OMG! It's Daemon!

Wow! This guy is smoking HOT! So freaking gorgeous! 

Book Haul (35)

BOOK HAUL

Book Haul: Tower of Books Edition

Our local bookstore is having a sale when I decided to drop by one day. And of course, I took the opportunity to buy books at lesser price. I went a little crazy, thanks to my hubby who always supports my book addiction. Here are the books:

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan (I need to catch up with this series, final book is already out so I need to read this)

Bumped by Megan McCafferty (one of the 2011 dystopian book that I wanted to read. Heard mixed reviews about it though but I am willing to give it a chance)

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter (love Heist Society! Actually I love Ally Carter’s books. I can’t wait to devoured this one)

All these things I’ve done by Gabrielle Zevin (I always forgot to pick this one up whenever I go to the bookstore. Good thing I remember it finally, though I am not a big fan of the paperback edition cover)

Abandon by Meg Cabot (my very first Meg Cabot book. I already read it but sadly I didn’t like it that much. I found the story too confusing and I am still thinking if I will pick up Underworld)

Timeless by Alexandra Monir (I am so intrigued with the time travel concept of the story so I decided to try it)

The Night Circus by Eric Morgenstern (Circus, Magician, competition, who wouldn’t like it? Very excited to read this)

Tiger’s Curse by Colleen Houck (Heard mixed reviews about this one too but I can’t resist not to have this book, cover is so pretty! And the story sounds intriguing too)

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (this one is recommend to me by a friend who swore to me that it is one of the best book she had read for 2012 so far)

Until I Die by Amy Plum and The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead (2 sequels that I have been waiting for such a long time)

Darkness before dawn by J.A. London and Sweet evil by wendy Higgins (2 of the 2012 books that I have been pining for ever since I saw the cover. And heard amazing things about these 2 as well)

These are the books that I have got for this week. My husband is begging me not to buy books for at least 2 weeks, I hope that I can do that =)

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

Book Haul (34)

BOOK HAUL

Book Haul: Catching Up Edition

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs and A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford.

These two books are both 2011 Debut Novel that I have wanted to read but I decided to just wait for the paperback edition instead. I love the paperback of Miss Peregrine because it is just basically the same with the Hardcover one, well except for the binding. But the paper and everything is just the same. 

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting – book 2 of The Body Finder series, which I really enjoyed reading.

We’ll Always have Summer by Jenny Han – 3^rd and final book in the Summer trilogy. I recently finished reading this book, just an hour ago, and I really LOVE it. Definitely a heart wrenching read but it is so good! 

I don’t have a lot this week but it’s ok because I am trying to save some money for my son’s birthday next month and I have tons of books that I need to read.

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

Bloodrose

Title: Bloodrose 
Author: Andrea Cremer
Series: Nightshade # 3
Published: Jan. 03, 2012 by Philomel
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 406
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy


My rating:    

Summary: 

But now that the final battle is upon her, there's more at stake than fighting. There's saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay's wrath. There's keeping Ansel safe, even if he's been branded a traitor. There's proving herself as the pack's alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers' magic once and for all. And then there's deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

My Thoughts:

I had a hard time contemplating my thoughts on this book. The ending is just killing me and I still can’t believe that Andrea Cremer ended the story that way!

It is neither a sad ending nor a bad one. In fact, after everything that happened in the story it turns out eventually a happy one. But for me it is just a bittersweet experience. And it is okay, I just don’t like it that much mainly because of my selfish reasons that I don’t want to elaborate anymore to avoid spoilers. But I am proud to say that I am still Team Ren all the way!

I may not like the ending, and maybe that is the only thing that I don’t like in this book, but I still love Bloodrose and the series as a whole. I cannot find any fault in Andrea Cremer’s writing style. Her writing is just flawless and so easy to read. The scenarios in the story were vividly described that I can easily picture it out. And that is just one thing that I admire about her writing skills.

So in the end, though it makes me cry my heart out, Bloodrose ended the story of this series pretty well. Some may not agree with it, I don’t really, but I learned to just accept it because even though Calla’s choices are way different from my choices, she learned to just follow her heart. And that is enough for me.

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The Iron Queen

Title: The Iron Queen 
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Iron Fey # 3
Published: Jan. 25, 2011 by HarlequinTeen
Format: Paperback
Pages: 358
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance


My rating: 
     

Summary:

My name is Meghan Chase.I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.This time, there will be no turning back.

