Thursday, March 28, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #142

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

How Do You Use Twitter?

Today I'm asking for advice rather than offering advice. I'd like to make better use of Twitter. I am not on Twitter very frequently and when I do, I either send off a few Direct Messages or chat for a few minutes and then do something else.

How do you use Twitter?

One frustration I often have is that I either see messages that were posted thirty minutes ago or I suddenly get fifty messages every ten seconds. It's hard to keep track of what's going on.

Do you use Tweet Deck? Does that make a big difference?

I have Tweet Deck but I generally forget to use it. I should bookmark it so I go to it more frequently.

Have you found that Twitter increases your blog traffic significantly - either through relationships you build on Twitter or from links to your reviews?

All my reviews are automatically posted to my Twitter feed. When I do go to Twitter, I often click on links to blogs I don't read often because something interesting appears. So I do think it's a useful source for blog traffic.

What do you think is the best way to maximize Twitter - both for blog traffic and for having fun?

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill
Release Date:
November 13, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Source: Borrowed

Summary

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be. (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

Sometimes you just can't help loving a book. Meant To Be is one of those books that you should pick up when you're having a bad day. You'll laugh and roll your eyes at the characters' antics. Best of all, you will squeal with joy when the happy ending finally appears - this isn't a spoiler - we all know there's going to be a happy ending.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa
Release Date:
October 23, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Netgalley

Summary

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten. (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

The Lost Prince is the fifth book in the Iron Fey world and is told from a new narrator. You'd think that the series would feel tired, but Julie - amazing writer that she is - inevitably finds a way to make the world of Fey fresh and exciting.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Manga Mondays #144: Swan vol. 2 by Kyoko Ariyoshi

Manga Mondays Meme


I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog almost 3 years ago. It started out as a personal feature, but I decided to turn it into a meme last year. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme is a great way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.

The linky will be below my review.

Swan vol. 2 by Kyoko Ariyoshi


Summary

As the only exception to the Japan Ballet Association's scholarship program, underdog dancer Hijiri Masumi trains hard every day with other students who have all won the right to train under the best dance instructors. Because Masumi's technique leaves much to be desired, master instructor and genius dancer Alexei Sergeiev demands that she return to the basics to improve her technique. Masumi practices diligently, so that she will be chosen as one of three student performers in the Japan Ballet Company's special performance in Moscow. Eventually, some of the ballet students depart for various destinations around the world to further their dance careers. As Alexei leaves for Moscow, he reminds her once again to master the basics, because her journey has just begun. Hearing this heartening message, Masumi vows to work hard, and returns to the ballet studio to practice, only to find a handsome new foreign student has arrived. Will this newcomer support her in her quest to develop as a dancer, or will romantic entanglements become an obstacle? (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

*Warning: Potential spoilers. My manga reviews tend to be more of a summary than a review. I find it hard to review manga in the same way I do regular books.

I'm increasingly liking this series. It has a more realistic feel to it than the silliness that is prevalent in most shoujo manga series. Still some whimsical-ness, but it's not over the top.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #140

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

What Makes a Classic Novel?

When we look back at the books we're reading right now in twenty years, in thirty years, in fifty years, which books will stand the test of time?

Millions, probably billions, of books have been published since the dawn of the printing press. Nearly all have faded into oblivion.

What do you think makes a book a classic?


Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally
Release Date:
March 1, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Source: Borrowed

Summary

Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt--with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy… (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

Miranda Kenneally's Hundred Oaks series is some of the best contemporary romance being published today. I love how she's made each book a standalone novel featuring different characters and situations, but also tying in the characters from previous books.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally
Release Date:
October 1, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Source: Publisher

Summary

Parker Shelton pretty much has the perfect life. She’s on her way to becoming valedictorian at Hundred Oaks High, she’s made the all-star softball team, and she has plenty of friends. Then her mother’s scandal rocks their small town and suddenly no one will talk to her.

Now Parker wants a new life.

So she quits softball. Drops twenty pounds. And she figures why kiss one guy when she can kiss three? Or four. Why limit herself to high school boys when the majorly cute new baseball coach seems especially flirty?

But how far is too far before she loses herself completely? (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

In her follow-up to the wonderful Catching Jordan, Miranda Kenneally has established herself as a masterful writer of young adult contemporary fiction. Like her first book, Stealing Parker follows a normal teenage girl going through unusual but believable trials, shows her progress into a wiser, better person, and pairs her up with a great guy.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Manga Mondays #143: Skip Beat vol. 30 by Yoshiki Nakamura

Manga Mondays Meme


I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog 2 and a half years ago. It's always been a personal feature, but now I'm going to try turning it into a meme. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme would be a good way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.

