Review: The Stone Girl by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

The Stone Girl

Alyssa B. Sheinmel
Genre: YA

Expected Publication: August 28, 2012

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

ISBN: 0375870806

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Description:

She feels like a creature out of a fairy tale; a girl who discovers that her bones are really made out of stone, that her skin is really as thin as glass, that her hair is brittle as straw, that her tears have dried up so that she cries only salt. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t hurt when she presses hard enough to begin bleeding: it doesn’t hurt, because she’s not real anymore.

Sethie Weiss is hungry, a mean, angry kind of hunger that feels like a piece of glass in her belly. She’s managed to get down to 111 pounds and knows that with a little more hard work—a few more meals skipped, a few more snacks vomited away—she can force the number on the scale even lower. She will work on her body the same way she worked to get her perfect grades, to finish her college applications early, to get her first kiss from Shaw, the boy she loves, the boy who isn’t quite her boyfriend.

Sethie will not allow herself one slip, not one bad day, not one break in concentration. Her body is there for her to work on when everything and everyone else—her best friend, her schoolwork, and Shaw—are gone.

Review:

Rating:

This book is a pass. It reads as though it glorifies eating disorders. A character saying every girl goes through that stage, which just isn’t true. Somewhat reads as a how too manual while no graphic details are given it does cover a character being obsessed with her weight and vomiting, restricting calories and being happy about it. This is the nature of eating disorders. It did accurately portray a person so deep in the disease that nothing else matters. The ending leaves much more to be desired. No real fall out ever comes from her dramatic weight loss which may send the wrong message to some. 

While you are reading this book you keep waiting for the other foot to drop and something to happen it just never does. It is written very monotone with nothing to pull the reader into the story. This is one book to pass on. 

*The Book Blogging Beauties  received a copy of this book from  Random House Children's Books  in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.

No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop 7/22

Woohoo!

Welcome to the No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop!!

In honor of this super duper giveaway hop, we are giving away a hardcover copy of Mis Match by Lensey Namioka!

Woohoo!

I read this book a few weeks ago, and thought it was a pretty decent. I definitely learned a lot about Japanese culture! 

Scroll down to the Rafflecopter form to enter the giveaway!

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Talented by Sophie Davis Book Tour- Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway!

Talented

Sophie Davis
Genre: YA

Published: January 2012

Publisher: Tudor Rose Press

ASIN: 00804XJBA

Buy It!

Amazon 
Barnes & Noble

Description:

Talia Lyons is Talented.  She possesses the ability to read the minds of others and manipulate their thoughts.  Ever since she witnessed the brutal murders of her parents, Talia has spent her life honing her abilities, with her heart set on vengeance.  Now she is poised to face the man responsible, but duplicity causes Talia to doubt herself and her powers.  In the wake of this betrayal, Talia turns to a boy who can mimic her Talents, a boy who truly understands her inner turmoil.  But even he can’t help Talia when she’s forced to choose between saving herself or avenging the lives of her parents.

Review:

Rating:

 When I first picked up ‘Talented’ I wasn’t sure if I could really get into it. From the summary it didn’t entirely sound like my kind of book and I was a bit skeptical to be honest. However I was proven wrong very quickly, ‘Talented’ was a very good book and it pulled my attention in. Talia, is talented, like the rest of the kids that she went to school with and now she is training to become a hunter. She is working very hard to put her special abilities to good. Also on a more personal level she wants to get her revenge on the man that killed her parents, Ian Crane.

           The elements in this book really make you think outside of the box. They have a lot of elements that are very futuristic and it really makes you start thinking what if our world really functioned like that or turns into that. A lot of the things were very cool to read about. Some of the technology that she created in this book is very advanced and would be awesome if they really had, I’m sure it would help the government and Special Forces.

                I really liked the plot in this book, you see a teenager girl trying to find her place in the world without her parents and really trying to find people to trust. Meanwhile she had these talents that she is putting to use and a hunter and fighting hard to become part of the Agency. It was a really nice dynamic and I really enjoyed the book, it had a lot of twists and turns that kept you on your toes.  It was a wonderfully written book and the ending kept you hanging therefore I am dying to read the sequel! I give it four stars!

Book Excerpt:

Read the first chapter of Sophie Davis book here!

