My first Spotlight.

Do you want to find out more about me and my blog? Just head over to The Authoress, because I'm her Saturday Spotlight this week! *click here*

Review 111. Kat Zhang – What’s left of me.

Title: What’s left of me.
Author: Kat Zhang.
Pages: 343.
Published: September 18th 2012 (first published September 1st 2012)
Publisher: HarperCollins.
Sort: Part one of ‘The hybrid chronicles’
Source: I got a review copy from HarperCollins International.

I should not exist. But I do. Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t… For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet.. for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

Rating:

”Maybe that’s why things turned out the way they did. I wanted life too badly. I refused to let go. I didn’t complete fade away.”

Everyone has two souls when they are born, but around the age of five, you are supposed to be settled. The dominant soul will live and the recessive one will slowly fade away into nothing. When that doesn’t happen, you become a Hybrid and you will be taken away to an institute. Hybrids are dangerous and the government must take care of them.

Eva and Addie never settled, but the doctors pronounced them healthy after years of therapy and medicine. Eva always clung to Addie and is now only a shadow; she can’t shift into their body, but she can talk and feel. When they become friends with Hally and Devon, their life is about to change. They are Hybrids as well. Hally/Lissa and Devon/Ryan want to help Eva to break free, but they are caught and shipped away to an institute.

When Addie/Eva slowly find out what is going on, their world is falling apart. Everything they are told is a lie and they must do everything to escape with her two friends before it is too late.

I loved this book! I could connect with Eva and I felt incredibly sorry for her. It must be so hard to be locked up in someone’s mind. Everybody around you slowly forget you ever existed and you are supposed to be gone. At the same time, it wasn’t easy for Addie either. She is in constant danger of getting caught, but she’s still trying to help Eva. I appreciated that a lot, despite her egoistic moments. Their struggle and bond is fantastic portrayed. They depend on each other, but they still have their fights and silent treatments. I can't really describe how Zhang did it, but she managed to create two different characters with an own voice in one body. It’s nice that all the secondary characters are also well-written and developed. Ryan/Devon is a wonderful guy and I really liked this love interest. (There is no instant-love. Finally!)

The fast-paced, pleasant writing-style and interesting plot made this book a great read. The world-building is good, but I need more answers about the other Hybrid countries and why they are so dangerous; that’s why this book got 4.5 stars. I’m pretty sure we will find out in the next book.

Conclusion: Unique concept, great execution and I can’t wait to read the sequel.

Throne of Glass 2!

 Title reveal.

I was just looking on Goodreads and look what I found! Throne of Glass 2 has a title!

Crown of midnight.

I can't wait to see the cover, but I hope it's going to match this version.

Author: Sarah J. Maas.

Pages: 336.

Expected publication: August 27th 2013.
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens. 

ISBN13: 9781619630628.
Blurb:

Eighteen-year-old Celeana Sardothien is bold, daring and beautiful – the perfect seductress and the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But though she won the King’s contest and became his champion, Celeana has been granted neither her liberty nor the freedom to follow her heart. The slavery of the suffocating salt mines of Endovier that scarred her past is nothing compared to a life bound to her darkest enemy, a king whose rule is so dark and evil it is near impossible to defy. Celeana faces a choice that is tearing her heart to pieces: kill in cold blood for a man she hates, or risk sentencing those she loves to death. Celeana must decide what she will fight for: survival, love or the future of a kingdom. Because an assassin cannot have it all.. And trying to may just destroy her.

What do you think of the title and the blurb?

Review 110 D.L Bogdan – The forgotten queen.

Title: The forgotten queen.
Author: D.L Bogdan.
Pages: 384. 
Expected publication: January 29th 2013.
Publisher: Kensington.
Sort: Stand-alone.
Source: Netgalley & Publisher.

From her earliest days, Margaret Tudor knows she will not have the luxury of choosing a husband. Her duty is to gain alliances for England. Barely out of girlhood, Margaret is married by proxy to James IV and travels to Edinburgh to become Queen of Scotland.
Despite her doubts, Margaret falls under the spell of her adopted home. But while Jamie is an affectionate husband, he is not a faithful one. And nothing can guarantee Margaret’s safety when Jamie leads an army against her own brother, Henry VIII. In the wake of loss she falls prey to an ambitious earl and brings Scotland to the brink of anarchy. Beset by betrayal and secret alliances, Margaret has one aim—to preserve the crown of Scotland for her son, no matter what the cost.