The linky will be below my review.

Skip Beat vol. 30 by Yoshiki Nakamura


Summary

Kyoko Mogami followed her true love Sho to Tokyo to support him while he made it big as an idol. But he's casting her out now that he's famous! Kyoko won't suffer in silence--she's going to get her sweet revenge by beating Sho in show biz!

Ren’s new cast mate Taira Murasame used to be a biker, and he sees show biz as just another gang to get to the top of. Normally Ren would have no problem dealing with a punk, but his role as BJ requires him to tap his darkest depths. When Murasame and Ren have to fight on camera, can Ren remember that it’s only acting?! (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

*Warning: Potential spoilers. My manga reviews tend to be more of a summary than a review. I find it hard to review manga in the same way I do regular books.

How long is too long for a manga series? That's what I'm starting to wonder with several of the series that I'm reading right now. It's not that Skip Beat is languishing exactly. Kyoko has finally figured out that she likes Ren - but it took 28 volumes to get there! I fear we're going to have another 28 volumes before they finally get together.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #139

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

Death, Doom and Detention by Darynda Jones

Death, Doom and Detention by Darynda Jones
Release Date:
March 5, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Source: Publisher

Summary

The normal part of Lorelei MacAlister’s life didn’t just slip away quietly the day Jared Kovach came to town. Nope. The normal part of her life shattered. It exploded. It burst into a gazillion shards of fleeting light.

It went out with a bang.

Goodbye normal.

Hello dark and eerie.

While her best friend, Brooklyn, is focusing all of her energy on helping Lorelei hone her abilities, Lorelei is dealing with the reality that Satan’s second in command has taken up residence inside her body. Oh, and the fact that she has a crush on the Angel of Death. But what a beautiful death it is. If those weren’t bad enough, something sinister has come to town and it wants nothing more than to hear Lorelei’s dying breath as it strangles it out of her. Thank goodness the gang has a supernatural champion. But what happens when the only being who can save them switches sides midstream? How can a group of misfits capture one of the most powerful beings ever created? And will they find out how to bring Jared back to them before it’s too late? (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

Death, Doom and Detention is a combination of a paranormal romance and contemporary teenage novel. I suppose every YA paranormal romance fits that description, but it feels particularly pronounced in the Darklight series. That's a compliment, not a criticism. I enjoy the juxtaposition between Lorelei's role as a prophet and her life as a normal girl with friends, homework, and petty high school drama.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Author Interview and GIVEAWAY: Darynda Jones of Death, Doom, and Detention



Death, Doom and Detention (Darklight #2) by Darynda Jones
Date Published: March 5, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Press


Summary

The normal part of Lorelei MacAlister’s life didn’t just slip away quietly the day Jared Kovach came to town. Nope. The normal part of her life shattered. It exploded. It burst into a gazillion shards of fleeting light.

It went out with a bang.

Goodbye normal.

Hello dark and eerie.

While her best friend, Brooklyn, is focusing all of her energy on helping Lorelei hone her abilities, Lorelei is dealing with the reality that Satan’s second in command has taken up residence inside her body. Oh, and the fact that she has a crush on the Angel of Death. But what a beautiful death it is. If those weren’t bad enough, something sinister has come to town and it wants nothing more than to hear Lorelei’s dying breath as it strangles it out of her. Thank goodness the gang has a supernatural champion. But what happens when the only being who can save them switches sides midstream? How can a group of misfits capture one of the most powerful beings ever created? And will they find out how to bring Jared back to them before it’s too late?(courtesy of Goodreads)

Meet Darynda

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.

Author Interview


Please welcome Darynda Jones to Alison Can Read! I'm so excited to be a part of Darynda's blog tour. Thanks Darynda for such thoughtful answers to my questions!

1. Tell us a little about the Darklight series.

Well, it’s about a girl whose life is irrevocably changed when the Angel of Death starts high school in her small town. What she doesn’t know is that he was sent for her. But instead of taking her when the time comes, he chooses to save her. That’s when things go south and our heroine Lorelei finds out that she is the last in a long line of prophets and that she is destined to save the world. So, you know, no pressure.

In the second book, Death, Doom, and Detention, Lorelei discovers more about her powers and what she is capable of, but she also finds out there are supernatural elements that don’t want her to succeed in fulfilling her destiny. And those elements will stop at nothing to make sure she fails. She realizes her friends and family are in grave danger because of her and she has to learn to face what she is and make a decision to stay and fight or leave and keep her family safe.

2. Which character was the most difficult to write?

If I had to choose, I’d say Lorelei. It took me longer to get to know her than the others. Brooklyn and Glitch were a breeze. Jared and Cameron were just fun. But Lorelei gave me a few sleepless nights.

3. I'm curious, do you have a favorite between Glitch and Brooklyn? I'm a Glitch fan.

I love them both! Glitch actually started out a very different character and became the comic relief as I got deeper into the book. Brooklyn was always the trusty sidekick, ever ready with a smart-mouthed quip. My kinda girl!

4. Is it difficult to write a book about angels and demons but also have it retain a secular feel?

Wow, that’s a great question, mostly because I did struggle with that a bit. I was worried when I made the Order of Sanctity part of their church it would lose that secular feel altogether. I had to keep it as mainstream as possible. I think because of that, it almost feels like a cult in some ways, but I didn’t realize that until later. You know, when it was too late to change anything. :) Other than the church, however, I didn’t have a difficult time at all despite the whole angels-and-demons thing.

5. If I'm taking a trip to New Mexico, where should I go? (side note - I love the Natural History museum in Albuquerque)

Oh, yes, that museum is fantastic! There are so many gorgeous things to see here. The Plaza in Santa Fe is gorgeous as is Old Town in Albuquerque. They also have a great zoo and BioPark. And if you are up for a day trip, you could see the gorgeous Jemez Mountain Trail or the historic Salt Mission Trail. They are stunning and polar opposites in terms of vegetation and landscape.

6. Pretend you're writing a series set somewhere other than New Mexico and, oh darn, you're forced to travel there for a long research trip. Where would you want to go?

Hahaha! Every writer’s dream! I want to see everything. I want to go to every state there is and just do research. Every country. If I were forced to only choose one place? Well, because I am working on a series I want to set there, I am going to say North Carolina. LOL

7. How is writing a YA series different than writing an Adult series?

I get asked that a lot. Most writers will tell you it’s the voice. YA will naturally have a younger, fresher voice. For me, that is not a concern. I kind of write with a young voice anyway, so I really don’t even think about that. I guess the main difference between the two (for me) is I have no sex in my YA. I’m not saying there is no steam! There are some rather hot scenes, just nothing too explicit on the page. Let’s face it. Teens have sex. I’m not a prude. Far from it! But I still think sex is something best left out of YA’s. There are tons of adult books with all kinds of heat levels if that is the reader’s wish. I think readers, for the most part, go into a YA with the expectation of no explicit sex. Upending that expectation is jarring. But I do like hot! Hot guys. Hot scenes. Hot kisses. I am so there.

8. What are some of your favorite YA books? Either new or older.

Oh there are so many. Some of my favs in no particular order are The Hunger Games, the Twilight series (yep, love it!), Divergent, and Pushing the Limits.

9. What is one piece of writing advice that you found really useful beyond the typical read a lot and write a lot?

I think the one thing that spurred me on to complete my first manuscript was from an interview I read. In it, the author said, “Look, if you write one page a day, at the end of a year you will have a complete manuscript.” For some reason, that fact flipped a switch in my head. It made something that seems almost insurmountable seem possible.

GIVEAWAY!


Enter below for the chance to win a copy of Death, Doom, and Detention by Darynda Jones:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

An Updated CAPTCHA Guide: Eradicate the Evil!

*This is an updated version of my popular CAPTCHA post. Much like a virus, every time you adjust to one way of preventing CAPTCHA, Blogger changes its settings. Although to my amazement, Blogger has made the process easier this time.

So here's an updated post on how to turn off CAPTCHA.

CAPTCHA


Like many bloggers, if I had to choose between entering CAPTCHA codes when commenting on a dozen blogs and cleaning up an ant infestation in my kitchen, I would much rather go play with my ant friends.