About the Author:

Sophie moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating from Penn State University to pursue a career in the Sciences.  After deciding to actually write down one of the stories she makes up in her head, Sophie began the long journey towards her first full-length novel, Talented.  Caged is her second novel, and the second in the Talented Saga.  When Sophie isn't hunched over her computer, she can be found shopping in Georgetown, running in Rock Creek Park, or at the local dive bars in her Columbia Heights Neighborhood.

Giveaway:

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

Struck

Jennifer Bosworth
Genre: YA/Paranormal

Published: April 26, 2012

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 978-0374372835

Description:

Mia Price is a lightning addict. She's survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn't who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.

Review:

Rating:

Once I started reading this book, I couldn't stop. The story sucked me right in and wouldn't let go. The idea of a person being struck hundreds of times by lightning - and living to tell about it? So cool. That she's addicted to being struck by lightning? A bit weird, but I'm not judging.

The story is set in an apocalyptic world - just as the end of the world is about to happen. There are lots of references to the Bible and to religious theories about the end of the world. I grew up going to church, so these references were normal to me - something I was familiar with. I think that connection made it a bit more exciting and real for me too. Just thinking about the stuff they talk about gives me chills. Anyways, this story is so interesting! Most novels are dystopian or post-apocalyptic. I haven't really came into contact with many that dealt with the apocalypse. 

The characters are well rounded and believable. You feel connected to Mia because she's struggling with a lot of the issues that teens deal with - on top of having to deal with her "problem." There's some romance in the book, but it wasn't overly sappy or cheesy. I thought it went well with the story - it didn't overshadow the main plot line. The setting and story building was great. It's told with such realistic detail and great description that I had no problem putting myself into the story with the characters. All in all, this was a wild ride of a book and I loved every minute of it. It's not like anything I've read in a long time and is one of the best books that I've read so far this year. Highly recommended!

*Stephanie  received a copy of this book from  Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers  in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.

Review: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina

Rachel Hartman
Genre: YA/Fantasy

Expected Publication: July 10, 2012

Publisher: Random House

ISBN: 0375866566

Description:

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina's tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page.

Review:

Rating:

I LOVED this book. It was so so great, and refreshingly different than some of the other YA/Fantasy books about dragons and such. Hartman's dragons are like none other that I have read before, and it was great!
The story really drew me in with the telling of Seraphina's past, and I found myself struggling along with her in her journey of accepting who she is, no matter what she is.
I also liked the way that the author wrote this - I didn't see the surprise coming, and that's always a good thing.
I can't wait to see how things turn out with Seraphina in the (hopefully) next book!
:)

I was also really impressed by the level of vocabulary used in this book, mostly because of its medeval like setting. There were some pretty big/rarely used words, folks! I loved it! I learned SO many new words from this book, it's not even funny. haha. It's a good thing I had my trusty Kindle Fire with me to help with the defining.

This was a very well written, and different read. I would recommend this book to any fan of the Fantasy genre, young and old alike! I also think that people who love stories with dragons in them will get some great enjoyment out of this book, I know I did!

*The Book Blogging Beauties received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.

Review: The Shapeshifter's Secret by Heather Ostler

The Shapeshifter's Secret

Heather Ostler
Genre: YA/Paranormal

Expected Publication: June 12, 2012

Publisher: Cedar Fort

ISBN: 1462110339

Description:

Like any sixteen-year-old, Julia's used to dealing with problems. From her overprotective father to her absent mother to a teacher who definitely has it in for her. But everything changes when Julia's reactions become oddly vicious and angry---more animal than human. This action-packed adventure has it all: humor, romance, and a plot that will keep you guessing to the very last page.

Review:

Rating:

First things - how awesome is this cover? I love the colors that are used, the cool design in her hair and in the background, and the stripes on her skin! This book was a breath of fresh air for me in the YA paranormal reading world. There aren't many books right now that deal with shapeshifting, which in and of itself is pretty interesting. Ostler's novel has characters that were easy to relate to, especially the heroine Julia. She goes through the normal angst of teenage life and then has this huge bomb dropped on her. I thought she handled things pretty well, everything considered. Of course there was the hot guy and the romance, which I normally find too stereotypical, but was normal in this book. The plot was a great pace and the storybuilding worked really well throughout the book. I liked all the twists and turns - it kept me thinking until the last page. All in all, if you are a fan of paranormal YA, you should read this book. It's something different in a sometimes overcrowded genre.

*Stephanie received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.

Review: Until Next Time (The Angel Chronicles #1) by Amy Lignor

Until Next Time (The Angel Chronicles #1)

Amy Lignor
Genre: YA/Paranormal

Published: February 1, 2012

Publisher: Tribute Books

ISBN: 9780983741855

Description:

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache. 

When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.

From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart

Review:

Rating:

This book is among many in the YA genre that is tackling the paranormal beings of angels. This had a different feel to it - instead of fallen angels or angels trying to get back into good graces, this deals with a team of angels who are sent on their first trip (mission) to Earth. I thought the concept of angels and the kind of reincarnation ideas mixed in was pretty unique and worked well for the story. Some of the characters seemed flat - I felt there wasn't enough backstory to them, even though they were not the main characters. Faith, for example, had a mysterious past that I was very curious about, but didn't get any explanations. The writing style was really good and the story itself flowed great. It was a fun and easy read. There did seem to be a lot of foreshadowing going on, probably for the upcoming books in the series, but it confused me a bit and distracted me from the plot of this book. The ending also became a bit religious in tone, which didn't bother me because it fit with the theme of angels and Heaven. Overall, this was a great read featuring angels and I really enjoyed it!

*Stephanie received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.

Avoiding April Showers Giveaway Hop April 16-30! Win FREE Books!

Welcome to the Avoiding April Showers Giveaway Event. This event is hosted by Put A Little Umbrella In Your Drink, My Mommy's World, Taking Time For Mommy and And The Little Ones Too. This event features giveaways with a value of $25 or more at each of the participating blogs! Be sure to visit each blog from the linky below and enter for your chance to win! This event will close on April 30th at 11:59 pm EST. 

We're giving away 5 copies of David Estes' Angel Evolution!
The first step in the Evolution Trilogy!

Woohoo!!

If you want to find out more about the book (and our take on it) head on over here and read our review!

:)

Now, on to the giveaway!

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below.

Giveaway ends April 30th @ Midnight!

Also, don't forget to check out the linky list below the form to see all of the other exciting giveaways going on!

Good luck!
:D

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Please understand that Put A Little Umbrella In Your Drink, My Mommy's World, Taking Time For Mommy, and And The Little Ones Too along with the other "Avoiding April Showers Event" bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. However, we are responsible for contacting our sponsors regarding the winner's prize at the close of the giveaway. We expect that our sponsors will fulfill their prize agreement and ship them to the winners in a timely manner. This prize was sponsored by the author, David Estes.

Angel Evolution by David Estes - Giveaway Coming Soon!!

Angel Evolution (The Evolution Trilogy #1)

David Estes
Genre: YA, Paranormal

Published: October 17, 2011

Publisher: CreateSpace

ISBN:   9781466422773    

Description:

When Taylor meets Gabriel at college, she is in awe of the subtle glow that surrounds him. No one else, not even her best friend, seems to notice. 

Something about him scares her. 

Is all as it appears? While Taylor struggles for answers, she finds herself in the middle of a century old war centered on one miraculous revelation: evolution.

Review:

*Highlight over the white parts to see spoilers

Rating:

‘Angel Evolution’ was a very intriguing take on the world of angels and demons. It definitely explored a new take on the typical war that is most of the time associated with angels and demons. It was a new age take on it, setting it in a college with humans that have no idea they are living among both angels and demons. It was very interesting and it pulled me in.

                Usually when you think if angels and demons you think of this great war where the angels are the good guys, fighting to save humanity and all that is good on earth, whereas the demons want to destroy the humans or put them into servitude. There is also almost always religion or God associated with these stories. I have never before seen one that was not.

                This book however breaks all those rules and does it all differently. In ‘Angel Evolution’ there a war raging between the angels and demons but it has nothing to do with religion on God. The demons and angels came from a very evolved human that was bitten by a black snake. The angels and demons are also living among humans to this very day, even attending college, for a greater purpose in the war, but still attending college. The biggest difference though has to be the fact that the angels are technically the bad guys. They are out to win the war so they can enslave the humans and take over their world. The demons on the other hand would prefer to protect the humans and live side by side with them.

