Waiting on Wednesday #76: Welcome to the Dark House

Waiting on Wednesday is a wonderful meme created by Jill from Breaking the Spine where we highlighted an upcoming release that we're eagerly anticipating.

Welcome to the Dark House 
by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Hardcover, 320 pages 
Expected publication: July 22nd 2014 
by Disney-Hyperion
Goodreads | 

What’s your worst nightmare? For Ivy Jensen, it’s the eyes of a killer that haunt her nights. For Parker Bradley, it’s bloodthirsty sea serpents that slither in his dreams. 

And for seven essay contestants, it’s their worst nightmares that win them an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at director Justin Blake’s latest, confidential project. Ivy doesn’t even like scary movies, but she’s ready to face her real-world fears. Parker’s sympathetic words and perfect smile help keep her spirits up. . . at least for now.

Not everyone is so charming, though. Horror-film fanatic Garth Vader wants to stir up trouble. It’s bad enough he has to stay in the middle of nowhere with this group—the girl who locks herself in her room; the know-it-all roommate; “Mister Sensitive”; and the one who’s too cheery for her own good. Someone has to make things interesting. 

Except, things are already a little weird. The hostess is a serial-killer look-alike, the dream-stealing Nightmare Elf is lurking about, and the seventh member of the group is missing. 

By the time Ivy and Parker realize what’s really at stake, it’s too late to wake up and run.

This one sounds so creepy and mysterious and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

Not another book slump...

Oh, god. I feel as if I've been neglecting my blog for the past few weeks what with this crazy work schedule and all. I still love reading but I just don't have the time to come out with a proper review. I just can't help but think that my review has been quite downhill recently and some of it are so crappy and vague.

I just couldn't figure out the right things to say. Do you guys have this problem? When you're not really sure whether you like a certain book or not. This happened a lot to me now. Since this is my birthday month, I'll probably do a survey by the end of this week.

This survey is important in deciding the future of the blog. I hope you guys take part in it since there's going to be a giveaway for the most awesome answer/follower ever. Stay tuned!

Waiting on Wednesday #75: Empire of Shadows

Waiting on Wednesday is a wonderful meme created by Jill from Breaking the Spine where we highlighted an upcoming release that we're eagerly anticipating.

Empire of Shadows (Bhinian Empire #2) 
by Miriam Forster 
Hardcover, 496 pages 
Expected publication: November 4th 2014 
by Harper Teen

Goodreads | 

Cast out of her family three years ago, Mara turned to the only place that would take her—a school where students train to protect others. But Mara is stunned when guarding a noble girl in the Empire’s capital turns out to be more dangerous than she could’ve imagined. More shocking still, she finds the boy she thought she had lost forever outside the gates of her new home. Mara knew her life in the dizzying Imperial city would hold dangers. How could she have known that her heart, as well as her life, would be at stake? Empire of Shadows will take readers on a spellbinding journey into the world Miriam Forster first introduced in City of a Thousand Dolls—a world with a divided society, deadly courtiers, heroic traitors, and deeply laid conspiracies. 

The first book in the Bhinian Empire series is a much needed break in the YA fantasy genre. I mean with most of the books taking place in medieval European setting, it's nice to read a book inspired by the Indian culture. It is ultimately a tale of feminist reform and how the mostly female population of the City of a Thousand Dolls tried to overcome their current way of life. I can't wait for this new installment but it also left me wondering what happened to Nisha; the main character from the first book since a new main character is now introduced.

Review: The Girl with the Windup Heart

The The Girl with the Windup Heart 
(Steampunk Chronicles #4) 
by Kady Cross
Published May 27th 2014 
by Harlequin TEEN
ARC from Netgalley
Goodreads | Amazon| B & N | TBD

In 1897 London, a final showdown is about to begin. 

London's underworld is no place for a young woman, even one who is strong, smart and part-automaton like Mila. But when master criminal Jack Dandy inadvertently breaks her heart, she takes off, determined to find an independent life, one entirely her own. Her search takes her to the spangled shadows of the West End's most dazzling circus.

Meanwhile, taken captive in the Aether, Griffin King is trapped in an inescapable prison, and at the mercy of his archenemy, The Machinist. If he breaks under the hellish torment, The Machinist will claim his powers and control of the Aether itself, and no one in either world will be safe-especially not Finley Jayne and her misfit band of friends. 

Finley plunges headlong into the Aether the only way she knows how, by temporarily dying. But she cannot parry The Machinist's maneuvers for long. To defeat him for good, Griffin will have to confront his greatest fear and finally come face-to-face with the destructive power he wields. 

I love Mia, her innocence and her charming personality just won me over in The Girl with the Iron Touch. So when I found out that Kady Cross decided to feature her in the next installment of the series, I was beyond thrilled! I really thought that the series ended with the third book so it was indeed a pleasant surprise to read about the gang all over again.

As I've said before, what I love most about this series are the various characters. Despite their differences, it is just amazing how they came together to function as a formidable team (kind of like the X-Men). However, I found myself craving for more of Mia and Jack Dandy and skipping parts involving Griffin King's battle against his archenemy; The Machinist. I just found it to be quite repetitive. Why is it so hard for the gang to kill Garibaldi a.k.a; The Machinist? If only they were new enemies or adventures for the gang to be involved with.

For those of you who haven't started this series, I higly recommend you guys to read the first book or the third book before starting this. The second book is totally meh in my opinion and doesn't add much to the series.

