unbelievable in this novel. I immediately got hooked and emotionally connected to the USA Ruby found herself living in. The horrors these children faced and the traumatization they received was really well described and as a reader I felt absolutely shocked at times. All the characters were super believable and their individual personalities really stood out. As a reader all I wanted to do was help the characters out of their situation and the life predicaments they were facing. Alexandra Bracken's writing, within the first 50 pages, showed how messed up, and dystopian, the United States has become. I do not think I have ever read a dystopian novel that has introduced the story world as well as Bracken did.<br />
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<b><u><a href="http://monsterofbooks.blogspot.ca/2015/05/the-darkest-minds-by-alexandra-bracken.html">Read More</a></u></b></div>
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Ruby is one of the main characters (beside Liam, Zu & Chubs) in <i>The Darkest Minds</i>. Through first person POV she introduces the readers to the horrors known as rehabilitation camps that children are forced to go into if they survived IAAN (or have extraordinary powers: photographic memory, mind control etc;). I won't lie I thought of WWII when I was reading about Thurmond Camp. Children are forced to live in unbearable conditions, work and are constantly watched by soldiers that have rifles in their hands. Children are even punished with what is called the "White Noise". White Noise is a noise only children with powers can hear making the adults and soldiers unaffected by it awful sound.<br />
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Girls and boys are separated and children are factor into a colour (Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red) that represents their ability (with Greens being not that harmful and reds and oranges being deadly). Children with dangerous powers (red & orange) were tested on and presumed to be killed.<br />
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Ruby is factored into green even though she secretly hides the fact that she is an orange. Traumatized and frightened by her powers she views herself as a monster. This is really well shown and I like how Ruby develops over the course of the book. She goes from viewing her powers as making her a monster to seeing how she can use them to help and protect other people.<br />
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Ruby eventually breaks out of Thurmond and joins Liam (blue), Chubs (blue) and Zu (yellow) who are kids that have also escaped out of their own camps and are on the run from Skip Tracers (bounty hunters that will hand in kids for money) and practically everyone else. With their beat up minivan, aka Betty, they are searching for East River camp in order to contact their parents and deliver a letter.<br />
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I don't want to spoil too much so I am going to stop handing out information. I loved how the four of these characters interacted with each other (from Zu's quietness to Liam and Chubs fighting over kittens and Betty).<br />
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The romance that develops between Liam and Ruby is slow and does not overshadow the entire book which I extremely liked.<br />
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The book did drag for me between pages 200 to 300 and that is really the only complaint I have about it. I guess in a way the slowness kind of represents the long journey they faced trying to find East River and all the obstacles that got in their way during the ride.<br />
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Zu was by-far probably my favourite character.<br />
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Clancy Gray was the antagonist of the book. He was so manipulative and as a reader you just get a bad vibe from him the minute he is introduced. However, at the same time you are curious about his history and what made him the way he is. I think that will be further explored in the next book.<br />
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The ending broke my heart. I literally wanted to scream at Ruby and throw the book however, I could not because I was reading while in a workshop that was going on. I also wanted to cry because it was such a sad ending. I really hate when a character get their mind erased. Becca Fitzpatrick did that in her <i>Hush Hush</i> series and that drove me bonkers. I really hope that the character will rediscover their memories quickly in book two.<br />
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Overall this was a great read and I can definitely see this being adapted to film or television. <br />
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<b>Have you read <i>The Darkest Minds</i>? What is your thoughts?</b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-70400918468168000722015-05-09T20:48:00.002-06:002015-05-09T20:49:50.388-06:00Stacking the Shelves (3): May 9th, 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image from <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/">Tynga's Reviews</a>)</span></div>
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"Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!"-Hosted and Quoted By: <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/">Tynga's Reviews</a></blockquote>
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<b><u>For Review</u></b> </div>
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<blockquote>
When sixteen-year-old Lee Capren is spirited away to Faerie, she is forced to serve capricious faeries as a prized portrait artist… and live as their prisoner.
A chance encounter with the charming Nasser grants Lee a chance for freedom—but what felt like mere days in Faerie spanned years in the human world, and Lee no longer has a home to return to.
Nasser is a Seer—a human with magical powers—and Lee is quickly plunged into his world: a sprawling city teeming with magic and mystery, where supernatural creatures walk hidden among humans. With the help of a rag-tag group of teenage Seers, Lee must master her newfound magical talent and outwit a cunning faerie determined to destroy her. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image and Bio from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13515176-flicker">Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thoughts:</b> I received this for review from the author :D I have just started to read <i>Flicker</i> and man is it addicting. I cannot stop thinking about it.<br />
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<b><u>Bought</u></b></div>
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<blockquote>
The time has come for one winner to be crowned.
When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image and Bio from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18635016-the-one?from_search=true&search_version=service">Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thoughts:</b> Finished <i>The Elite</i> and bought <i>The One</i> right after :)<br />
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Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.
But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.
Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image and Bio from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22918050-the-heir?from_search=true&search_version=service">Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thoughts:</b> I am so excited to read this...just got to finish <i>The One </i>first. I love the cover and I absolutely love the book trailer and the video interviews they did with some of the young men competing.<br />
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Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.
Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.
Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, though if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.
But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image and Bio from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20345202-the-girl-at-midnight">Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thoughts:</b> I saw bloggers talking about this in the book community and loved the bio. I also read some of the sample pages on Amazon and when I saw the words Taipei :) I knew for sure I wanted to read this book. This book also takes the character, Echo, traveling (from Taipei to Japan :D).<br />
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<b>What did you guys get this week ??</b><br />
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<!----reviews-->Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-15341257443595264342015-05-08T20:42:00.001-06:002015-05-08T20:42:11.534-06:00#2 FF: Feature and Follow <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image from<a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/"> Parajunkee</a>. Meme hosted by <a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/">Parajunkee</a> and <a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/">Alison Can Read</a>)</span></div>
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<blockquote>
<b>How do you decide what books to read?</b> -<a href="http://myviewpointonbooks.blogspot.ca/"><b>So Many Books, So Little Time</b></a></blockquote>
Usually by reading or hearing about the book synopsis whether it be online, on the back of a book, on book blogs or youtube videos. If the plot piques my interest then I will try to read the first few chapters and if I end up liking it then I will find myself reading the whole book.<br />
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Sometimes book covers and book trailers make me want to randomly pick up a book (without look at the bio).<br />
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How do you guys decide?<br />
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Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-14571116970122884392015-05-06T00:29:00.001-06:002015-05-06T00:30:03.475-06:00Waiting on Wednesday- May 6 2015 <blockquote>
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by<a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.ca/"> Breaking the Spine</a>, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.</blockquote>
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<b><u>Storm (Paper Gods #3) by Amanda Sun</u></b><br />
<b>Author:</b> Amanda Sun<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Harlequin Teen<br />
<b>Release:</b> June 30th, 2015<br />
<b>Preorder @:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Storm-Paper-Gods-Amanda-Sun-ebook/dp/B00S503U5E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430893142&sr=8-1&keywords=storm+amanda+sun">Amazon</a> / <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/storm-amanda-sun/1120680961?ean=9780373211746">Barnes and Noble</a> / <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Storm-Amanda-Sun/9780373211746">Book Depository</a> / <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/storm/9780373211746-item.html?ikwid=storm+amanda+sun&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0">Chapters </a><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image and Bio come from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18134015-storm">Goodreads</a>)</span></b><br />
<blockquote>
After almost a year in Japan, Katie Greene has finally unearthed the terrible secret behind her boyfriend Tomohiro's deadly ability to bring drawings to life—not only is he descended from Kami, the ancient Japanese gods, but he is the heir to a tragedy that occurred long ago, a tragedy that is about to repeat.
=Even as the blood of a vengeful god rages inside Tomo, Katie is determined to put his dark powers to sleep. In order to do so, she and Tomo must journey to find the three Imperial Treasures of Japan. Gifts from the goddess Amaterasu herself, these treasures could unlock all of the secrets about Tomo's volatile ancestry and quell the ink's lust for destruction. But in order to complete their quest, Tomo and Katie must confront out-of-control Kami and former friend Jun, who has begun his own quest of revenge against those he believes have wronged him. To save the world, and themselves, Katie and Tomo will be up against one of the darkest Kami creations they've ever encountered—and they may not make it out alive.</blockquote>
<b>Why?</b> I loved the two other books in the series (Ink and Rain). Whenever I read these books I am reminded of my time in Japan. Also, I <u>LOVE</u> THE COVER :D <i>Storm</i> is my favourite cover out of all three books. The cover just stands out and in a good way!!<i> </i>I loved the cover for <i>Ink</i> and <i>Rain</i> however, I would not mind seeing them redone to be similar as this one.<br />
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<b><u>What on your <i>Waiting on Wednesday?</i> </u></b>Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-56868937812451373552015-05-04T22:05:00.003-06:002015-05-04T22:05:52.832-06:00Musing Mondays - May 4th, 2015 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image from <a href="http://adailyrhythm.com/">A Daily Rhythm</a>) </span></div>
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Musing Mondays is a meme created by <a href="http://adailyrhythm.com/">A Daily Rhythm</a> in which we chose& answer a prompt and then answer a random question of the week. </div>
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<b>I'm Currently Reading:</b></div>
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<b><u>This Weeks Random Question</u></b></div>
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What would you do if you wanted to buy a book for someone, but didn’t know what they like to read? Would you ask them? Would you choose something you, yourself, like? How would you go about buying them something?</blockquote>
I am more of a gift-card-kind-of girl when it comes to giving book-related gifts. I never know what people want (unless they have blatantly told me) , or if they already own (or have read) a certain book. I also rather borrow out books I like instead of buy them for other people in case they are not as fond as them as I am.<br />
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How would you guys answer this question??<br />
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<br />Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-69821659208339618902015-05-02T22:04:00.001-06:002015-05-02T22:16:30.437-06:00May 2015 Favourites So the past week has been quiet hectic for me. I haven't really posted much because a) I was finishing off finals b) packing and moving out of my dorm c) leasing out an apartment for the fall and d) taking an airplane back home for the summer. However, now that I am free once again I wanted to blog. I do not have any book reviews or books that I bought this week to show off :D So I decided instead to show you <b>what books I am most looking forward to in May 2015:</b><br />
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<b><u>The Fill-in Boyfriend by Kasie West (May 5, HarperTeen)</u></b><br />
<blockquote>
When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend— two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. After that, she can win back the real Bradley.
