Review: Married With Zombies by Jesse Petersen

Synopsis:
A heartwarming tale of terror in the middle of the zombie apocalypse.

Meet Sarah and David.

Once upon a time they met and fell in love. But now they're on the verge of divorce and going to couples' counseling. On a routine trip to their counselor, they notice a few odd things - the lack of cars on the highway, the missing security guard, and the fact that their counselor, Dr. Kelly, is ripping out her previous client's throat.

Meet the Zombies.

Now, Sarah and David are fighting for survival in the middle of the zombie apocalypse. But, just because there are zombies, doesn't mean your other problems go away. If the zombies don't eat their brains, they might just kill each other.

Review:
Married With Zombies is one of the most entertaining books I have read in a long time. I absolutely loved the humor. I really enjoy zombie movies and books, and this book is definitely for the zombie fan. There are plenty of zombies and zombie killing. It reminded me of a mix of all the great zombie movies like Dawn of the Dead, Shaun of the Dead, and Zombieland.

This book was great. It was a quick read and a fun story. The extras at the end were entertaining and funny. There was plenty of humor and zombie action. An awesome romantic comedy with zombies. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Rating: 4.5/5

Swords are for fighting,

Waiting on Wednesday (28)...

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I am eagerly anticipating.

This week's Waiting on Wednesday pick is: The Dark and Hollow Places (The Forest of Hands and Teeth #3) by Carrie Ryan

Publication Date: March 22, 2011

Synopsis:
There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister’s face when she and Elias left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the horde as they found their way to the Dark City, the sear of the barbed wire that would scar her for life. But most of all, Annah would like to forget the morning Elias left her for the Recruiters.

Annah’s world stopped that day and she’s been waiting for him to come home ever since. Without him, her life doesn’t feel much different from that of the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Then she meets Catcher and everything feels alive again.

Except, Catcher has his own secrets -- dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah’s longed to forget, and to a future too deadly to consider. And now it’s up to Annah -- can she continue to live in a world drenched in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return’s destruction?

I am definitely excited for this book! After the way the last book ended, I need to know what happens next.

Let me know what your WOW pick is.

Swords are for fighting,

Teaser Tuesday (28)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along, do the following:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!




This week's Teaser Tuesday comes from page 165 of Jealousy by Lili St. Crow:

"I've been socked in the face before. It hurts like hell, but if you're wanting to put someone down, a face-shot isn't the best way. Especially if they're used to it, or if they know not to pay attention to the shock factor of getting a shiner. Most people who haven't been trained flinch and think about saving their good looks."

This book is definitely exciting.

Swords are for fighting,

Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Synopsis:
Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: Jem, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa.

As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Review:
Since I am a huge fan of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments Series, I was so excited to read Clockwork Angel. I was definitely not disappointed. Clockwork Angel is an exciting read full of action, adventure, romance, magic, and even some humor. I thought it was darker than the Mortal Instruments series, but I loved it.

I loved that this book was set in the Victorian era. I am no expert, but the descriptions of the places and time felt real to me. I also loved that the main character, Tessa, is a bookworm plus she is witty. There seems to be a love triangle forming between her, Will, and Jem. I like that she did not put up with Will's arrogance, and Will is definitely arrogant, but I liked it. Jem is the opposite of Will. He is such a sweetheart that I do not think he can do any wrong.

All of the characters seemed to have their own story to tell. I do not want to give anything away because I think it is better to read it and find out who everyone is for yourself. I definitely want to know more about Will though and why he is the way he is, so I hope that is explained in the next book.

A major part of this novel involves Tessa looking for her brother, Nate. As Cassandra Clare tends to do, there are many twists and turns along the way. Many of which I never saw coming including a certain betrayal.

Clockwork Angel is an adventurous and exciting read. I loved everything about it. There are many questions left unanswered, but I expected that to happen. Also, the ending does include a cliffhanger. Besides that, this book is amazing, and I definitely recommend reading it.

Rating: 5/5

Swords are for fighting,

Contest Craze Mini Challenge #1

Princess Bookie is hosting Contest Craze! For the first mini challenge, I had to Name my Top 5 most wanted Books of 2011. This was definitely difficult, but this is what I decided on:

1. Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) by Maggie Stiefvater
   
   
2. Delirium by Lauren Oliver












3. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

4. The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

5. Outside In by Maria V. Snyder

Well, there are my picks. I am definitely excited for all of these books and many more!

