Monday, October 31, 2011

Wherever You Go Multicharacter Interview and Giveaway


What is your favorite childhood memory? 
Heather: I used to love hanging out in my dad's study, reading his collection of books.  Losing myself in his special set of Grimm's fairy tales was something I did all the time.

What is it like to be in love? 
Jason: Being in love means that you not only want to be with a person, but you want the best for them.

Is there anything that you regret in life? 
Rob: I regret that I didn't tell my family how I really felt, how all the pressures were affecting me.  I never realized they were there for me until it was too late.

What is your favorite book? 
Heather: My favorite book is any book that I'm currently reading. With very few exceptions, I love to read, period.  One evergreen favorite of mine is Markus Zusak's The Book Thief.

What is the most important thing/person in the world to you?
Holly: The most important thing/people in the world are my family.  Sometimes I feel like everything will fall apart if I don't hold them all together.

Harcourt


Seventeen-year-old Holly Mullen has felt lost and lonely ever since her boyfriend, Rob, died in a tragic accident. The fact that she has to spend most of her free time caring for her little sister and Alzheimer’s-stricken grandfather doesn’t help. But Holly has no idea that as she goes about her days, Rob’s ghost is watching over her. He isn’t happy when he sees his best friend, Jason, reach out to help Holly with her grandfather—but as a ghost, he can do nothing to stop it. Is his best friend really falling for his girlfriend?
     As Holly wonders whether to open her heart to Jason, the past comes back to haunt her. Her grandfather claims to be communicating with the ghost of Rob. Could the messages he has for Holly be real? And if so, how can the loved ones Rob left behind help his tortured soul make it to the other side?
     Told from the perspectives of Holly, Jason, and Rob,Wherever You Go is is a poignant story about making peace with the past, opening your heart to love, and finding the courage to move forward into the light.


GIVEAWAY:
To win a signed copy of Wherever You Go, you must comment below with a way to contact you and must be from the US or Canada. This giveaway will end on November 7 and the winner contacted soon after.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Review: Amplified by Tara Kelly


October 25, 2011
Henry Holt and Co.

Synopsis:
When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine finds the ideal room in an oceanfront house, but she needs to convince the three guys living there that she's the perfect roommate and lead guitarist for their band, C-Side. Too bad she has major stage fright and the cute bassist doesn't think a spoiled girl from over the hill can hack it. . . . In this fresh new novel by critically acclaimed author Tara Kelly, Jasmine finds out what happens when her life gets Amplified.

My Review:
AMPLIFIED is a one-of-a-kind and outstanding YA that I cannot stop thinking about!! Seriously, I was so engaged in the characters and their lives that I was stuck thinking about them long after I had finished. AMPLIFIED is so honest, raw, and mesmerizing. I don't have a single complaint about it at all. You have to pick this one up when it hits shelves!

Jasmine, to quote Kari from A Good Addiction, is so spicy! She doesn't back down from anything and is determined to make a niche for herself in the band. The whole situation with her controlling dad really made an impact on her and she just had to get away after graduation. I can definitely understand how she feels. When you have just had it with the world, you will go to extreme lengths to get away from all the pressure and the stress.

I just loved Jasmine's attitude. She is tough, but she also has a softer side that comes out during the perfect moments. I don't know anything about music, but I could feel her raw passion for it. I wanted so badly for her to have her moment in the band. But it isn't at all easy for her. She has major stage-fright which causes quite a few problems with her and C-Side. Especially Bryn, the uber delicious drummer and self-appointed leader of the band. Oh, and she also has to deal with the brooding and yummy Sean who has a few problems of his own. Jasmine does have a rough time of it, but I was so proud of her by the end.

I cannot brag enough about all of Kelly's characters. Even though they each have their darker sides, I came to care for them all. Sean is my absolute favorite. He is snarky, intense, and has so much chemistry with Jasmine. I really don't know how to describe their relationship with each other. It is rough, slow but oh-so sweet. There is just one teensy tiny complication that had me wanting to pull my hair out, though!

Bryn is such a jerk, but I adored him. He is a bit of a player and he can be brutally honest, but he has just as much passion for music as Jasmine does. Vita is amazing! Props to her for owning who she is and never doubting it. Her friendship with Jasmine really made the whole story. Felix is a bit of a teddy bear. He is such a sweetheart and lightened the mood when it was needed.

AMPLIFIED is definitely going on the list of my favorite YA novels. It is so powerful and gorgeous. Kelly has become an auto-buy for me!

My Rating:

Friday, October 28, 2011

Review: The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

September 20, 2011
Greenwillow Books

Synopsis:
Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he’s not the only one who needs her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.


My Review:
THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS is a brilliantly woven YA debut that I absolutely loved! Carson has developed a wonderfully unique world that is sure to enchant readers. The concept in the novel is so unique and fresh that it stands out from the typical YA novels. While I had a few minor complaints about it, I really enjoyed the novel overall!

Elisa is at first a weak and untried girl whose only "talent" is to stuff her face with as many sweets as she can. Her life changes dramatically when she is married off to Alejandro and taken to his kingdom. It is there that Elisa begins to grow into a strong girl and begins to learn how to care for the people. But the surprises don't end there for Elisa! Nope, her time as Alejandro's secret wife is only the beginning. It is when Elisa is kidnapped and taken to a place in dire need of her help that she truly flourishes.

While I do like the person who Elisa eventually ends up becoming, I did not care for her at all for the first half of the novel. I could not stand how she constantly complained about being so" fat" and "ugly". Then after she got done complaining, she would go eat some more and drown her sorrows in food. I am sorry, but if you are unhappy you should do something about it, not eat until you are way past full. Light a candle, don't curse the darkness.

Now that complaint may turn you off the book, but let me tell you, even though I got really irritated with her, the storyline makes up for Elisa's annoyances. I was absolutely fascinated by the lore in the novel and I soaked up all the information I could get. The whole concept of the Godstone was extremely interesting. I loved learning about what it meant to be the bearer of the Godstone alongside Elisa. While some of the information is confusing at first, as the novel goes on it all comes together and you actually get it! Also, it helps that Elisa wasn't a complainer for the whole book. She does get much better and she learns so much on her journey.

THE GIRL OF THORNS AND FIRE is a great YA debut that is sure to captivate readers. Don't miss out on this one!

My Review:

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

September 27, 2011
Little, Brown

Synopsis:
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?


My Review:
Laini Taylor has written an addicting paranormal novel that will have you putting everything but the book aside! It is so hard to stop reading. The action is non-stop and the shocking secrets plentiful. The characters are so complicated and have multiple layers that will leave you questioning who they really are.

There is much more to Karou than meets the eye--which is saying something considering the fact that she is drop-dead gorgeous and has natural blue hair! She has been raised in an unconventional environment with chimaera that she has grown to love. She is an extremely talented artist who crafts pictures that blow others away. And while she appears and thinks she is human, she begins discovering things that make her question who she truly is.

While Karou seems cold at first, she thawed in my eyes as the story went on. The adventures "errands" she goes on are fascinating, and something that she does fairly often. I enjoyed seeing the world from her eyes, and gained a new perspective on life. I truly felt for Karou; she feels such loneliness that I just wanted to jump into the book to give her a hug. While she has friends, she has always felt a little removed from everything and yearns for a companion--someone who will be by her side no matter what.

I was really interested in knowing who, or what, Karou truly was. How she came to be, and how she ended up with someone like Brimstone. The little hints thrown here and there give just a taste of what is really going on with her, and kept me engrossed in the pages. My favorite moments in the story were those between her and Akiva. While their interactions were forced and maddening at first, as they get to know one another their relationship becomes so sweet.

Akiva, while unemotional and stiff in the beginning, is someone who I came to love. Like Karou, there is an air of mystery surrounding him. I wondered why he was doing what he was, and why Karou affected him so much. Akiva thoroughly intrigued me.

DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE is one of the most well-written and well-crafted novels that I have read in a long time. Taylor has made a place for herself in the YA genre and I cannot wait for more of her gorgeous writing!

My Review:

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Review: Wherever You Go by Heather Davis


November 14, 2011
Harcourt Children's Books

Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Holly Mullen has felt lost and lonely ever since her boyfriend, Rob, died in a tragic accident. The fact that she has to spend most of her free time caring for her little sister and Alzheimer’s-stricken grandfather doesn’t help. But Holly has no idea that as she goes about her days, Rob’s ghost is watching over her. He isn’t happy when he sees his best friend, Jason, reach out to help Holly with her grandfather—but as a ghost, he can do nothing to stop it. Is his best friend really falling for his girlfriend?
     As Holly wonders whether to open her heart to Jason, the past comes back to haunt her. Her grandfather claims to be communicating with the ghost of Rob. Could the messages he has for Holly be real? And if so, how can the loved ones Rob left behind help his tortured soul make it to the other side?
     Told from the perspectives of Holly, Jason, and Rob,Wherever You Gois is a poignant story about making peace with the past, opening your heart to love, and finding the courage to move forward into the light.


My Review:
WHEREVER YOU GO is a highly emotional, thought-provoking read that YA readers are sure to enjoy. Even though I had a hard time getting into the story in the beginning, it picks up towards the middle and made me an emotional wreck. WHEREVER YOU GO deals with some very heavy concepts, so be prepared for that going in.

Holly is a little hard to warm up to, but I eventually was able to connect with her. She has so much on her plate, and takes care of her little sister and grandfather with Alzheimers while her mother works long hours. To top it all off, her boyfriend of almost a year died in a terrible car accident. She miraculously survived, but she has to deal with the emotions that resulted from that accident. In WHEREVER YOU GO, Holly is able to heal with the help of Jason, her boyfriend Rob's friend, and find an unexpected love with him.

The scenes from Rob's voice were very sad and depressing. He doesn't understand why he hasn't moved on and must watch his family and Holly attempt to move on with their lives. I felt how much he truly loved Holly and understood his pain. There is also a bit of a mystery surrounding his accident. Neither he nor Holly are exactly sure what happened, and I tried to figure out what happened through the clues that were given.

Jason is a shy and quiet guy whom I instantly connected with. Like Holly, he is still hurting from Rob's death, but he starts to have more intense feelings for Holly. He has always felt something for her, but it isn't until now that he has been able to act upon it. The relationship between him and Holly is slow and sweet. He helps her with her grandfather, and through these interactions, Holly begins to return his feelings. But it is very complicated for Holly since she is still trying to recover from the death of her first boyfriend and love.

WHEREVER YOU GO starts out slow, but it eventually blossoms into an emotional and fascinating story. It ends on the perfect note and leaves you with the closure you have been hoping for since the beginning.

My Rating:

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

New YA Book Releases: October 25, 2011

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
Harlequin Teen

My name—my True Name—is Ashallayn'darkmyr Tallyn.I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her.
My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…












Destined by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast
St. Martins Griffin

In Destined, the forces of Light and Dark collide as their epic struggle focuses on Tulsa's House of Night. Zoey is home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side and preparing to face off against Neferet. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, he and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together if Rephaim can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow.

But is Zoey really safe? Does she truly know those who are closest to her? And will love win when it is tested by the very soul of Darkness? Find out what s destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.

Amplified by Tara Kelly
Henry Holt and Co.

When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine finds the ideal room in an oceanfront house, but she needs to convince the three guys living there that she's the perfect roommate and lead guitarist for their band, C-Side. Too bad she has major stage fright and the cute bassist doesn't think a spoiled girl from over the hill can hack it. . . 







You Are My Only by Beth Kephart
Egmont USA


Emmy Rane is married at nineteen, a mother by twenty. Trapped in a life with a husband she no longer loves, Baby is her only joy. Then one sunny day in September, Emmy takes a few fateful steps away from her baby and returns to find her missing. All that is left behind is a yellow sock.

Fourteen years later, Sophie, a homeschooled, reclusive teenage girl is forced to move frequently and abruptly from place to place, perpetually running from what her mother calls the "No Good." One afternoon, Sophie breaks the rules, ventures out, and meets Joey and his two aunts. It is this loving family that gives Sophie the courage to look into her past. What she discovers changes her world forever. . . .
The riveting stories of Emmy and Sophie—alternating narratives of loss, imprisonment, and freedom regained—escalate with breathless suspense toward an unforgettable climax.

Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore
Bloomsbury

For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alandare, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alandare band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.










Nightshade by Maryrose Wood
HarperCollins


A dark, gothic tale of romance… and murder.
The latest book in the grippingly dark series, The Poison Diaries.

Our heroine, Jessamine, has lost her faith in the men she loved, and her innocence as well. She turns to the dark side and plots to kill her father, using his own poisons, before becoming an assassin, a poisoner for hire. Can she recover from her heartache and reunite with her true love, Weed? Find out in this thrilling story where poisons, darkness and horror are a part of everyday life, and love is the only cure.


Monday, October 24, 2011

Review: Shifting by Bethany Wiggins

September 27, 2011
Walker Books for Young Readers

Synopsis:
After bouncing from foster home to foster home, Magdalene Mae is transferred to what should be her last foster home in the tiny town of Silver City, New Mexico. Now that she's eighteen and has only a year left in high school, she's determined to stay out of trouble and just be normal. Agreeing to go to the prom with Bridger O'Connell is a good first step. Fitting in has never been her strong suit, but it's not for the reasons most people would expect-it all has to do with the deep secret that she is a shape shifter. But even in her new home danger lurks, waiting in the shadows to pounce. They are the Skinwalkers of Navajo legend, who have traded their souls to become the animal whose skin they wear-and Maggie is their next target.
Full of romance, mysticism, and intrigue, this dark take on Navajo legend will haunt readers to the final page.


My Review:
SHIFTING is a riveting and magical novel that had me glued to the pages for hours! The Navajo legends that are included in the story were fresh and something I haven't seen done in the YA genre before. However, the one thing that irked me was the romance between the two characters. Frustrating and cliched, it is your typical girl meets boy, girl falls for boy, girl denies that she is falling for boy, and boy leads her on romance. While really irritating, the mythology and plot line make up for it.

Maggie Mae has been dealt a bad portion of life. She has been in foster homes since she was 5, and has had numerous run-ins with the law that she can't help. Indecent exposure takes on a whole new meaning with shapeshifters! Maggie was very easy to relate to, and I loved how strong she was despite the challenges she faced in life. I did get annoyed by how much she constantly looked down on herself due to the fact that she was poor and didn't dress right. Accept the fact and move on!

Bridger is the typical guy who everyone in school loves, is rich, and has the looks of a model. I really did like him at first, despite the fact that I wasn't so happy with how unoriginal he was. While he was cold and aloof at first, he eventually warmed up and stood up for Maggie when no one would. But then things started going downhill. He played with Maggie's feelings, acted like he wanted a relationship with her, but when his parents come back in town, he tells her that they can only be friends. This really irritated me and I lost what little respect I had for him

Despite my complaints, I actually enjoyed myself while reading the book. There is a little mystery and the shape shifting was fun to read about. I would definitely love it if I could shape shift! The Navajo legends were fascinating and I gobbled up all the information! And then there was Mrs. Carpenter, Maggie's new foster mom and my favorite character. She was so awesome and I cannot brag enough about her!

Overall, SHIFTING is a fast and well-paced read that a majority of readers will enjoy. I look forward to more novels from Wiggins.


My Rating:

Sunday, October 23, 2011

In My Mailbox (40)




For Review:
Faking Faith by Josie Bloss
Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Bought:
Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Won:
A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

Thanks to:
Flux
Egmont
YA Urban
My Mom

Friday, October 21, 2011

Review: Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

August 9, 2011
Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Synopsis:
The most tragic love story in history . . .
Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.


My Review:
I am a huge fan of Stacey Jay's other books so when I found out about Juliet Immortal, I was ecstatic!! I love the play Romeo and Juliet so I was eager to see where Jay would go with her book. Juliet Immortal ended up rocking my world. It is a gorgeous and conflicted novel in which Romeo is the very bad, very wicked bad guy and Juliet wasn't a damsel in distress!  I think I like this novel more than the actual play because it puts women in a better light and it was much more complicated and entertaining! I will definitely be picking up the sequel.

Juliet is a very tortured girl whose life was ruined all because of Romeo and his selfishness. She thought that he loved her and that they would be together forever, but boy was she wrong. Romeo betrayed her and she is out to get revenge on him by helping soul mates end up together and working for the good side, the Ambassadors. Romeo on the other hand, works for the Mercenaries and his job is to get soul mates to turn against one another and kill the other soul mate. Both of them have their work cut out for them in Juliet Immortal when everything changes and they learn some things that make them question what they though they knew.

I have to say that Juliet was a fantastic protagonist. She doesn't claim to be something that she is not and will do whatever it takes to get the soul mates together forever. She goes to extremes and is even willing to sacrifice her happiness for those who may not deserve it. I did get a bit frustrated at her at times for making excuses for Ariel's (whose body her soul has taken refuge in to get a set of soul mates together) best friend Gemma. She was an awful person who had absolutely zero redeeming qualities going for her.

And then there was Romeo. He was so twisted and disgusting. Definitely not the Romeo that Shakespeare created. He is absolutely obsessed with Juliet and does so many crazy and awful things to her. But then there were also times where I wanted to cry for him. I could see that he was tortured and I was so confused about who he really was. I definitely gained a new perspective on Romeo.

My absolute favorite character in Juliet Immortal was Ben. He and Juliet's first meeting makes quite the impression! I was laughing so hard and freaking out at the same time during that scene!! The more I got to know Ben, the more I respected and came to care for him like Juliet. He isn't afraid to go after what he wants and I admire him for that. It doesn't hurt that he reminds me of the guys from Simone Elkeles' Perfect Chemistry trilogy!

I had such a great time reading Juliet Immortal and I devoured the novel in less than 24 hours. Juliet Immortal is a highly addicting read that will leave you wanting more from Jay's creative world!

My Rating:

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Review: The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

February 1, 2011
St. Martin's Griffin

Synopsis:
Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on…

Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps.  The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.

But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood.  And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life?


My Review:
THE DEMON TRAPPER'S DAUGHTER is a thrilling and fast-paced read that is sure to enthrall readers. The demonic lore is fascinating and sets Oliver's book apart from other demon books in the YA. I cannot wait to pick up SOUL THIEF, the sequel to THE DEMON TRAPPER'S DAUGHTER.

Riley is the beautiful and apt demon trapper apprentice whose goal is to someday be as capable as her father. He is well-known for his impressive demon trapping, and Riley longs to be in his position one day. Her only problem is that she is a girl, and there are no women demon trappers. She must prove herself to those who doubt her and overcome other obstacles that are thrown her way.

Riley definitely proved herself to me! Her determination to be a demon trapper drew me more into her story. I loved the scenes when she went trapping Grade One demons. They were quite the characters. My favorite demon was the Magpie (they like shiny things!). They were so cute even though they were demons! They were definitely the "nicest" of the bunch. As the Grade levels go up, the demons get nastier and scarier.

We are introduced to Beck right after Riley. He is her father's apprentice and they have a very...interesting relationship. I still don't know how to feel about him. He is so snarky and cynical yet I could tell that he was a great guy underneath. And I have to say that his accent was so cute! I looked forward to the times when he would appear on the scene. He sure makes an impression!

THE DEMON TRAPPER'S DAUGHTER is a creatively written YA that I think everyone should read. It is a great start to what is sure to be a memorable series.


My Rating:

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

If I Tell by Janet Gurtler This or That Post


Jasmine from IF I TELL by Janet Gurtler is stopping by today for a this-or-that post. 

French Fries or Baked Potato: FRIES



Hardcover or Softcover: SOFTCOVER

Kindle or Nook: NOOK

Skittles or Nerds: SKITTLES



School or Work:  WORK

Quite or Loud:  LOUD (MUSIC)

Blue or Red:  RED



Football or Soccer:  GROAN. SOCCER



Water or Soda:  WATER



Movies at Home or Movies at a Theatre: AT HOME

More about the novel:

Jasmine Evans knows one thing for sure... people make mistakes. After all, she is one. Jaz is the result of a onenight stand between a black football player and a blonde princess. Having a young mother who didn't raise her, a father who wants nothing to do with her and living in a small-minded town where she's never fit in hasn't been easy. But she's been surviving. Until she sees her mom's new boyfriend making out with her own best friend. When do you forgive people for being human or give up on them forever?

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

New YA Book Releases: October 18, 2011

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel
Random House

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?
The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.
But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Scholastic Press

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.



Crave by Melissa Darnell
Harlequin Teen

Savannah Colbert has never known why she's so hated by the kids of the Clann. Nor can she deny her instinct to get close to Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman. Especially when she recovers from a strange illness and the attraction becomes nearly irresistible. It's as if he's a magnet, pulling her gaze, her thoughts, even her dreams. Her family has warned her to have nothing to do with him, or any members of the Clann. But when Tristan is suddenly everywhere she goes, Savannah fears she's destined to fail.For years, Tristan has been forbidden to even speak to Savannah Colbert. Then Savannah disappears from school for a week and comes back…different, and suddenly he can't stay away. Boys seem intoxicated just from looking at her. His own family becomes stricter than ever. And Tristan has to fight his own urge to protect her, to be near her no matter the consequences….

Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Little, Brown

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.
Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
Simon Pulse

Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better? Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected.
Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall....

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
Little, Brown

Jill MacSweeney just wants everything to go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she's been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends--everyone who wants to support her. You can't lose one family member and simply replace him with a new one, and when her mom decides to adopt a baby, that's exactly what it feels like she's trying to do. And that's decidedly not normal. With her world crumbling around her, can Jill come to embrace a new member of the family?

Mandy Kalinowski knows what it's like to grow up unwanted--to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, she knows she wants a better life for her baby. But can giving up a child be as easy as it seems? And will she ever be able to find someone to care for her, too?

Critically acclaimed author and National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr delivers a heart-wrenching story, told from dual perspectives, about what it means to be a family and the many roads we can take to become one.


Swear by Nina Melkin
Simon & Schuster

A promise broken. A bond betrayed. It’s been six months since ghost-turned golem Sinclair Youngblood Powers confessed his love, stole Dice's heart, and disappeared from Swoon, perhaps from existence. Despite the hurt, Dice has been moving steadily toward ordinary. Dreams of Sin still plague and pleasure her sleep, and the mark of Sin's love remains on her skin, still sore. But Dice has been throwing herself into music, finding solace in song and sometimes even in the arms of her band mate, Tosh. Life seems almost…normal. The last thing Dice wants is to mess with anything remotely supernatural. But when her best friend’s boyfriend goes missing, Dice has no choice but to become very much involved. She knows that his disappearance was no accident, and it somehow has everything to do with Sin. Because Dice can feel it: Sin is back. And the promises and deceptions he left in his wake have returned to haunt him.
What do you do when an oath of devotion threatens to destroy the one you love?

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