"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW, #38)

 "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:

Dreamland

Author(s): Robert L. Anderson

Series: none
Publisher: HarperTeen
Expected Publication: September 22, 2015

Pre-Order Now!: Book Depository

 Goodreads Blurb:

Odea Donahue has been able to travel through people’s dreams since she was six years old. Her mother taught her the three rules of walking: Never interfere. Never be seen. Never walk the same person’s dream more than once. Dea has never questioned her mother, not about the rules, not about the clocks or the mirrors, not about moving from place to place to be one step ahead of the unseen monsters that Dea’s mother is certain are right behind them.

Then a mysterious new boy, Connor, comes to town and Dea finally starts to feel normal. As Connor breaks down the walls that she’s had up for so long, he gets closer to learning her secret. For the first time she wonders if that’s so bad. But when Dea breaks the rules, the boundary between worlds begins to deteriorate. How can she know what’s real and what’s not?

What books are you "Waiting On" this week? 

"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW, #37)

 "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:

An Ember in the Ashes

Author(s): Sabaa Tahir

Series: none
Publisher: Razorbill
Expected Publication: April 28, 2015

Pre-Order Now!: Book Depository

 Goodreads Blurb:

Set in a terrifyingly brutal Rome-like world, An Ember in the Ashes is an epic fantasy debut about an orphan fighting for her family and a soldier fighting for his freedom. It’s a story that’s literally burning to be told.

LAIA is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire’s greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution.

ELIAS is the academy’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias is considering deserting the military, but before he can, he’s ordered to participate in a ruthless contest to choose the next Martial emperor.

When Laia and Elias’s paths cross at the academy, they find that their destinies are more intertwined than either could have imagined and that their choices will change the future of the empire itself.

What books are you "Waiting On" this week? 

The Vincent Brothers (The Vincent Boys, #2)

 

 Author:Abbi Glines
Series: The Vincent Boys, #2
Pages: 279
Challenge: Goodreads Challenge 2014, 2014 Book Bingo Challenge
Genre: New Adult
Acquired: Bought
Rating: ★★★★

*****

Goodreads Summary:

Hot romance is the cure for heartbreak in this sequel to The Vincent Boys.

Getting a boy to fall head-over-heels in love with you isn't easy. Especially when he's been in love with your cousin for as long as you can remember.

Lana has lived her life in her cousin's shadow. Ashton always made perfect grades, had tons of friends, and looks model-perfect. And she's always had Sawyer Vincent, the only boy Lana's ever wanted wrapped around her finger. But now things are different. Lana has a chance to make Sawyer see her, and she's taking it. If only he'd get over Ashton because Lana is sick of second-best.

Sawyer's heart is broken. He's lost his best girl to his best friend. And then Lana comes to town. Ashton's cousin has always been sweet and soft-spoken, but now she's drop-dead gorgeous as well. Sawyer doesn't know if Lana can heal his broken heart, but spending time with her might at least make Ashton jealous.

What starts as a carefree fling becomes a lusty game of seduction. Sawyer and Lana may have different motives, but their scintillating hookups are the same kind of steamy. . . .

  *****

 My Thoughts:

BTW: I actually read this book first despite it being the 2nd in the duology. Story of My Life: I would read the books out of order on accident! Anyway: for those curious, I have know read both books and I don't think the order matters, in case any want to read the 2nd first!

When Lana McDaniel decides to spend the summer with her cousin Ashton, it's not because she misses her cousin terribly, it's all because of one Vincent brother in particular. Sawyer Vincent. When Ashton and Sawyer break up, Lana sees this as her chance to finally get noticed. Little does Lana know, winning the heart of this Vincent brother isn't as easy as she may think.

Told in the main POVs of Lana and Sawyer, we as readers get to see both sides of their story. I really liked Lana's character, her personality, humor, and intelligence were all great aspects. My only dislike with Lana would be that she decided to change her entire appearance to get a guy to notice her.... This really rubbed me the wrong way. I would have much preferred if that choice was more personal and for herself.

Now on to some of the other characters, I also obviously loved Sawyer. He was the perfect guy in literally just about every way! Always polite, humble, and considerate, he was my favorite. Although he had his own issues and slip-ups, I still found myself rooting for him and wishing for his happiness.

With this being my first New Adult novel, I think it was a good start! I didn't know what to expect from trying out this new genre, but I wasn't disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

My favorite scenes were when Sawyer and Lana were just warming up to each other again and also the boat scene and field party scenes were among my favorites. I liked most the scene with Beau, Sawyer, and their dad. I waited on that scene ever since it was first mentioned in the book, and I was pleased with it! Heart- warming and great! :)

I liked least how their friend Ethan ended up in all of this. I feel like he didn't win at anything in this book and it wasn't his fault. He definitely deserves to win! I rooting for you Ethan!! <3

This was a light read, and I felt that it was a the perfect book to get my first taste of New Adult! I am definitely looking forward to reading Beau and Ashton's story in The Vincent Boys (Book 1).

Cover: 6/10
Rating: 4/5 I really enjoyed it! Plan to read more Abbi Glines soon!

I would recommend this to those who want to try New Adult and are not sure where to start!

Book 1: The Vincent Boys

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

*****

"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW, #36)

 "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:

Rook

Author(s): Sharon Cameron

Series: none
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Expected Publication: April 28, 2015

Pre-Order Now!: Book Depository

 Goodreads Blurb:

History has a way of repeating itself. In the Sunken City that was once Paris, all who oppose the new revolution are being put to the blade. Except for those who disappear from their prison cells, a red-tipped rook feather left in their place. Is the mysterious Red Rook a savior of the innocent or a criminal?

Meanwhile, across the sea in the Commonwealth, Sophia Bellamy’s arranged marriage to the wealthy René Hasard is the last chance to save her family from ruin. But when the search for the Red Rook comes straight to her doorstep, Sophia discovers that her fiancé is not all he seems. Which is only fair, because neither is she.

As the Red Rook grows bolder and the stakes grow higher, Sophia and René find themselves locked in a tantalizing game of cat and mouse.

What books are you "Waiting On" this week? 

"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW, #35)

 "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:

Endangered

Author(s): Lamar Giles

Series: none
Publisher: HarperTeen
Expected Publication: April 21, 2015

Pre-Order Now!: Book Depository

 Goodreads Blurb:

Endangered is a thrilling page-turner perfect for fans of Barry Lyga's I Hunt Killers.

The one secret she cares about keeping—her identity—is about to be exposed. Unless Lauren "Panda" Daniels—an anonymous photoblogger who specializes in busting classmates and teachers in compromising positions—plays along with her blackmailer's little game of Dare or . . . Dare.

But when the game turns deadly, Panda doesn't know what to do. And she may need to step out of the shadows to save herself . . . and everyone else on the Admirer's hit list.

What books are you "Waiting On" this week? 

Winger (Winger, #1)

 

Author: Andrew Smith
Series: Winger, #1
Pages: 439
Challenge: Goodreads Challenge 2014
Genre: Contemporary
Acquired: Simon & Schuster Pulseit
Rating: ★★★★★

*****

Goodreads Summary:

Ryan Dean West is a fourteen-year-old junior at a boarding school for rich kids in the Pacific Northwest. He’s living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for troublemakers, and rooming with the biggest bully on the rugby team. And he’s madly in love with his best friend Annie, who thinks of him as a little boy.

With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life’s complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what’s important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart.

Filled with hand-drawn info-graphics and illustrations and told in a pitch-perfect voice, this realistic depiction of a teen’s experience strikes an exceptional balance of hilarious and heartbreaking.

  *****

 My Thoughts:

Ryan Dean West, also known as Winger, is definitely that kid that just doesn't fit in at his new boarding school, but maybe that's because he's two years younger than everyone in his grade. As he struggles to find his way, he learns lessons in love, friendship, and acceptance along the way.

I always root for the underdogs, and Winger is all that and more! He is a super smart 14 year old on the rugby team, and he is CRAZY and MADLY IN LOVE with his best friend Annie. I mean.... what could go wrong.... right?.... haha.... nearly everything.... and I loved every minute of it! I thought that this was well written story with a heartbreaking twist at the end that I partly saw coming. Nevertheless, I was still loved the story in its entirety!

Winger's character development: It chronicles his growth from a little, bullied kid who just wanted to get through junior year without his head stuck in a toilet.... to a boy that his peers like, respect, and in turn stick up for. I enjoyed reading about his transition especially from the perspective of Winger and how he tries to deal with the ups and downs of high school.

I would definitely say that this was different from what I expected! I had convinced myself before that I didn't want to read this book, for no real reason at all. I kept telling myself it didn't look like it was a book that I would enjoy.... DON'T judge a book by its cover guys! :) Sometimes you're pleasantly surprised.

My favorite scene was when Winger and Annie spent the weekend at her parents' house. That weekend changed EVERYTHING, it was great! I would say that what I liked most would have to be all of Winger's different friendships throughout the book, he had a way of connecting to the other characters in different ways, and I loved that he came into himself with the help of these friends. I also LOVED the cartoon aspect, it was such a unique and different way to balance out the book. I liked that although some parts of the novel were heavier and heartbreaking, the pictures incorporated with the story made for a nice balance within the funny and lighter moments. I liked least the twist at the end, but it shows the real life horrors of how far terrible and cruel individuals are willing to take their actions when all could have been avoided with acceptance.

I liked the direction Andrew Smith took this book; its storyline was well thought out and I enjoyed reading every bit of it! I tend to not pick up contemporary books because..... to be honest..... they bore me to sleep, LITERALLY, so I was naturally happy when I gave this book a chance and it kept my attention long enough to allow me to finish it and appreciate the story! I can say that I was not ecstatic about the ending as it was heartbreaking, but I was satisfied with it. This is not your average super cheesy happily-ever-after contemporary story, so if you're looking for a light, happy read, I don't this is for you.

Cover: 4/10. The man on the cover looks WAY too old to be14 year old Winger! But I love the cartoon version of him on the back.
Rating: 5/5!!! It was GREAT! Highly recommend! I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish especially with the incorporation of the cartoons throughout added to the overall reading experience!

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

*****

"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW, #34)

 "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:

Miss Mayhem

Author(s): Rachel Hawkins

Series: Rebel Belle, #2
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Expected Publication: April 7, 2015

Pre-Order Now!: Book Depository

 Goodreads Blurb:

 DISCLAIMER: THIS IS BOOK 2: DO NOT READ BELOW IF YOU HAVEN'T READ BOOK 1 THERE MAY BE SPOILERS!

Life is almost back to normal for Harper Price. The Ephors have been silent after their deadly attack at Cotillion months ago, and best friend Bee has returned after a mysterious disappearance. Now Harper can return her focus to the important things in life: school, canoodling with David, her nemesis-turned-ward-slash-boyfie, and even competing in the Miss Pine Grove pageant.

Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they’d rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can’t stay David’s Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her . . . or connect her to David for life.

What books are you "Waiting On" this week?