Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver
by Maggie Stiefvater

Published: 2009
Genre: Werewolves, YA
Hardback: 400 pages
Rating: 5

Description from the amazon:
For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): liquid summer

A gentle, sweet, romantic love story... you know, the kind with love at first sight and love that is destined and love that conquers all (well I think it will, depends how the next two books go). Me loves these kind of stories.

But the twist --> werewolves. This adds spice to the story. I liked learning about the werewolf lore. Still questions, though. So, the next two books will probably continue to flesh out the werewolf origin and existence.

The other appealing feature of this book are the subcharacters. They are spotlighted and develop as well.

Wolves of Mercy Falls series:
Shiver
Linger - released July 20, 2010
Forever

Zombie sighting:
I was a zombie of sleeplessness.
(chapter 43, page 271)

~*~

*** Shiver book giveaway ***

If you haven't already, signup to win this book -offer ends May 16, 2010.

~~~howwwl~~~
* part of Werewolf Weekend

* part of my Bottoms Up challenge

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins

Published: 2009
Genre: Action, Dystopia
Hardback: 400 pages
Rating: 5

Description from the amazon:
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

My two-bits:
In-a-word: mockingjay

whaaaa? - my expression upon reading the last sentence of this book

Book 2. You can guess that the games are sooo NOT over for the main character, Katniss.

The action and adventure that was in book 1 carries over into book 2 with ease. One could easily devour this book in one sitting... if allowed.

The quote “Gladiator” meets “Project Runway” from Bloomberg.com on Suzanne's site tickles me. So true.

The strategies and cleverness of the characters during the games was fascinating to read.

I loved every minute of this dystopia world. Not because it was a happy place. But because of the characters.

And, the love triangle is ever present.

Team Peeta ;-D

Series:
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
The Victors - Book 3 (this title is not official... yet)

- release date: August 24, 2010

*part of my Dystopia challenge

*check out my Book Fashion Catching Fire dress

Because this series rocks...

*** Giveaway ***

Do you have what it takes?

Open to all.
Prize:
Hunger Games book 1 or 2 or 3
by Suzanne Collins
-whichever one you want
-offer ends December 31, 2009

+1 tweet or announce on another social network
+3 post about this on your blog
+5 if allies agree to become partners

Ready to play ???

vvb's Book Hunger Games requirements:

1. In a survival situation fighting against supernatural beings, what would be your weapon of choice?

2. You must battle werewolves

read and comment on this post: Fishmuffins of Doom

3. You must battle ghouls

read and comment on this post: Book Rat

4. You must battle cryptids

read about cryptids
and tell me which cryptid(s) you would be willing to battle from this list

5. Name a blogger (and their url) that you would pick as an ally for vvb's Book Hunger Games.

6. Comment below with your email after you've completed your battles above.

And, answer questions #1, #4 and #5.

Also, tell me which of the three books you would like as a prize.

~!~!~!~!~!~!~

Those who dare to enter the arena:

1. Zombie Girrrl of Crackin Spines and Takin Names

---with partner Dahlia of Dahlia's Eclectic Mind

2. Amanda of Melkite Greek Catholic Church

3. Laura of Tattooed Books

---with partner Rachel of The Book Wars

4. Raelena of Throuthehaze Reads

---with partner Briana of The Book Pixie

5. pepsivanilla

---with partner Tina of Fantastic Book Review

6. Yan of Books By Their Cover
---with partner Sharon of Sharon Loves Books and Cats

7. Triskaideka

8. Charlotte of The Book on the Hill

---with partner Brizmus of Brizmus Blogs Books

9. ninefly of story on a page

---with partner wings to dust of GAL Novelty

10. Megan of BookMac

--with partner Yan of Books by their Cover

11. Rachel of The Book Wars

---with partner Taschima of Bloody Bookaholic

12. Aik of Friends and Family

---with partner Cherry of Cherry Mischievous

13. Elie of Ellz Readz

---with partner Misty of Book Rat

14. Misty of Book Rat

---with partner Elie of Ellz Readz

15. Kristen of Bookworming in the 21st Century
---with partner Misty of Book Rat

16. Brizmus of Brizmus Blogs Books
---with partner Charlotte of The Book on the Hill

~+~

Career tributes (groups formed with 3+ players):

+5 each for their formation - uber cool, eh?

Career pack 1:

Yan-Sharon-Megan

Career pack 2:

Laura-Rachel-Taschima

Career pack 3:
Misty-Elie-Kristen

~+~

Power Partners:

These players increased their chances by choosing each other as partners.

Charlotte-Brizmus

~+~

*first learned about cryptids at Travails of a Budding Author

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Contest has ended - winner is here

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Evernight by Claudia Gray

Evernight
by Claudia Gray

Published: 2008
Genre: Vampires
Hardback: 327 pages
Rating: 4

Inspiration: I wanted to learn more about this Gothic boarding school world.

Description from author's site:
When the story begins in Evernight, Bianca has just left the small town where she's spent her whole life. She's a new student at Evernight Academy, a creepily Gothic boarding school where her classmates are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.

