Pages

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW, #18)




 "Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine that highlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly awaiting!


This week's selection is:



Atlantia Atlantia
Author(s): Ally Condie
Series: standalone
Publisher: Dutton Children's
Publication: October 28, 2014 


Pre-Order Now!: Amazon - Book Depository


 Goodreads Blurb:
Can you hear Atlantia breathing?

For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamt of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all her plans for the future are thwarted when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected decision, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long hidden—she has nothing left to lose.

Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother’s death, her own destiny, and the complex system constructed to govern the divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long-hidden truths.

What books are you "Waiting On" this week? 


Monday, October 20, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday (TTT, #18)

 
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's post is:

Top Ten New Series I Want To Start

These are some series that I have still not yet started but would really like to start this year and next year! I have heard soooo many great things about these series that I can hardly wait to get my hands on them and hopefully enjoy them as well!!

Top Ten: ( in no particular order)

*****
Which series do you want to start? 
Comment and let me know!!

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe


 Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

 Author: Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Series:No
Pages: 359
Challenge: Goodreads Challenge 2014
Genre: Contemporary
Acquired: Library
Rating: ★★★


*****

Goodreads Summary:

A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

  *****

 My Thoughts:

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is told from the POV of Aristotle (Ari). This book is more of a coming of age story about a teenage boy and how he comes to understand the meaning of life rather than your typical contemporary novel. With strong focuses on family and friendship, this book was an incredible account on the pressures and the uncontrollable nature life and the surprises it brings.

Although Ari is one of those characters that you grow to love, in the beginning it was hard for me to understand him well enough to connect with him. His negative nature in the beginning made it difficult to want to get to know him as a character. Dante, on the other hand, was completely lovable from the moment he was introduced. I found myself loving all the characters in this book especially Dante's parents. I even loved Legs!

I liked the realistic elements and problems the characters faced in this book like bullying, moving states, and acceptance. All very strong issues in this book that made the story even more powerful. All the problems the characters faced were believable and allowed the reader to better connect to the story's message because of how most can relate with common issues such as bullying.

I was very pleased that Ari changed throughout the novel for the better and I thoroughly enjoyed reading his story and how different events that happened in his life went into shaping his character and personality. I really loved that this story wasn't what I had originally expected it to be. It was better I feel to go into this story blind, you get more out of it that way. I feared that the hype would kill my love for the book by setting my expectations too high, but for me the hype was rightfully deserved!

My favorite scene had to be Ari's recovery. It put a lot into perspective and allowed me to understand why he behaved as he did. I liked the friendship between Ari and Dante the most.... Duh lol.... it's the main focus of the story's plot. I liked the bullying aspect least for obvious reasons. It was heartbreaking but served its purpose in the novel.

I feel that the ending was very well done and I was left content with how it ended. I would recommend this to those looking for a coming of age story from a boy's POV. I would not recommend this to someone who is close-minded or judgmental. I feel that you have to be open-minded to really enjoy this story and appreciate it for what it is. I rated this 5/5 and rate the cover 8/10 despite the novel's crazy long title! It's a very quick, enjoyable read with amazing writing. I was thoroughly pleased with this novel and can say that it is different in a good way from what I have read in contemporary lately!

*****

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW, #17)




 "Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine that highlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly awaiting!


This week's selection is:



Beware the Wild Beware the Wild
Author(s): Natalie C. Parker
Series: standalone
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication: October 21, 2014 


Pre-Order Now!: Amazon - Book Depository


 Goodreads Blurb:
It's an oppressively hot and sticky morning in June when Sterling and her brother, Phin, have an argument that compels him to run into the town swamp -- the one that strikes fear in all the residents of Sticks, Louisiana. Phin doesn't return. Instead, a girl named Lenora May climbs out, and now Sterling is the only person in Sticks who remembers her brother ever existed.

Sterling needs to figure out what the swamp's done with her beloved brother and how Lenora May is connected to his disappearance -- and loner boy Heath Durham might be the only one who can help her.

This debut novel is full of atmosphere, twists and turns, and a swoon-worthy romance.

What books are you "Waiting On" this week? 


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday (TTT, #17)


 
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.



This week's post is:

Ten Places Books Have Made Me Want To Visit

 1. Hogwarts (Harry Potter)

It's Hogwarts..... I mean what more is there to say? Wizards, Magic, Adventure.
Seems pretty ideal to me!

2. New Beijing (Cinder)
The world of New Beijing intrigues me because of their technological advancements. You  have hovercraft vehicles, cyborgs, and Lunar people. I also makes me think if our society will advance to that level of technology where the cars we drive fly instead of roll!

