Unremembered by Jessica Brody

Unremembered by Jessica Brody

ARC received from Macmillan Kids

On Shelves Now

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  First Half:  Exhilarating  Last Half:   Disappointing

When Freedom Airlines flight 121 went down over the Pacific Ocean, no one ever expected to find survivors. Which is why the sixteen-year-old girl discovered floating among the wreckage—alive—is making headlines across the globe.

Even more strange is that her body is miraculously unharmed and she has no memories of boarding the plane. She has no memories of her life before the crash. She has no memories period. No one knows how she survived. No one knows why she wasn’t on the passenger manifest. And no one can explain why her DNA and fingerprints can’t be found in a single database in the world.

Crippled by a world she doesn’t know, plagued by abilities she doesn’t understand, and haunted by a looming threat she can’t remember, Seraphina struggles to piece together her forgotten past and discover who she really is. But with every clue only comes more questions. And she’s running out of time to answer them.

Her only hope is a strangely alluring boy who claims to know her from before the crash. Who claims they were in love. But can she really trust him? And will he be able to protect her from the people who have been making her forget?

From popular young adult author Jessica Brody comes a compelling and suspenseful new sci-fi series, set in a world where science knows no boundaries, memories are manipulated, and true love can never be forgotten.

I was so happy when I got my ARC of Unremembered—a plane crash, an unknown girl with amnesia, and an alluring boy with all the answers.  It had so much going for it, and I was sure I was going to love it.  Unfortunately, by the end of the book, I found myself sorely disappointed.  There was so much potential, and it started out so great, but once answers started revealing themselves, it just fell flat for me.

This book starts out with a bang, and I was immediately hooked.  We see “Violet,” who has been rescued from a plane crash.  She is in a hospital for amnesia, but otherwise, she is perfectly fine.  Not a scratch on her.  Add to the fact that she can’t be identified by anyone and we have the makings of a perfect mystery thriller.  I really enjoyed the parts where Seraphina (her true name) is trying to find out who is she and where she came from.  I loved how the puzzle pieces just weren’t adding up, and the only one with answers is the strange boy, Zen.  These parts were full of mystery, and I found myself really enjoying them.  Seraphina was strong and, although broken and lost, she was still full of a strange type of confidence.  I really enjoyed this side to her. 

And then there’s Zen.  He didn’t really blow me away, but I still enjoyed him.  He truly cared about Sera, and you could see how much he wanted her to remember him.  You could see the love written all over his face.  Plus, there’s a mystery behind him, too, and I enjoyed trying to figure it out.  So, overall, I enjoyed the characters, although I doubt they will be memorable to me in a few months.

So what bugged me?

I really can’t pinpoint what it was that turned me off, but about half-way through I just lost interest.  The answers were starting to unravel, and I just didn’t like where the plot went from there.  I can’t say much about it because of spoilers, but I just felt like there was so much potential.  She could have been anyone, and I had high hopes that she would be more than what she ended up being.

I wanted for there to be some amazing explanation for the amnesia and Zen, but it just seemed like it wasn’t original.  I’m really struggling with pinpointing what it was that made me lose interest!

I also wanted more romance.  It felt dry and unbelievable to me, almost like Sera couldn’t feel.  I wanted to hear how her heart was aching for him, even though she didn’t know who he was, but I never got that emotion from her.  She was strong and kick butt, but everything else about her felt off.

From the reviews I’ve read, I’m in the minority.  Lots of people are loving the twists and turns, but I guess this book just wasn’t for me.   Sorry for the lack of eloquence in this review!

Overall, the first half was great.  I was immediately hooked and I couldn’t wait to find out all the answers, but somewhere along the way, the action slowed down, the mystery and romance dwindled, and the truth became a bit boring for me.

Waiting on Wednesday: 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

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 week's book that we are anxiously awaiting is 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil.   3:59 releases on September 17, 2013 from HarperTeen.

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Josie Byrne's life is spiraling out of control. Her parents are divorcing, her boyfriend Nick has grown distant, and her physics teacher has it in for her. When she's betrayed by the two people she trusts most, Josie thinks things can't get worse.

Until she starts having dreams about a girl named Jo. Every night at the same time—3:59 a.m.

Jo's life is everything Josie wants: she's popular, her parents are happily married, and Nick adores her. It all seems real, but they're just dreams, right? Josie thinks so, until she wakes one night to a shadowy image of herself in the bedroom mirror – Jo.

Josie and Jo realize that they are doppelgängers living in parallel universes that overlap every twelve hours at exactly 3:59. Fascinated by Jo's perfect world, Josie jumps at the chance to jump through the portal and switch places for a day.

But Jo’s world is far from perfect. Not only is Nick not Jo's boyfriend, he hates her. Jo's mom is missing, possibly insane. And at night, shadowy creatures feed on human flesh.

By the end of the day, Josie is desperate to return to her own life. But there’s a problem: Jo has sealed the portal, trapping Josie in this dangerous world. Can she figure out a way home before it’s too late?

From master of suspense Gretchen McNeil comes a riveting and deliciously eerie story about the lives we wish we had – and how they just might kill you.

 

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Ah!  This just sounds super creepy!  I love the idea of parallel worlds--it's such a common idea, but it's not used very often at all.  Add that to the fact that this alternate dimension is full of flesh eating creatures, and I am thoroughout intrigued and spooked out.  It definitely sounds like something Wes Craven would direct, that would give me nightmares for weeks.  But, I'm going to brave it, because hey, it sounds awesome!

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I Would Crush On If I Were Also A Fictional Character

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

This Week:  The Top 10 Characters I Would Crush On If I Were Also A Fictional Character!  These are in no particular order because they are all yummy!!!!

1.) Travis Maddox from Beautiful Disaster

I just love the bad boys, so you will probably see quite a few of them on this list.  I love how overprotective and jealous Travis gets--I know that may sound crazy, but I just think it's sexy hot.  Plus, he can knock a guy out with a single punch.  I think I'll let him be my bodyguard. :)

2.) Kaidan Rowe from Sweet Peril

Another one of the bad boys.  Kaidan is the son of the Duke of Lust, so needless to say, he shimmers will all sorts of sexiness.  He's broody and knows all the right moves.

3.) Aidan St. Delphi from the Covenant Series

Here's the best of all the good guys.  He's sexy, overprotective, charming, and so thoughtful that I just want to squeeze him.  Add to the fact that he's forbidden fruit...and delicious!

4.) Jace Wayland from Mortal Instruments

I have to throw in my City of Bones bad boy.  He's so troubled and broken that a part of me would just die to have the chance to fix him.

5.) Morpheus from Splintered

This is one of my favorite books this year (a re-telling of Alice and Wonderland), and I love the darkness of Morpheus.  He's like the shadow half of a human---possessing all the dark sides of a human that are just so sexy--mystery, secrets, power, and chiseled abs!

6.) Phoenix from the Embrace Series

Are we seeing a pattern here?  I love the bad guys that are hiding behind their defenses of jealousy, fear, and hatred.  It just makes it all the better when they redeem themselves.

7.) Lucas from Easy

Another troubled, over-protective, tatted up sexy beast!  Lucas is so broken because of his past, and I just want to throw my arms around him.  Plus, he can kick butt!

8.) Four from Divergent

He will always be Four to me, and I just love his strength and determination.  Add that to the extreme sexiness, and I'm sold.

9.) Daemon From Lux Series

He's just so cocky and arrogant, but I can't help but fall for that confidence.  Add the amazing eyes and sexy chest, and you have perfection.

10.) Will Herondale from Infernal Devices

Another one of the bad boys that just steals my heart away!  I love the broody, troubled ones, and Will definitely is near the top of the "broken boy" list.


I have a few Honorable Mention Crushes that I had to acknowledge:
Cole from Everneath
Lucas from Starcrossed
Dimitri from Vampire Diaries
Warner from Shatter Me

Poison by Bridget Zinn

Poison by Bridget Zinn

ARC received from Disney Hyperion

Release Date:  3-12-2013

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Enchanting, Enigmatic, and Endearing

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

From the first look at Poison, I really didn’t know what to expect.  The blurb bore a striking resemblance to my favorite childhood cartoon, The Black Cauldron, though, and I just had to read it to see if it was similar.  I mean, both have the enchanted pig, the riffraff guy, and the beautiful girl.  After reading Poison, I will say that I loved it!  It was very similar to my fave cartoon in some aspects, but there were parts of the story, like Kyra herself, that was all Bridget’s imagination.  I’m so sorry that Bridget passed away before getting the chance to write a second novel in this world.