Swords are for fighting,

In My Mailbox (28)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren where I share what books I got in the past week.

This is what I received this week:

Won:

• Halo by Alexandra Adornetto from Confessions of A Bookaholic
• Dust by Joan Frances Turner from Grasping for the Wind

What did you get this week?

Swords are for fighting,

Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Synopsis:
Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

Review:
Paranormalcy was a fast and exciting read. It has plenty of action and the plot was original. Kiersten White is definitely a talented writer. The way she writes brought the story to life and made it fun to read. I could not put this book down.

The main character, Evie is an interesting person. I liked that she is a strong person who knows how to handle herself, but she also has a girly side that she is not afraid to show. I thought it was great that her favorite color is pink. Evie's friend and shape-shifter, Lend is amazing. I thought his personality was so adorable that I could not help but love him. Reth, a fairy and Evie's ex, is probably one of the creepiest characters I have ever read about. He pretty much thinks he owns Evie, and the things he does definitely gave me the chills.

I definitely enjoyed this book. It was fun to read. To sum it up, it was awesome. I found myself smiling many times throughout the book because of the witty writing. There were a few sad parts, but the ending more than makes up for them. I thought the ending was perfect, and I look forward to reading more of Kiersten White's books in the future.

Rating: 4.5/5

Swords are for fighting,

Mega Swagbucks Day! (3)

Every Friday is Mega Swagbucks Day! It is a day where you have a higher chance of earning larger amounts of Swag Bucks. (The largest I've gotten is 40, but I know there are higher ones out there).

If you do not know what Swagbucks is, it is basically a search engine where you earn Swag Bucks by searching for anything and everything on the web. When you get enough, you can redeem your Swag Bucks for prizes! My favorite prize is the Amazon giftcard because I can use it to buy books, which is great for a book blogger.

To start earning Swag Bucks all you have to do is sign up. It is absolutely free, and it is a great way to get free prizes! I use it all the time to look up new books I've read about on other blogs...actually I use it to look up pretty much everything. So, if you want, sign up here and start searching and earning!

Any Swagbucks users out there? Do you like it?

Swords are for fighting,

Book Blogger Hop (11)

The Book Blogger Hop is here! It is hosted by Crazy For Books, and here is how it works for those that do not know:

ABOUT THE HOP: This is a weekly event, hosted here, where book bloggers and readers can connect to find new blogs to read. It's a great way to network with other bloggers and make new friends! In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blogger Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start Hopping!! Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews. If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know! Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added! And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!

This week's question is:

When you write reviews, do you write them as you are reading or wait until you have read the entire book?

Answer: I write my reviews after I have read the entire book. I actually have a spot on my desk right next to my computer for books I have finished that I need to review. Since I rarely write reviews as soon as I finish a book, I put a sticky note with notes about what I want to talk about during the review, so I do not forget.

If you are participating or you found me through the Hop, please leave me a comment. Have a fun Book Blogger Hop Friday!

Swords are for fighting,

Review: Unraveled (Intertwined #2) by Gena Showalter

Synopsis:
For once, sixteen-year-old Aden Stone has everything he’s ever wanted:

A home.

Friends.

The girl of his dreams.

Too bad he’s going to die...Since coming to Crossroads, Oklahoma, former outcast Aden Stone has been living the good life. Never mind that one of his best friends is a werewolf, his girlfriend is a vampire princess who hungers for his blood, and he’s supposed to be crowned Vampire King – while still a human! Well, kind of.

With four – oops, three now — human souls living inside his head, Aden has always been “different” himself. These souls can time travel, raise the dead, possess another’s mind, and, his least favorite these days, tell the future.

The forecast for Aden? A knife through the heart.

Because a war is brewing between the creatures of the dark, and Aden is somehow at the center of it all. But he isn’t about to lie down and accept his destiny without a fight. Not when his new friends have his back, not when Victoria has risked her own future to be with him, and not when he has a reason to live for the first time in his life...

Review:
Intertwined was the first book I reviewed on my blog, so I was extremely excited to read the second book in the series, Unraveled. From the first page, I was excited to see what was going to happen.

