Review 170. Laini Taylor – Daughter of smoke and bone.

Title: Daughter of smoke and bone.

Author: Laini Taylor.
Pages: 418.
Published: September 27th 2011.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Sort: Part one of' ‘Daughter of smoke and bone.’

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky. In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grown dangerously low. And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war. Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that colour. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out. When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

                                                                         Rating: 

The only reason this is not a 5 stars book is the rough start. Around page 50 I was afraid this was one of those “hyped-book-everybody-loves-except-me” like Anna and the French kiss. This changed when I reached pages 124 and boy, I was so wrong! I was hooked by the mystery surrounding Karou’s true identity and all the secrets. This book was rich and detailed.

Debut-a-Thon.

Debut A Thon is hosted by Amber @ Books of Amber. 

My Goal: I'm just going to keep it low, so at least 2 books. You can find my sign up post over here: Read-a-thon page, where I show you some titles I might be reading this read-a-thon. 

Updates:
Thursday
Books Read: I've already started in Megan Shephard - The madman's daughter, but I've only read a couple of pages so I'm going to include it.
Thoughts: It's good!
# of books read: 0, I'm now on page 78.

Friday
Books Read: Finished Megan Shephard - The madman's daughter, Started Jane Nickerson - Strands of bronze and gold. 
Thoughts: The madman's daughter was good!
# of books read: 1.

Saturday
Books Read: I'm now reading Jane Nickerson - Strands of bronze and gold.
Thoughts: I like it so far!
# of books read: 1.

Sunday
Books Read: Finished Jane Nickerson - Strands of bronze and gold.
Thoughts: It was good!
# of books read: 2

Review 169. Amy Tintera – Reboot.

Title: Reboot.
Author: Amy Tintera.
Pages: 365.
Published: May 7th 2013.
Publisher: HarperTeen.
Sort: Part one of ‘Reboot’
Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation). Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum. The perfect soldier is done taking orders.

Rating: 

I didn’t requested this book when I emailed Sarah from HarperCollins, but she was kind enough to provide a review copy from Reboot with the other books. And I’m happy she did, because it was exactly what I was looking for. A virus, action, kick ass characters and some romance: that’s how I like it!

It has been a great year when it comes to Dystopian books, so far. I’ve had some disappointing books (Mila  2.0 and Fragments) but Reboot can claim a spot among What’s left of me, Partials and Legend.

Showcase Sunday 32. HarperCollins.

I'm back! I still have some things to do, but I have more than enough time to come back to blogging and commenting :) My normal amount of reviews will be up from this Monday, but I want to end this week with a great haul - if I may say so myself.

Hosted by: Books, biscuits and tea.

Clicking on the covers will take you to Goodreads:

Feature & Follow 22.

I haven't done a FF post in a while and this seems the best opportunity for you guys to subscribe through RSS (which directs to Feedly) or Bloglovin'. I don't trust GFC anymore and like I said earlier, I'm thinking about deleting it completely. So if you want to keep following my blog, I would love it if you subscribe on the other platforms.

Hosted by: Allison can read.

Q: Activity: Favorite Literary Quote.

This is hard to pick. Being a booklover also means "having a lot of favorite quotes" to me. I will show you three random quotes from two books I love dearly: (I'm going to resist quoting Harry Potter)

Jodi Lynn Anderson - Tiger Lily.

“Sometimes I think that maybe we are just stories. Like we may as well just be words on a page, because we're only what we've done and what we are going to do.” 

" I like to think that nothing's final, and that everyone gets to be together even when it looks like they don't, that it all works out even when all the evidence seems to say something else, that you and I are always young in the woods, and that I'll see you sometime again, even if it's not with any kind of eyes I know of or understand. I wouldn't be surprised if that is the way things go after all - that all things end happy."

Markus Zusak - The book thief.

“I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn't already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race-that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant.” 

Review 168. E.D Baker – The wide-awake princess.