The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party — three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.
Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image and Bio from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18660447-the-fill-in-boyfriend">Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thoughts:</b> Honestly I am just in love with synopsis. It sounds intriguing and immediately made me intrigued on how everything will turn out in the end.<br />
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<b><u>The Cage by Megan Shepherd (May 26, Balzer & Bray) </u></b><br />
<blockquote>
The Maze Runner meets Scott Westerfeld in this gripping new series about teens held captive in a human zoo by an otherworldly race. From Megan Shepherd, the acclaimed author of The Madman's Daughter trilogy.
When Cora Mason wakes in a desert, she doesn't know where she is or who put her there. As she explores, she finds an impossible mix of environments—tundra next to desert, farm next to jungle, and a strangely empty town cobbled together from different cultures—all watched over by eerie black windows. And she isn't alone.
Four other teenagers have also been taken: a beautiful model, a tattooed smuggler, a secretive genius, and an army brat who seems to know too much about Cora's past. None of them have a clue as to what happened, and all of them have secrets. As the unlikely group struggles for leadership, they slowly start to trust each other. But when their mysterious jailer—a handsome young guard called Cassian—appears, they realize that their captivity is more terrifying than they could ever imagine: Their captors aren't from Earth. And they have taken the five teenagers for an otherworldly zoo—where the exhibits are humans.
As a forbidden attraction develops between Cora and Cassian, she realizes that her best chance of escape might be in the arms of her own jailer—though that would mean leaving the others behind. Can Cora manage to save herself and her companions? And if so . . . what world lies beyond the walls of their cage?<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Image and Bio from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16071187-the-cage">Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thoughts:</b> I am a big fan of Megan Shepherd's The Madman's Daughter Series. When I saw another, new, book was coming out from her I was really excited.<br />
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<b><u>The Heir (The Selection #4) by Kiera Cass (May 5, HarperTeen)</u></b><br />
<blockquote>
Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.
But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.
Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Image and Bio is from<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22918050-the-heir"> Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thoughts</b>: I am really excited about this one. I loved the book trailer & all the videos that have so far accompanied it (the interview with certain boys from the new selection). I just need to finish <i>The Elite</i> and <i>The One</i> first haha.<br />
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<b><u>The Wrath and The Dawn by Renée Ahdieh (May 12, Penguin Group USA) </u></b><br />
<blockquote>
A sumptuous and epically told love story inspired by A Thousand and One Nights
Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.
She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image and Bio from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18798983-the-wrath-and-the-dawn">Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thought:</b> The storyline and the cover really stood out for me.<br />
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<b><u>A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin (May 19, Tor Teen)</u></b><br />
<blockquote>
It’s 1814. Napoleon is exiled on Elba. Europe is in shambles. Britain is at war on four fronts. And Stranje House, a School for Unusual Girls, has become one of Regency England’s dark little secrets. The daughters of the beau monde who don't fit high society’s constrictive mold are banished to Stranje House to be reformed into marriageable young ladies. Or so their parents think. In truth, Headmistress Emma Stranje, the original unusual girl, has plans for the young ladies—plans that entangle the girls in the dangerous world of spies, diplomacy, and war.
After accidentally setting her father’s stables on fire while performing a scientific experiment, Miss Georgiana Fitzwilliam is sent to Stranje House. But Georgie has no intention of being turned into a simpering, pudding-headed, marriageable miss. She plans to escape as soon as possible—until she meets Lord Sebastian Wyatt. Thrust together in a desperate mission to invent a new invisible ink for the English war effort, Georgie and Sebastian must find a way to work together without losing their heads—or their hearts...<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Image and Bio from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22238184-a-school-for-unusual-girls">Goodreads </a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thoughts:</b> It is set in a previous era :D And a strong headed lead :) Also the cover is lovely.<br />
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<b><u>The Angels of Moirai by Nicole Salmond</u></b><br />
<blockquote>
Since man first walked the earth, the Angels of Moirai have watched over them. Born human, they are taught never to feel, never to become attached, and never to become emotionally compromised.
Eighteen-year-old, Lila Kingston, is haunted by dreams of a mysterious angel. Suddenly, the dramas of her broken family and the snobby, rich kids at her school, fail in comparison to the challenges she must face.
Hailing from the Angels of Moirai, James Taylor has been intrusted with the fate of lives from around the world for over a thousand years. His soul purpose is to ensure every mortal follows their designed path, but when Lila puts that very purpose at risk, he must make a choice, a choice that ultimately leads to devastating consequences of a love never meant to exist.
The choice was never easy, those kind of choices never are…<span style="font-size: x-small;">Images and Bio from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24573794-angels-of-moirai">Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thought: </b>Forbidden love :D<br />
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<b><u>Fabled by Vanessa K. Eccles (May 5)</u></b><br />
<blockquote>
Rowena thinks the Grimm’s infamous podcasts are simply another teen fad until she finds herself trapped in a land of nightmarish storybook characters. She tries desperately to flee Mezzanine and return home, but Dresdem, Mezzanine’s wicked monarch, plans to use Rowena’s access to her world to bring dark magic and absolute rule into Georgia and beyond.
