Waiting on Wednesday (81)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

Banished (The Blackheart Legacy #1) by Liz De Jager

Release Date: February 27, 2014

Sworn to protect, honour and slay. Because chaos won’t banish itself…

Kit is proud to be a Blackhart, now she’s encountered her unorthodox cousins and their strange lives. And her home-schooling now includes spells, fighting enemy fae and using ancient weapons. But it’s not until she rescues a rather handsome fae prince, fighting for his life on the edge of Blackhart Manor, that her training really kicks in. With her family away on various missions, Kit must protect Prince Thorn, rely on new friends and use her own unfamiliar magic to stay ahead of Thorn’s enemies. As things go from bad to apocalyptic, fae battle fae in a war that threatens to spill into the human world. Then Kit pits herself against the Elder Gods themselves – it’s that or lose everyone she’s learnt to love.

Banished sounds really, really cool! Not to mention that pretty cover. I love a bit of magic and fae. My favourite fae series has to be the Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa, so I hope this will have a unique storyline... and some good romance!

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

My review of Unbreakable

Unbreakable (The Legion #1) by Kami Garcia
Release Date: October 10, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Kennedy Waters didn't believe in ghosts, until one tried to kill her.

When Kennedy finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn't know that evil forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into her house and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon - a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.


Now Kennedy has to take her mother's place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon - battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Unbreakable is basically an awesome ghost buster book! It has some pretty kick-ass characters and plenty of haunting scenes. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would! I hated - ABSOLUTELY HATED - Beautiful Creatures, but Unbreakable offered a gripping story line and lovable characters. I haven't read many ghost books since the Hereafter trilogy by Tara Hudson and I forgot how much I actually love them. Unlike Hereafter, Unbreakable definitely scared me at times!

Everything changes when Kennedy discovers her mother is dead. Soon after two boys - twins - Jared and Lukas chuck heaps of information onto her that it was a spirit who committed the crime, but also that her mother was part of a secret society that rid of demons. Now Kennedy must take on what her mother committed herself too; joining Jared and Lukas, but also another two who won't just become her friends, they will also teach her how to fight the spirits.

I liked the idea of the love triangle. The whole two brothers fighting over one girl thing. Sadly, it felt a little to cliche for me as our protagonist just happens to fall for the more dark and mysterious brother, rather than the funny, cute and more likable one. There was no twist apart from a deep, dark secret between the two brothers that have caused them to separate. Apart from that, there wasn't much that stood out.

Yeah... I was looking for something more unique in the love-triangle department. 


However, I did love the characters! Jared (the dark and mysterious brother) and Lukas (the funny, cute and likable brother), despite their contrast in personalities, remained kick-ass and strong male leads. While our protagonist Kennedy was fairly interesting with a lot more to give, I think!

This is not the best out there or the most unique or the most exciting or the most romantic, but it will keep you entertained and the characters are brilliant.

Unbreakable is a great ghost read; it's not too long and not too short with just enough twists to keep you happy. Definitely check this out if you love to be spooked! Kami Garcia's haunting descriptions won't disappoint. I will be reading the sequel Unbound!

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Book Haul (#70)

Hey,

It's December already guys! IT'S DECEMBER ALREADY HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE THIS YEAR HAS GONE TOO FAST. I cannot even begin to understand how this has happened. It doesn't feel like it's been that long since last Christmas.

Are you all looking forward to Christmas? I need to keep reminding myself to get my friend a present as I am their Secret Santa... I am so unorganised it's unbelievable.

This week I bought, won and borrowed:

Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1) by Tahereh Mafi - Bought -
I've read and LOVED it. Yes, I know I am extremely late but I just never had the chance to get it... BUT I HAVE NOW SO IT'S ALL OKAY AND NOW I CAN JOIN IN THE WHOLE "TEAM ADAM/TEAM WARNER" THANNNGGG. I am totally team Adam, by the way. My review will be up soooon.
Angel Fever (Angel #3) by L.A. Weatherly - Won -
Thank you, Lee! I cannot, cannot wait to get started as this is the conclusion to the Angel trilogy and I've waited so long. Also can't believe it's signed? AHHHHR.

Shadow of the Mark (Carrier #2) by Leigh Fallon - Borrowed -
I read Carrier of the Mark last year in September so I've waited quite a while for this (though it honestly doesn't feel like that long ago). Looking forward to seeing how things playout in this as I remember the first book being strangely similar to Twilight...
Endless Knight (The Arcana Chronicles #2) by Kresley Cole - Borrowed -
I HAVE WAITED SO LONG FOR THIS OMG THE ENDING TO POISON PRINCESS KILLED ME! I must be honest, I wasn't quite sure at times at what PP was about but I got the gist and I'm ready to get back with the characters!

Leave a link to your Book Haul/Stacking the Shelves/Letterbox Love/Showcase Sunday/In My Mailbox in the comments so I can check it out!

Enjoy all your books,
Sam :)

Waiting on Wednesday (80)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

Sweet Reckoning (Sweet Evil #3) by Wendy Higgins

Release Date: April 29, 2014

It’s time. 

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.

The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.

In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.

I really, really loved Sweet Evil and enjoyed the unique storyline and entertaining characters, Sweet Peril wasn't as good but I liked it. I'm crossing my fingers hoping that this will not disappoint with plenty of action and Kaidan swoon moments!!

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

Let's Talk: Divergent Movie Trailer

Hey,

I saw the trailer a few weeks ago but I thought we should talk about it... I mean... IT LOOKS AWESOME. And you know what movie I'm talking about? (Obviously, because you read the title of this post) DIVERGENT!

I'm sorry, but if you don't know or have never heard of this book then.................. What are you even doing? GO PICK UP IT UP RIGHT NOW! Divergent by Veronica Roth, yep, go!

Divergent is a dystopian novel based around courage, choice and being different. This novel for me is very unique and absolutely incredible. The sequel "Insurgent" isn't AS good, and I have yet to read "Allegiance", but from what I've heard..... VERYVERY mixed reviews.

Now, with a YA dystopian movie there is NO DOUBT in my mind this will be compared to The Hunger Games. I mean, what isn't? Any dystopian/vampire novel that the YA genre produces the media will immediately compare it to The Hunger Games or Twilight, it's simply unavoidable.

But the thing that gets on my nerves is that critics don't even give the movie a chance. With The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie (check out my Let's Talk post here!), critics gave the movie TERRIBLE TERRIBLE reviews while us ordinary viewers rated it highly? The plot of the movie is good, the actors portrayed the characters well, there was humor, there was action, there was romance. WHYYY, MEDIA, DID YOU IMMEDIATELY CALL IT THE NEXT HUNGER GAMES??????? Not only does this make the fans feel a bit protective and say, "HEYYYY, THE HUNGER GAMES IS ORIGINAL AND AMAZING AND CAN'T BE COMPARED OKAY!!!" It also makes others think, "Hmmm, if it's just like THG then there's not much point in going to see it, is there?"

Okay, I know it's used to guarantee and secure an audience, but can't you at least let the movie stand for it self? Divergent is definitely unique and deserves its own recognition.

Now, back to the point! The movie.

The trailer looks freakin' awesome and shows the best parts of the book....... I must admit that I probably need to have a re-read as I've forgotten quite a bit of what happens! But the movie looks like it's done well following and keeping as close to the book as possible.

Shailene Woodley isn't how I pictured Tris but I think as I watch the film that I'll get use to her and pick out all the reasons why they picked her for the role. She must be amazing if they picked her out of hundreds for such a big role.

Now, Theo James. I'm not convinced. I'm sorry, I'm just not. He doesn't look like Four, he doesn't sound like Four, he doesn't feel like Four; he just isn't entirely Four. For me.I might get a lot of hate for saying that, but I'm simply expressing my concern. He's good looking and all.... but.. 

I'll admit, in some shots and pictures he looks pretty good. And compared to some of the rumored names that were all in the running for the role, MAYBE he was a good choice. I don't know. The only film I've seen Theo James in is The Inbetweeners Movie so I don't have much opinion on his acting skills. 

I'm going to stop moaning about Theo now because I'm just going to wait until I watch the movie before I judge him and throw him to the side completely.

The action and setting looks brilliant! I loved the beginning scenes that the trailer shows! OOooooOoo Kate Winslet as Jeanine is just perfect! She gave me the chills. The choice ceremony thing... wow! Looks absolutely brilliant.

I would have liked to see Uriah and Will and Christina because they were also awesome characters. And just as I wrote that line I searched "Uriah casting" and JUST (10 seconds ago) found out that they have decided to leave him out of the first movie, but we are still having the zip wire scene? :( What. I LOVE HIM!!! What is your opinion on this? They have said that we will be seeing in the second movie... Hmmm, but still, I am not happy.

I hope they've kept the plot close to the book as my memory's a bit rubbish and the book is amazing in its self and does not need to be changed. In my opinion. But from book to screen you gotta make it a bit more exciting in places, I guess.

Now, I'll stop rambling! I will be writing a post about it after I've seen it in April!! I'll either be rambling about the good things or complaining non-stop. We'll see.

Feel free to leave your opinion on the trailer/anything mentioned in the post in the comments.

Thank you for reading,

Sam :D

My review of This is What Happy Looks Like

This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
Release Date: April 4, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

Graham Larkin and Ellie O'Neill meet—albeit virtually—when Graham accidentally sends Ellie an email about his pet pig, Wilbur. In the tradition of romantic movies like "You've Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle," the two 17-year-olds strike up an email relationship, even though they live on opposite sides of the country and don't even know each other's first names.

Through a series of funny and poignant messages, Graham and Ellie make a true connection, sharing intimate details about their lives, hopes and fears. But they don't tell each other everything; Graham doesn't know the major secret hidden in Ellie's family tree, and Ellie is innocently unaware that Graham is actually a world-famous teen actor living in Los Angeles.


When the location for the shoot of Graham's new film falls through, he sees an opportunity to take their relationship from online to in-person, managing to get the production relocated to picturesque Henley, Maine, where Ellie lives. But can a star as famous as Graham have a real relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie's mom want her to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?

This is What Happy Looks Like is a light and fluffy YA contemporary romance that is ready to sweep many off their feet. The unique plot and entertaining characters make this book intriguing and definitely worth a read if you're looking for a light-hearted contemporary read.

I loved the idea that a girl and a boy meet by an accidental email and he turns out to be a famous teen actor... It's just such a good idea. There's next to no chance that would ever happen, but this book makes it seem possible!

Graham is a famous movie star who jumps at the chance to go to the hometown of the girl he's been talking by email to shoot a movie. While Ellie is a quiet girl who's mother wants her to stay out of the spotlight at all costs. However the two end up falling for each other anyway but they have no idea what obstacles await them.

I enjoyed the well-thought out plot and the twists and surprises the author throws at us! The elements of celebrities also made it a lot more interesting. It was hard not to love Graham and Ellie, who are just two teenagers wanting a normal relationship. 

After falling hard for The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, I knew that I had to read more from Smith. It had everything I was looking for: a cute summer romance, a heart-warming plot and down-to-earth characters. I can't wait to see what unique story Jennifer Smith will think up next.

Rating

Book Haul (#69)

Hey,

HOW ARE YOU ALL????? I AM BRILLIANT. Thank you!

It was my birthday on Friday (29th) and I had the absolute best time. Also, I went to see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and thought it was stunning. The arena was just perfect. Have you seen it? If so, what do you think of it?

This week I received:

Bird Without Wings: Faebles by Cally Pepper - Received -
Thank you, John Hunt Publishing! This book is about the fae world and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.
Sentinel (Covenant #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout - Gifted -
AHHHHHHHHHRRRRRR! The last book in the series :O My friend gave me this for my birthday. Ahhhhhh, I'm starting this ASAP.

Leave a link to your Book Haul/Stacking the Shelves/Letterbox Love/In My Mailbox/Showcase Sunday in the comments so I can check it out!

Enjoy your books,

Sam :D

Waiting on Wednesday (79)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

After the End (After the End #1) by Amy Plum

Release Date: May 6, 2014

World War III has left the world ravaged by nuclear radiation. A lucky few escaped to the Alaskan wilderness. They’ve survived for the last thirty years by living off the land, being one with nature, and hiding from whoever else might still be out there.

At least, this is what Juneau has been told her entire life.

When Juneau returns from a hunting trip to discover that everyone in her clan has vanished, she sets off to find them. Leaving the boundaries of their land for the very first time, she learns something horrifying: There never was a war. Cities were never destroyed. The world is intact. Everything was a lie.

Now Juneau is adrift in a modern-day world she never knew existed. But while she’s trying to find a way to rescue her friends and family, someone else is looking for her. Someone who knows the extraordinary truth about the secrets of her past.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! This sounds so... confusing but SO AMAZING! It's just wow. 

