Waiting On Wednesday: The Paper Magician (Charlie N. Holmberg)

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: The Paper Magician

Author: Charlie N. Holmberg

Release Date: September 1, 2014
Publisher: 47North

Summary:

Ceony Twill arrives at the cottage of Magician Emery Thane with a broken heart. Having graduated at the top of her class from the Tagis Praff School for the Magically Inclined, Ceony is assigned an apprenticeship in paper magic despite her dreams of bespelling metal. And once she’s bonded to paper, that will be her only magic…forever.

Yet the spells Ceony learns under the strange yet kind Thane turn out to be more marvelous than she could have ever imagined—animating paper creatures, bringing stories to life via ghostly images, even reading fortunes. But as she discovers these wonders, Ceony also learns of the extraordinary dangers of forbidden magic.

An Excisioner—a practitioner of dark, flesh magic—invades the cottage and rips Thane’s heart from his chest. To save her teacher’s life, Ceony must face the evil magician and embark on an unbelievable adventure that will take her into the chambers of Thane’s still-beating heart—and reveal the very soul of the man.

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Why I'm Looking Forward To It: Major thanks to Shae for putting this on my radar! It's exactly my sort of story - as a reader and a writer, paper magic is one of my favorite forms of magic! Love the cover, love that the second book comes out in November (no year-long wait - woohoo!), love that a GR reviewer said "[i]t has a lot of the same flavor as Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones", which is one of my favorite reads ever. Cannot wait!

So what book are you waiting on?

Review: On the Fence (Kasie West)

Title: On the Fence
Series: companion to The Distance Between Us
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Told: First Person Singular (Charlie), Past Tense
Content Rating: Teen (some thematic elements, kissing)
Format Read: ARC (trade)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

She's a tomboy. He's the boy next door…

Charlie Reynolds can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at a chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world. To cope with the stress of her new reality, Charlie takes to spending nights chatting with her neighbor Braden through the fence between their yards. As she grows to depend on their nightly Fence Chats, she realizes she's got a bigger problem than speeding tickets-she's falling for Braden. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.

*          *          *

Why I Read It: It's by Kasie West, one of my Top 3 Favorite Authors. If she writes it, I will read it.

Three Words: Playful. Sporty. Quick.

Series: While I went into this thinking it was a standalone, and technically it is I guess, I discovered it was also a companion to last summer's The Distance Between Us as there were cameos from several of the characters! (You can check out my review of The Distance Between Us here.) You shouldn't miss anything if you haven't read TDBU, though.

Writing: Quick and easy and so much fun! The movement was smooth, the dialogue witty and playful. Kasie is a master at never wasting a word. I read it in two days which is extremely quick for me right now - I'm sure most readers could breeze through it in an afternoon.

Setting: A small California town near the beach. It was the barest of stages for this simple story, which was perfect because while it added a nice background atmosphere it didn't distract from the characters or plot.

Story: A simple summer story about family, identity, and falling in love. It was quick but hearty with life and love and playful familial interaction. There was a heavy aspect which felt a little too heavy for such an otherwise lighthearted and simple story, but we didn't linger on it too long. As can be expected with Kasie, the end was heartwarming and had me grinning long after I closed the book.

Characters: Charlie was a tomboy on a journey of self-discovery. She thought she knew who she was based on how she fit into her family, but when she discovered there was more to being a girl (and more to life in general), she suddenly wasn't so sure who she wanted to be. While we are complete opposites (I'm not one for sports at all), I loved Charlie's tomboy charm and the easy way she interacted with the boys, and I related to her struggles. Braden was a sweetheart and simply perfect for Charlie. Enough said.

Since most of the time I couldn't tell them apart (entirely my fault for reading so fast), I essentially considered the entire family a single character. With so many boys in such a short, simple story, it's hard to give each of them the required time to shine and stand out, at least for me - but I didn't consider it a bad thing! As a group they were perfect as Charlie's protection and playmates and tormentors as only the best siblings are (or so I've heard). For the first time in my life I was extremely jealous of such a large, close and convivial family dynamic, even with its slightly darker undertone.

Romantic Relationship: Just what I love to order off the romance menu: clean, innocent, adorable, awkward, and sweet. Charlie and Braden were perfect for each other, and the best scenes were when they were together.

Conclusion: A quick and adorable summer read, perfect for a lazy afternoon by the pool or on the couch. This pulled so many snickers and snorts out of me - Kasie is a master of both movement and dialogue, and here the two were married to perfection. My only complaint is that I would've liked it to be longer - I wanted more of the pre-acceptance awkwardness! Highly recommend, along with all of Kasie's amazing books!

Read It Again?: Yes

For Fans Of: Stephanie Perkins

Scribble Rating: 

4 out of 5 Scribbles

The Friday Reads Review (7/25/14)

Welcome to The Friday Reads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own Friday Reads Review on your blog, and then leave the link in the Comments below!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Heaven's Queen by Rachel Bach (Pbk)

Finally finishing the series - gotta find out how it all ends! (And return it to the library. ;) So awesome so far, as expected. Really enjoying exploring more of the worlds!

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Invisible by Dawn Metcalf (ARC)
4.5 Stars! Just as good as Indelible (Book 1), with more steam and feels. These remind me of adult contemporary fantasy MMPs - imaginative and adventurous easy reads with great characters and fun worlds that could go on forever and you love when they do. The only difference here: these are YA. SCORE. Aside for the "girl making life-altering decisions based on the love of a boy" parts (which here were the right decisions so I let them slide, mostly), I LOVED the ending - and pretty much everything that came before it. And there was a ton more Filly!! Review to come.

On the Fence by Kasie West (ARC)
SO. ADORABLE. This got so many snickers and snorts out of me! While not Kasie's best, it was a quick (seriously quick!), sweet read - and just what I needed. Review to come.

>> READING NEXT <<

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon (Pbk)
I'll be participating in the August Re-Read (although this will be my first read), and I'm really excited to finally get to this apparent masterpiece! I must admit I cheated and read the first chapter, and while it was a little overwhelming I'm excited to dig in.

So what are you reading this week?

Waiting On Wednesday: This Shattered World (Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner)

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: This Shattered World (Starbound #2)

Author: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Release Date: December 23, 2014
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Summary:

Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac should never have met.

Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet's rebellious colonists, but she has her own reasons for hating the insurgents.

Rebellion is in Flynn's blood. Terraforming corporations make their fortune by recruiting colonists to make the inhospitable planets livable, with the promise of a better life for their children. But they never fulfilled their promise on Avon, and decades later, Flynn is leading the rebellion.

Desperate for any advantage in a bloody and unrelentingly war, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that will change him forever. He and Lee escape the rebel base together, caught between two sides of a senseless war.

The stunning second novel in the Starbound trilogy is an unforgettable story of love and forgiveness in a world torn apart by war.

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Why I'm Looking Forward To It: This is my #1 most anticipated read of 2014! These Broken Stars, the first book in the Starbound series, completely blew me away (see my review here), so I've been looking forward to This Shattered World since last October - title, summary, and characters unknown. And now that the summary is out, I think I may love this one even more than the first. Is it December yet??

So what book are you waiting on?

The Friday Reads Review (7/18/14)

Welcome to The Friday Reads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own Friday Reads Review on your blog, and then leave the link in the Comments below!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Invisible by Dawn Metcalf (ARC)

It's been a slow reading week, but I'm almost done! Currently in the middle of the climactic end scene and not being able to read right now is torture. T-T

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Fairy Tail Vol. 36 by Hiro Mashima (Pbk)
Haven't been reading these for a while so I ended up binging a seven-volume back-up this week! Still have one more to go and with the current epic story arc I'm not looking forward to running out in the middle...

>> READING NEXT <<

The Young World by Chris Weitz (ARC)
I really have no idea what I'm going to read next, but this has been calling to me so perhaps I'll pick it up? All I know is I need to read something reviewable, stat!

So what are you reading this week?

Waiting On Wednesday: Polaris (Mindee Arnett)

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: Polaris (sequel to Avalon)

Author: Mindee Arnett

Release Date: January 20, 2015
Publisher: Balzer & Bray (Harper)

Summary:

Following the events of Avalon, Jeth Seagrave and his crew are on the run. Jeth is desperate to find the resources and funding he needs to rescue his mother from an ITA’s research lab and leave this whole galaxy behind for a new life somewhere else. But the ITA is just as desperate, and soon Jeth finds himself pursued by a mysterious figure hell-bent on capturing Jeth and his crew—dead or alive. In a last-ditch effort to save everyone he holds dear, Jeth enters into a bargain with the last person he ever thought he'd see again: Dax Shepherd, the galaxy’s newest and most fearsome crime lord. And he’s not the only one: upon arriving back at Peltraz spaceport for the first time since he witnessed the death of his old employer, Jeth discovers Dax has a new partner: Jeth’s mother, Marian.

This shocking turn of events is only the first in another breathless, action-packed sci-fi adventure rife with danger, love, and betrayal, as Jeth has to once again ask himself how much he’s willing to invest in a morally bankrupt galaxy in the hopes of saving those he cares for.

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Why I'm Looking Forward To It: Really enjoyed Avalon, the first book in this action-packed sci-fi duology (see my review here), so I can't wait to find out what happens!! These books are not for the faint of heart though, so even in my excitement I'm steeling myself for some serious bleep to go down - and even worse than before. Poor, poor Jeth.

So what book are you waiting on?

The Friday Reads Review (7/11/14)

Welcome to The Friday Reads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own Friday Reads Review on your blog, and then leave the link in the Comments below!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Invisible by Dawn Metcalf (ARC)

I absolutely adore the world of the Twixt, so I was excited to return to the world! Started yesterday but already over 100 pages in, it's so good I can't stop reading!

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Indelible by Dawn Metcalf (ARC)
An even better read the second time! By the end I was practically vibrating with excitement to read the next one!

The Fourth Wish by Lindsay Ribar (ARC)
I loved the first book in this duology, The Art of Wishing, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this sequel. To my utter disappointment, though, I really didn't enjoy it. Margo's sudden selfishness frustrated me to no end, and I had to step away from the book several times to keep from throwing it. I wasn't big on this book's Oliver, either - he was WAY too pushy. If I hadn't absolutely adored the first book, and if Lindsay's writing wasn't so easy and fun, I might not have made it all the way through. Review to come.

>> READING NEXT <<

Heaven's Queen by Rachel Bach (Pbk)
I really have no idea what I'm going to read next, except that it won't be contemporary fantasy (too many in a row XP). I really do want to find out how this series ends, so this seems as good a bet as any!

So what are you reading this week?

{Nerd Blast} VORTEX (S.J. Kincaid) + Giveaway

Welcome to the Official Nerd Blast for 

Vortex by S.J. Kincaid!

The impossible was just the beginning. Now in their second year as superhuman government weapons-in-training at the Pentagonal Spire, Tom Raines and his friends are mid-level cadets in the elite combat corps known as the Intrasolar Forces. But as training intensifies and a moment arrives that could make or break his entire career, Tom’s loyalties are again put to the test.

Encouraged to betray his ideals and friendships for the sake of his country, Tom is convinced there must be another way. And the more aware he becomes of the corruption surrounding him, the more determined he becomes to fight it, even if he sabotages his own future in the process.

Drawn into a power struggle more dramatic than he has ever faced before, Tom stays a hyperintelligent step ahead of everyone, like the exceptional gamer he is—or so he believes. But when he learns that he and his friends have unwittingly made the most grievous error imaginable, Tom must find a way to outwit an enemy so nefarious that victory seems hopeless. Will his idealism and bravado cost him everything—and everyone that matters to him?

Filled with action and intelligence, camaraderie and humor, the second book in S.J. Kincaid’s futuristic World War III Insignia trilogy continues to explore fascinating and timely questions about power, politics, technology, loyalty, and friendship.

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AMAZON | B&N | BOOK DEPOSITORY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

S.J. Kincaid was born in Alabama, grew up in California, and attended high school in New Hampshire, but it was while living beside a haunted graveyard in Scotland, that she realized that she wanted to be a writer. Her debut, Insignia, came out in July of 2012. The second book in the series, Vortex came out in July of 2013. The final book in the INSIGNIA trilogy will come out in Fall of 2014.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK

GIVEAWAY

1 Winner will receive an Copy of VORTEX by S.J. Kincaid
Giveaway is International | Must be 13+ to Enter

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Waiting On Wednesday: Monstrous (MarcyKate Connolly)

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: Monstrous

Author: MarcyKate Connolly

Release Date: February 10, 2015
Publisher: HarperCollins

Summary:

The city of Bryre suffers under the magic of an evil wizard. Because of his curse, girls sicken and disappear without a trace, and Bryre’s inhabitants live in fear. No one is allowed outside after dark.

Yet night is the only time that Kymera can enter this dangerous city, for she must not be seen by humans. Her father says they would not understand her wings, the bolts in her neck, or her spiky tail—they would kill her. They would not understand that she was created for a purpose: to rescue the girls of Bryre.

Despite her caution, a boy named Ren sees Kym and begins to leave a perfect red rose for her every evening. As they become friends, Kym learns that Ren knows about the missing girls, the wizard, and the evil magic that haunts Bryre. 

And what he knows will change Kym’s life. 

Reminiscent of Frankenstein and the tales of the Brothers Grimm, this debut novel by MarcyKate Connolly stands out as a compelling, original story that has the feel of a classic.

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Why I'm Looking Forward To It: The cover is adorable. The story sounds adorable (and dark, yet still adorable). I needs the adorable!

So what book are you waiting on?

Review Slump

Due to participating in Camp Nanowrimo this month and a lengthy reading slump, I find myself without a review to post this week. Major apologies. I should have one up next week!

The Sunday Post (7/6/14)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news - post a recap of the past week on your blog, share what's coming up on your blog for the week ahead, and showcase books and things you've received.

GENERAL NEWS

July Posts - I'm participating in Camp Nanowrimo this month, so there may not be as many posts while I focus on novel writing. I'll still be doing my regular Wednesday, Friday and Sunday posts though, and hopefully my Monday reviews.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - Finally saw The Secret Life of Walter Mitty last night. I went in with very low expectations and was completely and utterly blown away. It was a masterpiece, and so inspirational! If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOG

Monday  Adult Review: Fortune's Pawn (Rachel Bach)
Wednesday   WoW: The Young Elites (Marie Lu)
Friday   The Friday Reads Review (7/4/14)

THIS WEEK ON THE BLOG

Monday   YA Review: Hungry (H.A. Swain)
Wednesday   Waiting on Wednesday: Monstrous (MarcyKate Connolly)
Wednesday   Book Blast: VORTEX (S.J. Kincaid) + Giveaway
Friday   The Friday Reads Review

BOOKSHELF ADDITIONS

• Invisible by Dawn Metcalf (ARC - from author) - Just finished re-reading The Twixt #1, Indelible, on Friday, and after I finish The Fourth Wish (which at the pace I'm going should be very soon) I'm devouring this!
• Meridian by Josin L. McQuein (Hbk - from author) - Won from the author! Loved Arclight so I'm really excited to get to it soon!

The Friday Reads Review (7/4/14)

Welcome to The Friday Reads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own Friday Reads Review on your blog, and then leave the link in the Comments below!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Indelible by Dawn Metcalf (ARC)

Fell right back into my reading slump after Honor's Knight so allowed myself to read whatever I felt like. This turned out to be re-reading Indelible, and I am enjoying it even better the second time! Can't wait to get my hands on The Twixt #2, Invisible, which should be soon, fingers crossed.

>> ON HOLD <<

Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau (ARC)

I just can't get in the mood to finish this. T-T

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Honor's Knight by Rachel Bach (Pbk)
Even better than the first one! I'm really looking forward to finishing the series, but I just wasn't in the mood this week.

>> READING NEXT <<

Invisible by Dawn Metcalf (ARC)
The Twixt #2! Hopefully it'll arrive just as I finish #1 because I'm super-excited to see where Dawn takes me next!

So what are you reading this week?

Waiting On Wednesday: The Young Elites (Marie Lu)

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: The Young Elites

Author: Marie Lu

Release Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Summary:

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.
 
Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.
Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.
 
It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

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Why I'm Looking Forward To It: I loved Marie Lu's writing style and storytelling in Legend (no I have not read the rest of the series yet and yes I know I need to get to it ASAP!), so I'm game for anything by her. And this sounds like it's going to be pretty epic!

So what book are you waiting on?