Book Blast & Giveaway: Prom Impossible

   

Sypnosis:1 girl + 1 prom + 3 guys = Prom Impossible Cassidy decides her senior year, including prom, will be about Michael, the boy destined to be her soul mate. One problem. He hasn’t figured that out yet. But certain events meant as innocent pranks—that weren’t completely her fault—introduce her to Zeke, the reformed bad boy. And cutting deals in the boys’ bathroom with Jasper, the hottest guy in school, lands her in a complicated web of half-truths. At the end of the year, she’s dateless the day before the big night but risks a lot more than her pride if she can’t fix her mistakes. Prom Impossible is a modern-day Shakespearean romantic comedy in the world of teens,true love and life.

AUTHOR BIO:Laura Pauling is the author of the exciting young adult Circle of Spies Series and the time travel mystery, Heist. She writes to entertain and experience a great story…and be able to work in her pajamas and slippers. Prom Impossible is her newest YA romantic comedy, published as of May of 2014. To keep up on her new releases sign up for her newsletter so you don’t miss out!  

Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Google+ ~ Goodreads 

Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/6/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.    a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Last Time I Saw You

The Last Time I Saw You
by Eleanor Moran 
ebook, 400 pages 
Published April 22nd 2014 
by Quercus 
Goodreads | Amazon| B & N | TBD

When Olivia Berrington gets the call to tell her that her best friend from college has been killed in a car crash in New York, her life is turned upside down. Her relationship with Sally was an exhilarating roller coaster, until a shocking betrayal drove them apart. But if Sally really had turned her back, why is her little girl named after Olivia? As questions mount about the fatal accident, Olivia is forced to go back and unravel their tangled history. But as Sally’s secrets start to spill out, Olivia’s left asking herself if the past is best kept buried.

I'm at loss of words when I finished reading this book a few weeks ago. I'm sure the plot hits home for most people with friends in college especially friends similar to Sally who commands the attention of those around her and insist on being the dominant factor in any relationship. To be honest, Sally is a hard character to like. Being attractive and privilege, she is a social butterfly with a selfish streak and extreme bouts of deppression.

At one point, I could really relate to Livvy with feeling completely used by your own friend. But the main draw of the plot is finding out what happened to her friendship and ultimately how she decided to distance herself from Sally. And although I completely understand why Livvy decided to get away from Sally, I just don't get why she wanted to relieved those memories again with Sally's husband and ingrained herself with her family. It just shows that even through death, Sally cast a long shadow which makes it hard for people close to her to get on with their lives

The ending is sort of bittersweet with Livvy finally discovering the events that leads to Sally's death and coming to terms with her relationship with Sally's family. I was kind of disappointed that some characters are not developed enough especially Livvy's lively male best friend: James who in my opinion is one of the most interesting character of the bunch.  

Waiting on Wednesday #74: Snow Like Ashes

Waiting on Wednesday is a wonderful meme created by Jill from Breaking the Spine where we highlighted an upcoming release that we're eagerly anticipating.

Snow Like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes #1)
by Sara Raasch
Hardcover, 432 pages 
Expected publication: October 14th 2014 
by Balzer + Brayby 

Goodreads | 

A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making. 

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again. 

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

A good YA epic fantasy is such a rare find. I'm hoping that this new series will rise to the challenge of competing with the likes of Throne of Glass or even Graceling.

Waiting on Wednesday #73: Darkness Hidden

Waiting on Wednesday is a wonderful meme created by Jill from Breaking the Spine where we highlighted an upcoming release that we're eagerly anticipating.

Darkness Hidden (The Name of the Blade #2) 
by Zoë Marriott 
Paperback, 386 pages
Expected publication: July 3rd 2014 
by Walker Books
by HarperTeen

Goodreads | 

In the electrifying second volume of Zoë Marriott's The Name of the Blade Trilogy, Mio, Jack and Shinobu have defeated the terrifying Nekomata against all odds, and brought Jack's sister home alive. 

But Mio is still compelled to protect the katana, her family's ancestral sword, and now the Underworld has spawned a worse monster – one carrying a devastating plague that sweeps through London like wildfire. As Mio struggles to protect the city and control the sword’s deadly powers, she realises that this time there is no way she can keep everyone she loves alive... and she must make a terrible sacrifice to save the world.

The first book in the series; The Night Itself was one of the 'under the radar' books that was released last year. I just wished more people will read this series because it is one of the better version of Asian YA fantasy that I've encountered so far.

Review: After the End

After the End 
(After the End #1) 
by Amy Plum 
ebook, 352 pages
May 6th 2014 
by HarperTeen
ARC from Netgalley
Goodreads | Amazon| B & N | TBD

She’s searching for answers to her past. They’re hunting her to save their future. 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.

I'm probably one of the very few people who ended up not liking this book despite the promising premise it offered.  I know how tricky it is to come out with an original idea for a YA dystopian these days since it seemed as if so many of the books are quite similar to one another. 

There's the pre-requisite chosen main girl or boy living in a bleak future world, the supposedly deceptive environment where the characters are lead to believe one thing is happening when in fact the truth is different, some conflict to compel the main character to take action and conveniently fall in love along the way.

Now, don't get me wrong the plot is not all that bad (compared to reading about falling in love with a vampire/werewolf/demon/some kind of paranormals) but after reading countless books with the same formula, it just get very tedious. And as much I like how resourceful Juneau turned out to be, I just find myself drifting out of interest quite easily when reading the book. And the concept of worshiping or connecting with the Yara or Mother Earth is just confusing in my opinion.

May I Suggest Giveaway Hop

Hello everyone! Welcome to my stop of the May I Suggest Giveaway Hop hosted by Valerie  from Stuck in Books.

Rules:

1. One winner will get a book from my suggestion list. These are books that I loved so far this year and some are my most anticipated for 2014.

2. Fill in the rafflecopter and that's it.
3. Open to everyone!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway