In My Mailbox (2)

In my mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to show all the lovely books that we have aquired throughout the week.

I have bought quite a few new e-books this week for my kindle as I am stocking up for my 2 weeks in the sun!! As long as I can restrain myself from reading them before I leave, here is some of my holiday reading...

Bought -  

Matched by Ally Condie (Dutton Juvenille)


From Goodreads - Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver (HarperTeen)

From Goodreads -  
Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.




Forsaken by Jana Oliver (AKA Demon Trapper's Daughter) (MacMillan Children's Books)

From Goodreads -  
Riley has always wanted to be a Demon Trapper like her father, and she's already following in his footsteps as one of the best. But it's tough being the only girl in an all-guy world, especially when three of those guys start making her life more complicated: Simon, the angelic apprentice who has heaven on his side; Beck, the tough trapper who thinks he's God's gift, and Ori, the strikingly sexy stranger who keeps turning up to save her ass. One thing's for sure - if she doesn't keep her wits about her there'll be hell to pay...





Accross The Universe by Beth Revis (Razorbill)

From Goodreads - Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.
Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.
Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

Desires of the Dead (the Body Finder #2) by Kimberly Derting (HarperCollins)

From Goodreads - The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.
Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.
As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger.

Dexter Series (5 books) by Jeff Lindsay (Vaintage)

From Goodreads about Darkly Dreaming Dexter (#1) -
Meet Dexter Morgan, a polite wolf in sheep's clothing. He's handsome and charming, but something in his past has made him abide by a different set of rules. He's a serial killer whose one golden rule makes him immensely likeable: he only kills bad people. And his job as a blood splatter expert for the Miami police department puts him in the perfect position to identify his victims. But when a series of brutal murders bearing a striking similarity to his own style start turning up, Dexter is caught between being flattered and being frightened -- of himself or some other fiend.






I can't wait untill my holiday and getting stuck into this pile! I am especially looking forward to a bit of gore from The Dexter Series!!

Happy reading everyone! 

Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Published: 26th April 2011
Series: Goddess Test #1
Source: Thanks to NetGalley and Publisher

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

This is the first book in the Goddess Test series, and after finishing this book I can't wait for the next. Aimee Carter manages to pull you into this world of myth and mystery that I had no choice but to read the whole book in one sitting.

From the beginning of the story you can tell that Kate is a strong woman. She has been looking after her dying mother for the last 4 years who has now decided to come back to her home town of Eden to die. Kate is not happy about this, but is willing to try for her mother. We are slowly introduced to a host of other characters such as James, Ava and the charming Henry. In exchange for Henry helping Ava Kate agrees to spend 6 months a year with Henry in his house.

I have always enjoyed Greek Myths and this book did not disappoint. It touched on the myths and threw light on them without getting bogged down in details. It also does not disappoint with a great romance story running in parallel with Kate facing tests and avoiding assassination attempts. All of the characters in this story are rich and well rounded. The romance is also believable and very charming. All in all I was swept away with this story and I am looking forward to picking up the next book in the series. Bring it on!!

In My Mailbox

In my mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to show all the lovely books that we have aquired throughout the week.



For Review - 

Bumped by Megan McCafferty (Thanks Netgalley/HarperCollins)

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid infused food.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

For Review - 
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter (Thanks NetGalley/Harlequin)

It’s always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate’s going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won’t live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he’ll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he’s crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she’ll become Henry’s future bride, and a goddess.

If she fails... 

For Review -  

In Front Of God And Everybody by KD McCrite (Thanks Netgalley/Thomas Nelson Publishers)

If God wanted April Grace to be kind to her neighbors, He should have made them nicer!
Growing up in the country is never easy, but it sure is funny-especially if you happen to have a sister obsessed with being glamorous, a grandma just discovering make-up, hippie friends who never shower, and brand new neighbors from the city who test everyone's patience. From disastrous dye jobs to forced apologies and elderly date tagalongs, you'll laugh 'til you cry as you read the Confessions of April Grace!
Here are just a couple of April's thoughts: On her sister, Myra Sue: "How anyone can be that dumb and still be able to eat with a fork is beyond me."  On senior citizen lovebirds: "What if they started smooching right at the table in front of God and everybody?"
In spite of all the loony characters in her life, April Grace is able to learn from her parents as they share the love of God-to even the craziest of characters!


I had better get reading!!

Debut Authors Update

  
As I posted a while back I have chosen to participate in the 2011 debut author challenge. The details of the challenge are as follows from The Story Siren's website - 

The objective of the DAC is to read at least twelve novels from Young Adult or Middle Grade Authors. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit! I encourage readers who can read more than twelve to do so!
This must be the authors debut with a release date in 2011.

So with that in mind I have put together a list of debut novels that I have either already read this year, have on my to be read list or that are on my wishlist. I will be updatign this from time to time and I have the feeling that I will probably surpass the 12 book minimum!

1. The Iron Witch - Karen Mahoney

2.Entangled - Cat Clarke

3. Across The Universe - Beth Revis

4. Haven - Kristi Cook

5. Where I Belong - Gwendolyn Heasley

6.The Demon Trapper's Daughter - Jana Oliver

7. Liar Society - Lisa and Laura Roecker

8. Bumped - Megan McCafferty

9. The Goddess Test - Aimee Carter

10. Hourglass - Myra McEntire

11. ?

12. ?

I better get reading now...

Review: Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Title: Going Too Far
Author: Jennifer Echols
Publisher: Pocket Books/MTV Books
Published: 17th march 2009
Source: Own eBook on my Kindle

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far...and almost doesn't make it back.
John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge -- and over....

I finished reading this book about 5 minutes ago and even though I have a number of other books waiting for review I just couldn't wait to share my thoughts on Going Too Far. Without making you wait for my thoughts I absolutely loved this book. I devoured this from the very first page and I could not put it down. This was one of those books that even when I was not reading it I was thinking about it. If I thought I could get away with having spent the day working today on no sleep I would have pulled an all nighter last night to finish it. This is one of those books that I will be pushing on anyone I, even remotely, think might like it.

The main character is Meg. A feisty girl with bright blue hair and a habit of getting into trouble. The book begins with her trespassing on a railway bridge, drunk and stoned. After having to spend the night in jail, thanks to Officer After, Meg ends up with a unique punishment. Meg has to spend her Spring Break doing night shift ride along with Officer John After. Quickly Meg finds out that Officer After is only a few years older than herself and they begin to bond.

I really liked Meg as a character. She makes lots of mistakes and is flawed in that she has serious panic attacks whenever she feels trapped. This spills over into her feeling trapped in her own town and life leaving her eager to do whatever she can to get into Collage and out of her town. Meg never feels sorry for herself or complains about her situation and to me I thought that this was what made the book so enjoyable. You follow Meg through her story just hoping and praying that she wont say or do the worst.

Can I also just shout about the romance in this book. Fantastic!! The relationship which builds between Officer After and Meg through the whole book is brilliant. Quickly they are able to go from them wanting each other and then something is said or done and before you know it they are arguing, usually for one of them to save face. I found myself on a number of occasions wanting to shout at the characters and give them a good talking too. Then when the passion was building between them it was hot. I loved it.

I came late to this book, and more than a few young adult fans will probably have already read it, so all I can say is if you have not read this book go and get it now!! I loved it!!