For those unaware of CAPTCHA, it is the word verification that you must enter in order to post a comment on CAPTCHA-enabled Blogger blogs. Until last year, CAPTCHA consisted of one five or six letter word. This relatively simple, albeit annoying, requirement then changed into something far more irritating - a requirement two enter two long words

Now, it's even worse. CAPTCHA requires you to enter one word and three numbers. Moreover, the letters and numbers that you have to copy are almost impossible to read:

Monday, March 11, 2013

Manga Mondays #142: Vampire Knight vol. 16 by Matsuri Hino

Manga Mondays Meme


I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog 2 and a half years ago. It's always been a personal feature, but now I'm going to try turning it into a meme. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme would be a good way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.

The linky will be below my review.

Vampire Knight vol. 16 by Matsuri Hino


Summary

Cross Academy is attended by two groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class. At twilight, when the students of the Day Class return to their dorm, they cross paths with the Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the Guardians of the school, protecting the Day Class from the Academy's dark secret: the Night Class is full of vampires!

The Night Class is back in session, but Yuki finds herself quickly becoming second fiddle to Sara Shirabuki. With Kaname gone, Yuki is now desperate for blood, so Zero offers her his own. Will she break her promise to Kaname and drink from Zero? (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

*Warning: Potential spoilers. My manga reviews tend to be more of a summary than a review. I find it hard to review manga in the same way I do regular books.

Vampire Knight can increasingly be summarized with one word: confusing. The plot is confusing - who is good or bad; what's going on? The characters are confusing - who is who - it's hard to tell people apart. And yet, I keep reading and mostly enjoying this series.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #139

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda Jones

Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda Jones
Release Date:
October 2, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Source: Purchased

Summary

Ten years ago, Lorelei's parents disappeared without a trace. Raised by her grandparents and leaning on the support of her best friends, Lorelei is finally beginning to accept the fact that her parents are never coming home. For Lorelei, life goes on.

High school is not quite as painful as she thinks it will be, and things are as normal as they can be. Until the day the school's designated loner, Cameron Lusk, begins to stalk her, turning up where she least expects it, standing outside her house in the dark, night after night. Things get even more complicated when a new guy—terrifying, tough, sexy Jared Kovach—comes to school. Cameron and Jared instantly despise each other and Lorelei seems to be the reason for their animosity. What does Jared know about her parents? Why does Cameron tell Jared he can't have Lorelei? And what will any of them do when Death comes knocking for real? (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

So many bloggers have raved about Darynda Jones's books that I've been dying to read them. I decided to pick up her YA series first. With the first book the Darklight series, I'm definitely a Darynda Jones fan and look forward to reading more of her YA and adult books.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!


Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
Publish Date: September 17, 2013
Publisher: Dutton

*I think I'll be part of a large group featuring Isla this week since the cover was revealed, but I couldn't resist. I can't wait for it!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Release Date:
February 5, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Source: Received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Summary

The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner. (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

When I first heard that the second book in The Lunar Chronicles series was going to be a companion novel, I was disappointed. I wanted a straight up sequel. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Cinder and Kai. I should have known that an author brilliant enough to write Cinder could come up with the perfect mix of companion novel and sequel in Scarlet.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Manga Mondays #141: Swan vol. 1 by Kyoko Ariyoshi

Manga Mondays Meme


**Hi everyone!!!! I'm back! The bar exam is over and I am ready to blog again. I hope to get caught up on commenting on all your blogs as well.

I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog 2 and a half years ago. It's always been a personal feature, but now I'm going to try turning it into a meme. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme would be a good way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.

The linky will be below my review.

Swan vol. 1 by Kyoko Ariyoshi


Summary

One of the most famous shoujo manga books ever published, SWAN is Ariyoshi Kyoko's best-selling classic about a girl who strives to become a great ballerina. Masumi Hijiri is a 16-year-old girl about to enter her first ballet contest. The competition is fierce, and there's no telling whether she'll win, or how far her training can take her. After seeing her performance, the great director Sergeiev Alexej invites Masumi to join his company, and it is thus that she launches her career -- only to spend years dancing in the shadow of prima ballerina Kyogoku Sayoko. SWAN Vol. 1 begins the tale of Masumi's incredible journey through the great baller companies of Europe and America and through both triumph and despair as she struggles toward her goal of becoming the greatest dancer of her generation! (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

*Warning: Potential spoilers. My manga reviews tend to be more of a summary than a review. I find it hard to review manga in the same way I do regular books.

I picked up Swan without knowing much about it. According to the blurb at least, it's a classic. The story was first published in 1976 but it has a timeless feel to it. No matter the decade, the story of a girl driving to make something of herself never gets old.