The #FridayReads Review (4/28/17)

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Roar by Cora Carmack (ARC)
While the instalove triangle is a bit painful to swallow, otherwise this has been an intense and interesting story with great writing and enchanting magic. Definitely invested and in for the full read! (Want to win a poster of the gorgeous cover? Check out my pre-order promotion giveaway here!)

>> ON HOLD <<

Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn Eves (ARC)
The writing is decent and the magic somewhat interesting, but I've read this plot so many times and it's on the quieter side so I just can't get into it. Put it on hold for now but not sure if I'll ever get back to it.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Anonymous Noise vol. 1 by Ryoko Fukuyama (PBK)
4 Stars. As anticipated this is a very emotionally charged story about unrequited love and abandonment issues, but as one can expect from Ryoko it had fun and unique characters, a strong and different plot, and really (and literally) rocked. I will definitely be continuing this series through the library.

The Marked Girl by Lindsey Klingele (ARC)
2 Stars. Finally finished this after almost two months. I rather enjoyed the first half or so, but eventually the main character and especially the romance really came to irk me and when I became too busy to read much for a while I lost almost all interest in what happened and had no trouble setting the book aside. By that time I was over three-fourths of the way through though and determined to finish it, so I picked my way through when I had spare moments. Now that it's over, even with its cliffhanger ending, I'm completely uninterested in any aspect of the story or any of the characters and will sadly not be picking up the sequel.

>> PASSED <<

Violet Grenade by Victoria Scott (ARC)
Tried the first few chapters, but while it has some interesting and original concepts (and short chapters which I always enjoy) it's just a touch too gritty for my tastes and I'm really not fond of the voice.

Riders by Veronica Rossi (ARC)
Tried the first few chapters, but while the voice was engaging and I always enjoy short chapters, stories told almost entirely in flashback hold no tension for me.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

Here Lies Daniel Tate by Cristin Terrill (ARC)

Haven't tried Cristin yet but I've heard amazing things so since I won an ARC I'll give it a try.

So what are you reading this week?

Waiting On Wednesday: THIEF OF LIES (Brenda Drake)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blogging event hosted by Breaking the Spine, in which one spotlights an upcoming release they are eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Title: Thief of Lies

Author: Brenda Drake

Release Date: January 5, 2016
Publisher: Entangled Teen

Summary:

Gia Kearns would rather fight with boys than kiss them. That is, until Arik, a leather clad hottie in the Boston Athenaeum, suddenly disappears. While examining the book of world libraries he abandoned, Gia unwittingly speaks the key that sucks her and her friends into a photograph and transports them into a Paris library, where Arik and his Sentinels-magical knights charged with protecting humans from the creatures traveling across the gateway books-rescue them from a demonic hound.

Jumping into some of the world's most beautiful libraries would be a dream come true for Gia, if she weren't busy resisting her heart or dodging an exiled wizard seeking revenge on both the Mystik and human worlds. Add a French flirt obsessed with Arik and a fling with a young wizard, and Gia must choose between her heart and her head, between Arik's world and her own, before both are destroyed.

Add to Goodreads

Why I'm Looking Forward To It: Magical books that transport you to libraries all over the world? For that alone, be still my heart. 

So what book are you waiting on?

Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For The First Half of 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2016

1. Raging Sea (Michael Buckley) 
2. The Girl From Everywhere (Heidi Heilig) 
3. Tell the Wind & Fire (Sarah Rees Brennan) 
4. Dark Energy (Robison Wells)
5. A Criminal Magic (Lee Kelly)
6. Night Speed (Chris Howard)
7. The Crown's Game (Evelyn Skye)
8. Starflight (Melissa Landers)
9. The Geek's Guide to Unrequited Love (Sarvenaz Tash)
10. Thief of Lies (Brenda Drake)

So what are your most anticipated 2016 releases?

Book Blitz: ASCENDANCY (Karri Thompson) Excerpt + Giveaway!

Welcome to my stop on the YAReads ASCENDANCY Book Blitz! ASCENDANCY is the second book in The Van Winkle Project trilogy by Karri Thompson, which released November 30, 2015 from Entangled Teen! Check out the excerpt below and then enter to win a signed copy! (Haven't heard of the series? Check out the first book, MIRROR X, along with an excerpt here!)

