Waiting on Wednesday (153)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

The Iron Warrior (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #3) by Julie Kagawa

Release Date: October 27, 2015

The Iron Prince—my nephew—betrayed us all. 

He killed me. 

Then, I woke up. 

Waking after a month on the brink of death, Ethan Chase is stunned to learn that the Veil that conceals the fey from human sight was temporarily torn away. Although humankind's glimpse of the world of Faery lasted just a brief moment, the human world has been cast into chaos, and the emotion and glamour produced by fear and wonder has renewed the tremendous power of the Forgotten Queen. Now, she is at the forefront of an uprising against the courts of Summer and Winter—a reckoning that will have cataclysmic effects on the Nevernever. 

Leading the Lady's Forgotten Army is Keirran himself: Ethan's nephew, and the traitor son of the Iron Queen, Meghan Chase.To stop Keirran, Ethan must disobey his sister once again as he and his girlfriend, Kenzie, search for answers long forgotten. In the face of unprecedented evil and unfathomable power, Ethan's enemies must become his allies, and the world of the fey will be changed forevermore.

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 The Duff

The Duff by Kody Keplinger
Release Date: February 25, 2015 (UK Movie Tie-In Version)
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “Duffy,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.


Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

I've had the previous pleasure of reading Keplinger's other two novels Shut Out and A Midsummer's Nightmare, and I found that I really enjoyed her characters and the effortless humor expressed through them. The Duff was no exception! I was quick to get into the story and finished the book in one sitting. 

Bianca has a distinctive voice in this novel and despite the fact that I did like her feisty nature and good humor, there were times when I didn't understand her decisions or actions. She is quick to form some sort of "enemies with benefits" relationship with Wesley and even though she has convinced herself that anything between them will never happen and she wouldn't want them to, she still isn't truthful with her best friends about anything. And when I say they are her best friends, I really do mean the type of friends who will look out for her no matter what, and this is obvious through how much effort they put into the friendship, but for most of the book Bianca doesn't even take much notice. However, I did really like her as the protagonist! Yes, I did moan for quite a bit but there's just something so lovable about her.

The plot for the story definitely kept me hooked and a book hasn't done that to me in a long while. I feel like I've read so much heavy sci-fi and fantasy books that it was good just to sit, relax and dip my toes in some good ole' contemporary! I am definitely looking forward to seeing the movie even though they did a lot of changing to the plot but that's understandable because, hey, it happens. I'm expecting to fall for Wesley in the movie just the same as I fell for him in the book! He's a great guy under all the douchebaggery at the beginning.

Overall I think The Duff was a good read that really taught be a lot about how people may look at me and how I look at others. If you like good humor in your contemporary then I'll point you straight to Kody Keplinger. Definitely give her books a go because you might just become a fan.

Rating

A review copy was provided by the publisher

Waiting on Wednesday (152)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Release Date: June 2015

Tim Mason was The Boy Most Likely To:

- find the liquor cabinet blindfolded

- need a liver transplant

- drive his car into a house

Alice Garrett was The Girl Most Likely To:

- well, not date her little brother’s baggage-burdened best friend, for starters.

For Tim, it wouldn’t be smart to fall for Alice. For Alice, nothing could be scarier than falling for Tim. But Tim has never been known for making the smart choice, and Alice is starting to wonder if the “smart” choice is always the right one. When these two crash into each other, they crash hard. 

Then the unexpected consequences of Tim’s wild days come back to shock him. He finds himself in a situation that isn’t all it appears to be, that he never could have predicted . . . but maybe should have.

And Alice is caught in the middle. 

-----------------------------------------------

I'm completely freaking out over this book! Huntley Fitzpatrick is so freakin' awesome. My Life Next Door has still stuck with me despite reading it over 2 years ago, I need this is my arms ASAP!

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

Have a good week,
Sam :D

Waiting on Wednesday (151)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan 

Release Date: June 2, 2015

In the wake of the deadly devastation of luxury yacht Persephone, just three souls remain to tell its story—and two of them are lying. Only Frances Mace, rescued from the ocean after torturous days adrift with her dying friend Libby, knows that the Persephone wasn’t sunk by a rogue wave as survivors Senator Wells and his son are claiming—it was attacked.

To ensure her safety from the obviously dangerous and very powerful Wells family, Libby’s father helps newly orphaned Frances assume Libby’s identity. Frances has spent years in hiding, transforming herself into Libby, and she can no longer allow the people who murdered her entire family and Libby to get away with it. After years of careful plotting, she’s ready to set her revenge plans into motion—even if it means taking down the boy she’d once been in love with: the senator’s son.

The game has just begun, and Frances is not only playing dirty, she's playing to win. 

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 Black Ice

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Brit Pheiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants;but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

Britt is forced to guide the men off the mountain, and knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there and in uncovering this, she may become the killer's next target.


But nothing is as it seems, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

Black Ice is a thrilling and mysterious story that follows Britt as she battles through a blizzard while being held hostage by two runaway criminals. Talk about awesome, right? I really liked the idea for the book and saw that it was by Becca Fitzpatrick so I was very keen to give it a go as I did enjoy aspects of her Hush, Hush saga. I must admit that my thoughts are mixed about how I feel about this story. On the one hand, I enjoyed the mystery side of the book and how hints were dribbled throughout the story which led to the big reveal. The characters were not particularly amazing and did not really steal my heart, but I did like getting to know them and hearing each of their stories. 

It was hard for me to like Brit as the protagonist of this story as I felt that she was too fast to jump to conclusions and really didn't think things through... completely irrational at times! I did have a soft spot for her relationship with Mason though, it may begin as a hostage, which sounds so weird, but it grows into something real and unbearably cute. The epilogue is still making me laugh. (Supernatural gifs are always allowed here.)

I did enjoy this thriller that Fitzpatrick put together. It isn't the best that I've read, but it did keep me hooked and I enjoyed the twists and small clues dripped in throughout the story so you can figure out the mystery. I'm looking forward to seeing what genre she may tackle next.

Rating
              

Book Haul (#101)

Happy 101st Book Haul!

These past few weeks I have received:

Dreams of Gods and Monsters (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #3) by Laini Taylor - Received -
Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer - Received -

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger - Received -

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

Enjoy your weekend!
Sam

Waiting on Wednesday (150)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine 

Release Date: July 5, 2015

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.…

Sounds like an intriguing concept.

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

Have a good week,
Sam :D

Books I'm So Excited For I Can't Even Breathe

Hey!
I hope the title of this post explains it all. There are books that I've stumbled across on Goodreads that I need on my shelf right now because they sounds so absolutely amazing I can't even asdfghjkl.

Some of these books are sequels that I didn't realise now had a cover, a blurb, and a release date right around the corner. 'Cause honestly, after I've finished reading a book with such a jaw-dropping, heart-breaking, tear-jerking ending, I will usually come to realise that the next book won't be out for another year and a half, and by that time I sometimes lose half the hype for reading it because I've forgotten half the storyline. 

But here we are! These are some of the books that have caught by eye for the year of 2015. I probably won't get to them until after my exams, but they're on my mind nonetheless. 

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer - November 10, 2015 -
THIS BOOK! LAWRD THIS BOOK. I feel like this book is that apple in my hands; it is the one thing that I need right now. I have adored each book more and more in the series. Cinder was the perfect start, Scarlett was an exquisite follow up, and Cress *oh my* my favourite one yet! It has all the characters from the previous books as well as new ones and their stories are all intertwined and have been leading up to this... WINTER! It will be the best one yet. I know it. There is no doubt in my mind. If you haven't started this series do not fear there is time.

The Stars Never Rise (Untitled Series #1) by Rachel Vincent - June 9, 2015 -
*tut tut tut* Rachel Vincent has managed to dart under my radar ever since I finished reading her stunning Soul Screamers series that ended perfectly with With All My Soul. And in this book, there will be demons, lots of 'em, dark forces and sinning, and hopefully with "Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who-" say no more that's all I needed; I'm in love; I'm hooked, but for all of you who need the less important details: "who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist." Do you know who immediately comes to mind? 

(If you don't know who this is, move your butt and start watching Supernatural y'all!) But back to the subject, The Stars Never Rise sounds like a whole lot of good ass kicking and awesome plot-ness, and that cover will look good on a physical copy in my hands ASAP. 

Love Fortunes and Other Disasters by Kimberly Karalius - May 12, 2015 -
Now doesn't this cover just look good enough to eat? It's so cute I need it! It's about a town that believes in love fortunes which leads to everyone marrying their high school sweethearts. It's a tradition and 100% accurate. But when you're destined to not fall in love at all in a town where true love is everywhere... that's what makes a good ass story! This one sounds unbearably cute some lovable characters and I am all ready to read it.

The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick - August 18, 2015 -
Huntley Fitzpatrick has already stolen a piece of my heart with My Life Next Door, and therefore I am excited for any book she may right. I have yet to read What I Thought Was True, but don't you worry it will find a way in to my arms one day soon. This is a sequel to My Life Next Door which just makes me want it that much more. 

If you haven't read it and you adore contemporary then there's not much else I can recommend to you. It is a perfect romance story that I will forever wish I could be the main character in. After all, her name is Samantha, it's not too far off for me to dream. Anyhow, I want this book now.

The Iron Warrior (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #3) by Julie Kagawa - October 27, 2015 -

Julie Kagawa is another one of my favourite authors and I have one of the biggest attachments to the Iron Fey series. I've been on this journey for years now and I fall in love with the characters a little bit more with every book. I think this might be the final book but I'm not sure on that. BUT, The Iron Traitor left a big gaping whole in my heart and I know that Julie has planted so many more bombshells in this one. I'm excited. I'm really excited. I'm so excited to see the characters again. I'm just so excitedddddddddddd!

There are tens and hundreds more books that I'm keeping my eye out for and this is simply a snippet of my excitement. I may do these posts in the future but for now you can get glimpses with my weekly Waiting on Wednesday posts. 

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did putting it together! Enjoy your week and the weeks bringing us closer to summer.

Sam ^_^

The Duff Movie and Giveaway

Happy April 1st!

If you haven't been living under a rock or cut every tie from the modern world, you will know that The Duff by Kody Keplinger is coming out as a movie... ON APRIL 6TH! Check out the book cover, movie poster and trailer out down below, as well as a giveaway for a goody bag!

This film looks hilarious and I'll be going to see it as soon as I can round up a big enough group of friends because I expect this is not only full of laughs but some tears as well and therefore it cannot be missed. 

The cast look brilliant! We've got Mae Whitman who has been in a bucket full of films including The Perks of Being a Wallflower as Mary Elizabeth, and Robbie Amell who has been doing a great job on The Flash (yes, I love the crap out of that show!) And come on, just look how brilliant they are.

But really if you're going to miss the film, you're missing out on a little bit of this...

To celebrate the release of The Duff movie, I have been provided with a goody bag that includes the movie tie-in of the book and plenty of other cool bits. This giveaway is open to UK and Ireland only. To enter simply fill out the rafflecopter below.

**Giveaway Closed*

Winner: Kim N.

Thank you all for entering!

What's also so good about this film is that the company have teamed up with an anti-bullying charity called Ditch the Label. It is a charity that is trying to overcome labelling in today's society so if you are experiencing any bullying go right over to their website http://www.ditchthelabel.org/ for advice and someone to talk to.

And don't forget to mark your calenders because this film is a must-see for 2015.

Have a good week guys,
Sam :)

Waiting on Wednesday (149)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

The Heir (The Selection #4) by Kiera Cass

Release Date: May 5, 2015

Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story. But as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she always thought.

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

Have a good week,
Sam :D