Perfect Ruin

Ok, Perfect Ruin (The Internment Chronicles #1) by Lauren DeStephano is the opener to a new series that you will want to pick up...like yesterday!  How to explain this one...it's seriously a dash of Matched, a little Across the Universe and a hint of Castle in the Sky all rolled up into one!  DeStephano is a master at storytelling and weaves and exciting and addictive plot that will captivate and intrigue you until the very end. 

Summary courtesy of Goodreads:

On Internment, the floating island in the clouds where 16-year-old Morgan Stockhour lives, getting too close to the edge can lead to madness. Even though Morgan's older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. She tries her best not to mind that her life is orderly and boring, and if she ever wonders about the ground, and why it is forbidden, she takes solace in best friend Pen and her betrothed, Basil. 

Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially when she meets Judas. He is the boy being blamed for the murder — betrothed to the victim — but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find — or who she will lose.

For lovers of YA Dystopian (like me) this is definitely one to add to your collection.  Perfect Ruin really has all of the necessary elements for a great series.  Restrictive government, check.  Thoughtful and curious protagonist, check.  Dashing love interest who would go to the ends of the world for said protagonist, check.  A loyal sidekick, check.  Snarky, bantering with potential bad-boy that has you breaking all the rules, CHECK!  A plot twist that pushes protagonist into action?  CHECK! 

Okay, let's break it down and look at the setting, the characters and the plot/pacing.  First off, the setting is incredible.  I mean, imagine living your whole life on a floating island.  Think Hawaii but in the air, with a King who is hiding societal secrets.  Seriously, that's pretty incredible right there!  So much can happen and does happen on this little floating island.    No one can leave and no one can come to Internment.  Births are regulated and the elderly live out their lives and then give their lives as offerings once they hit a certain age to make way for new births.  Crazy right?! Wowza!  

So next, let's look at few these characters.  We have our protagonist, Morgan, the patrolman's daughter.  Sheltered from more than she should being that her father is a patrolman and works for the king and her brother Lex was a jumper.  Typical law abiding, rule following teen who strives to do right by her family and society.  Next we have Pen, Morgan's best friend and sidekick (although Morgan feels more like Pen's sidekick sometimes).  Pen excels at academics and watches out and protects Morgan.  She can be sassy at times, but Pen and Morgan really help balance each other out.  Then we have the adorable and wonderful Basil, Morgan's betrothed.   I seriously love him and his altruistic ways.  Basil, is that guy who would take a bullet for the ones he loves, who accepts Morgan, flaws and all...think Darcy from Bridget Jones's Diary.  Swoon!  And finally we have Judas...Judas, Judas, Judas.  I really hope he comes to life more in the next books.  He is that mysterious lurks in dark corners, you feel like he's watching you kind of guy.  He has a very hard exterior shell and rarely lets anyone in.  He clearly comes with baggage, but there is something about him... Love these teens, who are about to embark on this amazing adventure! 

The plot was amazingly written and so packed that reading Perfect Ruin was a breeze.  DeStephano certainly excels at detail and no detail is spared.  Everything is so eloquently written that readers can feel the cool night breezes, and the dust on the streets.  Seriously, this book has all the makings for a wonderful series ahead.  I could not put this book down.  There were some questions that never really were answered that I'm hoping DeStephano will address in the future novels, but overall, her writing style kept me engaged through the entire read.  What a whirlwind of action, adventure and discovery!  Add this one to your TBR piles and enjoy!  

Thirsting For Thursday: THE ONE by Kiera Cass

Okay, so did you guys catch the latest cover reveal this morning?  In case you missed it check out MTV Hollywood Crush's reveal of Kiera Cass' finale in her beloved series, The One (The Selection #3)!  Can we just all take a moment of silence and bask in the wonderfulness that is this cover?  Wow...wow...speechless!  Well more like breathless.  I want that dress...like NOW!  Is that America's WEDDING dress?!  I do personally love how her name is America and her cover dresses have now been all: red, white and blue.  But really, let's be honest I NEED that book more than I could ever want that dress!  This has been such a wonderful series and I, for one am eagerly awaiting this little beauty to adorn my shelf!  

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

Also exciting things to come in Feburary to help tide us over until the May 2014 release of The One is The Selection Stories: The Prince and the Guard that will be available February 4th, 2014! Another absolutely stunning cover!  So what are you waiting for?  Add these to your TBR shelf today!
 

InHuman

Wowza!  If you’re looking for an tale of courage, adventure, a dystopian era of mutation and manimals and a hit of attraction and love, then pick up InHuman (Fetch #1) by Kat Falls today!   Falls weaves together a horrifically beautiful story of bravery and love that will keep readers guessing until the very end.  You will not want to put this down and when you turn that last page, you will thirst for more!

Summary courtesy of Goodreads:

In a world ravaged by mutation, a teenage girl must travel into the forbidden Savage Zone to recover lost artifacts or her father’s life is forfeit.

America has been ravaged by a war that has left the eastern half of the country riddled with mutation. Many of the people there exhibit varying degrees of animal traits. Even the plantlife has gone feral.

Crossing from west to east is supposed to be forbidden, but sometimes it’s necessary. Some enter the Savage Zone to provide humanitarian relief. Sixteen-year-old Lane’s father goes there to retrieve lost artifacts—he is a Fetch. It’s a dangerous life, but rewarding—until he’s caught.

Desperate to save her father, Lane agrees to complete his latest job. That means leaving behind her life of comfort and risking life and limb—and her very DNA—in the Savage Zone. But she’s not alone. In order to complete her objective, Lane strikes a deal with handsome, roguish Rafe. In exchange for his help as a guide, Lane is supposed to sneak him back west. But though Rafe doesn’t exhibit any signs of “manimal” mutation, he’s hardly civilized . . . and he may not be trustworthy

Who wouldn’t want to read about an ordinary girl who breaks boundaries and expectations as she falls into a world that seemed only scary bedtime stories but ended up being more real than she would ever guess?  Falls builds amazing characters who each have their own story of perseverance, heart and survival.  I personally loved Lane’s story!  She is a girl like any of us, having her friends, going to parties and wrapped up in what others think of her or how she might appear (addicted to hand sanitizer).  Then her life shifts and instead of cowering or crying, she takes action and really steps up to stand up for herself and her beliefs.  This is an excellent coming of age story where our heroine really takes life by the horns and demands notice.  Even the secondary characters add unexpected depth to the already rich landscape. 

Falls also excels at building a rather believable and heart wrenching love triangle.  I know, I know, ANOTHER love triangle?!   It’s been done time and time again, but really, I fell for the two boys.  I mean what girl doesn’t love a choice?  Both Rafe (selfish and rugged) and Everson (upstanding, book smart soldier) are incredible young men…incredible but total polar opposites!  The relationship between Rafe and Lane starts off rocky and I honestly really enjoyed the witty banter back and forth, I mean who loves a guy who just falls into your lap.  There is definitely something to be said for the boy who has a rough exterior that takes a while to break into…but let me tell you, once you break that tough outer shell, you are rewarded with discoveries of the past and a love that goes beyond attraction…a love that has been in the making for years.  You can start swooning now!

The pace of this novel is fast, which makes this a quick read.  Perfect for a commute or a beach day or a weekend away.  Add this to your to read list today and hang on tight through this thrilling ride!  This might be the first Kat Falls book but I will definitely be reading more in the future! 

Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop

This hop features 

Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop
Hosted by
BOOKHOUNDS & I AM A READER, NOT A WRITER

Participating blogs featuring books that have been banned or challenged.  

The hop runs from September 22nd - September 28th. 

I want to take a moment just to step away from the giveaway (which is fun) but mention that this is in honor of all those books that have been banned for one reason or another because of controversial content over time. The week of September 22nd to September 28th is Banned Book Week and we should all celebrate the right to Read On! You can find more information here or see a list of past banned books here. 

MY GIVEAWAY IS...

[Hardcover] Harry Potter Schoolbooks: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

a Rafflecopter giveaway <!-- end LinkyTools script –> <!

Shadows

We all know about that typical fallen angel story, but one is seldom told in way that tugs at your heart and gets your adrenaline going like Paula Weston's Shadows (The Rephaim #1).  Weston does an amazing job world building the many levels of angels, demons, mortals and everyone in between!  Shadows is a story of discovery that will leave you breathless and wanting more.

Summary courtesy of Goodreads:

It’s almost a year since Gaby Winters was in the car crash that killed her twin brother, Jude. Her body has healed in the sunshine of Pandanus Beach, but her grief is raw and constant. It doesn’t help that every night in her dreams she kills demons and other hell-spawn. 

And then Rafa comes to town. Not only does he look exactly like the guy who’s been appearing in Gaby’s dreams—he claims a history with her brother that makes no sense. Gaby is forced to accept that what she thought she knew about herself and her life is only a shadow of the truth—and that the truth is more likely to be found in the shadows of her nightmares. 

Who is Rafa? Who are the Rephaim? And most importantly, who can she trust?

Who can she trust is right!  Poor Gaby!  My heart goes out to her and seriously, this novel kept my breath held waiting for Gaby to come into her own power and strength.  The characters sprinkled throughout were increasingly vivid and Weston did a brilliant job hiding enough of the details to keep the reader intrigued and revealed elements at precisely the right moments.

The pace of Shadows worked and as I have said earlier, it really is Weston's world building that I felt was the best done element.  The various locations are just so beautifully written that I can see and feel the various settings.  When you dive into the world that Weston builds you can taste the sawdust in the cage in one moment and the next you're tasting the salty air of Pandanus Beach.  

One thing, however cannot be overlooked....this book has some intense and building FEELS ahead!  The way Weston writes the relationships between the characters and building sexual tensions are really quite masterful!  Can I just say that Rafa makes me SWOON in a major way and when you include the added tension of Daniel...Oh MY!  Some of the scenes I could seriously read a time or two again...

Overall, I'd say that if you're looking for a quick read or another series to get into Shadows is your go to!  It has action, romance, paranormal and a mystery to work your way into!  Weston creates and amazing story that I, for one, cannot wait to continue on with Haze! 

Waiting on Wednesday: Death Sworn

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

So clearly I'm on a fantasy/magic wave here, but I absolutely cannot wait for Leah Cypress' newest YA Fantasy, Death Sworn (Deathsworn #1) to make it's way to my shelf!  EVERYTHING about this read looks delicious!  The cover art alone is seriously to die for!  Dark and secretive and magical...eeee!  This book looks like it has it all: strong female protagonist, assassins, magic, love, secrets and discoveries!!!   Seriously, who wouldn't want to lose themselves in this read?!  I know what I'll be reading come March 2014!  Good things come to those who wait with Death Sworn!  Mark your calendars and add to your TBR shelf today! 

Summary courtesy of Goodreads:

When Ileni lost her magic, she lost everything: her place in society, her purpose in life, and the man she had expected to spend her life with. So when the Elders sent her to be magic tutor to a secret sect of assassins, she went willingly, even though the last two tutors had died under mysterious circumstances.

But beneath the assassins’ caves, Ileni will discover a new place and a new purpose… and a new and dangerous love. She will struggle to keep her lost magic a secret while teaching it to her deadly students, and to find out what happened to the two tutors who preceded her. But what she discovers will change not only her future, but the future of her people, the assassins… and possibly the entire world.

Relativity

What if life was a choose your own adventure story?  For Ruby Wright, a wormhole found in an Ohio cornfield (of all places), gives her access to variations of her life, but is the grass really greener on the other side?  Relativity by Cristin Bishara explores the possibility of accessing parallel realities in a fun and engaging way that will keep you on your toes until the very end!

Summary courtesy of Goodreads:

If Ruby Wright could have her way, her dad would never have met and married her stepmother Willow, her best friend George would be more than a friend, and her mom would still be alive. Ruby knows wishes can't come true; some things just can't be undone. Then she discovers a tree in the middle of an Ohio cornfield with a wormhole to nine alternative realities.

Suddenly, Ruby can access completely different realities, each containing variations of her life—if things had gone differently at key moments. The windshield wiper missing her mother’s throat…her big brother surviving his ill-fated birth…her father never having met Willow. Her ideal world—one with everything and everyone she wants most—could be within reach. But is there such a thing as a perfect world? What is Ruby willing to give up to find out?

This is one of those endearing stories that really touches the core of all of us.  What if my mom was still alive?  What if my friendship with that boy went beyond just friendship?  What if…  Ruby definitely goes through her fair share of life’s twists and turns and feels slighted by life until she finds the potential to experience different realities but those alternate realities come with costs that not only affect her, but those around her.

This is a fresh spin and one of the few “parallel” type stories that I actually felt had a sense of realism behind it.  I say that because a lot of the novels today talk about time travel and parallel universes in a way that seems far-fetched but Bishara really develops and examines the math and science behind this possibility, which I personally really appreciated.

Relativity loosely reminded me of The Butterfly Affect, only in the way that we experienced alternate realities but none of them seemed absolutely perfect.  Just like life, there is, and always will be, something that we’d like to change…life isn’t perfect and you really have to examine what is important and appreciate what you have in the present.  Relativity is a fun, fast-paced, mind-bending look at life and appreciating those that surround you and the reality you live in.

The Burning Sky

Are you ready for a magical adventure of epic proportion?  If so, The Burning Sky (The Elemental Trilogy, #1) by Sherry Thomas is for you!  The Burning Sky is chalk full of daring excitement, ancient magic, hidden identities, vast landscapes, unrealized talent, and a resistant but inevitable destiny.  Thomas really brings readers an original, fast-paced and enthralling series that has HUGE potential!  Do not miss out on this spell-binding series debut! 

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death. 

Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to avenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal. 

But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life.

First off, let me start by saying that I took this book on a trip with me and I could not put it down!  From the moment I cracked open the book in the terminal waiting for my flight until that evening I was hooked!  Thomas really does an amazing job building the story from the ground up with a solid foundation, her elaborately vivid world building and truly fantastic character development!  I absolutely fell in love with our heroine, Iloanthe.  She is everything a protagonist should be!  She is brave, she is volatile, she has purpose, she definitely has something to lose (skin in the game) and has the ability to affect change.  Of course, she is not without flaw, but Iloanthe embraces every curveballs thrown her way with an admirable grace and flexibility.  Prince Titus is also worthy of notice and transforms before your eyes in this novel from a rather pompous, entitled and spoiled princeling to a rather admirable and brave champion.  Can we also mention the FEELS?!  Titus and Iloanthe have some seriously swoon worthy moments that bring on the FEELS! The tension and relationship between the two flex and bends to create a perfect climate for intense waves of FEELS!

I cannot say enough good things about this book.  You all really need to go out and add this to your readers, shelves and TBR lists!  Soooo good/amazing/wonderful/(pick your adjective)!  You will NOT be disappointed.  Brace yourself for intense action, some emotional FEELS and an epic journey! 

Lessons Learned from Slumber...

Today we will explore the Lessons Learned about Fae from reading Slumber by Tamara Blake:

1. They love to PARTY!  Okay, so these beings live for what feels like forever, so really if your life had no end how better to pass time than throw one massive party after another!  Par-Tay with the Fae!

2. They are MESSY!  Yes, you heard me, after all that partying they apparently leave a huge disgusting mess that requires hiring housecleaners because after all that partying they are too tired ("I am le tired...") to clean up their messes.

3. They are sneaky/tricky little buggers.  Not only do they love to party it up but they also find it thrilling to trick humans (don't go toe to toe with them), because...

4. ...They have HUGE egos.  Yes, these tricky Fae not only think they are the "bomb dot com" but they also see themselves as the smartest, the most beautiful, the great...Think you can win?  Think again!

5. They make a MEAN cup of coffee!  ...take my word, just avoid any treats they may toss your way.  Stay clear of the cup o' joe! 

6. They can come in handy.  Not all is bad when it comes to these devious Fae.  Sometimes they can be handy, for instance if you need your car to start! A little magic can go a long way!

7. If you're in need of a makeover...turn to the FAE!  They have glamours that can make your skin flawless, your hair perfectly styled and your outfit to die for!  And really, who can't use a little magical airbrushing here and there?!  :-)

Read our full review and pick up your copy today to learn more about those devious Fae and find your own "lessons learned!"  

Still hesitating?  

Start reading now: http://www.scribd.com/doc/153240896/Slumber

Now for the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Today's giveaway is brought to you courtesy of Diversion Books!  BIG thanks to the team that helps make these things possible!

About the Author:

Kathleen Bolton is a professional writer and editor. Currently, she is a contracted writer to Working Partners, Ltd. Her projects include Confessions of a First Daughter, a YA series about the misadventures of the U.S. President’s teen-aged daughter, and Secrets of a First Daughter, both published by HarperCollins Teen, under the pen name Cassidy Calloway. Her current project, Slumber, under the pen name Tamara Blake, released July of 2013 and is a dark suspense fantasy novel for teens. She is the co-founder of Writer Unboxed, one of the foremost online communities for writers of fiction.

Kathleen lives with her husband and daughter in upstate New York.

Visit her AuthorTracker webpage at HarperCollins Publishing, or Goodreads for more.