My Thoughts:

I love this book! And that is not surprising anymore. Everybody seems to love this one and I am one of them. The Iron Queen so far is the best book in the series for me.

One of the best points in this book is the character development. As the story progresses, the characters grows with it. I still love Ash [who doesn’t?] but Puck still had a special place in my heart and no one can ever take that away from me. Although I am still quite annoyed with Meghan at certain situation, I like her now. And she improved a lot in terms of maturity. And she is a lot stronger now physically and emotionally.

As with the plot, everything that happened in the story and the ending of it is pretty much remarkable and fantastic. Julie Kagawa ended the story in a realistic way; I think there is no better ending than that. It is a little bit sad though, but it’s ok because that just make the story more special.

Oh and Ash! I am so in love with him now! He is just awesome! His declaration of love or Oath or whatever to Meghan is just heart-melting. I read that part over and over again.

I can’t wait to find out how much I am going to like Ash’s point of view in The Iron Knight and how the story will end. 

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Book Haul (33)

BOOK HAUL

These are the books that my hubby bought me for Mother’s Day celebration. 

·         THE SELECTION by Kiera Cass (I heard mixed reviews about this book but I want to give it a shot and see if I am going to like it. Plus I want this book in my shelves mainly because of its GORGEOUS cover)

ASCEND by Amanda Hocking (3^rd and final book in the Trylle Trilogy. I only read Switched and it is an okay read so I can’t wait to continue on with the series)

WINGS OF THE WICKED by Courtney Allison Moulton (2^nd book in the Angelfire series. I really enjoyed reading the first book Angelfire so I am definitely looking forward on reading this book)

ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD by Kendare Blake (Heard so many raving reviews about this one so I decided to give it a try. Love the cover too)

And finally the two books that I have been waiting for:

·         CITY OF LOST SOULS by Cassandra Clare (the 5^th book in the Mortal Instruments series. I love the series, I can’t wait to devour this one)

INSURGENT by Veronica Roth (2^nd book in the series. LOVE Divergent, I am so stoked and excited to read this one. I hope that I can fit this one in my May reading pile, but I will probably read this right after I finished the book that I am currently reading)

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

A Storm of Swords

Title: A Storm of Swords 
Author: George R. R. Martin
Series: A Song of Ice and Fire # 3
Publisher: Bantam
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 1177
Genre: Adult High Fantasy


My rating: 
    

Summary:
Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage as violently as ever, as alliances are made and broken. Joffrey, of House Lannister, sits on the Iron Throne, the uneasy ruler of the land of the Seven Kingdoms. His most bitter rival, Lord Stannis, stands defeated and disgraced, the victim of the jealous sorceress who holds him in her evil thrall. But young Robb, of House Stark, still rules the North from the fortress of Riverrun. Robb plots against his despised Lannister enemies, even as they hold his sister hostage at King’s Landing, the seat of the Iron Throne. Meanwhile, making her way across a blood-drenched continent is the exiled queen, Daenerys, mistress of the only three dragons still left in the world....
But as opposing forces maneuver for the final titanic showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings arrives from the outermost line of civilization. In their vanguard is a horde of mythical Others--a supernatural army of the living dead whose animated corpses are unstoppable. As the future of the land hangs in the balance, no one will rest until the Seven Kingdoms have exploded in a veritable storm of swords. .

My Thoughts:

After reading the first two books in the series, I thought I am already used to the writing style of George R.R. Martin. That I will not be surprised anymore in the story, but I AM WRONG! Every twist and turn of the events I am in a complete shock. His writing and story plots are very unpredictable and overwhelming but definitely in a good way. Since the first book, he never fails to blow my mind away.

Yes, it took me 2 weeks to finish this book. One reason is the length of it and another one is because there are times that I have to put the book down mainly because the events in the book is just too much that I need to breathe and calm myself. So many freaking deaths that made my jaw drop, and until now I still can’t believe that those things did happen to the characters. So many unbelievable decisions made by the characters that are so totally unexpected. Another reason is that I wanted to savor every moment, every pages and every chapter of it because it is just fantastic.

This series is truly epic, now words can ever describe how awesome, breathe taking and impressive it is. I am gearing up myself for the 4^th book but I need a few more weeks to prepare for it because for sure I will be in a complete wild ride again. 