3. Paris, France/ Austria (Heist Society)
Paris is just one of those cities that everyone wants to visit at least once. Austria on the other hand, I think would be interesting. I don't know much about the country or their culture so it would be an adventure I would happily take if given the opportunity.

4. Manhattan, New York (Gossip Girl)
 It's weird that I have gone to Vermont, New Hampshire, Maryland, and Delaware but never made it to New York. Bucket List: Visit New York at Christmas time!


5. Mt. Olympus (Percy Jackson)
Percy plus gods and goddesses plus many adventures throughout our world and theirs? Where do I sign up?

6. Shadowhunter World (Clockwork Angel)
Check yes or no: Would you like to be apart of the Shadowhunter world and hang with shadowhunters like Jace, Jem, Tessa, Will, and many more?...... HECK YES!!

7. Earth with Luxen (Obsidian)
I really think it would be interesting to live amongst Luxen and witness their powers first hand.... or I can just be one.... that's cool too!

8. France (Anna and the French Kiss)
 Again  it's France.... Paris, France.... Eiffel Tower... need I say more?



9. Narnia (Chronicles of Narnia) 
Since I was a child, Narnia has always intrigued me. You enter through a magical wardrobe and time seems to stand still on the other side as you go through and explore. I have always loved this land. 
 
10. London (Ruby Red)
Who wouldn't want to visit London? I think it would be an adventure for the books. An adventure I am all too willing to take as soon as possible!


What Are Some Places That Books Have Made You Want To Visit?

Thursday, October 9, 2014

The Testing


 The Testing (The Testing, #1)

 Author: Joelle Charbonneau
Series: The Testing, #1
Pages: 336
Challenge: Goodreads Challenge 2014, 2014 Book Bingo Challenge
Genre: Dystopian
Acquired: Library
Rating: ★★★½


*****

Goodreads Summary:

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

  *****

 My Thoughts:

The Testing follows Cia Vale and her life after being chosen as a testing candidate. I first got wind of this book due to its heavy comparison to The Hunger Games by Suzzane Collins. Both novels deal with candidates representing their districts, or colonies in this case, to compete in the Testing to earn one of the coveted spots to attend the University and become the world's future leaders. In that aspect the plot differs but the similarities are noticable.

Cia's character overall was a little too pristine and squeaky clean for me. She was a little too nice for me to even take her seriously. I really wanted a bad-ass, kick-butt character but instead I feel like I got a somewhat complacent and too perfect version of the character I wanted. Now with that being said, I did like her character not to confuse you; I just wanted more from her.

As far as the other characters go, Will and Tomas were very interesting characters that made the story more unpredictable. They kept the plot fast paced and exciting. Cia on the other hand slowed the plot a bit with her character being one dimensional and not complex at all. She was clever and smart in some scenes but overall her character was boring to say the least.

Action? I could have gone for more a little bit more in the action department. Although the book was a fast read (read it in a few hours) I wanted more suspense and chair- gripping moments. Maybe the plot gets better with the following books in this series. Now on to The Hunger Games comparison, this was definitely a softer version of The Hunger Games as far as "graphic" scenes or the element of thrill go. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a post- Hunger Games read due to the similarities I observed in this first book.

The way this novel ended was completely anti-climactic. I feel like it just slowly ended. No big cliffhanger. Just a slow rolling stop to the last page. I felt that it had a lot of potential to redeem itself and end on an amazing climactic cliffhanger leaving me desperately needing the next book..... but instead the story just sort of stopped.

I'm still on the fence on if I should continue with the next installment in this trilogy, I'm certainly in no rush but I am curious as to if it gets better as the trilogy progresses.

If you have read this book, let me know your thoughts below!!

*****

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday (TTT, #16)

 
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's post is:

Top Ten Books For Readers Who Like Books With Action

I modified this week's post a little bit to recommend to Readers Who Like Action instead of Character Driven Novels. It was a little difficult for me to come up wit 10 for the original post so I modified it a bit!

Top Ten: ( in no particular order)

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden, #1)Altered (Altered, #1)Unbreakable (The Legion, #1)
The Testing (The Testing, #1)Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, #1)The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)
Unwind (Unwind, #1)Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1)The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1)

*****
What are your recommendations? 
Comment and let me know!!

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW, #15)




 "Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine that highlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly awaiting!


This week's selection is:



The Young Elites (The Young Elites, #1) The Young Elites
Author(s): Marie Lu
Series: The Young Elites, #1
Publisher: Putnam Books for Young Readers
Publication: October 7, 2014 


Pre-Order Now!: Amazon - Book Depository


 Goodreads Blurb:
I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

What books are you "Waiting On" this week?