Then she meets Lucas, another loner, who seems fiercely determined not to be the "Evernight type." There's a connection between Bianca and Lucas that can't be denied. She would risk anything to be with him—but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart... and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed to be true.

My thoughts:
In-a-word: Mine

I enjoyed this vampire story that takes place in a boarding school - not your ordinary boarding school. There's a twist in that we get the perspective of a female vampire who is just coming into her own. So, we readers learn about Bianca's vampire world along with her.

At first I wondered if the love interest, Lucas, was glamoured or truly attracted to Bianca. Because vampires do have a way with seduction. But now, I think the relationship is more akin to Romeo and Juliet. It's their destiny to be together, but there are lots of obstacles to overcome - a couple major ones being that Lucas is human and not your regular cutie pie of a boyfriend.

Yup, Bianca and Lucas have made it onto my Fave YA couples list.

Series:
Evernight
Stargazer
Hourglass (Release date: March 9, 2010)
Afterlife (Release date: 2011?)

The Kiss
by Gustav Klimt

This painting is mentioned a lot in the book and I just had to post it here as it is a lovely one.

Lots of fun stuff on Claudia's site:

in Claudia's FAQs:

Q: Why vampires?

A: Why not vampires?
I would say that I've always been interested in vampires, werewolves, ghosts and pretty much anything that should exist (if far from me) but doesn't. I used to check books of folklore out of the library and read for hours. Then there was Anne Rice, then there was Buffy, then there was Moonlight—basically, if it had vampires in it, particularly if it wasn't flat-out horror, I wanted to check it out. Then, a couple of years ago, the idea for the Evernight series came to me, and I thought I would give it a try.

Claudia's soundtrack picks for Evernight are here.



and you can get Evernight postage stamps here!

And for Jane Austen fans:

You'll be interested to know that Claudia says that the Evernight main character, Bianca, enjoys visiting The Republic of Pemberley website.

Also, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is mentioned (page 166) during a class lecture. They were analyzing the character and motives of Charlotte Lucas.

Waiting on Wednesday - 6

I'm waiting for...

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Release date: July 15, 2009

Although, it's the movie version based on one of the books from the wonderful Harry Potter series created by J.K. Rowling.

-because I'm a fan

Also, looking forward to HPEF's sixth event, AZKATRAZ, which will take place in San Francisco, California, from July 17 - 21, 2009. I plan on going for a day of all things Harry Potter that weekend.

Ginny and Harry rock!



* Waiting on Wednesday
was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Ghostgirl: Homecoming by Tonya Hurley

Ghostgirl: 

Homecoming 

by Tonya Hurley

Release date:  July 1, 2009

Genre:  Friendship, Ghosts

Published:  2009

Hardback:  285 pages

Rating:  4

Inspiration:  My second requested review copy. I liked the first book, so the sequel sounds just as good.

Description from book:

The to-die-for sequel to teen phenomenon ghostgirl. Charlotte Usher, a.k.a. ghostgirl, discovers that the afterlife isn't quite what she expected when she's forced to intern at a hotline for troubled teens. But duty calls when Hawthrone High's leading love-to-hate cheerleader and her gothic little sis suddenly find themselves in dire need. Charlotte's opportunity to help them may prove to be the risk of a lifetime -- for all of them.

My thoughts:

In-a-word:  Homecoming  - yeah, just like the title

Charlotte's story continues moving on to the next level of the afterlife. The other characters we came to like are along for the ride. We get to see Charlotte's character blossom more and get just a smidge more background info on her. Also, it was interesting to learn more about Charlotte's new world. 

Again, I enjoyed the chapter teasers and illustrations. There are nuggets of life lessons to be learned with this book as with the first. If there is another book coming, I'm game. I sure want to know what happens next because the end leaves us in a bit of a cliffhanger.

Couple alert:

Scarlet and Damen have been added to my personal fave YA couples list. Loved how they developed as a couple from the first book and into this one. I get a kick out of "their" song, I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab for Cutie. The song suits them perfectly. I like this cover version by sunjunky23 - give a listen.

Visit the ghostgirl site for some fun paranormal activities.

Series:

Ghostgirl:  Rest in Popularity

Ghostgirl:  Homecoming

Favorite YA Couples

Sometimes the romantic in me is sooo touched with certain couples I come across in novels. There are just certain elements of how they treat each other or how the chemistry between them sizzles enough for me to appreciate.

I'm going to start making a list of those who really grab me. I'm starting with the books I've reviewed thus far for this blog and will just add on as moves me.

Current Fave YA Couple:
Jacinda and Will
Firelight by Sophie Jordan - my review

~*~
Bella and Edward
Twilight
by Stephenie Meyer - my review

Bianca and Lucas
Evernight
by Claudia Gray - my review

Ginny and Harry
Harry Potter series
by J.K. Rowling - my review

Grace and Sam
Shiver
by Maggie Stiefvater - my review

Jessica and Lucius
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