                So as you can see this book offered a new dynamic to the angel vs. demon theme, I personally love the story. I especially liked how the main characters become involved with two human girls, one of which possesses the very power that could bring the war to end if one of the sides had her in their possession.

‘Angel Evolution’ also brought love and real emotions into it. Gabriel the main angel is torn between his destiny in the angel army and his dedication to the cause of his people and his love for the human girl that they sent him after. It makes the story much more relatable because in no way, shape, or form can we really relate to being a demon or angel. I really connected with this story especially when you see the demons and angels expressing true emotions and going through inner turmoil.

                I loved this story although there were a few parts where I found myself scratching my head at the dialogue or actions of Taylor or Gabriel very early on in the book when they were still at the college campus. A few parts seemed to be a bit too child-like and out of place in this particular setting but other than that little bump in the road, I found this book to be quite enjoyable,

                The beginning was beautifully written and it really draws you in, leaves you wanting more and not too many books can do that nowadays, at least not for me. Overall this story had a lot of beautiful, talented writing in it and I loved it and would recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy or angels and demons. I personally would love to read the other two books in ther series.

*The Book Blogging Beauties received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books etc. We were not compensated for this review.

Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire

Don't You Wish

Roxanne St. Claire
Genre: YA

Expected Publication: July 10, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 978-0-385-74156-9

Description:

When plain and unpopular Annie Nutter gets zapped by one of her dad's whacked-out inventions, she lands in a parallel universe where her life becomes picture-perfect. Now she's Ayla Monroe, daughter of the same mother but a different father—and she's the gorgeous, rich queen bee of her high school.  

In this universe, Ayla lives in glitzy Miami instead of dreary Pittsburgh and has beaucoup bucks, courtesy of her billionaire—if usually absent—father. Her friends hit the clubs, party backstage at concerts, and take risks that are exhilirating . . . and illegal. Here she's got a date to lose her V-card with the hottest guy she's ever seen.

But on the inside, Ayla is still Annie.

So when she's offered the chance to leave the dream life and head home to Pittsburgh, will she take it?

The choice isn't as simple as you think.

Review:

Rating:

“Don't You Wish” took me back to high-school and reminded me why I hated school in the first place. Annie, a socially awkward self proclaimed "invisible” would like nothing more than to be popular. But, with a hoarder for a dad, an annoying younger brother and a mom at the end of her rope, Annie's life is less than exciting. But when an accident knocks Annie into an alternate universe she discovers that it's not always greener on the other side.

Annie reminds me of a lot of young girls, and I hope by reading this story they will see that being popular isn’t the most important thing in life. With popularity often come fake friends, endless drama, and constant feelings of self doubt. I feel this book was an ok read but definitely for the young adult crowd. Honestly I don’t think anyone over the age of 20 would enjoy this book. I’m 22 and it was rather difficult to get through the book without becoming frustrated with the main characters and their melodrama. 

*The Book Blogging Beauties received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley & Random House. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books etc. We were not compensated for this review.

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama

Monstrous Beauty

Elizabeth Fama
Genre: YA/Paranormal

Expected Publication: September 4, 2012

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

ISBN:  978-0374373665    

Description:

Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences.

Almost one hundred forty years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse? With Ezra’s help, Hester investigates her family’s strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean—but powerful forces will do anything to keep her from uncovering her connection to Syrenka and to the tragedy of so long ago.

Review:

Rating:

This is one of my first books about mermaids. I've never been a huge fan before - nothing against the subject, they just weren't at the top of my list - but the description for this book sounded interesting and I decided to give it a shot. The story skips back and forth between the past and the present, which seem to get all tangled up and can get a little confusing. I thought that the characters were pretty flat and they didn't have any development throughout the novel. The plot itself was interesting, but became predictable with some cheesy twists. As I mentioned, mermaid fiction has never been right for me, which may have had something to do with my reaction to this book. It was an okay read, and people who love mermaid fiction will probably love it - just not entirely for me.

*Stephanie received a copy of this book from the author through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books etc. We were not compensated for this review.