So much happened in this book that it was definitely a wild ride. Aden, Mary Ann, Victoria, and Riley all end up dealing with something big. Like before, Aden had to deal with the souls in his head, but now he has to deal with being Vampire King along with his impending death involving a knife. Mary Ann has to deal with finding out what she actually is, and what she is is not pretty. I have to say I feel sorry for her. Victoria

This is just a few of the things going on, and there is lot going on. To add to the mix, all of the main characters have to deal with a meeting with the witches that they have no idea where or when it will take place. If Aden does not make the meeting, all of them will die.

I definitely liked this book. It was fun to read with all of the action and adventure. The story line was exciting, but there was too much going on. At the end of the book, we are left with more questions than answers. There is a cliffhanger that leaves you with even more questions, so I definitely want to know what happens next.

Rating: 4/5

Swords are for fighting,

Waiting on Wednesday (27)...

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I am eagerly anticipating.

This week's Waiting on Wednesday pick is: Afterlife by Claudia Gray

Publication Date: March 8, 2011

Synopsis:
The fourth book in this electrifying vampire series has all the romance, suspense, and page-turning drama that have made Claudia Gray’s Evernight books runaway successes.

Having become what they feared most, Bianca and Lucas face a terrifying new reality. They must return to Evernight Academy, Lucas as a vampire and Bianca as a wraith. But Lucas is haunted by demons, both personal and supernatural. Bianca must help him fight the evil inside him, combat the forces determined to drive them apart—and find the power to claim her destiny at last.

Readers have fallen in love with Bianca and Lucas, and they will be thrilled to read this exciting conclusion to their romantic adventure.

Although I did not really like how the last book ended (you can see my review here), I need to know what happens.

Swords are for fighting,

Teaser Tuesday (27)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along, do the following:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's Teaser Tuesday comes from page 82 of Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause:

"They were always at parties, or at the movies, or hanging out at someone's house, always in the midst of Aiden's friends, the Amoeba. Even when they were alone together he was very careful in how far he went, as if he was afraid to scare her off. This made her smile. Soon, baby, I'll let you know how scared I'm not, she thought."

This book is not at all like I thought it would be. I've seen the movie, but after reading a few chapters of the book, I have come to realize that the movie was loosely based on the book.

Swords are for fighting,

In My Mailbox (27)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren where I share what books I got in the past week.

This is what I received this week:

Won:

-From For What It's Worth Reviews:

• Knight of Passion by Margaret Mallory
• Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost
• Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin
• Notes From the Blender by Brendan Halpin and Tricia Cook
• Faithful by Janet Fox
• 13 to Life by Shannon Delany
• Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols
• I Am Number Four by Pitticus Lore
• Raised By Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
• Swag

-Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry from Sara at Babbling Flow

-On the Prowl by Karen MacInerney from vvb32 Reads (not pictured)

Swapped from PaperBackSwap.com:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Clause

What did you get this week?

Swords are for fighting,

Review: Frozen Fire by Tim Bowler

Synopsis:
A paranormal thriller from Carnegie Medal–winner Tim Bowler!
It starts with a phone call. “I’m dying,” a voice tells Dusty. Who is he and how has he gotten her cell number? Dusty wants no part of this strange boy . . . until he begins saying things that only someone who knows her intimately could say—things that lead her to think he knows the whereabouts of her brother, who disappeared over a year ago. Suddenly drawn in, Dusty very much wants to save this boy. Trouble is, she cannot find him. Part human, part spirit, he won’t let himself be found. He is too dangerous, he says. There are mobs of people who agree and who want to see this boy dead . . . and who will hurt anyone who stands in their way.

A gripping, hair-raising mystery about a boy not of this world, and a girl determined to protect him.

Review:
This is probably one of the weirdest books I have ever read, but weird in a good way. I honestly do not know what to think of this book. The story is interesting and thrilling and the premise is exciting and mysterious.

The main character, Dusty, is a very independent and rebellious girl. She keeps where she goes and what she does from her dad, so she is pretty much on her own most of the time. She is such a strong character that I enjoyed reading about. The mysterious boy who is never given a name drove me crazy at times because I really wanted to know who and what he is. Unfortunately, the answers are never given. Many more questions are raised at the end, but I think that was the point.

