Teaser Tuesdays #20

By Should Be Reading!

• Grab your current read
  
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  
• Be careful not to include spoilers!
  
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"The hospital said you weren't there anymore. Thanks god! You're out of your coma. You remember me, right?" She sounds exactly the same.

"Duh. Who said I was in a coma?"

"Your mom. Kind of. And Gabby, people gossip. Everybody knows. Are you all right?"

It is hard to know which aspect of not all right to start with.

"My face looks like it belongs in a body bag, but yeah. And no coma. I just don't remember the crash."

Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler

Musing Mondays #18

By Should Be Reading!

This week's musing asks…

Have you ever found a book out of the blue, read it, and then had it be surprisingly good — one that stuck with you for years? If so, what book was it?

I remember the day like it was just yesterday. It was year 1998.
I was visiting library, like I did every day after school. Then I noticed a book on the table, it was brand new and I was the first one to borrow it!

The cover was little funny, but synopsis sounded quite interesting.

If you checked the cover, you know what I'm talking about. Harry Potter, of course! Still one of my favorites :)

Darkride by Laura Bradley Rede

Darkride by Laura Bradley Rede

Published: December 20th 2011 (first published December 9th 2011)
Format : Ebook
Pages: 288
Series: #1
Source : From author for review
Amazon

Ander McNair used to be the favorite son of a great monster-hunting family – until he was bitten by a werewolf and the hunter became the hunted.
Now anything that makes his pulse race, even a kiss from his girlfriend Cicely, is enough to turn him into a monster.

When he finally gets a chance to earn his cure by killing a vampire prince, he finds he has to choose between his own past and the future of the girl he loves. Can a guy who’s not even human learn what it means to be a man?

Luke Marianez used to be an immortal vampire prince – until the witch he loved betrayed him and cursed him with the ability to die. Now he lives in the world of vampire blood bars, where the waitresses are the drinks, and dreams about killing the last of the witch’s line so he can live forever. But revenge doesn’t just mean breaking the curse. He wants to break the girl’s heart, too. Can Luke seduce Cicely without falling in love himself?

Cicely Watson doesn’t believe in werewolves or vampires. She’s not even sure she believes in true love. But she’s about to discover what every werewolf knows:

People change.

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
I know, it took me ages to write this review. But you know what? I've noticed that if the book is really good, it's hard to write a review. Because I can't just make a list about the good things. Or I don't want to. But I'll try to write something that makes sense.

I think my first thought might have been "vampire and werewolf fighting over a girl, where I've heard that before?". If you thought of that, don't let that stop you from reading this book!

Seriously, you have to read this.

Especially if you love love triangles, steamy moments and heartache, this is the book for you!

Before this I read a book where was this whole "in-love-with-my-best-friend"- situation, and I just loved it! So I was glad when the book started with the same situation.
But, then enters the mysteryman! And we'll get some huge twists and turns and you just want more! You just can't get enough.
I'm always happy when you don't know what's going to happen next, and that's the main reasons why I fell in love with this book. Book starts with some what common settings, but prepare yourself for some surprises!

Also, prepare yourself for the sobbing. It was quite embarrassing, since I was visiting my father-in-law, and I tried to hide behind laptop and sob there in silence, otherwise it could've been quite awkward..
Especially since towards the end the sobbing just increased.

I also appreciated fluent writing and functional dialogues. Author also managed to describe characters' life outside dialogues, which was refreshing.
For example, I think I've never met a character who lives in a trailer. Ander's life was also quite exceptional, and I was happy to see this part of him, even though this part especially will break your heart in the end.
Anyway, this brought certain depth to the characters, and was a big part of character development. Again, job well done!

I was really surprised when I finished the book. I didn't expect that kind of outcome, especially since I didn't realize this was just the first book in the series! So after I was finished, I googled like crazy.
And was so happy when I found out there will be another book! Seriously, nearly had heartattack.
And why is there half of cupcake missing? Guess I feel little confused about the ending. Otherwise the writing felt really personal and intimate, but not so much in the ending. Luckily, it was only prief moment, but then the book was over and I still felt confused and nearly cried again. But now I'm just excited, I can't wait for the second book!