Hopefully they'll be some romance, cause I love a lil' bit of that. ;) Nevertheless, anything Plum writes is fine with me! Her Revenants series was fabulousssss and totally unique! (Die For Me, Until I Die, If I Should Die)

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

An Interview with Katie McGarry

Hey,

I was lucky enough to have an interview with an incredible author... KATIE MCGARRY! If you don't know who she is; where have you BEEEEN??? She's the author of Pushing the Limits and Dare You To, while also having another book called Crash Into You which is out TODAY. YES TODAYYY!!

UK Covers | US Covers

These books are so incredible and will take you on a crazy ride of emotions! Not to mention those hothothot covers. Wow. I definitely prefer the US covers. What about you?

Let's put put hands together forrrrrr Katie McGarry!

Who was your favourite relationship to write about? Noah and Echo, Lila and Lincoln, Beth and Ryan, or Isaiah and Rachel. And why?
That is difficult question. I think the best way to answer it is this way:

Noah and Echo were my first published couple and for that, they will always have a special place in my heart.

Lila and Lincoln encompass all the fears I had about leaving home at 18 and starting my own life.

Beth and Ryan are a couple that is very close to my heart. Their relationship is extremely loosely (did I mention loosely?) based on how my husband and I got together.

And Isaiah and Rachel….oh Isaiah and Rachel. To me, this couple was just born to be together. 

- The final book in this series "Take me On" is going to be told from West's POV, what will his character will bring to the table?
I haven’t ruled out continuing the Pushing the Limits series, but right now I’m focusing on my contracted books. 

Just thinking about West makes me blush. He definitely has a way with girls and he finds it infuriating that Haley sees past his moves. Their love story is hot, but writing Take Me On brought me to tears more than once. I’m extremely proud of this project. 

- Are you currently working on any new projects?
Yes! I’m currently working on a new project that unfortunately I can’t tell you much about because I’m still in the early stages. I can’t wait to share these new characters with the world! 

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Make sure you add all of the Pushing the Limits books to your Goodreads TBR lists! Click here!

You can also check out my review of PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO and CRASH INTO YOU.

Enjoy your week,
Sam :)

My review of Deception

Deception (Defiance #2) by C.J. Redwine
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Baalboden has been ravaged. The brutal Commander's whereabouts are unknown. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father's death, needs Logan more than ever. With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it's up to Logan to become the leader they need—with Rachel by his side. Under constant threat from rival Carrington's army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.




But soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone—possibly inside their ranks—is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one. The chaos and uncertainty of each day puts unbearable strain on Rachel and Logan, and it isn't long before they feel their love splintering. Even worse, as it becomes clear that the Commander will stop at nothing to destroy them, the band of survivors begins to question whether the price of freedom may be too great—and whether, hunted by their enemies and the murderous traitor in their midst, they can make it out of the Wasteland alive. 

Deception is the sequel to the epic YA fantasy novel Defiance. It did not fail to deliver and meet our high expectations as Logan and Rachel continue to fight and protect their people, the remaining citizens of Baalboden. But problems begin to occur as they discover they are being hunted and it just may be one of their people.

Redwine certainly knows what she's doing when it comes down to writing and making sure our attention is held at all times. The action, romance, mystery and humor are all broken down to make sure that we get a taste of everything. There were also numerous times in the book where emotional bombshells are just dropped unexpectedly and I was paralysed with shock.

I don't even think I can put into words how much I love the alternate points of view from Rachel and Logan. It was simply perfect. WE were able to see the story as a whole: Logan and his struggles being the leader and his emotions as  he tries to get Rachel to open up to him about her problems, while with Rachel we see her battling her demons and the guilt of killing a man, but also trying to calm down the need for vengeance inside of her. I could not get enough of either of them.

This book packs a big punch as the characters and plot are simply magnificent. Not only are Logan and Rachel two wonderful characters who I endlessly adored, we also get to meet a few more new characters and get to know more about the previous ones. 

All I can really say is that Deception is an absolutely mindblowing and heart-stopping YA fantasy out there. EMOTIONS, SECRETS, VENGEANCE, ROMANCE; all mixed up to create one delicious story. Everyone MUST pick up a copy of Defiance and get reading ASAP because you are seriously missing out.

Rating