Bridget’s world was delightful—full of intrigue, deception, and romance.  I loved the “kind of” magic that blanketed the world.  What do I mean by that?  I mean that the world wasn’t so full of magic like your Harry Potter’s or the like, but it had touches of it here and there.  Kyra’s potions were the most interesting—she had potions for everything—from ones that open doors to ones that turn people into wooden statues.  It was fascinating to see Kyra work and create new and old combinations.

Now, let’s get to the fun part—Fred.  I liked him the moment he first entered the story—which was hilarious by the way.  I had to stop a few times to let myself catch my breath because the picture that Bridget painted was so alive and over the top.  It’s been a while since I have read this book, and I can still picture Kyra (in her undies) and Fred’s reaction to them.  The romance in this book was so sweet and innocent, which makes this book perfect for MG readers, but also YA readers who enjoy the high fantasy world.  It was a nice change of pace, and I admire Bridget for keeping the romance enjoyable yet clean. 

Fred was such a fun character—he was rough and tough, and he didn’t let anyone push him around.  He provided some comic relief from Kyra’s circumstances, and he really helped to liven up the storyline.  There was just something about him, and I can’t quite put my finger on it, but he was just the kind of guy everyone likes.

Kyra was such a great heroine, and that’s a big thing for me to say, because if you follow my reviews, you know it’s hard to impress me with a great heroine.  But Kyra did it!  She’s the super kick-butt assassin who knows that her best friend (the future ruler) must die or the kingdom will pretty much die a slow and agonizing death.  So, she has to make a brutally difficult decision.  I admire that she was strong enough to make that decision, but at the same time, she wouldn’t just push aside her guilt.  I felt every emotion along with her, and I really felt like I knew Kyra by the end of the novel.

Bridget Zinn’s debut novel is thrilling and passionate.  Based in a world where magic looms around every corner, where truth and deceit are separated by a thin line, and where love might be the only thing that can conquer evil, Bridget’s book will open your eyes to a new kind of fantasy.  There are plenty of plot twists and turns (some predictable, some not so much), and there’s a little something for everyone in this wonderful tale of murder and truth.

 

Final Blogoversary Giveaway: Signed copy of Losing It by Cora Carmack

Hey guys....well, this is it!  The Final Giveaway to celebrate our 2nd Blogoversary.

This time, up for grabs is a signed copy of Losing It by Cora Carmack.  You know that Cora is very near and dear to YA Sisterhood's heart, and we are so happy that she has offered up a copy of her New York Times Bestselling New Adult romance novel.  (That's a mouthful.)

If you haven't read it (or even if you have), you do not want to miss out on Garrick and Bliss.  This contemporary romance will have you running the gamut of emotions--from unbelievably embarrassed, to heartbreaking sadness, to overwhelming swooniness.  Plus, there are few points where it reaches a 10 on the Lust-O-Meter.

This one is a must read for NA fans.  (Recommended age:   17+)

 

Virginity.

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible-- a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

 

Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter!

 

 

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Rise by Anna Carey

Rise by Anna Carey

ARC received from Harper Teen

Release Date:  4-2-2013

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Sadly, a great story with a very disappointing ending

How far will you go when you have nothing left to lose?

When she lost her soul mate, Caleb, Eve felt like her world had ended. Trapped in the palace, forced to play the part of the happy, patriotic princess of The New America—and the blushing bride of her father's top adviser—Eve's whole life is a lie. The only thing that keeps her going is Caleb's memory, and the revolution he started.

Now, Eve is taking over where Caleb left off. With the help of Moss, an undercover subversive in the King's court, she plots to take down The New America, beginning with the capital, the City of Sand. Will Eve be able to bring about a new, free world when she's called upon to perform the ultimate act of rebellion—killing her father?

In Rise, Eve must choose who to leave behind, who to save, and who to fight as Anna Carey's epic tale of romance and sacrifice in the chilling dystopia of The New America comes to a stunning conclusion.

Okay….so I’m not even sure where to start with this one.  I loved Eve and Once and read them both in one sitting (and back to back).  After that horrible cliffhanger in Once, I ran straight to my copy of Rise hoping that all would be revealed and explained.  Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed in the revelations that awaited me in this book.  While there was plenty of action and the story was still interesting, it was missing the flare and passion that books 1 and 2 had, and once I was done, I was left in a bitter mood.

Prepare yourself for sadness—I’ll start there.  There is heartbreak after heartbreak, loss after loss in this one.  This is realistic, but it got to the point where I was wondering what horrible thing is going to happen next?  It’s really hard for me to review this one because I don’t want to spoil it, but it’s the spoilers that really disappointed me!

One of the things that really bugged me is that most of the characters we knew and had developed a love for were gone.  We had to get to know all new characters, and unfortunately, the love for them just wasn’t there like it was for others.  I mean, characters like Arden—show up or are mentioned maybe once or twice while we get to know an entirely new set of girls.  I just wasn’t a fan of this, and I wanted Anna to bring back the people that we had watched bleed and care for each other.

I also hated the lack of romance—I understand there is a war going on and there is little time for love, but romance is my favorite part of a book.  I like my romance with a side of dystopian, and not the other way around.  So, I was frustrated through most of the book because the passion and love were gone, replaced by hatred, fear, and hopelessness.

I will say I was impressed by how much Eve had grown up in this one.  No more (extremely) rash decisions.  She was entirely focused on survival and saving as many people as she can.  She was strong and endearing in her fortitude, and I found myself really admiring her strength.  She was placed in the hardest of circumstances, and she didn’t give up.  She pushed forward, no matter the pain, and didn’t look back.  I was definitely rooting for her the entire way through!

There is a ton of action in this book, and I never did get bored with it.  Like I said before, I was more just upset and frustrated with things I can’t name (because of the spoilers).  I think some people will like the brokenness of the characters and the revelations, but I think most people will react like myself, not feeling satisfied with this final book.

Finally, the things that threw me the most—the ending.  I was not a fan.  So many important things were left unresolved—who survived, who died, who was punished for their crimes—much of it was just left out in the air.  This would be acceptable if there were another book in the series, but there isn’t!  So, instead I’m left with an unresolved  feeling.  The story needed an epilogue, badly; and once you read the ending, you’ll understand why.  The final page just kind of hits you in the face, “Wham!” and then its over with no other explanation.  There are no words for it…I hate to say this because I loved the first two books, but this one just fell down like 20 flights of stairs, got up, and then fell down 20 more.

I read all 3 of these books in 3 days, and I was all excited to recommend the entire series to my friends—until the ending.  Hopefully things will be changed a bit in the final book so that maybe I’ll rethink recommending it.

Waiting on Wednesday: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

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 week's book that we are anxiously awaiting is ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER by Stephanie Perkins.   ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER releases on September 17, 2013 from Dutton (Penguin).

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From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

 

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I am so excited for this one!  I loved Lola and Anna, and I can't wait to see what happens with Isla and Josh.  Plus, we get more of my favorite couples!!!!  Yay!!!

 

Teaser Tuesday: Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading!

To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

(make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

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Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

Release Date:  4-30-2013

Published by HarperTeen

 

 

"In one step he had me against the table, the back of my thighs hitting the edge as he pressed his body flush against mine."  ARC, pg 32

 

"I only had a second to be relieved before I saw the ferocious look of Azael's features and my fear revived.  He flew at me so fast that I flinched when he halted an inch from my face, his whisper screaming in my mind.  'Hide yourselves!  Now!'" ARC, pg 330

 

 

 

Stacking the Shelves

So, we haven't ever done a Stacking the Shelves post before, but we've gotten some amazing books this past 2 weeks, so I just had to share them!!!!  Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews
So, here are the books we got this week:

 

This Side of Jealousy by Lily Peloquin--(Unsolicited) I haven't read the first one of this one, but I'm going to look into it.

 

Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton--(Requested) I am so excited about this one!!!  I love the cover, and the story just sounds so intriguing!

 

Natural Born Angel by Scott Speer--(Unsolicited)  I haven't read the first one of this one either, but I've heard good things.  I'll definitely be checking both of these out.

 

Revel by Maurissa Guibord--(Requested)  I'm really excited about this one, too!  Can't wait to jump in because I've heard good things.

 

Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance--(Requested) I just love Talia Vance.  She is one of the coolest people I have met, and I just know that this one is going to be fantastic.  (If you haven't read Silver by her, then go buy it now!)

 

Endless by Jessica Shirvington--(Sent by the wonderful Brianna)  If you follow our blog, then you know I am a Jessica Shirvington nut.  So when Brianna (who lives in Australia) offered to send me her 2 extra copies of Endless (which isn't out in the US for another 6 months), I might have had a squee-fest.  I am so excited for this one...I'm reading it this week!  Look out for me to give away the 2nd copy!

 

Ashes on the Waves by Mary Lindsey--(Requested)  I nearly died when this one showed up at my door.  This is one of my most anticipated of 2013!  I mean, it's Edgar Allan Poe retelling!  Ah!

 

Star Cursed by Jessica Sportswood--(Requested)  I was so excited when this one showed up in the same package as Ashes.  I loved Born Wicked, so I can't wait to jump into this one.

 

Tarnish by Katherine Longshore--(Unsolicited)  I haven't read Gilt, and I'm not sure its my type of book.  So, I'm not sure about this one yet.

 

Belladonna by Fiona Paul--(Requested)  I have actually already read this thanks to Sara, a wonderful blogger friend.  It was good, albeit slow at times--plus, it needs more Falco.

 

A HUGE thank you to PenguinTeen, Flux Books, Random House Children's Books, Egmont USA, and the lovely Brianna!

 

So, that's it guys!!!!  What did you get this week?

 

Blogoversary Giveaway #3

Hey guys!!!!  Well....here goes giveaway number 3!  (Only 1 more after this one!)

What can you win this time?  3 more ARCS!!!!!

Check them out:

 

Celia Reynolds is the youngest in a set of triplets and the one with the least valuable power. Anne can see the future, and Jane can see the present, but all Celia can see is the past. And the past seems so insignificant -- until Celia meets Lo.

Lo doesn't know who she is. Or who she was. Once a human, she is now almost entirely a creature of the sea -- a nymph, an ocean girl, a mermaid -- all terms too pretty for the soulless monster she knows she's becoming. Lo clings to shreds of her former self, fighting to remember her past, even as she's tempted to embrace her dark immortality.

When a handsome boy named Jude falls off a pier and into the ocean, Celia and Lo work together to rescue him from the waves. The two form a friendship, but soon they find themselves competing for Jude's affection. Lo wants more than that, though. According to the ocean girls, there's only one way for Lo to earn back her humanity. She must persuade a mortal to love her . . . and steal his soul.

 

 

She's got it bad, and he ain't good -- he's in her garage?

"I'm your biggest fan, I'll follow you until you love me..."

Gonna have to face it: Jody's addicted to Jackson Gatlin, frontman of The Regulators, and after her best bud Mac scores tickets, she's front and center at his sold-out concert. But when she gets mashed in the moshpit and bodysurfs backstage, she's got more than a mild concussion to deal with. By the next morning, the strung-out rock star is coming down in her garage. Jody -- oops -- kind of kidnapped him. By accident. With a Curly Wurly candy bar. And now he doesn't want to leave.

It's a rock-star abduction worthy of an MTV reality series...but who got punk'd?!

 

 

I left everything I knew behind.

But it was worth it. He was worth it.

No one thought an ordinary girl like me would last two minutes living with the Amish, not even me. There are a lot more rules and a lot less freedom, and I miss my family and the life I once had. Worst of all, Noah and I aren't even allowed to see each other. Not until I've proven myself.

If I can find a way to make it work, we'll be NOAH & ROSE

together forever.

But not everybody believes this is where I belong.

 

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So, one winner will win all 3 ARCS!!!  Good luck!

 

 

 

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Once by Anna Carey

Once by Anna Carey

Won from Andrea at The Bookish Babe

Published by HarperTeen

On Shelves Now

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Action-packed and romantic

When you're being hunted, who can you trust?

For the first time since she escaped from her school many months ago, Eve can sleep soundly. She's living in Califia, a haven for women, protected from the terrifying fate that awaits orphaned girls in The New America.

But her safety came at a price: She was forced to abandon Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. When Eve gets word that Caleb is in trouble, she sets out into the wild again to rescue him, only to be captured and brought to the City of Sand, the capital of The New America.

Trapped inside the City walls, Eve uncovers a shocking secret about her past--and is forced to confront the harsh reality of her future. When she discovers Caleb is alive, Eve attempts to flee her prison so they can be together--but the consequences could be deadly. She must make a desperate choice to save the ones she loves . . . or risk losing Caleb forever.

In this breathless sequel to "Eve," Anna Carey returns to her tale of romance, adventure, and sacrifice in a world that is both wonderfully strange and chillingly familiar.

I was heart-broken when this book started and Eve had been in Califia for a few months without Caleb.  I always hate the inevitable split of the two loves because (even though I know it happens in every book), I still keep thinking that maybe, one of these days, we won’t have to go through the heartbreak of watching the two main characters leave each other.  But, even though I was upset Caleb wasn’t there, I was still swept straight into the action.  Plus, it wasn’t long before word of Caleb slipped into Califia and Eve rushed out after him!

The best part about this book was seeing inside the City of Sand—it was easily recognizable as Las Vegas, but it was really cool to hear about how everything had fallen apart since the plague.  You could just picture the dilapidated buildings that the desert was trying to reclaim, and the way Anna described it was beautiful and eerie.  I think many who thought there was a lack in world building will get a little more of what they want in this installment.

I also loved that we got to meet the bad guys—The Kings and his loyal henchmen.  The worst one for me was Lieutenant Stark—grrr!  I just wanted someone to rear back and slug him right in the face…over and over again because he was such a JERK!  The greed and hatred and fear that consumed the King and his men was evident in their word and in their actions, and the tyranny and threat of violence hung heavy in the air.  Anna’s writing was so beautiful and intoxicating that I read this book in less than 3 hours!

I felt like Eve had grown up a bit in this one, realizing the sacrifices that she must be willing to make in order to fight the regime.  However, like in the first book, she made rash decisions that often made things even worse for her.  I wish she would have stepped back, taken a breath, and approached thing more rationally.  Now, I say that, but if I were in her position, I don’t know if I would have been able to think rationally either.

I really loved Caleb in this one—he was smart and strong, and I loved the way he resisted the tyranny of the King.  He didn’t just whine about his predicament, instead, he stepped up and threw himself right into the middle of the rebellion.  He was really a strong character in this one, and it made me love him even more.  Plus, his humor and soft side were much more apparent, and I felt myself falling for him all over again!  There were some great scenes between him and Eve, and I do wish there would have been more of them.  The one really important scene was very “fade to black,” too, and it took me a few pages to figure out what they did/did not do. 

The only thing that bugged me is the ending---oh my gosh, I’m not a fan of cliffhangers!  Thank goodness I had a copy of Rise, or I would have had a conniption.  So, warning—if you haven’t read this one, you might want to wait the two months until Rise is released!  Otherwise, you might have a small book-related stroke.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  I enjoyed it more than Eve, and I really loved getting to see inside the world and characters even more.  Fans of Eve will love this one!

Waiting on Wednesday: Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

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 week's book that we are anxiously awaiting is UNBREAKABLE by Kami Garcia.   UNBREAKABLE releases on October 1, 2013 from Little Brown BFYR.

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I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room 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.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.

 

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This sounds City of Bones-ish with the demon attacking Kennedy in her room.  I'm a huge fan of that series, so I'm betting I will like this one (whether its similar or not).  I'm a big fan of paranormal ya, so whenever I see one that sounds intriguing, then I find myself really excited about it.  Plus, I'm betting the twins are hot!  (Yay!)  I have never read any of the Beautiful Creatures books, so this will be my first book by Kami Garcia.

 

 

 

Teaser Tuesday: Unbroken by Melody Grace

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading!

To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

(make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

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Unbroken by Melody Grace
eBook Available Now

"Looking back, I wonder if mom saw it in my eyes; the storm clouds gathering, the dry crackle of electricity in the air.  But it was already too late.  No warning sirens were going to save me.  I guess you never really know the danger, not until you're the one left, huddled on the ground, surrounded by pieces of your broken heart." Location 25-27

"'You're mine.' He growls, his breath hot against my face.  My legs give way, and he holds me up, gripping my haw so I have no choice but to stare up into his eyes.  To lose myself in them.  'You're mine,' he says again fiercely.'" Location 1005-1009

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I really enjoyed this one!  It's not hard for me to finish a book in a day or two, but when I spend my day trying to find little snippets of time to dive back into a book, then you know its good.  I loved the brokenness of both Juliet and Emerson in this one.  This first quote just broke my heart because that's what lost love feels like, and I though that Melody described that black hole perfectly.  Add that emotion to the surging sexual tension, and you have a great NA novel!

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Watcher by Lisa Voisin

The Watcher by Lisa Voisin

eARC received from Inkspell Publishing

Release Date:  March 4^th

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

Millennia ago, he fell from heaven for her.

Can he face her without falling again?

Fascinated with ancient civilizations, seventeen-year-old Mia Crawford dreams of becoming an archaeologist. She also dreams of wings—soft and silent like snow—and somebody trying to steal them.

When a horrible creature appears out of thin air and attacks her, she knows Michael Fontaine is involved, though he claims to know nothing about it. Secretive and aloof, Michael evokes feelings in Mia that she doesn’t understand. Images of another time and place haunt her. She recognizes them—but not from any textbook.

In search of the truth, Mia discovers a past life of forbidden love, jealousy and revenge that tore an angel from Heaven and sent her to an early grave. Now that her soul has returned, does she have a chance at loving that angel again? Or will an age-old nemesis destroy them both?

Ancient history is only the beginning.

The Watcher follows Mia who finds herself inextricably drawn to Michael, new boy in town.  He’s mysterious and broody, but behind all that, is a guy trying to redeem himself.  Then enter Damiel, serious bad boy with one agenda:  Mia.  What follows is a series of dangerous encounters, stolen kisses, and heartbreaking revelations.

What did I like?

The romance in this book is one of those innocently sweet romances.  It’s one of those romances that makes you go, “Aw.”  Now, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some heated scenes tangled throughout the storyline.  On the contrary, there are a few scenes full of pent-up passion that seems to explode. 

I really liked the minor characters the most in this book, especially Mia’s best friends, Heather and Fiona.  They were fun and you can tell they really cared about Mia, even when they were going through their own problems/relationships.  Mia’s mom was also great.  I especially liked when she told Mia:  “’No, honey.  Men are never angels,” she said sagely.  ‘Besides, it’s the devil in them that we love.’”  Because isn’t that the truth?!?  There’s always something so alluring about the bad guy!

Damiel, the bad boy.  While I wish his character would have been developed more at the beginning, he was a great foil to Michael.  He was strong-willed and hypnotic, and Mia felt herself being drawn to him even though she tried to fight it.  We see straight into Damiel’s past and his desires in the end of the novel, but he was pretty empty at the beginning.  Either way, he was still a great “bad guy.”

What I didn’t like?

I felt like the plot was unoriginal.  It was just too similar to Lauren Kate’s Fallen for me.  There were differences, but there were some major parts of this story that were way too much like Daniel and Luce from Kate’s series. 

This story had potential, but the writing was bland at times.  I felt like there was just too much telling with hardly any showing.  I wanted her world to open up around me as I read, and instead of being pulled into another realm, I was completely aware at all times that I was just reading.  I didn’t get lost in the book like I love doing.  As a result, I had a hard time getting through some of the scenes.

Sadly, I wasn’t a fan of the main characters.  Their actions and words just didn’t seem true enough for me.  Not that it wasn’t the truth for them as characters, but I didn’t see the feelings and emotions that led them to those truths.  It was just like all of a sudden---Bam!---and they love each other, but they can’t be together, but they want to fight for each other, etcetera and so on.  I need to see deeper into their lives and personalities for them to be real for me.

From looking at the reviews, most people really enjoyed this book.  They loved the romance and the action, but for me, it was just okay.  I’m hoping that the next installment will have more showing, and the writing will bring me more into this world.  I’m also really hoping that the storyline will depart from the Fallen similarities into something original and new. 

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Be sure you enter the giveaway!  The paperback and ebook sleeve giveaway is open for US, UK, and Canada.  The ebook giveaway is worldwide.

The sleeve is customizable, and you will have your choice of designs.  You can also get your name sewn into it. 

Here is an example of one design for the ebook sleeve:

 

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Mini Review (by YA Sisterhood's Mom!): Wasteland by Susan Kim

Hey everyone!  Once again, YA Sisterhood's mom is helping out the blog!  She's given us a few words to share on Susan Kim's upcoming dystopian novel Wasteland.

Welcome to the Wasteland. Where all the adults are long gone, and now no one lives past the age of nineteen. Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan’s post-apocalyptic debut is the first of a trilogy in which everyone is forced to live under the looming threat of rampant disease and brutal attacks by the Variants —- hermaphroditic outcasts that live on the outskirts of Prin. Esther thinks there’s more to life than toiling at harvesting, gleaning, and excavating, day after day under the relentless sun, just hoping to make it to the next day. But then Caleb, a mysterious stranger, arrives in town, and Esther begins to question who she can trust. As shady pasts unravel into the present and new romances develop, Caleb and Esther realize that they must team together to fight for their lives and for the freedom of Prin.

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Thoughts:

 

In a Wasteland parallel to THE ROAD, Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan have created a dystopian society with one major conflict--survival.  It's a world where reading is almost extinct, where rain is a killer, and where material items such as a Lexus lie wasting in the street, but there is one major commodity--fresh water. And as in all time periods, greed seems to multiply. Into this chaos comes Esther, out casted because of her refusal to conform when it comes to rules and friends, and Caleb, searching for his kidnapped son and those who murdered his partner. The plot is as dark as the world the authors have created, yet Esther and Caleb find love (although the "I Love You's" occurred a little too quickly for reality). However, those who love apocalyptic nightmares will definitely be hooked on this one!

Blog Tour Review and Giveaway: Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington

Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington

eARC received from Sourcebooks via Netgalley

Release Date:  On Shelves NOW!

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Exhilarating, Excruciating, and Exceptional

Let me just say, I love Jessica Shirvington.  This series is turning into one of my absolute favorites, and I am giddy with excitement for the new CW show based on this series!  After that ending from book 2, “Care for a trade, lover?,”  I was on edge because I just had to know what was going to happen next.  So, as often happens, I started building up these huge expectations for Emblaze.  And I’m happy to say, that it did not disappoint!  This is the best book so far!

One of the things I love about this series is it doesn’t waste any time jumping into the action.  So many books waste time reminding us of every little detail of the past book, and that really bugs me.  I like being reminded of some things, but the bigger stuff?  No need to remind us.  Jessica doesn’t waste your time with this, instead, she jumps straight into Exile vs. Grigori action.  There is never a dull moment, and so many of the scenes are filled to the brim with powerful emotion.  I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!

So, if you’ve read my other reviews/teasers, then you know I’m a Team Phoenix fan.  Don’t judge me—I like the bad boys that are in dire need of redemption.  (I mean, come on, I’m Team Cole, Team Darkling, so it goes without saying, I’m Team Phoenix).  And we get SO MUCH Phoenix in this one that I felt like I was on Cloud 9.  I loved seeing inside his head, knowing the pain and loneliness that consumes him from the inside out.  It made him seem more human, even when his actions were cruel and demonic.  So many people might argue that he is truly evil, but I think, more than anything, he is suffering, and as a result, he lashes out at those he loves.  It happens.  How many of us have said something we regret to a loved one?  Now, Phoenix takes this much further than words, but I think everyone will understand him a bit more after seeing that he is truly broken.

Now even though I’m Team Phoenix, I still love Lincoln, and I won’t be disappointed when/if Violet ends up with him.  That’s another think I love about this book—both guys make me happy!  I usually have a strong negative reaction towards one of the guys when there is a love triangle involved, but here?  I like them both, and will be happy no matter what ending, unless somebody dies.  Then I’ll die of misery.  But if you’re a Lincoln fan, be ready for some angst.  Some heart-pounding, soul-ripping angst.  Violet and Lincoln’s love is epic, and this book really shows us the struggle they must undergo in deciding whether love is worth the risk.

Violet remains one of my favorite heroines.  She’s strong, but not the “I just woke up one day and was a bad ass” strong.  She still has to work on her powers, and there are definitely things about her powers and her past (not to mention her future) that are up in the air.  Still, she doesn’t let that bring her down.  She stands strong and fights the exiles head on without ever wavering.  She’s not whiney, even when she has every reason to be, and I really like this no pity side of her.  If she were to sit around moping, I would definitely get annoyed.

And

That

Ending!

Oh my gosh—I did not see it coming!  But don’t fret, it’s not one of those “Is he/she alive or dead” type of cliffhangers.  It’s more of a jaw dropping, “what the heck just happened?” cliffhanger.  It won’t let you upset or frustrated, only curious and thrilled for the next installment.

I highly recommend this series to paranormal romance lovers.  Jessica’s world is magical, where the characters are covered in either lies or love; and where the truth is the most heartbreaking thing of all.

 

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