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Book Haul (32)

BOOK HAUL

Last week, my family had a vacation at Singapore, one of the best country that I ever been to. We had a blast, my son especially. Of course, my trip wouldn’t be complete without buying books. So here are the books that I’ve got…

• Cinder by Marissa Meyer (do I need to say more? I have been pining for this book ever since I heard about it. Finally! I have my own copy)
• Forgiven by Jana Oliver (this is the U.K. edition, the 3^rd book in the Demon Trapper series which I seriously love)
• Outside In by Maria V. Snyder (love the 1^st book, Inside Out, but I just can’t find a copy of this book in my country so when I saw this in Kinokuniya Books in Singapore I immediately grab it)
• The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson (Jack the Ripper based story and I wanted to read it. This is another U.K. edition book but I love this cover better than the U.S. one)
• Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally (one of those contemporary read that really had an intriguing plot and I have been reading great reviews about this one too)
• Eona by Alison Goodman (EON is really really good! So definitely I am excited to read this one. I just waited for the paperback of it to match my copy of Eon)

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

Incarnate

Title: Incarnate 
Author: Jodi Meadows
Series: Newsoul # 1
Published: January 31, 2012 by Katherine Tegen Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 374
Genre: YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi


My rating:  

Summary:

 New soul

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.
No soul
Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?
Heart
Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

My Thoughts:


Lately, the books that I’ve read offered a good story plot but the characters ruined all the fun in the book. And Incarnate is one of them. I am quite surprised to find myself one of the minorities who does not like this book because everybody seems to love it. I am actually expecting to really love this book but I just can’t do it. I am disappointed.


I had a hard time liking Ana. I thought I am going to like her as the story progresses but I did not. Her inconsistencies are just plainly irritating. I know and do understand why she is having a hard time trusting somebody because of the way she was raised but the way she acted is just too much. There are times that she acted like an ungrateful bitch after all the kindness Sam showed her.


Now Sam is pretty darn good. I love his weirdness and mysteriousness that makes his character more interesting. But there are times that he is just too kind and Ana doesn’t deserve him. Ana’s obsession with Sam is just absurd considering the fact that she cannot trust Sam completely.


There is no plot direction; a lot of time was wasted on nonsense things like dancing. No improvement in the story whatsoever. No explanations in the society that much and why there is a reincarnation. Ana left her home to do a research why she is a NO SOUL but the only thing she does is spend most of her time dealing with Sam’s music. Did she try to do some research? Yes a little bit not sufficient enough for the story. Any major discoveries? NONE at all. This is just pure romance, nothing else.


And what’s with the Temple thingy? There is no explanations why that is such an important part of their society.


So in the end instead of liking the book I almost throw it off but good thing I didn’t because I know for sure that I am going to regret it because I love the cover and I pretty much do not want to ruin it. Not sure if I am going to read the 2nd book in the series though.


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Legend

Title: Legend 
Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend # 1
Published: October 29, 2011 by Putnam
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 305
Genre: YA Dystopia


My rating:    

Summary:

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. 

My Thoughts:

The story plot, concept and idea of Legend are not very original but I can’t ignore the fact that I love how it was created. Though June and Day are so similar with each other, their voices are very distinct.


The writing style is very direct to the point, no unnecessary details. It was an easy read and the way the story was written, the characters really did shine and not just because of the love aspect in the story but because in the world they live in.


One thing that really bugs me off in the story is that I felt that the characters are way too young. Maybe it is just me but it is somehow not the right age though. I know 15 years old is acceptable for that kind of story but a couple more years will make a big difference in terms of characters maturity and in how they think and act toward things.


Legend is definitely an enjoyable read and I will be counting the days off until I read the next book in the series.


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In My Mailbox (31)

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

This edition of IMM is actually a collective book haul. I purchased them one book at a time for the past 3 weeks and I am just too busy and lazy to actually post it in my blog.

I got Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan and Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins which released last year but I decided to just wait for the paperback edition instead.

I already owned and read Die For Me by Amy Plum but I lost my copy so I decided to buy a new one.

I am actually completing the books in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward, and I purchased book 5, 6, and 7 which is Lover Unbound, Lover Enshrined and Lover Avenged.

Also I got Toys and 10^th Anniversary both by James Patterson which is one of my favorite adult fiction authors.

Goddess of Vengeance by Jackie Collins is another Lucky Santangelo story which is one of my guilty pleasure reads.

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!