by Kay | Jul 6, 2011 | Weekly Feature |
“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are being eagerly anticipated.
The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams
Some humans can see the fae. McKenzie Lewis can track them, reading the shadows they leave behind. But some shadows lead to danger. Others lead to lies.
A Houston college student trying to finish her degree, McKenzie has been working for the fae king for years, tracking vicious rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn’t her only secret. For just as long, she’s been in love with Kyol, the king’s sword-master—and relationships between humans and fae are forbidden.
But any hope for a normal life is shattered when she’s captured by Aren, the fierce and uncompromising rebel leader. He teaches her the forbidden fae language and tells her dark truths about the Court, all to persuade her to turn against the king. Time is running out, and as the fight starts to claim human lives, McKenzie has no choice but to decide once and for all whom to trust and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.
I absolutely love the sound of this one. First off, Ann Aguirre quote on the cover! That certainly puts it in my book. Then there’s the summary – which sounds one part action movie, two parts fantasy. Love. It. The Shadow Reader is also from a 2011 Debut novelist, so we should all show our support.
by Kay | Jul 4, 2011 | Weekly Feature |
In this weekly event hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books where we discuss what we’ve been reading this week (and, occasionally, what we haven’t).
Currently Reading:
- Bitten by Kelley Armstrong – Despite being a devoted fan of her YA work, it has taken me up til now to start on her adult fiction. Bitten is great, although I can definitely tell that Kelley has grown as a writer since she published this.
Finished this week:
- The Touch of Twilight by Vicki Pettersson – It’s official. Joanna Archer is my least favourite heroine – supplanting Faythe from the werecats series. Even though I enjoyed this book and love the verse, I absolutely loathe this woman. Still, it’s a series well worth reading!
Up next from the TBR pile:
- I think I will finally get around to finishing the Vampire Academy series this week… I only have two books left to read, so if I get cracking now I could have them all done by the time Bloodlines comes out.
by Kay | Jun 27, 2011 | Weekly Feature |
I had a stellar reading week! I don’t think I’ve ever read this many books in a single week. I think the lack of exams and the end of the television season gave me more free time than expected!
Currently Reading:
- The Hollow by Jessica Verday – I have had this on my shelf for ages now, but the Wicked Pretty Things scandal made me finally pick it up. I really want to like it because the author is awesome, but I am nervous that I won’t! We’ll see…
Finished this week:
- Night Life by Caitlin Kittredge – Fantastic UF! This had been sitting on my shelf for over a year, and boy am I glad that I finally got round to it. Check out my review here.
- Exile by Rebecca Lim – Really loved this book! Not quite as fierce as Mercy, but still wonderful and ethereal and just… guh. Read it in a single day.
- Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough – Is there a nice way to say mediocre?
- Pride by Rachel Vincent – I am so glad I pushed myself through the first two books in this series, because Pride was fierce. Really enjoyed it.
Up next from the TBR Pile:
- I have been thoroughly intimidated by the 800 page size of Game of Thrones, so I think I will wait for the weather to cool down before I start on that series. I kinda feel like revisiting some UF series I’ve neglected, and think I will start The Touch of Twilight by Vicki Pettersson next. I was less than impressed by the second novel in her Zodiac series, but maybe the third will be as great as the first was…
by Kay | Jun 22, 2011 | Weekly Feature |
“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are being eagerly anticipated.
The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills by Joanna Pearson
Goodreads – YA – July 1st 2011 by Arthur A. Levine Books
For anyone who’s ever survived a rite of passage or performed a mating dance at Prom…
The Japanese hold a Mogi ceremony for young women coming of age. Latina teenagers get quinceaneras. And Janice Wills of Melva, NC… has to compete in the Miss Livermush pageant.
Janice loves anthropology–the study of human cultures–and her observations help her identify useful rules in the chaotic world of high school. For instance: Dancing is an effective mating ritual–but only if you’re good at it; Hot Theatre Guys will never speak to Unremarkable Smart Girls like Janice and her best friend, Margo; and a Beautiful Rich Girl will always win Melva’s annual Miss Livermush pageant.
But when a Hot Theatre Guy named Jimmy Denton takes an interest in Janice, all her scientific certainties explode. For the first time, she has to be part of the culture that she’s always observed; and all the charts in the world can’t prove how tough–and how sweet–real participation and a real romance can be.
Funny, biting, and full of wisdom, this marks the debut of a writer to watch.
I am not generally a fan of Contemporary YA, but this book just sounds adorable! I love smart-girl protagonists – especially ones who use their brains to examine the craziness that is high school. And isn’t the cover just the cutest thing?
by Kay | Jun 20, 2011 | Weekly Feature |
So, I’m back! I got dreadfully ill just in time for my exams, and now that they’re over (and my illness has faded) I am back and swinging. I am super excited to start reading full-time (you know what I mean) and have already made my way through a few books.
Currently Reading:
- Night Life by Caitlin Kittredge – Really enjoying this one! I think I’m loving this book the way everyone else loved Unholy Ghosts (which, er, I couldn’t finish). The hero is such a bad catch and the heroine is stupidly violent, and yet… fabulousness ensues.
- Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson – I thouroughly enjoyed the first 50 pages of this book, but now I just want the Major shot through the head. Not sure I’ll be finishing this one.
Recently finished:
- Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch – I finished this before my exams and – unfortunately – it was unnecessary work. Wish I had enjoyed it, but I didn’t really… here’s my review.
- Brother/Sister by Sean Olin – This was excellent! I am not usually one for contemporary YA – let alone thrillers – but Brother/Sister made me a believer. Looking forward to writing this review!
Up next from the TBR Pile:
- I have SO much on my TBR pile, I don’t know where to start! I recently got the Game of Thrones box set and am really tempted to start in on it… but then there is the Hunger Games Trilogy (which OMG, why did I wait so long to start that series??) And then there is Bite Club by Rachel Caine, Jealousy by Lili St. Crow, Exile by Rebecca Lim… hmm, Exile. Yes, I think I shall be starting that next!
by Kay | May 25, 2011 | Weekly Feature |
“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are being eagerly anticipated.
First Day on Earth by Cecil Castellucci
Goodreads – YA – November 1st, 2011 by Scholastic Press
A startling, wonderful novel about the true meaning of being an alien in an equally alien world.
We are specks. Pieces of dust in this universe. Big nothings.
I know what I am.
Mal lives on the fringes of high school. Angry. Misunderstood. Yet loving the world — or, at least, an idea of the world.
Then he meets Hooper. Who says he’s from another planet. And may be going home very soon.
There’s something about this book that makes me want to read it rightnow. I just adore the idea of a screwed-up teenager, who is convinced he’s been kidnapped by aliens, being told, “You’re right. I’m one of the little green men. Fancy a trip to Mars?” Rather, what I love is the uncertainty. Is this going to be a real sci-fi book? Or is it going to deal with a real psychological issue… I don’t know, and I’m eager to find out!
In this weekly event hosted by 