But when Rowena’s dear friend Madeline falls into Dresdem’s grasp, her battle with him becomes war, and all hopes of home are temporarily thwarted. With the help of an invisible hero, a beast, and an owl, she sets out to free Madeline from a deadening sleep. But Rowena must become her own hero when she finds herself bound by the kingdom’s darkest family. She must make the ultimate choice – align herself with her enemies or live on the run forever. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image and Bio from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25268387-fabled">Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thoughts:</b> love the cover and the bio XD<br />
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<b><u>Velvet by Temple West (May 12, Swoon Reads)</u></b><br />
<blockquote>
First rule of dealing with hot vampire bodyguards? Don't fall in love.
After losing both her parents before age seventeen, aspiring designer Caitlin Holte feels like her whole world has been turned upside down, and that was before the terrifying encounter with a supernatural force. Then, she learns that her hot bad-boy neighbor, Adrian—who might have just saved her life—is actually a half-demon vampire.
Suddenly Caitlin is stuck with a vampire bodyguard who feels that the best way to protect her is to become her pretend boyfriend. Trouble is, Caitlin is starting to fall in love for real, while Adrian can never love a human. Caitlin trusts Adrian to keep her safe from his demon father, but will he be able to protect her heart? <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image and Bio from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22561320-velvet">Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thought:</b> Paranormal: Check :D Vampire Bodyguard becomes BF: Check. Romance:Check XD This book sounds amazing and the cover is so beautiful.<br />
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What books are you excited for this month??<br />
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<br />Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-90383575386080525242015-04-26T19:48:00.000-06:002015-04-26T20:00:28.247-06:00The Selection by Kiera Cass Review #85 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Author:</b>Kiera Cass
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<b>Publisher:</b> Harper Teen
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<b>Pages:</b> 327
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<b>Source:</b> Chapters
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<b>Links:</b> <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Selection-Kiera-Cass/dp/0062059947/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430099399&sr=8-1&keywords=the+selection">Amazon</a></b> / <b><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-selection-kiera-cass/1106580335?ean=9780062059932">Barnes and Noble </a></b>/ <b><a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-selection/9780062059949-item.html?ikwid=the+selection&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=1">Chapters</a></b>/<b><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Selection-Kiera-Cass/9780062059949"> Book Depository </a></b><br />
<b>Rating:</b> <b><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">4/5
</span></b><br />
<blockquote>
"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 a palace and compete for the heart of 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." <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image and Bio from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10507293-the-selection">Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
Prince Maxon is the number one reason why this book is so enjoyable and addictive. Readers will fall in love with Maxon's character as he is noble, kind and similar to a puppy dog in that he is cute, adorable and sometimes naive. The readership will also immediately be drawn to Maxon as he is charming and romantic.<br />
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I attempted to read <i>The Selection</i> two years ago and failed. After the first two chapters I gave up on reading it. However, after watching the new television show,<i> The Royals</i>, I was immediately drawn back to Cass's books.<br />
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When I finished <i>The Selection</i>, I had to think long and hard on what rating I was going to give it. In the end, I chose four out of five stars. When making my final decision, I had to decide if <i>The Selection</i> was a book I would later think about (a year or two from now) and would possibly re-read parts of it again. The answer to that was <i>yes </i>and that was why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 3.<br />
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This novel is addicting as it a) completely romantic and b) a lot of readers want to be in America's shoes with two guys vying after her.<br />
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Maxon is the reason I stuck around and kept on reading. Once he was introduced in the book the reading experience was much more pleasant and did not drag at all.<br />
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I don't really have much thoughts, at the moment, of America Singer. There was nothing about her character, yet, that screamed: I LOVE HER or I HATE HER. Towards the end of the novel she felt like she was cheating on Maxon but, all I could think about was....well he is technically dating how many other girls? There should be America's selection (Maxon and Aspen) and Maxon's Selection.<br />
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America was also really insecure with the other girls and I definitely could relate to that. At times she was afraid of how the other girls viewed her and at others she was a take charge kind of girl (ex; her maids).<br />
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By the way, America's maids (Anne, Mary and Lucy) were the best (second best to Maxon)<br />
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However, that being said, there was a lot of <b><u>stuff that bothered me</u></b> while reading this novel.<br />
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A) Description : I felt that a lot of stuff was under-described. These things range from characters to rebel groups to Illéa itself.<br />
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-I felt the 35 girls within The Selection were not fleshed out as well as they could have been. I could barely remember their faces let alone their names and personalities. I felt no emotional connection with the girls and there was nothing that stood out about them (except Celeste's meanness).<br />
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-This is a dystopian novel however, it did not feel like one. I felt like the first novel in this series should have devoted itself to world building and really giving the readers a feel for the horrors of some of the castes (starvation etc;) and the dystopian rules instead of focusing on America's relationship with Aspen and Maxon.<br />
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Sidenote: Does anyone else not like Aspen? At the beginning of the novel Aspen's presence really dragged the storyline for me (not so much towards the end of the book).<br />
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How did the two of them keep their relationship a secret for so long?... When Aspen's mom even suspected her son was dating someone. <br />
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I would have really like to know more about : the Illéa logo, guards uniform etc; I also thought their should have been a deeper explanation of how Illéa formed.<br />
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-The violence the rebels caused seemed always in the background and when the big one came I did not feel scared or worried for the characters.<br />
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B) Action : I felt like their could of been a lot more of this especially with the rebels and whatnot. I really wanted to see the characters in danger--and actually facing the rebels, instead of hiding from them.<br />
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In all it was a good read and Warner Bros. just acquired the rights so hopefully will soon see it on the big screen.<br />
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<!----second--><!----second--><!----second-->Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-88590353842688111122015-04-25T18:02:00.001-06:002015-04-25T18:02:56.538-06:00Stacking the Shelves (2): April 25th, 2015 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image from <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/">Tynga's Reviews</a>)</span></div>
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"Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!"-Hosted & Quoted By: <b><a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/">Tynga's Review</a></b></blockquote>
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"Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.