I had some extratime, so I did some photoshopping immediately after reading this. Nothing fancy, but it's always awesome when book gives you inspiration to something! :)
So, here's some buttons, originals from the Darkride's homepage! And you probably can notice from the buttons which team I am in ;) (hint: don't see Ander anywhere. Sorry!)

Grab the buttons if you like, I'll add them to my freebies- page soon.

<a border="0" href="http://www.darkridethenovel.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/zaturna/teamluke.jpg"/></a>

<a border="0" href="http://www.darkridethenovel.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/zaturna/teamemmie.jpg"/></a>

<a border="0" href="http://www.darkridethenovel.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/zaturna/darkride.jpg"/></a>


Now, get yourself a copy and prepare yourself for some heavy crying! And after finishing the book, cry some more, because this book leaves you craving for more! But the second book hasn't been published yet, so you'll just have to wait :)

+ ½



Laura, this rocks. Seriously. So millions of thanks to you! :)

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Published: March 13th 2012
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Format : Hardcover
Pages: 327
Series: #3
Source : Bought from Book Depository
Amazon | Book Depository

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away.

Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
After receiving this book, it only took me few hours to read it. I was nearly finished when I realized that this will be the end for Sophie! I'm not sure if I already knew that and just blocked it from my memory, or if this really was news to me.
Either way, I had to stop reading for a while and go through the five stages of grief:

• What, it's over?! It can't be over! I don't believe you, there will be another book, no matter what you say!


• Seriously, it's over?! *throws book in the wall* Who can I beat up?


• If I beg and cry and pray and be a good girl, will you write another Hex Hall book, please Rachel!


• No. It can't be over, but it does seem so *sobbing in bed*


• Okay, it's over. At least I have these three books I can read over and over again.

Luckily, I just went through these stages in my head, I didn't send begging-/hatemail to Rachel, so no worries! Though I do feel I might have regress back to anger. Except now it's aimed at the plot. So I may not be thinking all that clear right now.

Okay, first to things I loved. What I loved the most is the same as with the other two books: quick and witty dialogues! And here's the reason why I try to read alone: I don't have pokerface. So you can see from my face what's going on in the book.
And the witty dialogues? I always "act" them. My mouth moves and my facial expressions changes with the subject. Luckily, this only happens when there's really good dialogues going on! But when there is (good dialogues going on), I can't stop myself. So it's quite embarrassing to read good book in public. But at least it's easy to spot good dialogues ;)

I also loved the love triangle (when don't I)! Though not the end, but I'll get to that later.
But the beginning was awesome, you had to love the jealousy and Elodie's meddling! ;)

Then, what I didn't like.. Well, there wasn't really much of that and maybe it was only because I was so upset after realizing this is the end. But I did get the feeling that everything just ended so abruptly. I wished there were extra 200 pages so we could've slowly just ease into it. Now it just always felt sudden. Like "oh no, I like two boys, I can't choose", few pages later "I'm enlightened, now I know who I want!" and "I missed the bad guy, but we will find out more about their plans soon! And they will pay!" and then it was just "Oh, things sorted out".
Not exactly like that, but it was just as abrupt.

Also, the love triangle and how it ends.. Well, I'm not going to spoil anything, but I was so not happy. Both guys had their pros and cons, but I was actually starting to like Cal more. Don't read too much into this, I'm not hinting anything. Or am I?

Well, guess you just have to find out yourself! ;)

Overall, Rachel Hawkins didn't let me down and managed to live up to my expectations. Though of course I'm still heart broken, because I really don't want to say goodbye to Hex Hall. I hope we'll see more adventures located there, hopefully including Sophie!

