Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler

Aargh! I've been trying to write this review for two days now, but thanks to some "amazing new changes" in Blogger, this s**t just wouldn't work.

I'm using Opera, and after millions of tries decided to try Firefox and it's finally working. But I'm still not pleased, since I don't wanna use FF, I wanna use my Opera! Damn this s**t.

Where It Began
by Ann Redisch Stampler

Published: March 6th 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Format : Hardcover
Pages: 384
Series: -
Source: Borrowed
Amazon |
Book Depository

Sometimes the end is just the beginning.

Gabby lived under the radar until her makeover. Way under.
But when she started her senior year as a blonder, better-dressed version of herself, she struck gold: Billy Nash believed she was a the flawless girl she was pretending to be. The next eight months with Billy were bliss...

Until the night Gabby woke up on the ground next to the remains of his BMW without a single memory of how she got there.

And Billy's nowhere to be found.

All Gabby wants is to make everything perfect again. But getting her life back isn't difficult, it's impossible.

Because nothing is the same, and Gabby's beginning to realize she's missed more than a few danger signs along the way.

It's time for Gabby to face the truth, even if it means everything changes.

Especially if it means everything changes.

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
This is a story of a girl, who had it all. Until one night, when she hits a tree while DUI. Since just like with any story, there's more than meets the eye.

Love how it sounds, right? I know I was thrilled when I first heard about this!
The beginning is especially intriguing, when Gabby tries to put the pieces together to remember the night of the accident.
She's also physically weak, and it takes a lot of effort for her to regain her strength.

Still like the sound of this? I did. But after that everything just went down the hill.
We get to meet Gabby's parents and friends and all you can think about is.. How can they be so stupid?? Seriously, are you kidding me?! Doesn't even one person own a half of braincell?! It's just unbelievable!
There's Gabby, who is phlegmatic and so stupid it hurts. She's also condescending and blind and did I mention stupid?
And why do I think she's condescending? There's a "friend" of her, Andie. She's cute and stupid (of course, what else did you expect..), but she's just so adorable that you can overlook her stupidity. But whenever Gabby is talking with her, or even thinking about her, all she thinks is how stupid Andie is. Hello, pot, kettle, anyone?

I though this would be a book where Gabby little by little would realize the truth about everything, because who wouldn't want to know the truth? Well, apparently Gabby!
All she says to everyone and everything is "I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT".
And you would think that after the truth is revealed Gabby would be driven enough to defend herself at any cost and make the right thing? Wrong! She continues being the phlegmatic spoiled little brat she's been the whole time!
We do get a tiny little happy ending, but no thanks to Gabby. Surprise!

After the first half of the book I just wished I was one of those people who can quit reading in the middle of the book, but unfortunately I'm not. So no matter what, I had to finish this. I did try to give myself concussion, since I kept hitting myself to the head with this book, just to make the pain go away (you know, causing physical pain to forget about the mental one etc..).

This book had such a huge potential, but the cast ruined everything. If only they were like normal people, but no, they were straight from some bad reality tv. No acting skills, so everything they say sounds untrue and just.. bad, and no enough brains to produce any coherent speech.

If I'd rate this book only by judging the story, I would give o.5 cupcakes, but since I love the cover and the synopsis sounded awesome, I have to give 1 cupcake.

Waiting on Wednesday #23

Hosted by Breaking the Spine!

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Expected publication April 24th 2012


Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

Teaser Tuesdays #23

By Should Be Reading!

I gave him a reluctant hug too and was surprised when he didnʹt pull back right away.
He smiled at me . . . fondly.

ʺAh, my daughter,ʺ he said.
ʺEighteen, and already youʹve been accused of murder, aided felons, and acquired a death count higher than most guardians will ever see.ʺ

He paused.

ʺI couldnʹt be prouder.ʺ

Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6) by Richelle Mead

Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers

Hello, lovelies! I just wanted to let you know that I started in a new job today (as a trainee), but hopefully that won't stop me from reading and writing! :) But don't get afraid if I start writing some disturbing stuff ;D It's just the sleep deprivation talking!

Grave Mercy
by R.L. LaFevers

Published: April 3rd 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Format : Ebook
Pages: 528
Series: His Fair Assassin #1
Source: Received from NetGalley for review
Amazon |
Book Depository

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old.

Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts — and a violent destiny.

If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death.

To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany — where she finds herself woefully under prepared — not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make.

For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
Ismae is a kick-ass heroine. That pretty much sums it up! She's been abused by men through her life, until suddenly she's saved. After that some kick-ass nuns will teach her how to become an assassin. You just have to love the sound of that. It's nearly poetic! Even my husband found that intriguing.

Not long after her first assignment Ismae is sent to high court with mysterious man (yes, there's always a mysterious man!), Duval. After a while, she manages to get over her hate for men (at least somewhat) and starts having romantic feelings about Duval.