America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.
Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending." <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image & Quote from <a href="http://www.kieracass.com/">Kiera Cass's Website</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thoughts: </b>The Selection was very addicting and I am looking forward to reading <i>The Elite</i>. I am in love with all the covers of this series :) So gorgeous.<br />
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<blockquote>
"When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.
When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.
When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living." <span style="font-size: x-small;">Quote & Image from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10576365-the-darkest-minds?ac=1">Goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
<b>Thoughts</b>: I saw the "Book Plot Judging" video by polandbananas on youtube. The <i>Darkest Minds</i> is briefly talked about and I immediately liked the sound of it. This past week, while visiting my local book store, I picked it up and read the first few chapters (without looking at the synopsis). THIS <i>BOOK </i>IS SO AMAZING & ADDICTING!!! Why did it take me this long to find it!?<br />
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<br />Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-1208938637311163422015-04-23T23:01:00.001-06:002015-04-23T23:03:49.667-06:00#1 FF: Feature & Follow <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Bitter, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"></b></div>
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<b style="border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Bitter, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">How did you come up with your blog title and address? Does it have a special meaning for you? – Suggested by </b><a href="http://www.allaboutyabooks.blogspot.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out !important; border: 0px; color: #8224e3; font-family: Bitter, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out !important; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="s2" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Paperback Princess</b></span></a></blockquote>
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<span style="border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Bitter, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">I don't think I have ever talked about this before</span><b style="border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Bitter, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">. </b><span style="border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Bitter, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Back in 2009</span><b style="border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Bitter, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> </b><span style="border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Bitter, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">I was trying to come up with a name to call my book blog. Obviously, I love paranormal-romance type novels so I thought something that would relate to that would be best. Immediately, I thought of the <i>Harry Potter</i> series. However, maybe I should clarify, I thought of all the movie adaptations of Harry Potter since I have yet to read the books. </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Bitter, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span style="border: 0px; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Bitter, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">I cannot recall if I had been re-watching the films at that point or if I just could not forget this little guy. However, my mind quickly thought of: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image from <a href="https://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tatar/2013/02/26/books-with-magical-properties/">Breezes From Wonderland</a>)</span></div>
<span style="color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Bitter, Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;">I love devouring books....I'm a </span><b style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;"><u>monster of books</u></b><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;">...I eat books up *not literally*. So thanks to Harry Potter's </span><i style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;">The Monster Book of Monsters</i><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;"> and my love for paranormal I mashed them together to create my blog name. That was the inspiration & creation behind my book blog name. </span></span><br />
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This is a blog hop hosted by <b><a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/">Parajunkee</a></b> & <b><a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/">Alison Can Read</a></b>. </div>
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<br />Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-33357264563156474642015-04-23T18:00:00.004-06:002015-04-23T18:00:54.425-06:00Thirsty Thursday and Hungry Hearts & That what HE said <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image comes from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10507293-the-selection">Goodreads</a>)</span></div>
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"I bit into the strawberry tart. It was so sweet and the dough was so flaky, every millimeter of my mouth was engaged, taking over the rest of my senses entirely. I didn't mean to make the little moan, but it was by far the best thing I had ever tasted. I took another bite before I ever swallowed the first."</blockquote>
<b>Pg. 135<i> , The Selection</i> by Kiera Cass</b><br />
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Thirsty Thursday and Hungry Hearts is a meme hosted by <a href="http://unconventionalbookviews.com/thirsty-thursday-and-hungry-hearts-13/">(un) Conventional Bookviews </a> ! On Thursdays we post a quote, containing to food, from a recent read. <br />
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<b><u>That what HE said</u></b></div>
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"'Speaking of which!' he said a bit louder.'If you don't want me to be in love with you, you're going to have to stop looking so lovely. First thing tomorrow I'm having your maids sew some potato sacks together for you.'
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I hit his arm. 'Shut up, Maxon.'
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'I'm not kidding. You're too beautiful for your own good. Once you leave, we'll have to send some of the guards with you. You'll never survive on your own, poor thing.' He said all this with mock pity."</blockquote>
<b>Pg. 251,<i> The Selection</i> by Kiera Cass</b><br />
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The what HE said is a meme hosted by<a href="http://chapterbreak.net/thats-what-he-said-thursday-meme/"> Chapter Break</a>. </div>
Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-41568924818792208172014-06-09T10:04:00.001-06:002014-06-09T10:04:07.632-06:00NEW BOOK BLOG ~~~INTRODUCING.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello everyone ~~~<br />
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Greetings from Tokyo!!! The above picture is how Tokyo looked in April (Sakura--Cherry Blossoms) and how I wished it would look now (Tokyo is currently in the midst of the rainy season)<br />
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My study abroad to Japan is coming to an end :( 1 year has flown by like the speed of light and it is soon time to pack up and return home to Canada. I have over a month and half left of my exchange!! That is all!!<br />
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With my exchange wrapping up I have decided to start up book blogging. I have been gone these past two years due to my exchange in Taiwan (2011-2012) and Tokyo (2013-2014). I have not stopped reading or stopped loving YA. <br />
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However, I feel it is best--with me coming back to the book blogging community--to start a new. This means <b>I have created a new book blogging website</b>.<br />
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I will no longer blog from Monster of Books. I have always love this site since I started in 2009. However, I feel it time (with me growing older) to start something new.<br />
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SO <b>INTRODUCING MY NEW BOOK BLOGGING WEBSITE</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://yaaddict.com/">http://yaaddict.com </a></span></div>
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I will now blog from <b>YA Addict~~~</b> I am an addict of young adult novels and I wish to express that through book blogging. </div>
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Thanks so much ^^ </div>
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~Maura </div>
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Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-42243764821840679842013-07-14T22:13:00.000-06:002013-07-14T22:21:42.110-06:00Stacking the Shelves +Vlog (1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have decided to join the "Stacking The Shelves" meme which is hosted by Tynga @ <b><a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/">Tynga Reviews</a> </b>!!! This will be my first post + vlog :D </div>
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I got a new Nikon J1 for my birthday and decided to try using it!! Hope you enjoy XD</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">There's nowhere left to hide. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">I thought vampires were our enemies - they controlled our lives, isolated our cities, and demanded our blood - until I met Victor. With Victor taking over as the new Lord Valentine, things were supposed to get better. Instead, they're worse than ever.
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Day Walkers, a new breed of vampires who can walk in the sun, are terrorizing the city. Blood supplies are low, and if Victor's vampires don't get enough, they will become infected with the Thirst - a disease that will turn them into mindless killers. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">To stop it, I must journey across the desolate wasteland to the very place where the sickness began. I can only hope that the answers that await me are enough to save us all... before it's too late.</blockquote></span><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">She could save the world—or destroy it.</strong>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Sixteen year old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.</span><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">But she can’t do either alone.</strong><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?</span><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Who can Evie trust?</strong><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side….</span></blockquote><br />
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<em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.</em>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.</span></blockquote></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Ash and Natalie are just starting to build a life together when things in the United Sentry States go from bad to worse. Ash and Natalie find themselves at the center of turmoil when dictator Purian Rose threatens Natalie’s life unless Ash votes in favor of Rose’s Law—a law that will send Darklings and other dissenters to a deadly concentration camp known as the Tenth.</span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">When Ash can’t bring himself to trade Natalie’s life for those of millions of Darklings, her fate is sealed. Enter Elijah Theroux, the handsome Bastet boy Natalie once saved from her mother’s labs, where he’d been experimented on and tortured. It was his venom the Sentry used to create the lethal Golden Haze, the heart of the government conspiracy that led to Black City’s uprising and Ash’s rebirth as the Phoenix, the face of the rebellion. Elijah is back and Ash doesn’t like him; it’s clear he’s taken with Natalie, and Ash fears she may have feelings for him as well.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">But Elijah also may have the answer to taking down Purian Rose for good—a powerful weapon called the Ora. Ash, Natalie and Elijah just have to escape Black City undetected to find it. But fleeing the city and finding this weapon (if it even exists) are easier said than done, and the quest could tear Ash and Natalie apart, even pushing them into the arms of others.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">This enthralling sequel to Black City is just as absorbing, delicious and steamy as the first book, leaving readers hungry for the series conclusion.</span></blockquote></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>I'd love to see what your "Stacking The Shelves" looks like this week!! Feel free to leave a link the comment section below to your post XD </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Happy Reading XD </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><br /></b></span>Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-40604185980426024082013-07-11T20:42:00.000-06:002013-07-11T20:44:12.178-06:0015 Day Book Blogger Challenge | Day 1 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Decided to try out April's (Good Books and Good Wine) 15 day book blogger challenge. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #741b47;"><u>Make 15 Book Related Confessions</u></span></b></div>
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1. I tend to, while reading books, take quick peeps at whats happening later on in the novel. This is a bad habit I have developed :( </div>