Title: The wide-awake princess.
Author: E.D Baker.
Pages: 216.
Published: May 11th 2010.
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's.
Sort: Part one of ‘Wide-awake princess’

In this new stand-alone fairy tale, Princess Annie is the younger sister to Gwen, the princess destined to be Sleeping Beauty. When Gwennie pricks her finger and the whole castle falls asleep, only Annie is awake, and only Annie—blessed (or cursed?) with being impervious to magic—can venture out beyond the rose-covered hedge for help. She must find Gwen's true love to kiss her awake. But who is her true love? The irritating Digby? The happy-go-lucky Prince Andreas, who is holding a contest to find his bride? The conniving Clarence, whose sinister motives couldn't possibly spell true love? Joined by one of her father's guards, Liam, who happened to be out of the castle when the sleeping spell struck, Annie travels through a fairy tale land populated with characters both familiar and new as she tries to fix her sister and her family.. and perhaps even find a true love of her own.

Rating:

If I need to describe this book in one word it would be: CUTE. This book is adorable! With a fun twist to the original Sleeping beauty story, Baker creates a fun story about friendship and finding yourself.

Review 167. Liz Coley – Pretty girl thirteen.

Title: Pretty girl thirteen.
Author: Liz Coley.
Pages: 344.
Published: February 28th 2013.
Publisher: Harper.
Sort: Stand-alone.
Source: Won in a giveaway.

Angie Chapman is only 13 when she gets lost in the woods in the middle of the night. The next thing she knows she’s returned home, scars around her wrists and ankles, physically exhausted. Her parents collapse into tears when they see her, but Angie doesn’t understand – until they tell her she has been missing, presumed dead, for three years. Angie doesn’t remember anything from her missing years. But there are people who do – people who could tell Angie every terrifying detail, if only they weren’t locked inside her mind. With help, Angie begins to unravel the darkest secrets of her own past. But does she really want to know the truth?

Rating:

Dark, gripping and gritty, those are the three words that pop in my head when I think about this book. Despite that, there is always a certain touch of hope. I never felt depressed or overwhelmed by this tough subject. The easy writing-style and Angie made this a very enjoyable, good book. I finished this book a couple of days ago, but I still think about it. It definitely had an impact on me and I see myself re-reading this book in a few years.

Fairytale News | Review Kobo Glo.

'Mel on reading' is a little feature I created as part of my Fairytale news. It's my way to show my thoughts on topics that go from pet peeves in reading to my favorite things in books.

Hello there guys! First: sad but true, my hiatus is going to take a little longer. One week and I'm completely done with most of my homework. Next week is busier than I expected it to be, so I'm going to take all the time I need to complete everything before I can enjoy my vacation. I hope to do a huge showcase next week, with a package from HarperCollins and some books I won in giveaways.

Second: you may have seen the birthday haul I posted a while ago, where I got a new e-reader from my amazing parents. The Kobo Glo. I love this device! This thing is nothing compared to my old e-reader (Archos 70B). This is the first time I’m reviewing something else than books, so bear with me!

Review 166. Nancy Holder – The rose bride.

Title: The rose bride.
Author: Nancy Holder.
Pages: 256.
Published: January 4th 2011 by Simon Pulse
Sort: Part of the ‘Once upon a time’ series.

When Rose's mother dies, her only comfort is the exquisite rose garden her mother left behind. The purple blossoms serve as an assurance of her mother's love. But Rose is dealt a second blow when her father dies and his greedy widow, Ombrine, and her daughter, Desirée, move in and take over the manor in true Cinderella fashion. Fate has been cruel to Ombrine and Desirée, too. So despite their harsh ways, Rose has compassion. But these feelings are bitterly tested when, in a rage, Ombrine tears out the garden. Rose nearly gives up all hope -- until a chance meeting with the king. Happiness might be within her reach, but first she must prevail over Ombrine. And then she must determine if she has the courage to love.

Rating: 

I’m almost done with this series. I believe I need to read 2 more stories and then I’ve finished all the Once upon a time books. Are you guys interested in a recap where I show the best and worst books? This one definitely belongs to the last category. The writing-style wasn't that bad, but the story felt too stretched.

