Review: Wings

by Aprilynne Pike
publisher: HarperCollins
date published: April 5, 2011 (first published May 1, 2009)
format: NOOK ebook
pages: 240
source: free download from B&N
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N
challenges: Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge; 2011 YA Reading Challenge; 2011 E-Book Reading Challenge

From Goodreads:

Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words.

Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.

In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

What I Thought

I'll be honest: it took me a few chapters to warm up to this book. The first several pages were mostly about Laurel's first week in public school and her eating habits. The latter does eventually come into play as one of the differences between fairies and humans, but it is pretty dull, at first. I also just couldn't get too worked up about where Laurel chose to take her lunch breaks. However, once Laurel starts to undergo changes, things picked up considerably. As her blossom begins to grow, it wasn't quite so hard to get into the story. I spent a lot of time pondering how she was going to hide it and whether or not she would be discovered.

The characters were okay for me. I just could not connect with Laurel, though. It was akin to listening to someone else talk about a person you've never seen before. I just could not picture her, nor could I truly get into her head, so to speak. David and Tamani were a bit easier to like, though. However, not too much time is given to the latter in overall story. I know little more about him than I did before starting to read this book. The villain did exude a certain creepiness, though, and I kept wondering what his story was and what his motivations were.

I did like the way in which fairies were described in this book. It is a unique view on them and I found the biological component in which David figures out how Laurel "works" to be interesting. Something I didn't like was how long it took for the real problem to arise. For a while, I wasn't even sure that there would be any problems greater than Laurel hiding her blossom from her family and schoolmates. By the time the menace did come up, I was already resigned to the book being mostly about Laurel trying to keep a secret.

While I may not have been turning cartwheels over this book, it was a pretty interesting read and left enough of an impression upon me to make me want to read the second book in the series, Spells. The series has great potential and I hope that Spells will answer to my hopes for more action. I give Wings 3 hoots.

April Wrap-Up

It's the last day of April, meaning that I am a week into my third month of book blogging. I've done quite a lot this month. I've read and reviewed seventeen books; added more books to my collection; changed the look of my blog again (though hopefully for the last time for quite a while); I did a guest blog post over at Scathing Weekly (click HERE to check it out!); I hit 100 followers and am well on my way to the 200 mark; I have been introduced to some truly awesome fellow book bloggers; I've won two books this month, which is very exciting; and oh, so much more.

As far as everyday life goes, I am almost finished with the spring semester. I already know that I've made an A in the speech class I had to take; got the grade for my paper in American literature II (a very respectable B, considering that it had to be written entirely without "to-be" verbs; not easy for me); and I have made progress toward catching by up with my previous French language skills after several years of disuse (oh, how easily we forget). I won't make the dean's list, as I had to drop my history of the English language course out of sheer stress, but I am satisfied with my prospective grade report. Finally, I decided which program I will be applying to when I apply for graduate schools this fall. I've decided to pursue a Master of Science degree in library science with a concentration in youth services. I'm very relieved to have my final decision made, as I had been trying to pick between three programs for quite some time.

Thank you to all of my visitors and followers for making April such a good time. I've learned so much and discovered some really great books thanks to all of you.

Review: Catching Fire

by Suzanne Collins
publisher: Scholastic
date published: September 1, 2009
format: hardcover
pages: 391
source: borrowed from a friend
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N
challenges: Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge; 2011 YA Reading Challenge

From Goodreads:

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.

What I Thought

When I first began reading Catching Fire, I was worried that the book would follow the trend I've been noticing in the series I've been reading as of late. That is, I was worried that the second book would lack the pop of the first book. At first, I thought it would be so as Katniss's everyday life in the victor's village is detailed. It didn't stay that way for long, however. It quickly becomes apparent that Katniss is in great danger. From that moment on, I was sucked in just as thoroughly as I had been in The Hunger Games.

Katniss didn't change much as a character, which I was glad of since I liked her so much in The Hunger Games. She was just as determined, just as wary as before. I loved the way her mind worked as she thought out all possible scenarios when judging who she could trust and who she could not. Though she may not have always been right, the fact that she was able to come up with so many different possible motives was fascinating. As for Peeta, he became more firmly established as an honorable person. Even when he is telling a falsehood, it is with a very specific purpose in mind, the results of which can be of great help to a land under the most severe oppression. You will know exactly to what I refer once you read it. Finally, many of the new characters were very interesting to watch develop. I look forward to seeing them grow further in the next book. I want to find out what makes them tick.

My favorite thing about Catching Fire is that I was always kept guessing. I can not recall a single instance in which I had already figured out what was going to happen. It is fairly rare that my intuition failed to hone in on the outcomes. By the time the book concluded, I was left with my jaw dropped. I love a book that can keep me guessing. There is nothing better than a shocking development in a plot to really make you stop and think about what you have read.

I am really hesitant to say much more about this book, lest I give too much away. I certainly wouldn't want to do that! This book is well worth the read. I have the feeling that I am going to be buying my own copies of the books in this series very soon. I give Catching Fire 5 hoots.

Follow Friday: April 29, 2011

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and is a way for book bloggers to get to know each other better. To join in and make some friends, simply follow the directions listed by Parajunkee on her blog.

This week, yours truly is the featured blog! Welcome to all of my new and old visitors. I look forward to visiting all of you at your own blogs.

This week's question is:

Keeping with the dystopian and apocalypse theme that seems to be running rampant on parajunkee.com, I have one very hard question for you: If you were stocking your bomb shelter, what books would you HAVE to include if you only had space for ten?

This is a tough one! I think I am up to the challenge, though. Here goes nothing!

1. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
2. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
3. Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen
4. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
5. Divine by Mistake by P.C. Cast
6. Divine by Choice by P.C. Cast
7. The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling
8. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
9. The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
   
10. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

There are other books in my collection that I would hate to leave behind, but these are probably the ones that I would re-read the most. How about you? What would you stock your bomb shelter with?

Accidental Autographs: How does this even happen?

Yesterday, my friend and I weathered the impending thunderstorm and went out for one of our regular coffee and cupcake outings. She had been telling me that a book that I had recently checked out of the library, read, and loved (specifically, Clockwork Angel) had been spotted at Books-A-Million for the clearance price of $6.97. How could I resist? We decided to make a quick stop and, sure enough, there were three copies left. I found the copy that I thought was in the best shape and happily bought it, along with one more book that I couldn't turn down. Here is where things get surprising. Later that evening, I sat down before bed to admire my new clearance finds. As I carefully peeled off the clearance price sticker, I noticed a small gold sticker a lot like this:

(image found here, at Waxcreative Design)




My response? I'll admit it: I gasped, "squeeeed," and danced around. Then, I second-guessed. Surely this must be some mistake. Why would BAM put an autographed book on clearance? I had never seen such a thing before. No, I'd just check inside to see if there was actually a signature. I found this:

I thought I was going to keel over right then and there. How? Why? If this one is autographed, what does that mean about the remaining two books still sitting on the shelf? I texted my friend (who is a big Cassandra Clare fan) and shared the surprise. Her response was, of course, "What?!?!?" I couldn't have said it better, myself

Theme Thursday: April 27, 2011

Theme Thursday comes to us from Kavyen at Reading Between Pages. The name of the game is to select a snippet from whatever book you are reading that corresponds with the week's theme. Be sure to name the author and title of your book. Then, leave a link to your post at the official Theme Thursday post. Easy peasy.

This week's theme is: ATMOSPHERE (something that suggests "spooky" or "tense" or "romantic" etc.)

The warmth from his body spread into her, warming her in a way that was strikingly similar to how the sun did. She smiled and snuggled a little closer.

from Wings by Aprilynne Pike (p. 85, Nook edition)

Review: The Awakening

by Kelley Armstrong
publisher: HarperTeen
date published: May 1, 2009
format: hardcover
pages: 368
source: library
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N
challenges: Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge; 2011 YA Reading Challenge

From Goodreads:

If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl—someone normal. Now my life has changed forever and I'm as far away from normal as it gets. A living science experiment—not only can I see ghosts, but I was genetically altered by a sinister organization called the Edison Group. What does that mean? For starters, I'm a teenage necromancer whose powers are out of control; I raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever.

Now I'm running for my life with three of my supernatural friends—a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch—and we have to find someone who can help us before the Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying.

What I Thought

This is the second book in the Darkest Powers trilogy and, I have to say, I really enjoyed it. I actually liked it better than the first book, The Summoning. Now that the premise has been firmly established, there is more time to explore the situation at hand and detail the motives behind the events set in motion at Lyle House. As Chloe begins to make more and more discoveries about the organization behind Lyle House, the Edison Group, it is easy to see just how dire the situation is and just how much danger everyone is in.

I was surprised to find myself rooting for Derek in this book. He started out as his usual surly self in the beginning, but more was lying beneath the surface that was revealed in this book. While a possible love interest between him and Chloe wasn't blatantly alluded to, there were some very subtle hints that it may be a possibility in the future. I was left curious as to what will happen on that front in the third book.

The fact that romance was handled in a more subtle manner is this book was refreshing. Instead, the main focus was on the danger the kids are in, as well as the origins of their powers. There was also a lot more danger and suspense in this book, which I really liked, not to mention the creepier elements involved in Chloe's powers. It made for a much more action-packed book.

I read The Awakening within six hours, which speaks well for how well its plot can absorb a reader. The surprises; twists and turns; mystery; and subtle hints at romance made this a much more appealing book. I can't wait to get my hands on book three, The Reckoning. I was left very pleased when I read the last page. The Awakening earns 5 hoots from me.

Waiting On Wednesday: April 27, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To participate, simply share that book(s) you are eagerly awaiting the release of and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. Clicking the image above will take you straight to her post and link widget. (Special note: The nifty button above comes from Lindsay at The Violet Hour. Isn't it pretty?)

I have a long wait ahead of me until Clockwork Prince will be released. In fact, I am going to have to wait until December 6, 5 days after my birthday. I've already started telling my family that if they want to get something for my birthday, this is it. It shouldn't be too surprising. Books are my favorite gifts, after all.

Review: Colonel Brandon's Diary

by Amanda Grange
publisher: Penguin Group
date published: July 7, 2009
format: NOOK ebook
pages: 167
source: purchased
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N
challenges: Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge; 2011 E-Book Reading Challenge; The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Reading Challenge 2011

From Goodreads:

A vibrant retelling of Sense and Sensibility, Grange's sweeping epic breathes new life into another of Austen's best-loved novels.

At the age of eighteen, James Brandon's world is shattered when the girl he loves, Eliza, is forced to marry his brother. In despair, he joins the army and leaves England for the East Indies for the next several years. Upon his return, he finds Eliza in a debtor's prison. He rescues her from her terrible situation, but she is dying of consumption and he can do nothing but watch and wait. Heartbroken at her death, he takes some consolation in her illegitimate daughter, who he raises as his ward. But at the age of fifteen, his ward goes missing. Devastated by the thought of what could have happened to her, he is surprised to find himself falling in love with Marianne Dashwood. But Marianne is falling in love with the charismatic Willoughby...

What I Thought

I have been looking forward to reading Colonel Brandon's Diary for quite a while. Colonel Brandon is actually my favorite male Austen figure, so I was very excited to read more about him and get his viewpoints on the events that take place in Sense and Sensibility. I had heard good things about Amanda Grange's diaries, so I was anticipating reading this book even more.

The book begins with Brandon's return home from Oxford for a visit, at which time he is greeted by Eliza, whom he is in love with and hopes to marry. As the events Brandon described to Elinor in Sense and Sensibility unfold, we find out just how negatively Brandon was affected, as well as his motivations for joining the army. As he experiences hope and then heartbreak, we learn that he is resolved never to love again... until he meets Marianne Dashwood. As the story continues to unfold, we learn about the ordeal that is his ward, Eliza's, disappearance and his discovery as to the identity of her seducer, as well as how that revelation will impact Marianne, the depth of Brandon's feelings for Marianne are examined in more detail than was found in Sense and Sensibility. The fresh perspective that is Brandon's point of view allows for a more in-depth examination of the people and events surrounding him.

Amanda Grange's portrayal of Brandon was very well written and she came very very close to capturing the essence of Jane Austen's writing voice. There was just enough difference to give Colonel Brandon a voice of his own and he was more compelling for it. The only thing that threw me off was the rapidity in which Marianne recovered from her illness and transferred her affections to Brandon. It seemed a little rushed. Even in the diary format it seemed that not many days passed between Marianne's illness and her newly found feelings for Brandon. I think the book could have done with a few more pages to draw things out a bit more.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the fresh perspective on Sense and Sensibility and Grange's writing was shown to advantage within. I look forward to reading more of her diaries and novels. I give Colonel Brandon's Diary 4 hoots.

Tune in Tuesday #1

Tune in Tuesdays is a meme that comes to us from Ginger at GReads! The idea is to share a song, either new or old, that you like. Since I've been finding myself thinking of various songs as I read, I thought that this meme would be a lot of fun to participate in.

