The Young World (The Young World Trilogy #1) by Chris Weitz

After a mysterious Sickness wipes out the rest of the population, the young survivors assemble into tightly run tribes. Jefferson, the reluctant leader of the Washington Square tribe, and Donna, the girl he's secretly in love with, have carved out a precarious existence among the chaos. But when another tribe member discovers a clue that may hold the cure to the Sickness, five teens set out on a life-altering road trip to save humankind.
The tribe exchanges gunfire with enemy gangs, escapes cults and militias, braves the wilds of the subway and Central Park...and discovers truths they could never have imagined.

First of all, the fact that the author is a director really had me worried. 
Most books I've read that are written by directors are TOTAL nightmare novels.

I'm glad to say that this is the exception (Although it did dance a very fine line for me.) 
I found the characters overall extremely realistic and likeable, I found them each to be individual and I appreciated the multiple POV standpoint (Which really advantages the novel.) I even found myself getting attached to characters that died *no spoilers* 

I loved the plot. The plot was great. It had a straightforward objective, and the world kept building and building on top of itself. I loved the different societies they encountered and how likely those societies would be, should a pandemic like this one occur. 

Brainbox was my favorite character. I identified with him as a loner, and as someone often misunderstood. 

The ending brought a smile to my face, Chris pulled that one right over my eyes. I didn't see it coming in the slightest. 

I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a refreshing dystopian read.
Four stars.

Add the book to your Goodreads

or buy the book here:

Amazon | Nook | Kobo

About the Author:

Chris Weitz is an Oscar-nominated writer and director. His films include The Twilight Saga: New Moon, A Better Life, About a Boy, The Golden Compass,   and  American Pie.  The Young World  is his first novel. 

You can find him here:

Like No Other by Una LaMarche GIVEAWAY

Fate brought them together. Will life tear them apart? 
Devorah is a consummate good girl who has never challenged the ways of her strict Hasidic upbringing. 
Jaxon is a fun-loving, book-smart nerd who has never been comfortable around girls (unless you count his four younger sisters). 
They've spent their entire lives in Brooklyn, on opposite sides of the same street. Their paths never crossed . . . until one day, they did. 
When a hurricane strikes the Northeast, the pair becomes stranded in an elevator together, where fate leaves them no choice but to make an otherwise risky connection. 
Though their relation is strictly forbidden, Devorah and Jax arrange secret meetings and risk everything to be together. But how far can they go? Just how much are they willing to give up? 
In the timeless tradition of West Side Story and Crossing Delancey, this thoroughly modern take on romance will inspire laughter, tears, and the belief that love can happen when and where you least expect it.

I have mixed feelings on this novel. On one hand, this novel excellently brings diversity to the table and lets average Americans peek in to the Hasidic religion; but on the other hand, Jax was an extremely flat character. He went in to the romance with nothing to lose and as such the west side story comparison is a little lost (until it's regained in the off-kilter ending.)

Devorah is a gem, I identify with her a lot as my religion wrestles with me too. She goes out on a limb to explore the non Hasidic world with a boy named Jax and she gets it. She just doesn't know exactly what she wants or how much she can explore within reason. She struggles with her reason and to me that makes her a very real character.

The story flowed pretty quickly from the beginning, and continued at a steady pace throughout the novel. The ending was a little jerky however. I feel like Jax made this huge effort not to give up and then in the end he just kind of threw his hands up and said "Ah well..." and that transition just didn't flow very well with the rest of the story.

I did like, however, like Devorah's ending narration, about how she's adopted some of the world, while still keeping her faith. She even expresses that her journey of exploration isn't quite over, and that she looks forward to exploring her new life of faith and compromises.

It was all in all very lovely to read. So on this basis I give it four stars. The only other problem I had with it, was the fact that Devorah did continue to compromise with her faith. It's strange to think about but in Christianity there is no compromise. You are either expending all energies to become more like Jesus, or you are compromising with the world and in return aren't living a Christian lifestyle.

So to see Devorah's family accepting this new mixed version of her was unusual for me. nonetheless, four stars. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a #WeNeedDiverseBooks novel.

About the Author

Una LaMarche

Una LaMarche is a writer and amateur Melrose Place historian who lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband, her son, and her hoard of vintage Sassy magazines. Una used to be a fancy magazine and newspaper editor before she had a baby and started writing from home, sometimes pantsless, for a living. Her first novel, Five Summers, is being released from Razorbill in May, and she’s currently in development on a second. She also writes for The New York Observer (of which she is a former managing editor), The Huffington Post, Vegas Seven, NickMom, and Aiming Low. Una continues to blog at The Sassy Curmudgeon, which she started in 2006 as a way to bring shame to her family. You can find her on Twitter under the handle @sassycurmudgeon. (If she’s not there, she’s probably trolling the internet for celebrity blind items or bulk candy.)

You can find her on social medias here:

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Celebrating 100 Facebook likes!

My Facebook page has always been thrown to the wayside but it's finally starting to catch up with everything else! For that, I'm giving away 2 ARCs of Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater along with two bookmarks from my amazing bookmark box (which has been refreshed by ALA14!)

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Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne

Growing up on Forge’s streets has taught Kyra how to stretch a coin. And when that’s not enough, her uncanny ability to scale walls and bypass guards helps her take what she needs.
But when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers Kyra a lucrative job, she hesitates. She knows how to get by on her own, and she’s not sure she wants to play by his rules. But he’s persistent—and darkly attractive—and Kyra can’t quite resist his pull.
Tristam of Brancel is a young Palace knight on a mission. After his best friend is brutally murdered by Demon Riders, a clan of vicious warriors who ride bloodthirsty wildcats, Tristam vows to take them down. But as his investigation deepens, he finds his efforts thwarted by a talented thief, one who sneaks past Palace defenses with uncanny ease.
When a fateful raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, the two enemies realize that their best chance at survival—and vengeance—might be to join forces. And as their loyalties are tested to the breaking point, they learn a startling secret about Kyra’s past that threatens to reshape both their lives.

Bravo! Bravo *claps* This novel delivered way more than I was expecting. I picked up the book expecting a Tamora Pierce novel (I hated those novels... I seem to be one of the very few that doesn't adore them to death.) Or, I expected a Throne of Glass novel (which I also hated, contrary to popular opinion.)  so I had braced myself for a lot of nonsense and boredom and irritation. (but I picked the novel up in the first place because I was holding out a hope from all hopes that I would get something satisfying, and boy did I!)

This novel just punches through the stories walls one by one. I love the fact that Kyra's love triangle so to speak, wasn't in the forefront of the story, and that she did absolutely nothing to engage or tease either party (that's my pet peeve in books.) Kyra thinks on her feet, and boy can her feet move.... It's definitely a plus that this is not a black and white novel, there is a lot of shifting, back and forth and the parties aren't quite concrete until the end.

When Kyra has to prove herself to the band of thieves, I love how, instead of beating them at their own game or trying to become one of them, she just blows them away with who she naturally is, and proves that there is sometimes more value to stealth than there is brute strength.

I identified with Kyra, and her homelessness, I identified with her desire to care for Idalee and Lettie.
Best of all,
I LOVED Tristam. That's what I call an A+ character. He's a dashing noble knight who eventually falls in love  with a member, of not just one, but TWO of his highest sworn enemies.

It's rather impressive how naturally the progression goes from aggressor, to passive, to lover.
he's my kind of book boyfriend.

Anyway, I better wrap this up.
Five stars, I will eagerly be awaiting book #2.
I thank Hyperion for the ARC and I must announce that in no way did it influence my opinion on this novel.
I HIGHLY recommend this novel. It's a dream of all medieval dreams, and is certainly going to be a hard book to follow.

About the Author

You can read Ten Facts About her HERE

Tore by KD Ferguson - Book Blitz

Tore Divided Love

by K.D. Ferguson 

Release Date: 06/06/14

Summary from Goodreads:

A future set in stone.

For eighteen year old Krissa Channing a government ruled pairing with Braiden Connor and a move to Headquarters were her set fate. Until Braiden's sudden disappearance threatens Krissa’s entire future.

After months of endless worry, Krissa has an unexpected meeting with Duke, a perfect suitor that could offer her the future she’s always dreamed of. Just when she begins to regain hope, Braiden returns.

Now, Krissa must find where her heart truly lies. Torn between two loves, she must decide which of their worlds she belongs in. But is such a decision even possible when the choice rests between freedom and love?

Available from:
Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Link to Book One:
(cover linked to Goodreads)

About the Author

I have recently released my first book, Torn-True Love, published by Rebel Ink Press. I am thrilled to be a part of the family!

Author Links:

   

***GIVEAWAY***
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Book Blitz Organized by:

Liebster Award!

This award is given to those who have less than 300 followers. You're suppose to give 11 facts about yourself and then answer 11 questions that the person that nominated you asked, and then you nominate other bloggers. I was awarded by Casey at Story Notions. I don't know what questions I'm going to ask yet, or who i'm going to pick, but I'll update this post when I do.

The Rules:

•  List 11 facts about yourself. 
• Answer the 11 questions asked by whoever nominated you. 
• Ask 11 new questions to 9 bloggers with less than 300 followers. 
• You cannot re-nominate the blog that nominated you. 
• Go to their blog and tell them that they have been nominated!

Eleven facts:

• I love animals I have a cat, four dogs, and three horses, plus, I count my grandmother's two dogs and three cats as my own as well. We really do love animals, and all but two of our animals are rescues!
• I'm training to be a silhouette artist. You know, like the ones at Disneyland. It's grueling work, and it isn't easy, but practice makes perfect!
• I have a part-time job as a medical biller
• I'm going to college for art - I'm just getting my gen eds done at the moment
• I miss my Nanny. My grandmother died in September and I miss her so much I cry when I make scrambled eggs sometimes or see something light blue.
• My dad is my best friend. He always gives me hugs and tells me he loves me! He takes me places I need to go, and he helps me out when i'm struggling emotionally. 
• I have a stuffed unicorn collection - they're adorable. Who doesn't like unicorns?!
• My first book review was a really, really, really negative one.
• I'm working on being less of a harsh critic.
• I love Disneyland. I would live there if I could. Dole whips and churros everybody!
• I'm going to ALA in just a short month! I went to BEA once, but ALA is superior, so I go to ALA instead.

Eleven Questions to Answer:

 

When did you start blogging? And why did you start?

I started book blogging in 2010. I started because my little sister's best friend joked "You should be one of those people they list on the back of the books, you'd be good at it." We laughed and continued eating our mexican food. But I got really sick at summer camp and her words kept bouncing in my head. With all my sick downtime my dad thought it would be a good thing for me. 
We knew nothing about blogs or anything, so I started out with a really tiny website. The thing just grew from there!

What's the last book you reread? And why did you reread it?

I last reread Doon by Carey Corp and Laurie Langdon. I reread it, because I felt like rereading a book with romantic Scotsmen in it. (with a strong female character.)

Favorite TV/movie? (that isn't based on a book)

The Amazing Spiderman, definitely. OH, or Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Although, I guess both of those are based off of comic books. I'm just going to pretend that these qualify. If they don't, then I'd say The Mentalist is my favorite show. 

Book/series that changed/influenced your life the most.

The Shadowed Unicorn by Shiela Kelly Welch. It was the first book I picked up on my own and I actually got up at 3 in the morning to finish reading.  Also, it was a library book, so my first library book is important to me as well.

Fandoms you're apart of and your 'favorite'.

Oh, gosh. Agents of Shield, Marvel in general, Doctor Who, Supernatural, Sherlock, Harry Potter, Warehouse 13, Percy Jackson, Fullmetal Alchemist.... I think those are my major ones. I don't think I have a favorite. Harry Potter was my first real fandom, so perhaps that's my favorite just for sentimentality's sake.

Hogwarts house. 

Ravenclaw. Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure! CAW CAW!

Weird reading habits or needs to be able to read?

Pretty much just a book. Although my favorite thing would be my favorite homemade blanket (ITS  SO SOFT) and a bunch of pillows.

Favorite book that was, at some point, 'required reading' for any reason.

Where The Red Fern Grows. It makes me cry, everytime, and it is so beautiful. it was required reading in fourth grade and it was amazing.

What is your OTP(couple you most like/want together)? And what is your NOTP(two characters you should never be together romantically, in your opinion)?

I have so many OTP's that I'm not sure I have an OTP anymore. Ed and Winry evokes some pretty strong OTP feels, but I don't know, there are a lot of others.....OH!! FItzSimmons is definitely one of my top OTP's. They are just so adorable together. Or, Jane and Lisbon. I've always wanted them to be together and now they are. but my NOTP - is flat our Harry and Hermione. It just shouldn't ever happen. Ever. NOPE.

Do you like ebooks? How often do you read one? Do you have an ereader?

ebooks are ok, I read a few a week probably, I have a kindle. but I mostly read netgalleys and things of that sort on it. I get a lot of freebie ebooks on it.

What author, whose alive, do you most wish to meet and why?

J.K. Rowling. She's influenced millions of lives, including mine. I think she's a genius author and I would like a glimpse in to her infinite mind....

Waiting on Wednesday #2

I'm doing something a little different this wednesday!

I learned that I have an icky hospital visit tomorrow, but the good news is, when that happens, my dad takes me to my favorite place to eat, and then the bookstore.

I like just wandering in and seeing what catches my eye, but what books would you recommend?

I'm kind of in a summer book kind of mood, but i'm game for just about anything.

I'll be listening to your suggestions!

Branded by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki

Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best. Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home. 
Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain. 
Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.
The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me. I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

Wow. I didn't know quite what to expect when I decided to participate in the tour, but this wasn't it. In a good way.

One thing that's immediately notable, is the darkness. This novel is potentially the darkest I've ever read. but it had a light at the end of the tunnel and it had it's tissue moments.The book was wonderfully written, with great, varied cast of characters whom brilliantly brought the focus of the novel up to the front.

The focus of course, is emotion. (Which I wasn't expecting when I picked it up.)
and boy, is it wrought with emotion.

mostly low emotions, and whew! some spicy ones involving Cole, her guard and love interest. I adored some of the fuzzier moments. here's an teaser from one of my favorite fuzzies:

Heavy clouds, pregnant with water, drip, drip, drip down the windowsill. Zeus lies on the floor. I guess he was too hot on the bed overnight. Cole wraps around me, his warm breath caressing the back of my neck each time he exhales. We're so close, but at the same time, not close enough. While he's pressed against me, I trace the outline of his arm with my fingertips. His skin feels like silk, but it's firm at the same time. A sigh escapes his lips. I wiggle around some, and eventually he stirs, releasing his grip. He grumbles something like an apology and rolls over. Dang.         I shake him. "Hey, I hate to have to wake you, but you better get your butt in gear or you'll be late for roll call." I take the opportunity to touch his hair and rub my fingers down his faded haircut. He moans. "I'll never get up if you keep doing that." Oops. 

*giggles*

Cole is somewhat of a wild card. He enters, and leaves the stage with all the other characters at the end of the novel, without ever revealing exactly who he is and why he's been ordered to protect Lexi. I might have some guesses for that last question, but I'm not willing to believe until I see for sure.

I loved Lexi's unwavering determination to survive (something which she lacked at the very moment we met her.) and I LOVED ZEUS. He's an adorable, gawky dog, who steals the spotlight on a few occasions. He certainly stole my heart!

My only hangups for this novel:

 1) It was so so so dark. I have depression issues, so I had to put it down a few times to recoup myself. Although the novel ended on a good note, a LOT of bad things happen to Lexi throughout the novel.

 2) Cole, freakin Cole. Why was he so cruel in the beginning? How did Lexi come to terms with those past behaviors? I suppose it was just in case the Commander was watching, but his unexplained back story leaves a little to be desired. (perhaps a novella some where could help with this.) His transition from cruel guard to loving rebel was a bit blurry or rocky. What made him make those decisions when he did?

anyway, the good absolutely outweighs the bad I think. One of the best moments written in this book, is Lexi's relationship with Alyssa. I can't give you any other deets on that, because it would be too spoilery. But ultimately, even with the sadness and depression themes, I give it four stars.

Have you ever read a really depressing book, that totally made you bow down and respect it anyway? (or love it anyway?) (it's okay to respond with TFIOS, I understand *pats your back* mightier beings than you have been struck down with that one.)

Add the book to your goodreads!

Buy the book here!
Amazon

About the authors:

Abi Ketner

Is a registered nurse with a passion for novels, the beaches of St. John, and her Philadelphia Phillies. A talented singer, Abi loves to go running and spend lots of time with her family. She currently resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband, triplet daughters and two very spoiled dogs.

Melissa Kalicicki

Received her bachelor’s degree from Millersville University in 2003. She married, had two boys and currently lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Aside from reading and writing, her interests include running and mixed martial arts. She also remains an avid Cleveland sports fan.

Follow them Here:

Release Day Blitz: Perfectly Messy by Lizzy Charles with Giveaway

Welcome to the Release Day Blitz for

Perfectly Messy (Effortless With You #2) by Lizzy Charles

presented by Swoon Romance!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Popularity isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be. Justin Marshall knows this better than most. For the captain of the basketball team, small business owner, and son of Minnesota’s next governor, life can get pretty overwhelming. But Justin can handle anything as long as he has Lucy, the girl who fell for the man he’s trying to be.

But for Justin and Lucy, finding time together proves challenging. Stolen kisses and whispered promises just aren’t enough. That is, until scandalous photos of the couple are leaked to a press intent on creating a juicy scandal during Justin’s dad’s gubernatorial campaign. And when Lucy becomes fair play for the tabloids and gossip pages, Justin does the only thing he can to protect her: he breaks her heart.

For Lucy, junior year is everything she hoped it would be: new friends, second chances, and a boyfriend she can’t stop kissing. That is, until the boy she’s pretty sure she loves chooses the life his family wants for him, over her.

Now it’s up to Lucy to teach him what it really means to have everything. Because for Justin, being who everyone needs him to be just might cost him the one person he can’t live without.

Perfectly Messy by Lizzy Charles
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Publication Date: May 27, 2014

Available for Purchase:Amazon | Kobo | Chapters Indigo

When Lizzy Charles isn’t scrambling to raise her two spunky toddlers or caring for premature and sick babies as a neonatal intensive care nurse, she’s in a quiet corner writing or snuggled up with a novel and a few squares of dark chocolate. Black tea keeps her constant and she loves guacamole. She married her high school sweet heart, a heart-melting musician, so it’s no surprise she’s fallen in love with writing contemporary YA romance novels.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Effortless With You (Effortless With You #1)
by Lizzy Charles

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Teaser Tuesday - Fat Boy vs. The Cheerleaders

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 

Participation is really simple. 

Grab your current read
Share two sentences (NO SPOILERS)
Include the name and author of the book, in case others want to add it to their TBRs.

My two sentences are great! hahaha

And she kicks her legs like a sexy pony, and pretty soon we're all convinced we love her because we love lush-haired, spring-smelling ponies, because that's what the good life looks like on my computer, right? That's what the girls on advertising look like.