Love you, Hex Hall. You'll be missed. And now I'll crab a box of chocolates and head to bed, probably cry myself to sleep.

+ ½

Waiting on Wednesday #20

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

The List by Siobhan Vivian

Expected publication April 1st 2012


An intense look at the rules of high school attraction—and the price that’s paid for them.

It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest. Nobody knows who makes the list. It almost doesn’t matter. The damage is done the minute it goes up.

This is the story of eight girls, freshman to senior, “pretty” and “ugly.” And it’s also the story of how we see ourselves, and how other people see us, and the tangled connection of the two.

WWW Wednesday #22

By Should be Reading!

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
  
• What did you recently finish reading?
  
• What do you think you’ll read next?
  

What are you currently reading?

The Summoning (Darkest Powers Trilogy #1) by Kelley Armstrong

I borrowed and started reading this about million years ago, now I've finally really reading it, and man, I need to get these books!

What did you recently finish reading?

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Awful and wonderful book!

What do you think you'll read next?

Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1) by R.L. LaFevers

Okay, I've actually managed to read some of this by now, and I haven't start any new books, just trying to finish the ones I started earlier.
Yet some how I feel like an addict, who tells herself that it's okay to start a new book that's not on the list, because that book is unique and it will love you back. Or something like that.

Teaser Tuesdays #19

By Should Be Reading!

• Grab your current read
  
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  
• Be careful not to include spoilers!
  
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

She leaned into the tiny room, trying to remember where Mommy kept the Coke.
That was it on the shelf, wasn’t it? She darted over and stood on her tiptoes. Her fingers closed around a cool metal can.

“Chloe? Chloe!” It was Emily’s voice, but far away, shrill. Footsteps pounded across the floor overhead. “Chloe, where are you?”

Chloe dropped the can. It hit the concrete with a crack, then rolled against her foot, hissing and spitting, soda pooling around her slippers.

“Chloe, Chloe, where are you?” mimicked a voice behind her, like Emily’s, but not quite.

Chloe turned slowly.

The Summoning (Darkest Powers Trilogy #1) by Kelley Armstrong

So freaking scary!

250 Follower Giveaway Winner!

We have a winner, yay!

And man, there was 191 participants, so I had some counting to do! :)

The winner was chosen with Random.org, and the winner is..

Noely Jeleen Balmeo
I've send you an email, you have 72 hours to answer! :)

Thanks again to all the participants, I never thought there would so many, yay!

Cover Crazy #20

By The Book Worms!

Saltwater Vampires by Kirsty Eagar

He looked to the sky, praying for rain, a downpour, some sign from the heavens that he should refuse the abomination contained in that flask. But all he saw was the bloated white face of the moon smiling down on him …

And the sky around it was cold and clear and black …

They made their circle of blood. And only the moon witnessed the slaughter that followed.

For Jamie Mackie, summer holidays in the coastal town of Rocky Head mean surfing, making money, and good times at the local music festival. But this year, vampires are on the festival’s line-up … fulfilling a pact made on the wreck of the Batavia, four hundred years ago. If their plans succeed, nobody in Rocky Head will survive to see out the new year.

Page-turning and suspenseful, Saltwater Vampires is a distinctly Australian vampire thriller.

I LIKE

* The eyes, oh the eyes..

* He's going to eat you!

I DON'T LIKE

* Those splash- thing could be bloodred, now it's quite muddy looking.

Musing Mondays #17

By Should Be Reading!

This week's musing asks…

Would you choose to review a book if its description sounded interesting but the cover was terrible?

I have done this many times! :)

I know, I judge many books by it's cover, but if it actually sounds interesting, I want to give it a chance.

As I've mentioned, I usually look for three things: Great cover, intriguing synopsis and good reviews. And even though I'm quite picky, I can do with just one of these things. Absolutely breath taking cover sometimes overruns bad reviews, and intriguing synopsis overruns fugly cover.

My to-read- list in Goodreads (837 books) probably proves my point! ;)