Review 165. Julie Kagawa – The eternity cure.

Title: The eternity cure.
Author: Julie Kagawa.
Pages: 446.
Published: April 30th 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen.
Sort: Part two of ‘Blood of Eden.’
Review part 1: The immortal rules.
Source: Netgalley & Publisher.

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally. Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

Rating:

Finally! I was so happy when the publisher accepted my request on Netgalley. I’ve been dying to read this book after my love for The immortal rules – and this book definitely didn’t disappoint me. If there is one author who knows how to write an engaging story, it’s Kagawa.

Fairytale news | Jealousy and hauls.

'Mel on reading' is a little feature I created as part of my Fairytale news. It's my way to show my thoughts on topics that go from pet peeves in reading to my favorite things in books.

A tiny forced hiatus.

Hello guys!

I just want to let you know that I'm currently studying for my exams and I need to write some important reports. I want to use all the time I have to complete my last period of this year with good grades. I will post some reviews I've scheduled, but I won't reply to many comments and I won't be able to visit many blogs. I will be back on June 14th and then I will catch up with all the reviews/dicussions etc I missed. I hope to comment between my study time, but now you know why I'm not completely active in the blogsphere.

Keep reading and have a great week! I talk to you soon :)

Review 164. Cameron Dokey – The storyteller’s daughter.

Title: The storyteller’s daughter.
Author: Cameron Dokey.
Pages: 240.
Published: March 6th 2007 by Simon Pulse
Sort: Part of the ‘Once upon a time’ series.

In a faraway kingdom, a king has been betrayed. Deeply hurt and bitterly angry, he vows never to be deceived again. Unfortunately, the king's plan to protect himself will endanger all of the realm's young women, unless one of them will volunteer to marry the king -- and surrender her life. To everyone's relief and horror, one young woman steps forward. The daughter of a legendary storyteller, Shahrazad believes it is her destiny to accept this risk and sacrifice herself. On the night of her wedding to the king, Shahrazad begins to weave a tale. Fascinated, the king lets her live night after night. Just when Shahrazad dares to believe that she has found a way to keep her life -- and an unexpected love -- a treacherous plot will disrupt her plan. Now she can only hope that love is strong enough to save her.

Rating:

From all the books in this series, I enjoyed the ones from Cameron Dokey the most. Her writing-style manages to capture the essence of a fairytale: a magical feeling with great characters, romance, some action and a happily-ever-after.

What I appreciated was the fact that there are stories in this story. Shahrazad is a storyteller and to save the king from his cold heart, she tells a story. After a painful betrayal, the King planned to marry a maiden once a month for only one night. He was planning to have Sharazad killed after their night, but he is captured by the story and night after night, she waves a tale. That is until a treacherous plot tries to ruin Shahrazad plan. Is she able to sees the King’s heart before it is too late and will he see hers?

One thing that bothered me were the difficult, similar names. We have Shahrazad, but also Shahrayar and his brother Sharazam. I think Dokey tried to capture the Arabian feeling, but I had a hard time to get to know them. I had to re-read sentences now and then to truly understand who was talking. Besides that, I really liked Shahrazad and Shahrayar. The king’s plan is ridiculous, but I can understand that his heart was shattered. It’s great that blind Shahrazad looks at him with other eyes and their romance has time to develop. It’s always nice when there is no insta-love, but an insta-connection which deepens when nights pass.

If you are looking for a quick and fun fairytale, this is the one you want to pick up.

Review 163. Bridget Zinn – Poison.

Title: Poison.
Author: Bridget Zinn.
Pages: 288.
Published: March 12th 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Sort: Stand-alone.

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend. But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart.. misses. Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her? Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

Rating:

Guys, this book was awesome! It’s cute, it’s fun and the writing-style reads so fast. The different twists and turns made it exciting and I love all the characters in this book. This book is one that makes you feel good after you finish it. I do think this one comes close to being a MG, but that never bothered me.

Armchair BEA: Keeping it fresh + Children & YA time.

Photo Credit: Nina of Nina Reads

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