Ok, so maybe it just sounds crazy out of context and maybe none of you laughed. but you definitely would if you knew what this was all about.

anywhooo, I leave you alone now...well, not entirely, I have a blog tour post publishing later today, but you get the point.

The Sunday Post #1

I'm sure if you've followed me in the past few days, you've noticed that I've accelerated my blogging. Part of that is due to meme's.

I'm in the process of converting my website to blogger, which gives me the wonderful opportunity to participate in memes!!

(I get really, really, really excited about this....)

So here's my first Sunday Post.

This meme is pretty flexible for it's content, so i'm going to use it as a kind of newspaper. What interesting things did I see this week? (like other blogger's posts) and also use it to look towards the future of the blog. What new things are coming? that sort of thing.

What's upcoming?                                                                               

I'll start with something big: 
A new blog design should be in within the next week or two!! Exciting, right?!!?!? *flails*
I'll have a new star rating system (ooooohh, ahhhh, I've never had one of those before!) and a beautiful, beautiful new theme created by Leah Christine designs. 

I won't share much more than that though, because I want to keep the suspense....
but I'll even have a MASCOT. ISN'T THAT AWESOME?!?

Upcoming Tours                                                                                  

My post date is the 27th so be on the lookout for this bombshell book's review

(Branded by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki)

I also have another tour date on the 29th for Don't Fall by Rachel Schieffelbein 

Blogosphere                                                                                        

Parajunkee did a wonderful post this week: Building Confidence as a Blogger
I know I struggle with some of this issues big time! All bloggers should read this post....

In other news Casey gave me the Liebster Award! So my post on that will be on Wednesday. Isn't it so cute!!!

That's so going on my sidebar.

Torn Away by Jennifer Brown

Born and raised in the Midwest, Jersey Cameron knows all about tornadoes. Or so she thinks. When her town is devastated by a twister, Jersey survives -- but loses her mother, her young sister, and her home. As she struggles to overcome her grief, she's sent to live with her only surviving relatives: first her biological father, then her estranged grandparents.In an unfamiliar place, Jersey faces a reality she's never considered before -- one in which her mother wasn't perfect, and neither were her grandparents, but they all loved her just the same. Together, they create a new definition of family. And that's something no tornado can touch.

I'm not usually one for contemporary novels (although a few are amongst my all-time favs), but the idea of creating your own family from tragedy resonates with me, so I took a leap of  faith and joined the blog tour.

This book was amazing. It gripped me from the start and just pulled me a long with the story. I really identify with Jersey, as I've found myself in a few similar situations. She struggled with hopelessness, grief, and displacement. I can sense her long journey a head to deal with her panic and loss. This book brings reality to readers, and confronts the truth that most have to adapt in the face of tragedy.  If I had to describe the book in one word, it would be RAW.

The way it was written was also a plus. It was beautiful, real and  raw. She writes with a rare symmetry that I adore. (I don’t find it often enough in novels.) I loved how Jersey learned, and dealt with lies uncovered. I reacted similarly when I discovered an important family secret. I wonder if Jennifer has ever gone through something similar, because it. was. just. so. real. 

I absolutely recommend this book. However, I would not recommend it to depressed people, as there is practically no light in this novel. I found it very depressing, but put it in context. Often, you can’t impact readers unless heavy weight is thrown around. If you aren't depressed, I would absolutely recommend this novel. I know I'll cherish this one for a long while.

Add the book to your To-Reads list!

About the Author:

Jennifer grew up in a Kansas City-area suburb called Lee's Summit, and she's proud of her rural Midwest heritage. There is a lot of adventure there. Growing up, she spent lots of time battling sweat bees and playing King of the Mountain on a family farm, building pretend worlds with neighborhood friends, and setting out on long, sibling-battling road trips.She believes that those were the moments that helped her develop an imagination that could sweep her away. To this day, she loves adventure, and is easily talked into hurtling herself down rivers in rafts and down mountains on bicycles.

Follow her here!

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