Frozen Fire is an interesting paranormal thriller. I found the story strange, but I still liked it. It is the kind of book that makes you think. It was well written and many parts will have you on the edge of your seat.

Rating: 3.5/5

Swords are for fighting,

Review: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Synopsis:
"Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell." Jacob was there because his luck had run out - orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive "ship of fools." It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act - in fact, she couldn't even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

Review:
I decided to read Water for Elephants because I discovered that Robert Pattinson is going to star in the movie version of it. As you may or may not know, I am a HUGE fan of Robert Pattinson. I definitely like him more than I should. Robert Pattinson aside, I am so glad I read this book. I did not know what to expect, but it was absolutely amazing!

The main character, Jacob, is so easy to like. He has lived an extremely interesting life. In the beginning, he is a veterinarian student who is about to take his final test to become a full-fledged vet. Unfortunately for him, a tragedy claims his parents' lives, and he becomes too emotionally broken to even start the test. He ends up jumping on a train that happens to be a circus train, so he is practically thrown into this world as the circus vet.

I really loved this book for so many reasons. One, Jacob is a vet (sort of), which I love because that is what I want to do. You can obviously tell he loves animals. The characters were complex and intriguing. The bad guys like August and Uncle Al had so many levels to them that they were often hard to read. Rosie, the elephant, was probably one of my favorite characters. Even if she is an elephant, she was so funny and smart! She definitely made the story so much better because I could not help but love her.

Water for Elephants is an amazing book. Sara Gruen is such a talented writer that it is no wonder I love this book so much. With the action, forbidden love, hard choices, loss, and so much more, Water for Elephants is one of the best books I have ever read. It captivated me from page 1. I absolutely love this book, and it is now one of my favorites.

Rating: 5/5

Swords are for fighting,

Review: Creepers by Joanne Dahme

Synopsis:
From moving to a new house to making new friends and preparing for high school, life for the new girl in town can be unsettling. But thirteen year-old Courtney is unprepared for how creepy life in Murmur, Massachusetts turns out to be. Her ivy-covered house overlooking the antiquated cemetery next door is one thing, but Courtney finds herself thrust into a full-fledged haunted adventure after meeting Christian and Margaret Geyer, a strange father and daughter with unfinished family business. The body of their ancestor, Prudence, has gone missing from beneath her ivy-carved tombstone and must be returned to its final resting place in order to break the spell that looms over Courtney’s house. To add to the suspense and help solve the mystery, authentic documents and photographs are set at the beginning of each chapter pertaining to Murmur, Courtney’s house, and the infamous cemetery. Will Courtney uncover the secret lurking within the dark, dank underbelly of her ivy-covered basement?

Review:
Creepers was not a very creepy story. I was expecting a sort of thriller with some scary aspects, but it fell short for me. In fact, some parts of the book were kind of boring. The story definitely had some interesting parts, but they never really caught my attention enough to where I was absorbed in the story.

One of the things I did not like was that the main character, Courtney, did not really act like a thirteen year old girl. The way she acted and spoke made her seem far older at times. Another problem with this book was the writing. I noticed many grammar errors and overall the writing was just sloppy. Creepers had potential, but it did not reach it.


Rating: 1/5

Swords are for fighting,

Waiting On Wednesday (26)...

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I am eagerly anticipating.

This week's Waiting on Wednesday pick is: Flip This Zombie by Jesse Petersen

Publication Date: January 1, 2011

Synopsis:
The Zombie Apocalypse has been good to Sarah and David. Their marriage is better than ever. They communicate well, share responsibilities, and now, they're starting a business. ZombieBusters-for all your zombie extermination needs.There are lots of zombies and that means lots of customers...Except one of them doesn't want the zombies dead, he wants them alive and ready for experimentation. Mad scientists make for difficult clients and this time, Sarah and David might have bitten off more than they can chew.

Swords are for fighting,

Teaser Tuesday (26)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along, do the following:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's Teaser Tuesday comes from page 84 of Married With Zombies by Jesse Petersen:

"Nothing,' Dave said with a shrug as he stood at the driver's side door. 'I was just thinking how much cooler you are than any other girl I ever knew.'"

This book is extremely entertaining. I absolutely love it so far!