My Tune of the Week: "Enjoy the Silence" by Lacuna Coil



This is, of course, a cover of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence." However, it is a cover by Lacuna Coil, who is my favorite band, so I love it even more. I had the opportunity of hearing this song performed live 3 1/2 years ago and it has stayed with me ever since.

Teaser Tuesday: April 26, 2011

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly event hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading. It is a meme that lets you see what your fellow bloggers are reading and gives you a glimpse at books you may want to read. Anyone can participate so long as they follow the rules:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
4. PLEASE DON'T SHARE SPOILERS! Try not to give away too much with your selection.
5. Share the title, author, and page numbers so that others can add it to their to-be-read list if they want.

My teaser of the week:

I felt a rush of relief as I read it, for she was alive! But it was mingled with anger at her seducer -- for I could no longer doubt what had happened -- and sorrow that she had been used so ill, and compassion for her distress.

This week's teaser can be found on page 96 of the NOOK edition of Colonel Brandon's Diary by Amanda Grange. I am pretty happy with this book so far. It is turning out so much better than Eliza's Daughter as a Sense and Sensibility variation/sequel.

It's Monday! What are you reading? April 25, 2011

It's Monday! What are you reading is a weekly meme that comes to us from Sheila at Book Journey. To participate, simply post what you finished reading in the past week and what you plan to read this week. It is a good way to find other books you may enjoy reading. After you write your post, head over to Sheila's blog to leave your post's link on the link entry form at the bottom of the What are you reading? post.

This past week was insanely busy for me, so I read one less book than usual. Overall, though, I had some great reads!

What I Finished














Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
Eliza's Daughter by Joan Aiken
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare














The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

What I'm Reading














The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
Colonel Brandon's Diary by Amanda Grange

Up Next














Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Review: The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins
publisher: Scholastic
date published: October 1, 2008
format: hardcover
pages: 374
source: borrowed from a friend
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N
challenges: Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge; 2011 YA Reading Challenge

From Goodreads:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

What I Thought

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book initially. I was worried that the book would be all hype and no substance. However, my friend vouched for the book, loaned the whole series to me, and even bet me a cupcake that I would love it. Well, I now owe her a cupcake, because I loved this book!

The thing that I found to be most appealing was Katniss's survival skills. I was especially intrigued by the herb lore she utilized to feed her family and, later, to treat injuries. When I discovered that District 12 is located in the Appalachias, things made so much sense and I was even more attentive to details (I grew up in eastern Tennessee and some herb lore is still used by my family, plus my cousins and I were taught to recognize plants such as ginseng at an early age). From the very first chapter you just know that Katniss is going to be a force to be reckoned with, and boy, does she deliver! While she isn't an imposing figure, she is agile, clever, and skilled, making her a tough opponent for the other Tributes. She also does not easily accept her forced role. Though she is pitted against 23 other teenagers, she feels compassion for them and anger for the what the Capitol has put them all through.

Many of the ordeals Katniss finds herself going through are terrible to the point that you find yourself wondering how anyone could possibly survive them with their sanity intact. As she works her way through these trials, you really get the sense that Katniss is the strongest contestant as far as constitution goes. She doesn't have to rely upon anyone to survive. This is what a heroine should be!

The other characters, while not explored in great detail, really manage to impart their personalities, strengths, and weaknesses, as well. The Careers are well-established as the ones to worry about as they take on the roll of cold-blooded killers. They are downright animalistic and are fairly frightening characters. They may not be monstrous in the physical sense, but their bloodthirstiness is an alarming thing.

Finally, the arena the Games take place in is nothing less than brutal. While it first appears as a forest one might find in a state or national park, it proves to be a deadly environment. Between the prowling Careers, the boobytraps set by the Gamemakers, poisonous plants, and dangerous predators, Katniss is constantly kept on her toes. As each page is turned you wonder what is going to happen next, making for just the right amount of tension and foreboding.

I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I want to find out what else is in store for Katniss and Peeta, as well as what the Capitol's reaction is going to be to the events in The Hunger Games. I could barely put this book down. Thus, I give The Hunger Games 5 hoots.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from my family to yours. Now, go find those eggs!

In My Mailbox - April 24, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme from The Story Siren where you can share your new acquisitions. They can come from anywhere: through the mail, via the library, purchased from a store, or downloaded as ebooks. It's up to you!

All of my books are ebooks this week. These are definitely going to help me get some reading done for the 2011 E-Book Reading Challenge!














City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare














13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson