In My Mailbox (6)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

This week I bought 2 books:

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

^those covers are so ^%(&^$(&^$*& pretty!

And received one book for review:

The Survivor by Sean Slater

^my first arc!!! :)

I started The Survivor and I'm only a few pages into it but from what I've read it's preeeeeetty good. Gonna go read more. :) What did you all get in your mailbox this week?

Ascendant

Title: Ascendant (Killer Unicorns #2)

Author: Diana Peterfreund

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: September 28, 2010

Source: GoodReads

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy

Pages: 392

Challenges: Mystery and Suspense

Rating: 3 out of 5

SUMMARY

Astrid Llewelyn is now a fully trained unicorn hunter, but she can't solve all her problems with just a bow and arrow. Her boyfriend, Giovanni, has decided to leave Rome, the Cloisters is in dire financial straits, her best friend's powers seem to be mysteriously disintegrating, and Astrid can't help but feel that school, home, and her hopes of becoming a scientist are nothing but impossible dreams.

So when she's given the opportunity to leave the Cloisters and put her skills to use as part of a scientific quest to discover the Remedy, Astrid leaps at the chance. Finally, she can have exactly what she want--or can she? At Gordian headquarters, deep in the French countryside, Astrid begins to question everything she thought she believed: her love for Giovanni, her loyalty to the Cloisters, and most of all her duty as a hunter. Should Astrid be saving the world from killer unicorns, or saving the unicorns from the world?

REVIEW

If you're like me and don't remember the first book very much, I suggest you read a quick, complete summary of Rampant. Ascendant didn't have a long and redundant short and helpful blurb about what previously happened. Within the first couple of chapters, this book is throwin' in the dramatics. Where the first book was more about reasons to kill the evil unicorns, this one more about reasons NOT to kill the evil unicorns. I always hated reading thoroughly about the unicorns being killed and the suffering blahblahblah (most likely because I'm an animal lover) so I liked that Astrid was having a harder time killing the unicorns and not feeling bad about it.

A lot of the book takes place outside of the Cloisters, which I thought was a good change. It took away from getting to know any of the other hunters very much more which I didn't like, but new characters are introduced and some characters with small parts in the last book have big parts in this one.

This book was good but it took me a while to read. It wasn't unputdownable until the last part of the book--about the last six chapters. I still love that this series is so different from what I've read before though, and I would definitely read a third book, but is there going to be one?! While I guess this book could have been the end of Astrid's story, I also think a lot of things had gone unanswered and I feel like I've been left hanging on a limb. Someone please confirm that there will be a third!!!

Attention-Getting Quotes:

" 'This is a different school. I'm not going back to SUNY. This is one--Prat--it's in New York City--' Each word was a jolt of alicorn venom. 'You're leaving.' 'Yes.' " Page 28

"The steps of the charging unicorn faltered as I spoke her secret aloud. She raised her head and stared at me with fiery, furious eyes. It's the last thing I remember." Page 298

Friday Five

Hosted by: Page Turners

5 Books I Wish I Was Apart Of:

1. Harry Potter as a witch.

2. Oh. My. Gods. as a descendant of some awesome god/goddess.

3. Vampire Academy as a royal moroi.

4. Private as Reed so I can be with Upton ;)

5. Hex Hall as a witch.

That was really hard for me. Harry Potter is really the only one I REALLY want to live in. So what book worlds would you guys want to be apart of? Leave a comment! Or link me to your Friday 5 post!

In other news, today was the last day of both my english classes. Woot Woot! I'm going on a reading spree this weekend. Plus I have monday off. Ohhhhh yeah! Alright, happy reading everyone!

Update on Life 1-16-11

Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know that I haven't ditched blogging again... I just don't have anything to blog about! We started another book in my young adult lit class so I had to put down Rampant to read that. :( I'm going to try to finish this school book tonight though.. hopefully. I also have studying to do... ugh... but theres only 4 days left of all my current classes 'til the new semester starts which means senior english and young adult lit will be over. Therefore no more school books taking away from my free-reading time! Yayayay!

More good news, I got my acceptance letter to the university I want to go to! Which I then used as an excuse to go see The Dilemna with Channing Tatum, my love.... hahahah, and eat Pancheros for dinner. Yummmmmy. On the topic of food, I have as of today lost around 15 lbs since I decided to become healthier person, which was back in like late November NOT January 1st, so don't freak out. hahahah that would be amazing though. It helps having an elliptical at your house. No excuses about not having time for the gym. ;) Anyway, I THINK that's all the news I have to tell you all. I just really wanted to blog about something, even though I don't have anything book related to say... other than I really need to go buy Across the Universe. Anyone interested in commenting this post telling me if they thought it was good or not? Hahahah I've been hearing from other blogs that it's pretty good.

Okay I really need a nap! Thanks for reading!

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

This week I bought two books:

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I'n hearing really great things about both and am very excited to start both!

Mortal Instruments Update

Hey Mortal Instruments lovers! Cassandra Clare revealed the new cover of City of Fallen Angels AND the girl who is going to play Clary in the City of Bones movie! I do realize this news has been out for almost over a month but I just found out this week. I luuuuurv both.

Here's the cover...

Here's Clary...

Thoughts???

Friday Five

5 Resolutions Friday Five

1. Eat better, Exercise more, That whole shabang.

2. Maintain good grades or Get a 4.0 in college 1st semester, Do homework before the day it's due ;)

3. Care more about the hair.

4. Get a job

5. Read 50 books this year!

Clockwork Angel

Title: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Publication Date: August 31, 2010

Source: goodreads

Genre: Young Adult/Historical Urban Fantasy

Pages: 476

Challenges: 1. Horror and Urban Fantasy 2. Mystery and Suspense

Rating: 4 out of 5

SUMMARY

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

REVIEW

The shadowhunters are back! ;)

So this book centers around Tessa, who is NOT nephilim. She sails to London to live with her brother after her aunt dies and is kidnapped by the Dark Sisters who force her to discover what she is. The shadow hunters come to the rescue and the rest of the book is centered around the mysteries of The Pandemonium Club and Tessa's family.

When I first saw that Cassandra Clare was writing this book... lets just say I was less than pleased. For some reason, it peeves me so much when authors decide to make spin-offs. I guess I just get annoyed that it may be bad compared to the original series, and no one wants to read a bad book, especially if it's a spin-off of a book/series you like. Therefore I didn't grab this until a few weeks after it came out, and hadn't started it until December.

I wasn't a huge fan of the beginning, probably because I didn't understand what was going on but as I read it got more and more addicting. I actually like these characters better than the ones in The Mortal Instruments! Plus, this book had GREAT plot twists. I love when a book can surprise me and thats exactly what happened. It also didn't end with a huge cliffhanger, which I like. But it left me thinking, "Huh, I wonder what's gonna happen next." This was such a good book! I don't really have a good reason for why I gave it a four but at the same time, a five didn't seem right. Regardless, it's still a great book!

This quote gives a good idea of what to expect in this book ;)

"'Many who have gazed upon me have compared the experience to gazing at the radiance of the sun.' Jem still had his eyes closed. 'If they mean it gives you a headache, they aren't wrong.'" (Page 343)

Blog Hop

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Join the hop!

Hosted at Page Turners

End of 2010 Survey

This looked fun to fill out... I got this from Ella at The Clock Monkey who got it from Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner. Visit both their blogs!!

FYI: This survey is full of Vampire Academy. Sorry, I read the whole series this year (:

1. Best Book of 2010
Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead. Fashooooo! Hahaha yes I did just add that. Richelle ended this series sooo well. Even though Rose didn't end up with my man choice, I was still contempt. 600 pages of kick-ass content. :D Now gimme-gimme-gimme Bloodlines!

2. Worst Book of 2010
Push by Sapphire. This book should have a huge sign on it saying TMI. Ugh. My sister's coworker was raving about it and made her read it and then my sister made me read it...never again.

3. Most Disappointing Book of 2010
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. Before everyone goes all crazy on me, I have to say that I did like it. But that's it, only liked it. This didn't five me the 'wow factor' of the first two. By the end of the book, I didn't much like Gale or Peeta either. Therefore, disappointment.

4. Most Surprising Book (in a good way!) in 2010
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. Alot of people like his books but I usually only find them ooookay. But this one, O. M. G. I cried soooo much. Now one of my favorite books. Oh, and by the way, the book is better than the movie ;)

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins. I loved this book so much! This was the first book I had read by Rachel (and I believe it is her first published) so I wasn't sure what I was going to swim into but I flew through it so quick and I am so ready for book two. Feb 15th baby!! Well, at first I thought it was coming out in March, but then the publication date on goodreads changed to February. Can anyone confirm any information for me??

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. Okay, I had to include this book. A girl that I know kept telling me to read this series but I was hesitant because I was getting worn out with the whole vampire subject. But I decided to ask for the box set of the first three for christmas, and when I started book one I would not put it down and soon enough book two and three were finished also. Needless to say, this is now one of my favorite series. TEAM ADRIAN! :)

5. Book You Recommended to People Most in 2010
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

They're amazing. That is all.

6. Best Series Discovered in 2010
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

7. Favorite New Authors of 2010
Rachel Hawkins and Richelle Mead

8. Most Hilarious Read of 2010
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.

I didn't really like the book though.

9. Most Thrilling Unputdownable Book of 2010
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins.

Anything Kate Brian

10. Book You Anticipated the Most for 2010
Spirit Bound, Last Sacrifice, Mockingjay, Kate Brian books.

11. Favorite Cover of a Book You read in 2010
Hex Hall, every Vampire Academy, The Last Song (with the turtles)

12. Most Memorable Character in 2010
Rose, Dimitri, and Adrian from Vampire Academy.

13. Most Beautifully Written Book in 2010
Honestly, I don't really pay attention to writing. But the most beautiful story was probably If I Stay by Gayle Foreman.

14. Book that had the Greatest Impact on You in 2010
The Last Song. I haven't cried that much since I read Marley & Me. (:

15. Book You Can't Believe You Waited Until 2010 to Finally Read
Vampire Academy. Hands down.

2011 Challenges

Hosted by Book Chick City! Check out her blog!

Also hosted by Book Chick City!

Hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

I haven't really committed to any challenges before but I'm hoping to do it this year. Wish me luck everyone! You guys join too!