Swords are for fighting,

Review: Heist Society by Ally Carter

Synopsis:
When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre...to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria...to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own--scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving "the life" for a normal life proves harder than she'd expected.

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat's dad needs her help.

For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in history-or at least her family's (very crooked) history.

Review:

If you want a fun book to read and a book you do not have to put a lot of thought into, Heist Society is the perfect book for you! It is an exciting, fast-paced story revolving around Katarina 'Kat' Bishop. Kat has been a thief since she can remember, but she recently got out of the family business by conning her way into one of the best schools in the world. Unfortunately for her plans of getting a great education, her friend Hale decides she needs to get back into the family business to help clear her dad's name.

This book was so much fun! It had an Ocean's Eleven vibe but with teenagers. I really liked how Kat, even though she is a girl, is one of the best thieves out there. As you can see throughout the book, she is definitely talented. Sure, the plot was ridiculous and unrealistic, but it was exciting to read about. Besides Kat, my favorite character is Hale because he has some brains in that head of his. Plus, he is handsome and rich! What is there not to like about that?

Heist Society is a fast read with an exciting plot. If you want something fun to read, this is it!

Rating: 3.5/5

Swords are for fighting,

In My Mailbox (26)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren where I share what books I got in the past week.

This is what I received this week:

Bought:

• Married With Zombies by Jesse Petersen
• The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine
• Lord of Misrule by Rachel Caine

What did you get this week?

Swords are for fighting,

PaperBack Swap

I have recently discovered PaperBackSwap.com and I absolutely love it! Trading books that I do not want to read again for books on my wishlist is the perfect thing for me. After signing up and posting 10 books, you automatically receive 2 credits that you can use on any 2 book you want (each book costs you only 1 credit). If you have books around the house that you do not plan on reading again, I definitely recommend trying out PaperBack Swap. It is extremely easy to use and fun! You can sign up by clicking the banner. What are you waiting for? Swap Books for Free - PaperBackSwap.com

Swords are for fighting,

Review: Masquerade (Blue Bloods #2) by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis:
Schuyler Van Alen is starting to get more comfortable with her newfound vampire powers, but she still has many unanswered questions. A trip to Italy in search of her grandfather only serves to make things more confusing. What secrets are the leaders of The Committee hiding? Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly underway for the famous Four Hundred Ball. In true Blue Blood fashion, the ball is totally fab, complete with masks, and hidden behind this masquerade is a revelation that will change the course of a young vampire's destiny.

The thrilling sequel in Melissa de la Cruz's vampire mythology has all the glamour, attitude, and vampire lore that made the first book a hit.

Review:
Masquerade picks up where Blue Bloods left off. Schuyler is still looking for answers about the Silver Bloods. This book is a fast read, but it does have a lot of fluff that does not seem to further the plot in any way such as Schuyler and Bliss pursuing a modeling career.

I liked Masquerade just as much as I liked the first one. It is not my favorite series, but I still enjoy reading it. It was interesting, and the vampires in this series are unique as ever. I still did not like how all of the vampires are so gorgeous and so skinny they could be mistaken for being anorexic. Besides that, I definitely like this series enough to read the next book in the series someday to see where Melissa de la Cruz takes the story.

Rating: 3/5

Swords are for fighting,

Book Blogger Hop (10)

It is time again for The Book Blogger! It is hosted by Crazy For Books, and here is how it works for those that do not know:

ABOUT THE HOP: This is a weekly event, hosted here, where book bloggers and readers can connect to find new blogs to read. It's a great way to network with other bloggers and make new friends! In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blogger Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start Hopping!! Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews. If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know! Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added! And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!

If you are participating or you found me through the Hop, please leave me a comment. Have a fun Book Blogger Hop Friday!

Swords are for fighting,

Review: Mockingjay (Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Synopsis:
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

Review:

Mockingjay was an extraordinary end to a series. I absolutely loved it! It was completely unpredictable to me because nothing that I thought would happen did. I had no idea where Suzanne Collins was going to take Katniss in this book, which made it all the more exciting to read.

When I first received my copy of Mockingjay in the mail, I was literally shaking because I was so excited to read it! I immediately started to read it the moment it was in my hands, and I could not put it down for anything but an emergency (which is in fact why I did not read it in a day, but everything is okay now). It was definitely the most anticipated book for me this year.

Mockingjay started off in the most gruesome way with Katniss walking around District 12. It was definitely not a happy beginning, but how could it be with the way Catching Fire ended. Everyone that survived District 12 is now living in District 13, but District 13 has its own problems. In fact, it is not as great as it sounded in the previous books. I would even go as far as to say that it is as bad as the Capital. The head honcho there, Coin, may seem like she wants to overthrow the Capital to get rid of President Snow's horrible ways, but I think that she is as bad as Snow. She likes power, and power is what she wants.

President Snow is probably one of the most evil villains I have ever read about in a book.He enjoys messing with Katniss' head, so he is still as evil as ever in Mockingjay. One detail I was looking forward to was why Snow's breathe smells like blood. The reason was fascinating and further displays Snow's evilness. I would have never guessed it.

I felt really bad for Peeta in this book. What happened to him was horrible. It was awful to read about, especially when Peeta was always such an all around good guy in the previous books. I would never wish it on anybody, but it further shows what Snow and the Capital are capable of.

It seems like many of the characters changed in Mockingjay, but with what they have gone through it is understandable. Katniss and Finnick are both mentally unstable. Katniss constantly pushes away everyone who loves her and wants to help her. Gale really opens up in this book, and I discovered that Katniss and Gale are extremely similar to each other especially when it comes to violence and anger. I like how Gale is extremely observant of Katniss and how they can speak to each other without actually talking. They know each other so well, but I think that is because they are so alike.

From the beginning, I kept thinking who is going to die in this book. Believe me when I say, many people do. Some of the deaths definitely hurt. There were so many deaths in this book, and some of them were extremely sad and had me on the verge of tears.

Mockingjay was a superb book. I loved everything about it. It was definitely an addicting page turner that I could not put down. I would plan on reading only one more chapter, but ended up reading three more before I even realized it. Suzanne Collins is an amazingly talented writer. The way she writes had me on the edge of my seat while I read. It was so exciting and unpredictable with a few OMG! moments.

Rating: 5/5

Links to my reviews of the rest of the books in the Hunger Games series:

1. The Hunger Games

2. Catching Fire

Swords are for fighting,

Waiting on Wednesday (25)...

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I am eagerly anticipating.

This week's Waiting on Wednesday pick is: Dust City by Robert Paul Weston

Publication Date: September 30, 2010

Synopsis:
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?

His son, that's who.

Ever since his father's arrest for the murder of Little Red Riding Hood, teen wolf Henry Whelp has kept a low profile in a Home for Wayward Wolves . . . until a murder at the Home leads Henry to believe his father may have been framed.

Now, with the help of his kleptomaniac roommate, Jack, and a daring she-wolf named Fiona, Henry will have to venture deep into the heart of Dust City: a rundown, gritty metropolis where fairydust is craved by everyone and controlled by a dangerous mob of Water Nixies and their crime boss leader, Skinner.

Can Henry solve the mystery of his family's sinister past? Or, like his father before him, is he destined for life as a big bad wolf?

I am looking forward to this fairy tale retelling of sorts.

Swords are for fighting,

Teaser Tuesday (25)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along, do the following:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's Teaser Tuesday comes from page 283 of Unraveled by Gena Showalter:

"The Goblin poison savaged Aden, turning his blood to lava, his organs to ash and his skin into one giant welt. He burned, he itched, he vomited thick black goo over and over again."

It does not sound like Aden is having a good time. Honestly, this book is amazing so far! It is such a fun story.

Swords are for fighting,

Review: Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis:
When the Mayflower set sail in 1620, it carried on board the men and women who would shape America: Miles Standish; John Alden; Constance Hopkins. But some among the Pilgrims were not pure of heart; they were not escaping religious persecution. Indeed, they were not even human. They were vampires.The vampires assimilated quickly into the New World. Rising to levels of enormous power, wealth, and influence, they were the celebrated blue bloods of American society.
The Blue Bloods vowed that their immortal status would remain a closely guarded secret. And they kept that secret for centuries. But now, in New York City, the secret is seeping out. Schuyler Van Alen is a sophomore at a prestigious private school. She prefers baggy, vintage clothes instead of the Prada and pearls worn by her classmates, and she lives with her reclusive grandmother in a dilapated mansion. Schuyler is a loner...and happy that way. Suddenly, when she turns fifteen, there is a visible mosaic of blue veins on her arm. She starts to crave raw food and she is having flashbacks to ancient times. Then a popular girl from her school is found dead... drained of all her blood. Schuyler doesn't know what to think, but she wants to find out the secrets the Blue Bloods are keeping. But is she herself in danger?