by Beth Fantaskey - my review

Janie and Cabel
Wake
by Lisa McMann - my review

Katniss and Peeta
Hunger Games series
by Suzanne Collins - my review

Scarlet and Damen
Ghostgirl
by Tonya Hurley - my review

~*~
* *source of couple pic

Ghostgirl: Rest in Popularity by Tonya Hurley

Ghostgirl: 

Rest in Popularity 

by Tonya Hurley

Genre:  Friendship, Ghosts

Published:  2008

Hardback:  328 pages

Rating:  4

Inspiration:  My first requested review copy and it looks like a fun one just by its shape. And, I like ghost stories.

Description from author's site:

Charlotte Usher feels practically invisible at school, and then one day she really is invisible. Even worse: she's dead. And all because she choked on a gummy bear. But being dead doesn't stop Charlotte from wanting to be popular; it just makes her more creative about achieving her goal.

If you thought high school was a matter of life or death, wait till you see just how true that is. In this satirical, yet heartfelt novel, Hurley explores the invisibility we all feel at some times and the lengths we'll go to be seen.

R.I.P. - Read In Peace 

My thoughts:

In-a-word(s):  Beware of the gummy bears in life

This story started out slow for me. I didn't hit it off with the main character, Charlotte, until midway through the book. But when I think of it, the reason could be part of what makes the story a good one. Charlotte really doesn't come "alive" to the readers until she is dead. 

With the unusual and eye-catching cutout cover, entertaining illustrations, and pre-chapter teaser quotes, you get a fun read. The story makes interesting points of love, life and death. 

Visit the Ghostgirl site for some fun stuff:

- Learn about the characters

- Charlotte's playlist (for music lovers)

- Print out your own ghostgirl paperdoll

- Print out bookmarks

- Get your horrorscope

and more...

Series:

Ghostgirl:  Rest in Popularity

Ghostgirl:  Homecoming

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
by Beth Fantaskey

Genre: Romance, Supernatural, Vampires
Published: 2009
Hardback: 354
Rating: 5

Inspiration:
I wanted to see how a Romanian vampire princess comes into her own (reminds me of the Princess Diaries) also liked Persnickety Snark's review and Debut Author Challenge

Description from book:
Enter a bizarre new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu who claims Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth and he's her long-lost fiance. He's arrogant, officious, embarrassingly overprotective, and, well, incredibly hot.

Armed with a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica tries to imagine the transition from an average American teenager to a glam European vampire princess. But just when things start to heat up with Lucius, a devious cheerleader sets her sights on him.

Soon Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war--and save Lucius's soul from eternal damnation. All of which leaves her to wonder: Wouldn't life be easier if she could just fall for a nice mortal boy?

My thoughts:
In-a-word: Pact - schmact
Very entertaining story! It did not fail in creating a different kind of vampire lore. The element of young love was satisfying. I loved watching the transformation of the spunky main character from teen to adulthood (ahem... vampirehood).

Looking forward to her next work: Jekel Loves Hyde (amazon.com says it releases July 10, 2009)

WAKE by Lisa McMann

WAKE by Lisa McMann
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Published: 2008
Hardback: 210 pages
Rating: 5

Inspiration: After reading all the buzz about the upcoming sequel Fade on the YA blogs

Description from author's site:
For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.She can't tell anybody about what she does -- they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant....

My thoughts:
In-a-word: Dreamcatcher
The book is a real page turner. I zipped through this book pretty fast. I want to go back and re-read it. I liked how the author treats the dream world. Pretty believable. In some dream sequences I got some flashes of Freddie from the Nightmare on Elm Street films or maybe it's Wolverine from the X-men films. Scary. Interesting twists occur with Janie and her abilities and with Caleb (Janie's love interest) and his true identity. Loved how Janie starts to come into her own in the end. Dream manipulation has got me thinking.

Series reviews:
WAKE
FADE
GONE (release: February 2010)

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Genre: Paranormal, Romance

Published: 2005

Paperback: 498 pages

Rating: 5

Inspiration: To celebrate the DVD release of Twilight, I'm going to post my thoughts on the Twilight series which I read last year.

Description from amazon.com:

Bella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear. Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

My thoughts:
In-a-word: Immortal

I enjoyed the series about a romance between a human and vampire. I also admit that Twilight was my favorite of the 4 books. I love the way Stephenie Meyer explains how her vampire world could co-exist with the human one - pretty believable. And, this was the first place I've heard of vegetarian vampires.

From this paranormal teenage romance, the question arises as to whether Bella's love for Edward is worth turning immortal for.

Series reviews:
Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn
Midnight Sun (per author, this is on hold)

My favorite podcasts on the Twilight series:

Twilight Source: Imprint

Twilight Series Theories