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2. I avoid ebooks at all cost. I will read them sometimes...but most often if I do not have a physical copy in my hands then I won't read...no matter how much I am dying to read it. </div>
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3. I love books that involve the modern world...but have paranormal or fantasy (ex; Mortal Instruments, Fallen series, etc;) thrown in. I rarely read books that are just based on life & everyday problems. </div>
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4. I love romance...but I do not like reading books solely on it. </div>
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5. This summer I seem to be addicted to dystopians :D </div>
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6. Also, this summer, I seemed to be addicted to paperback books vs hardcover. </div>
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7. I use the bookstore much more then the library. </div>
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8. I rarely read books with boy's pov and where the each chapter is a different character's pov. However I love third person POV.</div>
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9. I love VICTORIAN era settings =D The Infernal Devices :D </div>
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10. I have such a big TBR pile T_T I feel absolutely depressed looking at it. It keeps growing and growing even when I read from it. </div>
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11. I can rarely push through novels that it is not to my liking. When I read a novel and it is not to my liking I will either stop reading it or waiting a few months before picking it up again. </div>
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12. I am a huge fan of anything by Cassandra Clare. I often reread The Mortal Instrument and The Infernal Devices. </div>
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13. I love cocky, arrogant and bad-boy guys in YA. </div>
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14. JemXTessa, ClaryxJace</div>
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15. books that insert others languages intrigue me :D </div>
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What's your book related confessions??</div>
Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-6876829505044560512013-07-10T14:36:00.000-06:002013-07-10T14:46:35.686-06:00Ink by Amanda Sun Review #84 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<b>Author: </b>Amanda Sun<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Harlequin Teen<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 326<br />
<b>Source:</b> Chapters<br />
<b>Links:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ink-The-Paper-Gods-Amanda/dp/037321071X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373478135&sr=8-1&keywords=ink+amanda+sun">Amazon </a>/ <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ink-amanda-sun/1113520550?ean=9780373210718">Barnes and Noble</a> / <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/ink/9780373210718-item.html?ikwid=ink+amanda+sun&ikwsec=Home&gcs_requestid=0CMCDsPu8pbgCFQfj5wodIFQAAA">Chapters</a><br />
<b>Rating:</b> <b><span style="color: red;">5/5</span></b><br />
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<blockquote>
On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.
Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.
Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.</blockquote>
<b>Plot/Setting:</b><br />
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After the death of her mom Katie Greene moves to Japan to live with her Aunt Diane who is a English teacher. All Katie wants is to go live with her Grandparents in Canada and escape Japan. However, all chances of returning to normalcy vanishes when she witnesses Yuuto Tomohiro break up with his girlfriend and sees one of his drawings moves.<br />
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<i>Ink</i> is Amanda Sun's debut novel and a start to a new series called the 'Paper Gods'. It was an amazing book and I highly recommend it. The author steps out of a North American/or fictional setting and takes reader to a whole new country, writes about it culture, foods and the hardship Katie faces with language barriers and cultural differences. Readers are able to leave there comfort zone and embrace something new. I cannot think of one other book that focuses on someone from North America going to Japan.<br />
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This paranormal-romance debut is unlike others in that Amanda Sun has skipped the norm (vampires, werewolves etc;) and brought to light Japanese mythology which I haven't seen present before in recent YA novels. This makes <i>Ink </i>stand out from others recently released in that genre.<br />
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The book is fast paste and easy to understand. There is a Japanese glossary in the back to translate the Japanese words.<br />
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The plot is well done and flows nicely throughout the book. However, I felt that there could of been more action involved.<br />
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<b>Characters:</b><br />
YA needs more asian boys :D Man...Tohomohiro is so sexy. Ever since I found out this novel was being released, thanks to Goodreads, I had been patiently awaiting it release date because a) I am moving to Japan this fall for University and b) sexy asian boy as the main love interest ^_^<br />
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<i>Katie:</i> Katie is very much a brave, determined, curious and headstrong character. She is the type that runs towards danger without thinking it through. Also given with all her hardships (mother death, moving to foreign country, learning a new language) she does pretty well and does not give up. I did not find myself, as a reader, annoyed with Katie at all. I personally envied her and found her quite enjoyable as a protagonist. However, during the Love Hotel scene I wanted to shake her and say "connect the dots".<br />
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<i>Tomohiro:</i> ^_^ He has got the whole "I'm in pain", bad-boy, confident and modest thing going on and I liked it. I really felt a lot of sympathy towards his character and there were times when I wanted to hug him, shake him and say 'your awesome' and then there were moments when I wanted to beat the crap out of him. However, Tomohiro always puts others above himself and that is enviable quality. However, I think he needs to be a bit more selfish and realize he is super awesome.<br />
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Also bonus...my best friend (she is japanese) is in a relationship with a guy and for the life of me I could never remember his name. However, thanks to <i>Ink</i> I can since the first part of his, first name, is Tomo :D<br />
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<i>Jun: </i>I am conflicted at who I like more...Jun or Tomohiro.<br />
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<i>Yuki, Tanaka, Diane:</i> the side characters were the best. Yuki and Tanaka cracked me up. Diane tries so hard to make Katie fit into her life in Japan. She also pushes Katie to cross new boundaries (learn a new language) and helps Katie develop into a better person :D<br />