THE BOOK

Title: ASCENDANCY

Author: Karri Thompson

Series: The Van Winkle Project #2
Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pub. Date: November 30, 2015

I’ve been lied to, deceived, and manipulated—again. You’d think I’d be treated with dignity and respect. I’m the one who’s supposed to save humanity, right? I’m the one with the power to re-populate this dying world. But the clones want to control me, force me to give birth over and over again. And my daughters will face the same fate—unless I change it.

My awakening into this future should have been a chance for a new life, but it just promises a living death. With Michael on my side, though, maybe I can save us. He’s the only person I can trust.

I hear rumors of others… A secret society is growing. Tension is building.

A rebellion is imminent.

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS:

Entangled Teen | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indigo Books

THE EXCERPT

Michael was the only good thing to come out of my awakening. I didn’t know how long we’d have together, but I realized I wanted to make every second with him count. Twisting to face him, I brought my right leg to the other side of his body and kissed him gently at first, and then a little harder as he brought his hands to my back, massaging his fingers against my shoulder blades.

His lips moved to my neck, and he slid his hand through the hair at the base of my head. I lay against him, savoring his warm breath at my throat as his chest pressed against mine.

“Duck!” Cradling my body, he scrambled to the floor, bringing me down with him.

“What?” I whispered.

“I saw something outside. A shadow. It looked like a person.”

“Victoria! I need to get her.” Crawling on my hands and knees, I entered the living room and picked up my sleeping baby.

“Behind the couch. Let’s go.”

“Watch her,” I said, and rested her on the floor next to Michael.

Drawing the laser pistol from my waist, I scooted to the edge of the couch where I could see the back door.

“I locked it,” he whispered, “but any Security guard or SEC can open it.”

The door slid open. I aimed my pistol, my arms and hands trembling.

THE AUTHOR

Karri Thompson, a native of San Diego, California, grew up hanging out at the beach, playing sports, and eventually attending San Diego State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English and master’s degree in education.  When she’s not nerding out at San Diego Comic-Con or watching Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings movies for the umpteenth time, she can be seen doing normal people stuff like teaching high-school English, cooking delicious meals for her family (she attributes all of her culinary skills to the Food Network), and attending her son’s football games.  In her spare time, she writes young adult and new adult fiction, her biggest passion, and loves listening to hard rock music and going to concerts.  She hopes to live long and prosper, and that you will, too. Her debut YA novel, AMATEUR ANGEL, was released May 1, 2012, with the sequel, HOLLYWOOD ANGELS, September 1, 2013. MIRROR X, the first book in her YA dystopian trilogy The Van Winkle Project, released June 30, 2014.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

THE GIVEAWAY

1 signed copy of ASCENDANCY (US only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt Blitz: THIEF OF LIES (Brenda Drake)

Today I am excited to be part of the Excerpt Tour for THIEF OF LIES, by Brenda Drake, Book 1 of the Library Jumpers series from Entangled Teen! I will read anything about a library, and this book will be no exception. Check out the book and excerpt below, add it to Goodreads, and pre-order a copy to earn yourself some awesome swag and be entered to win a prize pack!

THE BOOK

Title: Thief of Lies

Series: Library Jumpers #1

Author: Brenda Drake

Publication Date: January 5, 2016

Publisher: Entangled Teen  (book page)

Gia Kearns would rather fight with boys than kiss them. That is, until Arik, a leather clad hottie in the Boston Athenaeum, suddenly disappears. While examining the book of world libraries he abandoned, Gia unwittingly speaks the key that sucks her and her friends into a photograph and transports them into a Paris library, where Arik and his Sentinels-magical knights charged with protecting humans from the creatures traveling across the gateway books-rescue them from a demonic hound.

Jumping into some of the world's most beautiful libraries would be a dream come true for Gia, if she weren't busy resisting her heart or dodging an exiled wizard seeking revenge on both the Mystik and human worlds. Add a French flirt obsessed with Arik and a fling with a young wizard, and Gia must choose between her heart and her head, between Arik's world and her own, before both are destroyed.