Could those vampire legends really be true? Steeped in vampire lore and set against the glittery backdrop of New York City, Blue Bloods will be devoured by Melissa de la Cruz's legion fans.

Review:
This book had its ups and downs for me. For one thing, it was definitely interesting. I've never read a book about vampires before where the vampires live forever by being reincarnated at the end of each life. Melissa de la Cruz definitely has the upper hand when it comes to her vampires being different.

The thing that I did not like about this book was that it reminded me of the show Gossip Girl in a bad way. All of the vampires are gorgeous with model thin bodies, so they are perfect when it comes to looks. Plus, they are all rich and they know it. I also did not like how Schuyler is described as dressing like a bum pretty much, and she had not washed her hair for two weeks, but she was still beautiful. So beautiful, in fact, that a modeling agency had to have her. I thought it was just too ridiculous.

Even though I did not like some of this book, I will continue reading the series. The story was interesting enough that I am able to push through the not so great moments. This book was a quick read and had some fun parts. I liked that there was not a huge cliffhanger ending. The ending tied up everything nicely, but it still leaves it open for another chapter in the story.

Rating: 3/5

Swords are for fighting,

In My Mailbox (25)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren where I share what books I got in the past week.

This is what I received this week: (Sorry for the lack of picture)

Bought:

• Paranormalcy by Kiersten White



• Unraveled by Gena Showalter



• Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

What did you get this week?

Swords are for fighting,

Review: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith

Synopsis:
With more than one million copies in print, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was the surprise publishing phenomenon of 2009. A best seller on three continents, PPZ has been translated into 21 languages and optioned to become a major motion picture.

In this terrifying and hilarious prequel, we witness the genesis of the zombie plague in early-nineteenth-century England. We watch Elizabeth Bennet evolve from a naïve young teenager into a savage slayer of the undead. We laugh as she begins her first clumsy training with nunchucks and katana swords and cry when her first blush with romance goes tragically awry. Written by acclaimed novelist (and Edgar Award nominee) Steve Hockensmith, Dawn of the Dreadfuls invites Austen fans to step back into Regency England, Land of the Undead!

Review:
Dawn of the Dreadfuls is a prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and let me tell you that it was a fun read! The humor was great and the action was eventful. I loved reading about how Elizabeth Bennet grew into her zombie slaying ways. It was fun to see a sixteen year old Elizabeth Bennet along with all of her sisters learn how to fight zombies with the help of their father and Master Hawksworth.

I liked that the book started right off with some zombie action. I was never once bored while reading this book. Elizabeth has two love interests in this book: Master Hawksworth and Dr. Keckilpenny. These are so different from each other. Master Hawksworth is a young master of the warrior ways. He has perfected every warrior move. The problem? He is too much of a coward to use his expertise to attack and kill zombies. Dr. Keckilpenny, on the other hand, is a thoughtful man who probably spends too much time in his head. He is obsessed with finding a way to reverse the zombies back to their original minds. He could use his doctor skills for helping the wounded people who have been fighting zombies, but he would rather spend his time with the zombies themselves.

Both men prove to be cowards and not worthy of Elizabeth's attention. That is okay with me! They just make Mr. Darcy look that much better...like he needed to look any better.

Some fans of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice will love this book while others will hate it. I am a fan of Jane Austen, and I personally loved this book. I think people who like zombie books will like it, too. It is definitely a fun read!

Rating: 4/5

Swords are for fighting,

Book Blogger Hop (9)

I have not participated in The Book Blogger Hop in a while! It is hosted by Crazy For Books, and here is how it works for those that do not know:

ABOUT THE HOP: This is a weekly event, hosted here, where book bloggers and readers can connect to find new blogs to read. It's a great way to network with other bloggers and make new friends! In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blogger Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start Hopping!! Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews. If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know! Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added! And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!

If you are participating or you found me through the Hop, please leave me a comment. Have a fun Book Blogger Hop Friday!

Swords are for fighting,

Review: Winter Longing by Tricia Mills

Synopsis:
A plane crash in Alaska takes Winter’s first love away forever . . .

When Winter's boyfriend is killed in a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, she's robbed of the future she'd only just allowed herself to believe might be hers. Winter and Spencer had been destined for one another. And after his death, Spencer's presence continues to haunt her.

But when her next-door neighbor becomes an unlikely friend, Winter begins to accept all that she can't change. Can she open herself to a new future . . . and a possible new love?


Review:
Winter gets her heart broken by the loss of her best friend turned recent boyfriend, Spencer, and we get to see her slowly put her heart back together with the help of her neighbor, Jesse. Winter's grief process is long and sometimes difficult, but it helped her heal.

The flashbacks at the beginning of many of the chapters were extremely cute and probably my favorite parts. I loved seeing Spencer and Winter interact in the past. Spencer was obviously such a sweet boy who loved Winter.

I definitely enjoyed this book. It was such a touching story, and I am glad I had the chance to read it. Winter Longing was a cute story, and I loved it. It is a quick read that is perfect for the summer even if it does take place in cold Alaska. If you have the time, I recommend picking it up.

Rating: 4/5

Swords are for fighting,

What I Accomplished in August

August was a pretty busy month for me! I am proud to say that I had at least one post up each day! Also, I now have 144 followers! Thank you for following me!

Here are some of the highlights:

I participated in The Book Vixen's and The Book Junkie's Bookshelf's Book Club for August where we read and discussed The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. I really enjoyed the book, and I had a lot of fun with the book club. The discussion posts definitely made me think:

• Discussion Post 1


• The Last Song Review


• Discussion Questions

I also participated in Bibliophilic Book Blog's Read Your Own Books Read-A-Thon. I managed to read 3 books total in one weekend!

I participated in Book Crazy's From Dawn to Dusk A Read-A-Thon, and I ended up reading 2 books.

I reviewed a total of 17 books!

Books reviewed:

• The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester
  


• Betrayals (Strange Angels #2) by Lili St. Crow


• The Host by Stephenie Meyer


• Perfect (Pretty Little Liars #3) by Sara Shepard


• Unbelievable (Pretty Little Liars #4) by Sara Shepard


• Dark Flame (The Immortals #4) by Alyson Noel
  


• Nightshade by Andrea Cremer


• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


• Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins


• Dead Deep (Vampirates #1.5) by Justin Somper


• Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
  


• The Line by Teri Hall


• Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder


• Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr


• Ink Exchange (Wicked Lovely #2) by Melissa Marr
  


• Glass Houses (Morganville Vampires #1) by Rachel Caine


• The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

Number of Books read in August: 15 <--The most books I have read in a month this year!

To Be Read List Total at the end of the month: 76

I received 4 awards. The Versatile Blogger Award from Kailia Sage at Reading the Best of the Best and also from Sara over at Along for the Ride, the Pertinent Posts Award from Enna Isilee at Squeaky Books, the Bodacious Blog Award from vvb32 Reads, and the Summer Blogger Award from Liberty Falls Down. Thank you all. I am very grateful for all of them!

I think I had a very productive month!

Swords are for fighting,

Waiting On Wednesday (24)...

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I am eagerly anticipating.

This week's Waiting on Wednesday pick is: XVI by Julia Karr

Publication Date: January 6, 2011

Synopsis:
In the year 2150, being a girl isn’t necessarily a good thing, especially when your sixteenth (read sex-teenth) birthday is fast approaching. That in itself would be enough to make anyone more than a little nuts, what with the tattoo and all – but Nina Oberon’s life has taken a definite turn for the worse. Her mother is brutally stabbed and left for dead. Before dying, she entrusts a secret book to Nina, telling her to deliver it to Nina's father. But, first Nina has to find him; since for fifteen years he's been officially dead. Complications arise when she rescues Sal, a mysterious, and ultra hot guy. He seems to like Nina, but also seems to know more about her father than he’s letting on. Then there’s that murderous ex-government agent who’s stalking her, and just happens to be her little sister’s dad.

This book sounds so great! I am excited to read it.

Swords are for fighting,