Review: Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

Title: Where I Belong
Author: Gwendolyn Heasley
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: 8th February 2011
Source: Own Copy on Kindle

Meet Corrinne. She's living every girl's dream in New York City—shopping sprees at Barneys, open access to the best clubs and parties, and her own horse at the country club. Her perfect life is perfectly on track. At least it was. . . .
When Corrinne's father is laid off, her world suddenly falls apart. Instead of heading to boarding school, she's stripped of her credit cards and shipped off to the boonies of Texas to live with her grandparents. On her own in a big public school and forced to take a job shoveling manure, Corrinne is determined to get back to the life she's supposed to be living. She doesn't care who she stomps on in the process. But when Corrinne makes an unlikely friend and discovers a total hottie at work, she begins to wonder if her life B.R.—before the recession—was as perfect as it seemed.

Corrine is a very unlikable character at the start of this book. She is a character straight out of gossip girl, spoiled, privileged and she thinks the world revolved around her. So that news that her family has lost almost everything through a bad deal and the recession is a devastating blow to Corrine. She handles this news exactly how you think a spoiled brat would take the news that she has to leave her friends and life in Manhattan and move to a small town in Texas. Throughout the course of the story Corrine develops into a more like able version of herself. I like that as a character she does not completely change and do a 180 from spoiled brat to voluntary worker, but evolves into a more tolerant and open version of herself.

I live in the UK and therefore I don't know what a small town in Texas is like but from the descriptions given in this book I can't wait to visit. I loved this book from start to finish. Even when Corrine was not the most like able person you couldn't help but cheer her on. The story also made this very east and quick to read and extremely hard to put down. The only thing I was disappointed about was the ending felt very blunt. It felt like there were a few decisions left up in the air. It made me feel like I was missing a final chapter. This might just be me but I prefer to have everything wrapped up by the last word, however this did not ruin my enjoyment of the book as I can let my imagination run wild.

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where we can show the books we are eagerly awaiting released.

This week the book I have been drawn towards is Tris and Izzie.

Title: Tris and Izzie
Author: Mette Ivie Harrison
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Release Date: 11th October 2011

From Goodreads: (UNOFFICIAL description, subject to alteration)

A modern retelling of the German legend "Tristan and Isolde", "Tris and Izzy", is about a young witch named Izzie who is dating Mark King, the captain of the basketball team and thinks her life is going swimmingly well. Until-- she makes a love potion for her best friend Brangane and then ends up taking it herself accidentally, and falling in love with Tristan, the new guy at school. 


I can't wait for this retelling of a beautiful story. Also look at that cover, just stunning!!

My Second Challenge

So after lots of careful consideration i have decided to take on another challenge this year. Challenge number 2 is the wonderful debut authors challenge hosted by The Story Siren. The aim is to read at least 12 novels by authors debuting a YA novel. My next step is to choose which of the wonderful books being released this year to read...

Review: Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Title: Some Girls Are
Author: Courtney Summers
Publisher: St Martin's Griffin
Published: 5th January 2010
Source: Own Copy

Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard—falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around. Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.
Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up To Be.

I have said this before and I will say it again, I love the writing of Courtney Summers. It is bold and in your face and nothing is held back for fear of scaring off the reader. All of the characters Courtney Summers writes are deeply flawed but the main protagonist always grows on me. This book was certainly no different. Everything I loved about Cracked Up To Be I also found in Some Girls Are. In no way is that me saying that this is the same book repackaged, what I loved about both books was the writing, the rich characters and the raw, and sometimes brutal, story lines.

Regina Afton is one of the popular mean girls of her school until her best friend's boyfriend tries to rape her at a party. Turning to the one girl in her clique that hates her Regina decides to say nothing and forget it ever happened. Unfortunately when she returns to school the one person she turned to has started the rumour that Regina willingly slept with her best friend's boyfriend. Regina is left isolated and friendless in a school of peers who Regina and her old clique used to prey on.

Some of the tactics used by Regina's old clique to hurt her physically and mentally are horrible. You begin to hope that in the end some of Regina's own small payback schemes work. I loved this book and all of the characters in it, even some of the characters that seem evil to the core. I found this book incredibly difficult to put down and I am looking forward to the next reading of this novel. This is definitely a book which will stay on my shelf forever.