Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original meme hosted and created by The Broke and the Bookish

This Week:  The Top 10 Books on the TOP of your Spring 2013 TBR List!  These are in no particular order because I want them all!!!!

1.) Goddess by Josephine Angelini (May)

I am dying to get my hands on this one!!!!  I need to know what happens next with Lucas and Helen!

2.) Ashes on the Waves by Mary Lindsey (June...technically summer, but still)

A retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's poem, Annabel Lee.  Sign me up please.  I have read Chapter 1 of this one (it's posted on goodreads), and the writing is so beautiful.  I can't wait to get my hands on it.

3.) Dance of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin (Another June release)

I loved Masque of the Red Death, so I am definitely looking forward to seeing what is next for Araby.

4.) Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins (April)

I just got my ARC in about a week ago, and I cannot wait to dive into it!  I need me some more Kaidan!

5.) The Oathbreaker's Shadow by Amy McCulloch (June)

This one sounds so intriguing.  An oath taken that cannot be remembered--eeek!  Dying to figure out the mysteries in this one!

6.) Of Triton by Anna Banks (May)

I loved Of Poseidon, and I just can't wait to find out what's next!

7.) Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington (May)

This one sounds a little bit like Sliding Doors, only where your family and friends change, too.  Plus, its by Jessica Shirvington, and I love her Embrace series!

8.) Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare (March)

Um...duh?

9.) Another Little Piece by Kate Karyus Quinn (June)

YA horror!  This one sounds creepy and fantastic, and I LOVE the cover!  Love it!  I'm really looking forward to being creeped out!

10.) Faking It by Cora Carmack (June)

We love Cora (another duh!)!  This one is about Max and Cade, and we know there will be tons of humor and romance!

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

ARC Received from Harper Teen through Edelweiss

Release Date:  5-29-2012

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Dazzling, Daring, and Dangerous

Can true love be forgotten?
As the only scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.
Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out—a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.
As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.
Josephine Angelini's compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds all expectations.

Two days ago I read Starcrossed and could not put it down! It was the book equivalent to the where-have-you-been-all-my-life? guy. After finishing it, I went straight to my ARC of Dreamless (thank you HarperTeen and Edelweiss) and stayed up most of the night reading.

Some people have a way with words---and Josephine Angelini is one of those people. I just got swept away in her descriptions! I felt like I woke up one morning and found myself in her world--looking around to see Lucas, Helen, Hector, Cassandra and the whole gang. I just love when a book can transport you to another place and time--the only true magical powers anyone can have! (I think)

I absolutely adore Angelini's characters. They are so vibrant and full of life--even the characters that are not in complete focus, like Hector. I just love Hector--strong and mighty, yet completely and utterly devoted to his family. Angelini gives him so much depth even though he's not one of the main two, Lucas and Helen, and I appreciate that she spends so much time building her characters so that every dimension of her book comes to life.  She gives each of her characters such grand gestures and personality that you just can’t help but feel your way through the book with them.  And it’s not just the good guys that she creates so well…I mean, I quite literally HATE Daphne…but Josephine intended for us to dislike her.  The writing brings Daphne to life, and you truly have an emotional response.  If only I could pull a pensieve-like move and instead of jumping into memories, jump into a book!  I’d give Daphne a taste of my fist….and Lucas...hehe, a taste of my lips?  Is that inappropriate?  I’m gonna go with no.

The Greek mythology is so....there are no words. The way she depicts the Furies is cataclysmic, and it's so new and original. I can literally see them slinking across the ground in craziness begging for murder so that for one tiny second, they can feel at peace--if that is even possible. I've always pictured the Furies as these evil hellbeasts, and I admit, I much prefer Angelini's tortured Furies over the ones I have always known.  Her imagery of the Furies melts into the page, and I have never felt more lost in tragedy, hatred, and misery.  It’s amazing.

And then....drumroll please!

Lucas! I admit, I read books for the guys--the ones that sweep you off your feet over and over again, and Lucas, being the flyer he is, can quite literally sweep you off them! If only I could stay in the air with him and never come down! He is the perfect young adult guy, and I have to say, whenever I see my ideal ya guy in a novel, I find myself never being able to put it down. He rivals Daemon, Aiden, Four, and Jace for me! He's overprotective (which I love…throwing punches is so hot—don’t judge me), strong and chiseled (oh la la), arrogant and tempermental (sigh), and completley broken and struggling (if only I could save him)!   My heart literally aches for him, and I can't wait for everything to FINALLY work out!

There were so many twists and turns that I didn't see coming in Dreamless, and I really admire Josephine Angelini for her inventiveness with mythology. I will admit that I longed for more of the love story, but after Daphne's evil treachery (in my mind its evil) of convincing Lucas and Helen that they are cousins when they are not, I knew I was in for lots of angst (grrrr).  Hopefully I will get more of my love story in book 3!

So....after much rambling about how I love this book, I will say that it is a MUST READ! I went through the gamut of emotions with this one--happiness, sadness, anger, disbelief, more anger, and a little (okay a lot) of lust :) Shame on me (hehe) or shame on Angelini for writing such a wonderfully addictive novel!

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Out in Stores Now!!!
Published by HarperCollins
Reviewed by: AmyG (big sis)
Sister's Say: Spirited, Seductive, and Symbolic

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I guess I need to start by telling you why we are showing all this love for Starcrossed!  Well, Dreamless, the 2nd novel in this series, is gearing to come out in the Spring.  Plus, the fantastic Ms. Angelini is holding little contest over on her blog to win the 1st ARC, yes I said ARC of Dreamless.  Being as all of us on the YA-Sisterhood LOVED LOVED LOVED, Starcrossed to pieces, WE WANT THAT ARC!!!! So, these posts are all in attempt to win that ARC!  On a little side note, Baby Sister Brittany's review of Starcrossed was actually our first post EVER on the YA-Sisterhood!  How great is that!?!?!

I was amazingly lucky enough to receive an e-galley of Starcrossed through Netgalley last February, so it has been awhile since I read this book.  However, I still find myself telling people all about this book.  I personally, and several of the other sisters on the blog also, have a little thing for Greek Mythology.  Because of this, I was hooked from the very beginning!

Starcrossed had the perfect mix of what we love about ancient Greece and our modern world.  How fascinating it was to have furies suddenly appear in the middle of beautiful, modern day Nantucket.     The romance was steamy.
The plot was action-packed.
The characters were spunky (and not just the main ones), and there was one little twist that will rock you to your core!
Oh yeah, I must not forget to tell you that Helen and Lucas are doomed by destiny!!!
Do I have your attention now!?!?  All in all, it had everything that our readers are looking for in a book!  If you are a fan of Greek mythology and books like Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout and Amy Carter's Goddess Test, read this book today!!!  Then you'll be out searching for your own Greek God or Goddess!
 

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Published by: HarperTeen
Reviewed by: Honorary Sis Beth
Sister Says: Saucy, Sassy, and Sinister


How do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart. (summary from goodreads.com)

Top Five Things I Loved About Starcrossed

1. The Setting: Beautiful Nantucket Island. Ms. Angelini does an amazing job articulating the breath-taking scene for this novel. This book has filled my dreams with lighthouses, the homes, the ocean, and the beach of the beautiful northeast ever since I read it.

2. The boys: Let me just say that Lucas is HOT HOT HOT!!!! He is romantic and gentle, but also rough and tortured. Oh, and he's part Greek god!!! Hello! Sign me up, please!!!!

3. Greek mythology: It is such a refreshing change to read a book with a completely different "world". The idea of the families being descendants of Greek gods was fun and refreshing. I love Greek mythology and enjoyed the intermingling of the old with the new. I can't wait to see what's next and what mythological character we meet next.
4. The Girls: I enjoyed Helen's character a lot. She is well-developed and interesting. Her relationship with her friend Claire is sweet and sister-like. They were snarky, sassy, and just people I would totally want to be friends with in real life.
5. The Twists: Obviously, I can't say much about this without giving anything away. But, me just say that I ended up staying up all night finishing the book because I could not believe what had happened. There are many things that I just did not see coming and I love a book that keeps me guessing all the way to the end.

All in all, in you like a tortured teen romance mixed with Greek mythology that adds beautiful Nantucket....you'll love this book!!! I can't wait until Dreamless comes out!!!!!

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Reviewed by: Sis-in-law Sarah
The sisters say: Brilliant, bold, and beautiful

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Okay...just take a moment and look at this cover.  Now, I know that they say not to judge a book by it's cover, but we all know that everyone does it.  And seriously, this beauty does not disappoint.  This was one of those amazing books where you stay up until the wee hours of the morning to finish, then you wake up the next day and re-read the whole thing.  I'm not kidding. I did this...twice.

I'm totally one of those people that didn't understand what was so awesome about Greek mythology when I was forced to study it in literature.  To me, it was boring...too much family drama, pathetic people, and really weird names.  But...I love when authors take old legends and make them into modern fiction; so, I decided to give this a try.  And OMGods, I now LOVE Greek mythology.  Angelini explains the Greek stories in a way that makes sense and is extremely interesting! It's opened up a whole new world for me!

Helen is an incredible heroine.  She's the awkward, weird, shy girl that never can quite fit into the crowd.  She's beautiful, but extremely tall...so the other kids just kind of avoid her.  I loved discovering along with Helen who she really is and the destiny she was born to fulfill.  Everyone wants to feel significant in some way...and it's so exciting to be with Helen when she figures out her significance.  And boy does she experience some crazy things in this book!