Rating: 

This story shows us the life of Margaret Tudor, daughter of King Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth of York. She is the sister of Prince Arthur of Wales, Henry VIII and Mary. The story starts when she is a little girl of 10 years. She is an intelligent, perky girl and she knows that she is destined to become queen. Her father chooses King James IV (also Jamie) from Scotland. They show a lot of affection for each other and he is a kind husband.

When Margaret’s father dies, Henry VIII becomes King and he marries Catherine of Aragon, wife from the last king, Arthur. We all know how his story continues, but he plays a big role in Margaret’s life. Their countries are becoming enemies and Jamie dies in a battle in England. She is broken after his death, but her love for their son James V (heir) and Alexander keeps her alive. She is 23 now. Her life only becomes more complicated. She remarries two times. Both marriages start happy, but they don’t end that well. Her first husband is even a treat to her son James V. It is a hard battle to get him on his rightful throne, but she succeeds and when he marries to a good French woman, she can finally rest from the hard life at Court.

I loved Margaret’s voice in the beginning. She is a funny girl and she knows exactly what she wants. Woman were used as strategic pieces, but she is ready for it and her first marriage isn’t that bad. Jamie was a good person despite his strange flaws. After her marriage to Angus, the story starts to drag a little bit and it’s sometimes hard to follow how much times passes. We used to get an indication about her age, but that is lost in the battle for her children. There is also a change in her voice. She is egoistic and a bit childish. I can understand that her son James V loses his temper around her. Despite that, I really liked this book. It was interesting to read more about her. I knew that they changed the storyline in the television show The Tudors, so it was nice to see a more realistic approach. Fascinating story of a woman with a lot of tragic losses and wrong choices in life.

Excerpt.

“Things would be different had Eva not led Adam into sin,” he explained, bowing his head to conceal his flushing face.
”So Adam did not have a mind of his own?” I cried. “If he was witless enough of yield to Eve’s temptation then it is his stupidity that warrants the curse!”
”Madam, you tread on blasphemy!”
”Oh, you don’t want to hear it,” I lamented. “You are on his side.”

-Quote from e-ARC. Conversation between the Archbishop and 10-year-old Margaret about her periods.

Review 109. Larbalestier & Brennan – Team Human.

Title: Team Human.
Author: Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan.
Pages: 352.
Published: July 3rd 2012 (first published July 1st 2012)
Publisher: HarperTeen.
Sort: Stand-alone.

Just because Mel lives in New Whitby, a city founded by vampires, doesn't mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. They stay in their part of town; she says in hers. Until the day a vampire shows up at her high school. Worse yet, her best friend, Cathy, seems to be falling in love with him. It's up to Mel to save Cathy from a mistake she might regret for all eternity! On top of trying to help Cathy (whether she wants it or not), Mel is investigating a mysterious disappearance for another friend and discovering the attractions of a certain vampire wannabe. Combine all this with a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and touching.

Rating:

“I don't think he likes girls", I said. "Or boys. Look at the horror on his face. He doesn't look like a people person.”


My first book in 2013 is a fact. I’ve won this book a while ago and it's nice that the main character’s name is 'Mel’ I liked this girl! She is smart, she is doing well in school, she is loyal to her friends and she has a fantastic sense of humor. It was so much fun to read this book told from her POV. I could connect with her and she made me laugh out loud a couple of times.  

January releases.

I hope you had a wonderful and safe start of the new year! Here are some of the January releases I'm looking forward to;

 
January 29th.                  Today!             January 15th.

January 2nd.                   January 22nd.                January 8th.

January 8th.                    Today!                            January 8th.

January 29th.                  January 22nd.                 January 31st.

What are your anticipated titles?

PS: I heard some rumors that the third book from Divergent is going to be called 'Convergent'! I can't wait to see the real title and cover reveal.