Add to Goodreads

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Kobo | iTunes
Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca

PRE-ORDER SWAG & PRIZE PACK

THE EXCERPT

I pressed the screen, and it went dark. “How do we know he’s not being forced to say this?”

“The password, May Agnes guide you,” Lei replied. “She’s the patron saint of Asile.”

Agnes? That was the silver woman’s name that formed from my globe. Did the saints have something to do with the Chiavi?

I faced Ricardo. “How did you know I was here?”

“The werehounds tracked your scent from a shirt Katy…excuse me, your nana…gave us.”

“Can your pack help us save Couve?” Arik asked him.

“They will, but Gia must go with me.” He noticed the protest forming on my lips. “Merlin said no exceptions. I’m to get you to the shelter.”

From the corridor came yells, scuffles, and the continual wail of the warning siren.

“I can’t go with you,” I said. “I have to fight with them.”

“She can’t fight with us,” Lei said, glancing at the door. “She almost killed Kale.”

I turned to Sinead. “You know what I can do.”

Sinead gave me a pity smile. “Yes, but you have no control over it. Let Ricardo take you to your father and friends.”

I thought of Kale lying motionless, near death, and I hated that she was right. As much as I wanted to stay, I might be more hindrance than help. I caved. “Okay,” I said, defeated. Lei flew out of the room with the Laniars on her heels.

Sinead hugged me, then rushed after them. Arik moved over to me and cupped my face gently in his hands. His eyes held the intensity that always drew me to him.

I swallowed my breath in anticipation. All the sounds around us went silent.

He bent and lightly brushed my lips with a kiss. His lips were soft and oh, so tender. Butterflies swooped and curled inside me, and it felt like the ground disappeared from beneath my feet. He pulled back a little and said, “Regardless of the fact that you’re a royal pain in the arse, I fancy you. Listen to Ricardo and don’t do anything rash.”

He gave me another kiss and rushed out the door. My heart twisted in my chest as he disappeared. I touched my mouth and exhaled. He liked me. It was against the laws, but he told me he fancied me. Maybe we had no future, but we had now.

“What a sweet display,” Ricardo said, dragging me out of my haze. “I’m not one for rules or laws, but I’d be careful there. The punishment would be much worse for him than you.”

“Why?” I stared at the door as if I’d see Arik there.

“He’s a leader. He knows better.” Ricardo headed to the window. “Are you ready to fly?”

“Did you say fly?”

THE AUTHOR

Brenda Drake, the youngest of three children, grew up an Air Force brat and the continual new kid at school. Her fondest memories growing up is of her eccentric, Irish grandmother’s animated tales, which gave her a strong love for storytelling. So it was only fitting that she would choose to write stories with a bend toward the fantastical. When Brenda’s not writing or doing the social media thing, she’s haunting libraries, bookstores, and coffee shops or reading someplace quiet and not at all exotic (much to her disappointment).

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Cover Reveal: MIRROR X (Karri Thompson) + Giveaway!

Today Karri Thompson and Entangled Teen are revealing the cover for MIRROR X, releasing in June 30, 2014! Check out the gorgeous cover, exclusive excerpt, and enter to win an eARC! Now, on to the reveal!

THE BOOK

Title: MIRROR X

Author: Karri Thompson

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pub. Date: June 30, 2014

I was born more than a thousand years ago.

Put into a cryogenic tube at age seventeen, forgotten during a holocaust that decimated the world, I've finally been awakened to a more serene and peaceful future.

But things at the hospital are new and strange. And it’s starting to scare me.

Everyone is young. Everyone is banded and tracked. And everyone is keeping secrets. 

The cute geneticist Michael Bennett might be the only good thing in this crazy new world where “life is precious” but no one seems free to live it. The problem is, I don’t think he’s being totally honest with me, either.

When I’m told only I can save the human race from extinction, it’s clear my freeze didn’t avoid a dreadful fate. It only delayed the horror…

Add to Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

THE EXCERPT

Michael took a seat on the edge of my bed, rocking me toward him. When the side of my thigh met his knee, my heart rate doubled, and I drew in a deep breath.