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<i>Yakuza:</i> I hope we learn more about them in the next book ^_^<br />
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<b>Artwork:</b><br />
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This a paperback book...and it has the most awesome artwork both on the cover and inside the book. Readers will be delighted to find flip art ^_^ I really wanted there to be more of that and hope the second book will have it as well.<br />
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I am actually excited to see what the second book will look like.<br />
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Also the book contains Q&A with the artists, the author , discussion questions and a sneak peak at Book #2. BTW when is book #2 coming out. I do not think I can wait a whole year haha !!<br />
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<b><u>Overall:</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
This is definitely a book that everyone should be on the lookout for. I finished this a week ago and I am still replaying it in my head.<br />
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The Author gets points for bringing something new to the paranormal romance genre, stepping outside of YA normal boundaries and making the readers starve to death as they read about all the delicious foods they are missing out on.<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Things I did not like:</span></b> could of been more action, a little more physical descriptions of the characters and some of the places around them<br />
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Thing I loved:</span></b> all the characters, flip art, storyline, the japanese glossary, cover and the japanese mythology.<br />
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This book definitely deserves 5 stars :D<br />
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Monster of Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183658520571671673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262522918473327881.post-35924686814831453762013-07-06T14:35:00.001-06:002013-07-06T14:35:32.742-06:00Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London Review #83<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
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<b>Author:</b> J.A London<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Harperteen<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 342<br />
<b>Source:</b> Library<br />
<b>Links:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Before-Dawn-J-London/dp/006202065X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1373139479&sr=8-3&keywords=darkness+before+dawn">Amazon</a> / <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/darkness-before-dawn-j-a-london/1105732842?ean=9780062020659">Barnes and Noble</a>/ <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/darkness-before-dawn/9780062020659-item.html?ikwid=darkness+before+dawn&ikwsec=Home&gcs_requestid=0CIDOgq3Pm7gCFUlv5wod5W4AAA">Chapters </a><br />
<b>Rating:</b> <b><span style="color: red;">4/5 </span></b><br />
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<blockquote>
We built the wall to keep them out, to keep us safe. But it also makes us prisoners, trapped in what's left of our ravaged city, fearing nightfall.
After the death of my parents, it's up to me—as the newest delegate for humanity—to bargain with our vampire overlord. I thought I was ready. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the monsters. Then again, nothing could have prepared me for Lord Valentine . . . or his son. Maybe not all vampires are killers. Maybe it's safe to let one in.
Only one thing is certain: Even the wall is not enough. A war is coming and we cannot hide forever.</blockquote>
Darkness Before Dawn is a dystopian-paranormal-romance book that takes place in Denver. The book starts off with Dawn, the protagonist, going off to party with her best friend Tegan. The readers quickly learn that Dawn isn't your-every-day average teenager but instead a delegate for Denver. Essentially it is Dawns duty to be an ambassador and communicator between the humans and vampire relations. This is a job that has Dawn both liked and hated. It offer to her by Murdoch Valentine, an ancient noble vampire, after her parents have passed. Dawn, at the start of the novel, has the perfect boyfriend : Michael and is later introduced, and falls in love, with a vampire = creating a love triangle.<br />
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Those who are keen for the paranormal romance genre will be intrigue by this book. The writing, a mother-and son duo, flows pleasantly with the quick paste of the novel. This novel does have a moment of dullness. I did not find myself slumping through it or having to takes long breaks from it.<br />
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Dawn is quite mature for a YA genre but it makes sense with her background. I know some people complain about her mature-ness but I actually quite like it. Dawn is a character who--throughout the entire novel--I did not find myself hating. She cares deeply for those in her inner circle and worries a lot about others.<br />
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However, I have mixed emotions about Michael. Michael and Dawn do work well as a couple but some of the things he did pissed me off and made me pity Dawn. However, there were times when I thought they were paired adorable together. However, I am rooting for Dawn X Tegan not Michael X Tegan.<br />
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The character called Sin was awesome...and I wished there were more scenes with him in it.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>Problems I had with this book are</b></span> : a) I found the antagonists scenes were few and there should have been more. b) Things would happen...the chapter would end...and then the readers are left wondering how the protagonist got from point a to point b.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><b>Things I enjoyed about this book:</b></span> a) fast paste b) written smoothly and flowed easily throughout the entire novel c) Sin d) Victor e) idea of dystopian world that has vampire in it d) character development between Victor and Dawn.<br />
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I also really liked Faith and Richard. I hope there is more of them in the next book.<br />
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The reason I gave it 4 out of 5 is that while it is a really good book it does not stand out much from other paranormal romance novels. The dystopian setting is a little bit different. I was actually quite hesitant before picking this up because with dystopians I am either for it or against it. Luckily with this novel it was perfect blend.<br />
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Favourite Line (edited to avoid spoilers :D ):<br />
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<blockquote>
"Faith rolled her eyes....'I understand...there's going to be a party. Based on the unflattering clothes you were wearing last night...well, I picked a couple of things out of my closet as a thank-you....'She likes you,' Victor says. I stare at him, dumbfounded. 'You're kidding. That's her liking someone?'" (pg. 301)</blockquote>
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