First of all, I loved the romance. It wasn't instant love-at-first-sight, but you could sense there's some kind of attraction and I just loved how it was described step by step, slowly increasing into something real. It was just.. lovely. Beautiful.
Some may not like when every little detail was described, but I love details like that. It just makes it feel more real.

Wanna guess my least favorite part? Oh, the politics! I hate them in real life, and I hate to read about them. Yet it didn't bother me as much as I expected.
Though it might have something to do with the fact that the politicians were dropping dead left and right! Something I miss about those days ;)

I loved the ending, I love happily-ever-afters, as we all know. And I was so excited when the book ended and I just wanted to know how Ismae's story continues, since I expected the second book to be about her too.
Unfortunately, it was revealed that the second book won't be about Ismae! Damn! But about her loony friend. For some reason, I wasn't that thrilled anymore.
I presumed we would see more about Ismae and what her life will be like, but instead we'll get story about another nunchaku-nun (sort of), who will undoubtedly also find true love etc. Somehow, I just feel like it cheapens this book. Since this was such a great book and I want to see more Ismae! And I don't want this to be one of those stereotypical "ah-how-my-loins-ache!"- historical romance novel series. It's hard to explain this feeling. Guess I just want to only see Ismae, since she's one of a kind and that makes her important.

If I won't hear more about Ismae, my heart will break a little, because she's just lovely. And kick-ass. Which makes a great heroine!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for this book, I just loved it! :)

Musing Mondays #19

By Should Be Reading!

This week's musing asks…

What are you currently reading? And, is it better, as good as, or worse than your last read?

I'm currently reading Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6) by Richelle Mead, and before that (surprise, surprise!) I read Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5) by Richelle Mead.

I've only read three first chapters from Last Sacrifice, so it's kind of hard to say whether it's better or not.

But I'm pretty sure it's quite equal with the fifth book, which was quite readable :)

The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Phoebe Stone

The Boy on Cinnamon Street
by Phoebe Stone

Published: February 1st 2012
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Format : Hardcover
Pages: 240
Series: -
Source: Borrowed
Amazon |
Book Depository

A story about a wounded girl and the boy who won't give up on her.

7th grader Louise should be the captain of her school's gymnastics team - but she isn't.

She's fun and cute and should have lots of friends - but she doesn't.

And there's a dreamy boy who has a crush on her - but somehow they never connect.

Louise has everything going for her - so what is it that's holding her back?

Phoebe Stone tells the winning story of the spring when 7th grader Louise Terrace wakes up, finds the courage to confront the painful family secret she's hiding from - and finally get the boy.

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
Louise is seventh grader, living with her grandparents. She wants to be called Thumbelina, because she's just as tiny. She has a best friend, Reni, who has huge crush on Justin Bieber. Yeah, I don't get it either.
Reni has a brother, Henderson, who is smart and also a friend of Louise.
One day, boy called Benny brings a pizza to Louise and she can't shake this feeling that there's something special about this boy.
Her friend Reni is convinced that Louise has a crush on Benny, and since Louise is receiving notes from a secret admirer, they're convinced that Benny likes her back.

This book did have a lot of potential, but I just didn't really connect with it. Through out the story you'll get little glimpses where you suspect that everything isn't what it looks like, but it's just too little information.
And it's really, really weird to constantly mention Justin Bieber and that Louise is convinced she has a crush on someone just because her friend tells her so. I mean, come on, wouldn't you know if you had crush on someone?! Especially since the feelings Louise has towards Benny aren't really that positive. It's just weird.

I actually thought this would be more about romance and young love than anything else. And I was nearly finished with the book when I realized that Oh, this is about some sort of trauma! It was pretty hard to figure this out, since nothing huge wasn't revealed until I was nearly finished with the book.
And I really did like the ending, since there was some real emotions. I actually did cry little, which is the main reason I didn't completely hate this book. I did consider few times that I would stop reading without finishing this book, but since the best part was in the end, I'm glad I finished this.
Though I still feel that you shouldn't just write a good ending, since some people might stop reading before that since the ride isn't just that nice.

Overall, a nice read. An okay read. And that's only because the ending was great, which somewhat balances the not-so-great parts. Maybe I'm just too old for this, and the Justin Bieber- references really didn't help. And it won't take long time before nobody remembers who the hell is Justin Bieber, so it probably would have been smarter to leave his name out altogether.

TGIF at GReads! #6: Musical Stories

Another TGIF at GReads!

This Friday's Question:

Musical Stories: If you could read a book about any song, which song would you love to see written down in story form?



There's so many songs I would love to see written down! But there's currently few bands that I really adore, especially the lyrics.
I really want to start writing when ever I listen any of these following songs!

Florence and the Machine - Cosmic Love A falling star fell from your heart and landed in my eyes
I screamed aloud, as it tore through them, and now it's left me blind

The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out
You left me in the dark
No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight
In the shadow of your heart

And in the dark, I can hear your heartbeat
I tried to find the sound
But then, it stopped, and I was in the darkness,
So darkness I became

The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out
You left me in the dark
No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight
In the shadow of your heart

I took the stars from my eyes, and then I made a map
And knew that somehow I could find my way back
Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too
So I stayed in the darkness with you

The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out
You left me in the dark
No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight
In the shadow of your heart

The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out
You left me in the dark
No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight
In the shadow of your heart

..and some Opeth (lyrics here)


..aaand some Von Hertzen Brothers! (lyrics here)


Perhaps some heartbreaking lovestories ;)

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder by
Kimberly Derting

Published: February 15th 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins/TN
Format : Paperback
Pages: 328
Series: The Body Finder #1
Source : Bought from
Book Depository
Amazon |
Book Depository

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability.
While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies — or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes that the dead leave behind in the world... and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find the dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer — and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly.
But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer... and becoming his prey herself.

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
Violet is in love with her best friend. And she can "hear" dead bodies. Isn't that intriguing or what? I've never heard a story exactly like this before, so I was beyond excited to read this.
And I really wasn't disappointed. Kimberly Derting managed to tell a sweet and innocent love story of two best friends falling in love. That was one of the two main plots. The other one scared me speechless. Since there's insane serial killer killing off young girls.

The most terrifying part in this book was when author wrote from the serial killer's point of view. Because she really did a good job, and I really didn't like to be inside killers head! It was really scary. Few times my phone rang during these parts and I nearly peed my pants! I was seriously scared in few occasions. And it was kind of thrilling, since nowadays I avoid scary books on purpose. But because of the supernatural elements and young love, I didn't find this book too scary. By the way, this was the first time I've read about two best friends falling in love, and I absolutely loved it. I had a suspicion it might be boring, since they've known each other always etc., but I was glad to see I was proven wrong, and I actually want to read more books containing this little twist.

As mentioned earlier, what makes Violet so special is her ability to hear dead bodies, especially those who's been murdered. No surprise, she doesn't think her "talent" is an actual talent, or useful in any way.
So it's nice to see how she starts using her abilities for the "greater good", but it's still quite creepy and scary as hell! It's creepy enough how she starts digging up bodies, but when she goes after the killer, I was actually physically terrified.

I don't do scary books, so I was surprised to find this a great read. So, if you're up to be scared speechless and don't have any heart condition, feel free to grab yourself a copy!
I just received the second book from the series and the third, The Last Echo is released in few days, so I'm all giddy now!

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

Goddess Interrupted by
Aimee Carter

Published: March 27th 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Format : Ebook
Pages: 304
Series: The Goddess Test #2
Source : From NetGalley
for review
Amazon |
Book Depository

Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
Six months has passed and Kate is back from her "summer vacation". Which she spent with James *gasp*! So prepare yourself for some more moping Hades!
Story begins with the revelation that the King of Titans is trying to break free, and thanks to that, we'll have lots and lots of action.
And as mentioned, we'll be seeing Persephone! So Hades won't be the only one moping and filled jealousy.

And warning: If you can't stand main character who is feeling sorry for herself and is overreacting and all whiny and drives everyone crazy, don't read this! You'll just get angry.

But, if you're able to turn off that voice of reason, you'll love this! Believe me, since first I was thinking that she's really, really overreacting, but then I thought "What the hell!" and next thing I know, I was screaming "You go girl!!" and made a little happy dance. Cause, you know, this is a book. And it would be so fun to be all whiny little girl IRL, but there would be consequences, so this is a great way to bath in those emotions!

Okay, I have to admit that it was quite unreasonable for Kate to expect gazillion years old god to be a virgin. Especially when he's already been married once. And that marriage lasted quite a long time. But beside that, it was a fun ride.

The cliffhanger in the end was a little odd at first, I was just.. astonished! Seriously, my mouth was hanging open. But after little thinking, it made sense. Sort of. I just hate that kind of cliffhangers, I wanted to read the next book right away, but, as we all know, that's not gonna happen any time soon.

Overall, this was a great sequel, and I actually liked this little bit more than the first book. There was more action in every field and I especially loved how Persephone came back to picture and mixed things a little. And it was quite interesting finding out who's slept with whom in the past. I love dirty little secrets like that ;)
And I wish we'll get to read more about those dirty little secrets soon! I have my fingers crossed that everything isn't over between James and Kate. And that Kate will be alive in the next book, that's quite important, I guess. So, hopefully we'll get more desperate moments and love triangles! :)

My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing the review copy!