Thursday, July 28, 2011

Book Review : Starcrossed

Publisher: HarperTeen
Date Released: May 31, 2011
Pages: 496
Source: NetGalley


How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Summary Taken from Goodreads
Yani's Review:
Based on Greek mythology -which can I just say feels like the new "in" thing now- this is a Romeo and Juliette esque type story really captured my attention. I started it one morning and didn't put it down till I was done with it later that night. I felt a strong connection to awkward, yet beautiful Helen and her best friend. And I was really intrigued by Helen's dreams and the family feud. I think of all the Greek mythology stories, this one is the most original (or at least I am more unaware about The furies and their mythology).

 Some compare this book to Twilight. Like Twilight, there is a strong family connection and I can definitely see where people are getting the comparisons. But for some reason the similarities didn't bother me. Unlike in Die for Me, I really enjoyed this story, despite its Twilight comparisons. I loved the family and the lore. This book to me was the total package.

I enjoyed how the romance built as well. It was insta-hate, before it turned to love, which was refreshing. Though I promised myself I would no longer let insta-love affect a book's opinion (for more of that see here question 4), it still was a nice change from the usual
My Review in a Tweet: 
a Greek mythology like no other, you will devour this tale of Star-Crossed lovers! I look forward to learning more of the lore.

Ratings:
Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5


Similar Titles:
Abandon - based on Greek mythology
Falling Under - a darker story based on Greek mythology
Goddess Test - based on Greek mythology
Half-Blood - based on Greek mythology
Twilight - sorry I can't help but compare

Other Reviews:
Buy the book here!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday #20 {All These Things I've Done}



WOW is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine.
From Goodreads:
In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight—at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.
Why Yani is Waiting on It: 
Dystopian/Mafia-esque/Romeo and Juliet type thing going on here and it sounds really intereting! Plus I have read Garbielle's other work and have really liked it. READ Elsewhere! I really enjoyed that one and thought it was so different.

Can't wait for this book coming out: September 6, 2011

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Book Review: Shatter Me

Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date:  November 15, 2011
Pages: 352
Source: ARC -  Thanks HarperTeen!

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

Summary Taken from Goodreads
Yani's Review:
I am in awe of this book. I was told and told again how great and amazing it was, but I did not expect how beautiful the writing would be or how much I would fall in love with this story! For a story about a girl who can't be touched it's unexpectedly hot .... and so beautiful and full if emotion it's hard not to burst from it.

Let me start with the writing. Lyrical, is a great word to describe it. The imagery Tahereh created with her words, I have never read a blush of the cheeks describe more beautifully than in this book, and the many ways she comes up with to describe such a normal every day thing.  I feel like I could burst from the beauty of her words alone. And the style was amazing, using strikethroughs to emphasize some thoughts Juliette was having.

The plot was fantastic brilliant EXCEPTIONAL. This x-men meets dystopian novel was fast paced, yet still created a complete picture of the dying world that Juliette and Adam live in. I can't wait to learn more about the world and how it came to be in the next book.

And can I say WOW to all the sexy time scenes. First off the shower scenes are some of the sweetest, most romantic and steamy (literally) scenes I have ever read! Adam is definitely a 10 out of 10 in the swoon worthy department. Loyal, passionate, caring, sweet... how could you not fall for him?!?!

I highly recommend this book to dystopian lovers and even those that don't, I think you will enjoy it ;)
My Review in a Tweet:  
This X-men meets dystopian novel has become one of my favorite books. With such open, honest, and heart-achingly beautiful writing and an amazing storyline, you will fall in love with Shatter Me! Another amazing novel of 2011.


Ratings:
Plot: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Characters: 5/5

Memorable Quotes:
I want to put this fist attached to my wrist right through the window.

Just to feel something.
Just to feel human.

Similar Titles:
Some other dystopians...
Delirium: The Special EditionPossessionDivergent (Divergent Trilogy)The Hunger GamesMatched

Other Reviews:
I tried to find a review of someone who didn't like it, to get two perspectives, but so far there aren't any!

Buy the book here!
**commissions earned from sales are minimal and go towards giveaways!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Monday's Bite! Ch. 16-20 Answers




Post your link to the questions from last week at The Reading Housewives Blog!







  1. {SERIOUS question} If you where in Carlisle position, do you think you would have been able to fight off your vampiric urges? Would you ever bring someone into that life, as he did with Edward and Esme?
    As bad as this sounds, I have very little willpower so I have always admired this part of the story and the fact that Carlisle is such a good guy. My mind can't even comprehend the thought of living forever so I can totally see where he would want to bring others to join him. This question definitely asks to put belief behind these lores, and if I whole-heartedly believed that vampires did exist I am not sure I would want to be one. As awesome as living forever sounds, I am of the belief that life has no meaning without death... but in this case their love gives their life meaning? I guess... LOL told you it was serious question!

  2. {FUN question} We are introduced to Edward's playful side in these chapters, before he gets all manic about the new vampires, I think we have a better picture of who he is. If you had to describe him in 5 words, what would they be? Good and Bad qualities, whatever you like!
    old-fashioned, protective, stubborn, martyr, happy (around Bella)


  3. {LONG question} While re-reading I have been taking notes: observations that I have come across re-reading and comparisons to the movie. One of my notes deals with page 383, in which Edward screams at Alice there is no other option. The first time around I didn't get that he meant the future that Alice saw for Bella as a vampire (because we obviously hadn't gotten to that part), but now that I know the whole story I see that is what he meant... Has this happened to you? Do you have any examples of things that are clearer now or things that you have realized while re-reading?
    Obviously, since I wrote the question, my answer is there on page 383, but it's funny what reading Midnight Sun did to open my eyes to many of Edwards motives in Twilight.

  4. {PERSONAL question} We haven't talked about this yet, but I think the idea of your human gifts amplifying in your vampire life is interesting (Jasper's control of emotions, Edward's mind reading), what do you think your gifts would be?
    This sounds really dull, but I think it would be my logical skills -accounting nerd- since I have always been able to deduce things through logical reasoning. So I guess if it was amplified I would be like ones of those weird brain solver people.

  5. {SURVEY question} We are coming to the end of the book, what has been your opinion on this re-read? First, when was the last time you read it? Second, do you feel you like it more, the same, or less this time around?
    I have loved this re-read so much more than I thought I would, not just reading the book but being able to discuss it with others without getting a "you must be a bandwagon jumper," or "Twilight sucks!" I have really enjoyed reading all your answers and comments! :)

    And I though I still love Twilight and the series, I think I can see it better now as a really good book, and not the BEST BOOK IN THE WORLD(that my fangirl self used to say)

 And on the topic of vampires I found this and loved it! 
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