And Lucas. OMGods!!!!!!!!!! Lucas might just be one of my most favorite heros in YA fiction.  He's tall, he's gorgeous, he's a Greek legend for goodness sake! Some girls really like the kind of guy they can fix...you know, the one that's horrible to everyone but you.  Me...I like the prince to come sweep me off my feet. And Lucas did that.  Oh, boy, did he do that!

The love story in this book is not love at first sight.  They actually hate each other for a good while. (Read it and you'll find out why!) The angst and hatred between them is so incredibly put that I felt what they were feeling. Seriously, Josie. Excellent writing. If you were in my living room right now, I'd hug you.

I could really go on and on gushing about this book. There's so much more complexity to the story! (Which, to me is such a relief from the simplicity that YA literature mostly entails!)  And the best part...the setup for book two.  Seriously CANNOT wait! Once I hold Dreamless in my hands, I might actually pee my pants. No joke.

You do not want to miss this book, people.  Read it so you can be just as excited for the release date for Dreamless as I am!  This is a bandwagon you do not want to miss out on!!!!

Look for Dreamless in May 2012!!!

Waiting on Wednesday: Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.  It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today!  This weeks book that we are anxiously awaiting is:  Dreamless by Josephine Angelini, book two in the Starcrossed series. 

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As the only Scion that can enter Hades at will, Helen descends to the Underworld in search of a way to overcome the Furies and end the cycle of revenge that has cursed the Scions. But she’s running out of time. Each descent weakens her both in mind and spirit. A mysterious stranger might be her only salvation, but the price may be her love for Lucas Delos. 

As an unforgettable love triangle emerges, Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding. The eagerly awaited sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed, Dreamless delivers with a huge emotional impact that will leave readers satisfied—and longing for more.


I am DYING  for this book. First off-- that cover! WOW! Starcrossed was the very first review ever posted on YA Sisterhood, back in February of last year, and we are quite loyal to Ms. Angelini here! Can't wait to see how the second installment of the story unfolds!

Blogger Spotlight: Desert Island Books

Welcome to our blogger spotlight week!!! We have some new bloggers that have joined us recently and are wanting all of you to get to know them better! Plus, we've been asked several times for recommendations on what people should be reading! Therefore, new bloggers + recommendation requests = Blogger Spotlight: Desert Island! (dun, dun, dun)

If you want to join in on the fun-- blog your top 5 YA books (and feel free to add 5 adult if you want). Then comment with your link or just list your DIB in the comments!

Hello fellow readers!!! My name is Sarah...I'm also one of the newbies here at YA Sisterhood...something of which I am so excited and proud to be a part!!!  If you're wondering how I became a part of this crew, well, AmyG's husband is my husband's brother.  And seeing as how AmyG and I are like...the coolest in the family, I'd say we're pretty tight.  I live in good ol' Oklahoma (though I am a proud Texan by birth) with my incredible husband (incredible because he's a legitimate rockstar AND he likes YA books too) and my 5 1/2 month old baby boy, Jaxon Bailey.  These two boys keep me on my toes...I'm pretty sure there will never be another boring day the rest of my life.  I get to stay at home and take care of my little one, which is an awesome privilege that I LOVE.  Before having my son, I was a Starbucks barista and I did musicals all over the Dallas metroplex.  I've been an avid reader all my life.  In fact, when I started to learn to drive, my sisters made fun of me because I didn't know where anything was...I'd spent all my time in the car reading book after book.  I got hooked on YA literature in college when I started reading Harry Potter.  This love became more of an obsession when one of the coolest English professors ever decided to offer a Harry Potter class.  As I'm sure many of you know, putting more than one Harry Potter obsessive fan together can create a lot of fun and craziness!  Since then, my sis-in-law has been handing me one book after another for me to devour, which I do pretty much every time (she has really awesome taste)!

Now for my Desert Island Books (This was super hard for me...I'm one of those people that has the hardest time picking favorites!!!):

1. Harry Potter. Duh.

2.  The Hunger Games.  (Seriously a fav!!!)

3.  The Mortal Instruments. (Crazy fantastic characters!)

4.  Starcrossed. (This is pretty much the first time I went kinda crazy stalker on an author.  LOVE this book!!!!)

5. Divergent.  (Because something's gotta make you feel dauntless if you're trapped on an island, right?!)

Other books I love:

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (Pretty much my favorite book of all time!)

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (This is really the beginning of YA fantasy, right?!)

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin (The love story of all love stories!)

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (What a romance!)

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (Most perfect book ever!)

If you want more Desert Island books, go check out our BBFF (Blogger Best Friend Forever), Jena's post on her blog!