2012 Reading Challenges

For the year 2012 I decided to participate in some of the book challenges. This will be the first year I am going to join any book reading challenge but I do have high hopes that I can make it.

First is the 2012 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at thestorysiren. 

2012 DAC LIST: 

1. The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges
2. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
3. Incarnate by Jodi Meadow
4. Everneath by Brodi Ashton
5. Switched by Amanda Hocking
6. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
7. 
8. 
9. 
10.
11.
12.

And then I also joined the The Sophomore Reading Challenge hosted by Shanyn at Chick Loves Lit

SRC LIST:

1. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
2. Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes
3. Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly
4. Torn by Amanda Hocking
5. Fever by Lauren DeStefano
6. 
7. 
8. 
9. 
10. 

Forgive My Fins

Title: Forgive My Fins 
Author: Tera Lynn Childs
Series: Fins # 1
Published: July 1, 2011 (1st published on 05/19/10)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Genre: YA Paranormal


My rating:    

Summary:

 Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush. Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life. When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned

The Iron Daughter

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I can now finally say that I am freaking in love with the Iron Fey series, and of course with Ash too! I can’t get enough of Ash. Everything that I wanted in a male character, Ash has it. He is mysterious, alluring, and captivating. But still Puck has a special place in my heart. I love Puck playfulness and mischievous acts. I kind of miss him when he is not yet in the scene. But I can’t deny the fact that Ash is the one that I fell in love with. It is now official, I am definitely Team Ash.


Enough with the boys, let’s talk about Meghan . She is still annoying and irritating but I am now beginning to like her. She is now more assertive and somehow confident in her decisions. But I still want more in her, character wise.


The plot is really good too. The surprises and revelations in this story are truly astonishing. Everything is still dark and magical. It is an enchanting kind of a read that I am definitely captivated from the beginning. I wanted to read the remaining book in the series but I don’t want it to end yet, I am torn and I can’t decide right now. But I am in desperate need to read more of Ash, I’ll probably read The Iron Queen sooner than I intended to.








View all my reviews

In My Mailbox (22)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi @ www.thestorysiren.com

Birthday Book Haul!

• Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (bought this so I can read it this december, perfect timing to read it)
• Soul Thief by Jana Oliver (book 2 of the demon trapper's series, I love the first book so I can't wait to read it)
• Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick (I admit this series is one my guilty pleasures. I do enjoyed reading the 1st two books in the series so I need to have this book)
• Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor (I've been hearing raving reviews about this one so of course I'm excited to read it)
• Crossed by Ally Condie (book two of Matched series. Matched is an ok read though I didn't like it that much. But still I want to read Crossed and also one of the reason I bought the book is the gorgeous cover)
• Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (do I need to say more? I am so freaking excited to read this, perfect timing for my birthday too)

These are the books that I bought as a birthday present for myself. I am definitely a happy girl again! =) 

What did you get in your mailboxes this week? leave a link in the comments section for your IMM post and I'll be happy to check it out! Enjoy reading!

Shatter Me

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi


My rating: 2 of 5 stars


ratings: 2.5 stars


I have been anticipating Shatter Me since I heard about it. I got more excited when the cover was revealed. Who wouldn’t? Hunger Games and X-men concept in one? It makes a very intriguing story.


Now does it live up to my expectations? No. Am I disappointed? Yes, I won’t deny it. Do I hate it? Not totally because there are still some factors that I like in this book.


I don’t have any problems with the story plot. I actually found it rather interesting. The mutant/super power concept is pretty cool. The moral of the story is really good and very realistic, that it could possibly happen to us. I don’t know maybe it is just me who isn’t blown away by this book. I can’t find the reasons why so many were captivated in this book. Is it the writing style, the plot, the characters? I already explained that the plot is pretty ok for me. As with the characters, I realized that Adam is the only one that I found interesting enough for me to like. I love his determination and will power. Unfortunately I had a hard time liking Juliette. I think she is ok but I just can’t connect with her. She is so freaking weird that I struggled a lot reading her thoughts. I tried so hard to like her but I simply can’t.


I found the writing style repulsive, I can tell you some reasons why. Well, the crossed out words doesn’t bother me that much. But the repetition of words DOES! Those repeating words drove me crazy! I just can’t tolerate it, it is so annoying! Some may like the way it was written but for me it was a total failure. There are some lines that make me laugh so hard that I nearly fell off the bed.


- “His lips are at my ear and he says nothing at all, but I melt until I’m a handful of hot butter dripping down his body. I want to eat every minute of this moment” 

- “I’m wearing dead cotton on my limbs and a blush of roses on my face”


Some may say it is lyrical or beautifully written, but for me not even close. Lauren Oliver and Maggie Stiefvater is the two authors that I admire because of how lyrical their words or story are, their writing style is phenomenal and Tahereh Mafi is not even close. I know I should not make comparisons but I can’t help it.


All in all, regardless of my difficulty in the writing style, reading this actually kept me entertained. I obviously don’t like it but I totally don’t hate it either. Adam, Kenji and the new revelations at the end actually saved the story for me. But I am still disappointed. Will I read the next book in the series? I’m not sure as of this moment. But I’m still open on giving it another chance, maybe…










View all my reviews

Darkest Mercy

Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr


My rating: 4 of 5 stars




I am not really a big fan of the series but I did like some of the character that is why for some reasons I am definitely going to miss this series. Darkest Mercy is the great way to end the series however there is some predictable instances with how the story goes. I kind of expected what will happen in the end so I am not really surprised at all.


Characters are still great; Keenan and Doria still remain my favorite one. Oh and Niall too, but Ash and Seth, I am sorry to say that I still can’t find a reason to love them. Like I said the story is kind of predictable, so I was not really surprised on what happened to Keenan but I was taken aback on the twist in Irial and Niall’s life. I sure didn’t expect that.


The ending is quite ok; Melissa Marr makes sure that despite the darkness of the faerie concept in this series, that there will be still a happy ending. I am satisfied with how everything works out in the end.










View all my reviews

In My Mailbox (21)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi @ www.thestorysiren.com

Purchased: 

• The Iron Queen and The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa (book 3 and 4 of the Iron Fey series. I only read The Iron King recently and I like it so I decided to purchased the remaining 2 [I already have book 2] in the series so I can read them anytime I like)

• Dark Lover and Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward (book 1 and 2 of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I've been hearing great things about the  series and my friend keep on reminding me to read it. So I decided to try it and we will see... In fact I am going to read it next)

What did you get in your mailboxes this week? leave a link in the comments section for your IMM post and I'll be happy to check it out! Enjoy reading!

The Lost Hero

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan


My rating: 4 of 5 stars




The Lost Hero is another addition to my favorite books from Rick Riordan. I did in fact love and had fun reading “The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series” and I am having doubts if he can pull another one off. I admit I am not that excited to read this book because his other book “The Red Pyramid” disappointed me just a little bit.


But he did it again! Once I got back to the world of the gods and demigods I can’t help myself but to immerse myself in that world again. I immediately fell in love with the new and old characters again. I love the new twist in the story, the new set of heroes, and surprising revelations that really made my jaw drop. Though some of it is kind of predictable. But I can’t deny the fact that I obviously had an amazing time reading it despite the duration of time it took me to finish it. But nonetheless, The Lost Hero is a fantastic addition to the series that I am going to follow until the end.








View all my reviews