“Before you were awakened I spent hours at your bedside imaging what you were like, how your voice would sound, how you looked when you smiled. When your red lips pulsed, when your chest heaved, and you took your first breath, I kept my emotions in check. But now, now that you’ve ‘awakened,’ everything is different. I can’t sleep. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

I ignored the pain and tilted closer until the space between our faces was less than a foot. My heart, my mind, my soul—everything yearned for his affection at that moment. 

“I feel the same way, too.”

I closed my eyes, wanting this handsome, earnest guy to take me into his arms and tell me he’d make them let me go. My lungs expanded with his warm breath and spicy scent. When his lips met mine, every atom in my body danced, urging me to pull him closer and tighten my grip upon his back.

His kissing became more fiery and I reacted by kissing him harder. It wasn’t until his mouth moved to my neck, that I came to my senses and drew away.

“Not yet,” I said, scooting away.

“I know,” he said between breaths, rising from the bed. His wiped his forehead with the sleeve of his uniform and returned to the chair. “I can’t…we can’t. We can never…,” he said abruptly. “It’s against protocol. I-I should go.”

THE AUTHOR

Karri Thompson’s debut YA novel, Amateur Angel, was released May 1, 2012. The next book in that series, Hollywood Angels, came out September 1, 2013. The first book in her upcoming dystopian trilogy, The Van Winkle Chronicles, will be released by Entangled Publishing Spring 2014.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

THE GIVEAWAY

1 eGalley of MIRROR X International

a Rafflecopter giveaway

YA Review: Relic (Renee Collins) + Giveaway

Title: Relic
Series: standalone
Author: Renee Collins
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genre: Young Adult Alternate Western Fantasy
Rating: Older Teen (violence, sensuality, scary situations, implied sexual attack)
Told: First Person (Maggie), Past Tense
Format Read: Paperback
Find It On: Goodreads

Summary:

After a raging fire consumes her town and kills her parents, Maggie Davis is on her own to protect her younger sister and survive best she can in the Colorado town of Burning Mesa. In Maggie’s world, the bones of long-extinct magical creatures such as dragons and sirens are mined and traded for their residual magical elements, and harnessing these relics’ powers allows the user to wield fire, turn invisible, or heal even the worst of injuries.

Working in a local saloon, Maggie befriends the spirited showgirl Adelaide and falls for the roguish cowboy Landon. But when she proves to have a particular skill at harnessing the relics’ powers, Maggie is whisked away to the glamorous hacienda of Álvar Castilla, the wealthy young relic baron who runs Burning Mesa. Though his intentions aren’t always clear, Álvar trains Maggie in the world of relic magic. But when the mysterious fires reappear in their neighboring towns, Maggie must discover who is channeling relic magic for evil before it’s too late.

Three Words: Western with magic.

Writing: While not a particularly quick read for me, the story was easy enough to follow.

Setting: An alternate Wild West where the unearthed bones of magical creatures give the bearer the ability to wield the creature's powers. A unique and interesting concept.

Story: After the loss of her town, her home, and most of her family, Maggie must somehow scrape together a life for her and her little sister. But when she accidentally attracts the attention of the richest man in the area, she has no idea what danger and deceit she is embroiling herself in when she takes his offer of comfort and magic. As she scrambles to discover the truth behind the attacks that took everything from her, she finds herself at the heart of a power struggle of epic proportions. Will her relic talents be enough to save them?

It was a pretty slow read for me, with a lot of down time and little bursts of action. But the unique premise was enough to hold my attention for the entire book, and the mystery did keep me guessing until the very end. I personally would've preferred a more melancholy ending, but most will be satisfied with how the story concluded.

Characters: Maggie was a child struggling to be an adult. She was inexperienced with life but made do as best she could, and found the strength to persevere when she needed it most. She could be a little too naive at times, but she definitely felt authentic. I really liked Maggie's friend, Adelaide - best character in the book, in my opinion. Landon was sweet and playful, Yahn mysterious but a constant strength for Maggie. Little sister Ella was a bit of a selfish brat, but in her defense she was only seven. Connelly made for a satisfying evil villain, while the "is he or isn't he" villain Castilla had me conflicted right to the end.

Romantic Relationships: There are three romantic interests for Maggie in this book - two boys, and a man. One is kept firmly at the forefront as her romantic interest, one (the man) is considered a few times given the opportunities a life at his side could present, and one she is inexplicably drawn to, but we don't know if this is romantic or more out of a magical connection (it certainly leaned more towards the romantic though, in my opinion). The man aside, I actually rooted for the latter of the boys - not that the former wasn't good (and good for Maggie), it was just a preference given how she reacted to both, and how the story ended.

Series: This was marketed as a standalone, but while the end wrapped up well, I feel the story was left open for a sequel if desired.

Conclusion: While nothing spectacular, even with its unique genre mash-up, it was an interesting concept and a relatively entertaining story. If there does come a sequel, however, I won't be interested in reading it.

GIVEAWAY

By the luck of the draw (literally - I won it twice), I happened to get an extra copy of this book - which means, of course, a giveaway! Enter below for a chance to win a paperback copy and a set of Relic postcards. Good luck!

(US only - apologies to my International Followers! Must be 16 years or older to enter.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Obsidian (Jennifer L. Armentrout)

Title: Obsidian
Series: Lux, Book 1
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Genre: Young Adult Supernatural
Told: First Person (Katy), Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (language, strong sensuality, violence, attack, crude innuendo)
Format Read: Paperback (purchase)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. 

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. 

If I don't kill him first, that is.

*          *          *

Three Words: Twilight but aliens.

Writing: A pretty easy read, although an occasional lack of contractions made it a bit choppy at times. Any long-winded bouts of dialogue between Daemon and Katy struggled to follow a linear pattern; actions were overly described, which was mostly okay but sometimes weighed down the text.

Setting: A small town in West Virginia. I truly felt the author's love for the state, although a little too much. Everything felt a little too real, like she was trying so hard to be accurate, and it sometimes dragged the story down. But otherwise, it made for a nice backdrop.

Story: The plot felt like a too-close copy of Twilight, but without the obsessive romance. New girl moves to a backwater town - the polar opposite of what she's used to - and meets a dark, hot and moody boy that she feels electrically connected to. A love/hate relationship ensues, and then she discovers that he (and his family) are nothing close to normal, and in fact have supernatural abilities. Her knowing their secret puts them all in danger, and they end up having to fight his (and now her) enemy together, whether they like it or not - all the while fighting their attraction for each other. And by the end, it turns out she isn't quite the human they thought she was. We even got a history lesson, and she turns out to be just like a native woman of old. Overall: Twilight, but not quite as well done.

Characters: Katy, our average new girl in town, was a book blogger! This made her more relatable in the beginning, but eventually it just felt like the author needed her to have a home-bound hobby and went with it to try and attract more reviewers. For the most part, Katy was pretty strong and brave, albeit foolish, but I guess I liked her. Daemon, all-powerful alien hunk extraordinaire, was moody but fun - when he was moody. When he was being nice he tended to ramble, and it confused the story. For an all-powerful alien though, he could be helpless when the story called for it, which was disappointing. Dee was sweet and fun and tended to light up any scene she was in - probably my favorite character.

Romantic Relationship: They are extremely attracted to each other, but they fight it. Actually, truly fight it. Sure they almost kiss once or twice, and end up tangled together at one point, but by the end of the book they're still fighting it. She's human (well, supposed to be), and being with a human has previously proved bad for his kind. He's a powerful alien, and being around him puts her in constant danger. They accept these as valid reasons against being together and try to stay away from each other, despite the feelings growing between them. They actually use their brains. Sure, I know it won't last into the second book, but the story, and the romance, was better with them actually resisting at first.

Extras: The paperback edition included several chapters from Daemon's POV. They were interesting and rather telling to what he really thought of Katy, despite how he acted.

Conclusion: The plot was way too much like Twilight for me, but minus the obsessive romance it wasn't too bad a read. The paperback edition had the first two chapters of Lux Book 2 (Onyx) at the end, and while I hadn't planned on reading it before them, I'm now interested enough to continue the series.

For Fans Of: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Scribble Rating: 

3 of 5 Scribbles