Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a awesome meme hosted at the Breaking the Spine!
This Week I am Waiting On...
You look Different in Real Life by Jennifer Castle

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Goodreads Description: The premise was simple: five kids, just living their lives. There’d be a new movie about them every five years, starting in kindergarten. But no one could have predicted what the cameras would capture. And no one could have predicted that Justine would be the star. Now sixteen, Justine doesn’t feel like a star anymore. In fact, when she hears the crew has gotten the green light to film "Five at Sixteen," all she feels is dread. The kids who shared the same table in kindergarten have become teenagers who hardly know one another. And Justine, who was so funny and edgy in the first two movies, just feels like a disappointment. But these teens have a bond that goes deeper than what’s on film. They’ve all shared the painful details of their lives with countless viewers. They all know how it feels to have fans as well as friends. So when this latest movie gives them the chance to reunite, Justine and her costars are going to take it. Because sometimes, the only way to see yourself is through someone else’s eyes.

Smart, fresh, and frequently funny, “You Look Different in Real Life” is a piercing novel about life in an age where the lines between what’s personal and what’s public aren’t always clear.

Doesn't this sound unique? And such a pretty cover. What are you waiting on this week? Link me up!

It's Monday! What are you Reading?

      It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted, for the YA version, at Teach Mentor Texts and originated at Book Journey. This meme shows what you are reading, what you plan to read, and what you read the last week!

Review: Masque of the Red Death

Goodreads Synopsis: Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population, and those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery makeup . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club--in the depths of her own despair--Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club, and Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find not just something to live for, but something to fight for--no matter what it costs her.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed Masque of the Red Death. I admit that I mostly bought this book for it's cover, and wasn't at all impressed by the synopsis. However, the writing, story, and narration were fantastic. I am eagerly anticipating the second book.

The main character, Araby, is a believable and refreshing character. She has a story behind her, and one to come. Her voice develops the story to a beautiful novel. There is a fine line between a tragic, realistic, raw narration and a plain irritatingly broody and whiny one. Thankfully, Araby, and all the characters in the story, are the first. I hope in the second book the author keeps the lines just as clear.

The disease was very interesting, unlike what I first though. It is not just another illness and cure story. There is more than that! Ohhh! I get excited just thinking about the plot in this book! It twisted and amazed me throughout the entire story! Bethany Griffins imagination is incredible.

Sometimes I thought things seemed a bit rushed a the end. It kind of took a quick turn and then ended. Needless to say, I wasn't the biggest fan if the end. However, it did make me immediately add the next book, Dance of the Red Death, to my to-read list on goodreads.

As of the love interests, Will and Elliot, I am not sure which team I am, they both have these major faults... But are still amazingly written and I liked them anyway. April, Araby's friend, is another broken character done well. She is maddeningly realistic. She hides behind a pretty dress. But she is still very strong.

Overall, I would recommend this to fans of imaginative, beautiful writing. Griffin keeps you on the edge of your seat in this gripping tale!

4/5 bookcases

P.S It is a little depressing and dark, but in a well written way, that has you glued to the pages. It adds to this book's charm, unlike other books I have read. Masque of the Red Death is a treasure of a book. 

Stacking the Shelves

This is my first Stacking the Shelves post,  hosted by Tynga's Reviews

Well, I got a lot of books this week, and some are kinda fluffy, but I am going to Mexico over Spring Break and need some good books to read on the beach!!!

Purchased

• Saving Francesca
• Graffiti Moon
• Decked with Holly
• Awkward
• Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress
• How to Hook a Hottie
• Dante's Girl
• Audrey, Wait!
• In Your Room
• Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality
• Just One Day
• Bloodlines

Review: Scarlet

Goodreads Description: 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.

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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.

Oh, why on Earth (and Luna) do I have to wait so long for the next book? Cress, the third book, comes out in 2014! I am going to die!

I loved Scarlet even more than Cinder. The characters are amazing, the plot thickens, and you receive the same witty dialogue you had in the first book. Marissa Meyer is a genius! This book leaves nothing to be desired (except for a third book in your hands, ready to read.)

The book starts off with scarlet meeting wolf, and learning from her father that her grandmere is held captive by tattooed torturers. I really liked scarlet and wolf. A lot more than I thought I would, actually. Scarlet is smart, sassy, and has a temper. Wolf is, well, mysterious and kind, with some secrets of his own that have you questioning his motives.

In the beginning, Cinder is escaping prison with the help of another criminal, Thorne. I do love cinders story. Scarlet just expands on her lunar abilities and role of playing princess Selene. Thorne, a new character, is quite enjoyable to. Some people say he will take part in a love triangle between, him, the prince, and Cinder. I am not so sure though, in this book he seems interested in other girls, and the prince and Cinder still have a attraction to each other they deny. I wish we got to see more of the Prince Kai, even though we got some chapters narrated by him.

The sci fi world in The Lunar Chronicles is totally awesome and astounding. Cyborgs, Space Ships, ID chips, and more punctuate the story and create a vivid, unforgettable setting. I do love the covers to these books, they fit the book perfectly. I hope they come out with a cover for cress soon! The dialogue in Scarlet is realistic and fits with each characters personality, and with the Sci fi setting.

Overall, I would recommend this to any and all fans of Cinder. The story is an amazing, action packed adventure, with characters you will never forget.

5/5 bookcases

P.S Am I the only one who wishes someone will tell Prince Kai about the true identity of  Princess Selene? 

Top Ten Tuesday

My Top Ten Auto-buy Authors

Top Ten Tuesday is a wonderful meme hosted at Broke and the Bookish! Today I am sharing with you my top ten Auto-buy authors!

1. Ally Carter. She is light,  funny, and serious. Her books are a treat!
2. Tamora Pierce.  Her books are wonderful, magical, and intriguing! My favorites are the song of the lioness series, Beka Cooper, and The Immortals.
3. Rick Riordan. C'mon! How could he not be on my list?
4. Jennifer L Armentrout. I am still amazed at Pure and Obsidian!
5. Jessica Day George. I do love a good Fairytale. 
6. Kasie West. I started reading a book by her tonight. And, wow.  I am pre ordering her next books with 99% certainty unless Pivot Point all the suddenly sucks. And I doubt that!
7. Rachel Hawkins. I love the Hex Hall series! Sophie is awesomely funny and witty! Archer, Archer, Archer. swoon.
8. Stephenie Perkins. ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS IS AWESOMELY UNFORGETTABLE
9. Cynthia Hand. Uneartly. Cool Angels. Duh. 
10. Cassandra Clare. She writes books that make you smile and laugh.

P.S I just ordered Just One Day. If I like it as much as I liked Forman's other books, she might make the list pretty soon!

Review: Beauty Queens

Goodreads Description: The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea, crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner.

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What's a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program - or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan - or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Your tour guide? None other than Libba Bray, the hilarious, sensational, Printz Award-winning author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Going Bovine. The result is a novel that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you never see beauty the same way again.

I enjoyed Beauty Queens, and am looking forward to reading more books by author Libba Bray! This book was funny and original, and kept me up late reading. I did have some little problems with it, as soon as I finished it, I wrote down my rating, which will be three or four bookcases. (Oh, today I wrote a rating guide in the Policies section of my blog, so check that out!)

The wonderful characters were probably the strongest part of the novel, along with the fun footnotes and extra features spattered within the book. All the beauty queens have a unique story and personality. My favorite was Adina, she is smart and sarcastic, and a little more sensible than some of the other girls. I also liked Tiara, she is really sweet, although lacking in the spelling department! And Petra is awesome to! She really makes you think about what it means to be a girl. (Will not say anymore as I am afraid of spoilers!)

Libba bray has a terrific, humorous, and sickeningly true view on life. She has "commercial breaks" in her writing, and they are close to our radio adds, magazines, and commercials. Our commercials say things that convince girls they need fixing: tanner skin, dye, weight loss pills etc. (Although not as glaringly obvious as in Brays examples, which makes her writing so funny)

Also, in the character interviews, you hear some hilarious stuff! And, in footnotes at the bottom if the page, she has promotions and fun tidbits. Things like the latest fake gossip going around about the popular band Boyz will B Boys, or the best shaving cream for a price of only 120 dollars!

The plot was the big thing I found lacking. A lot of the times I found myself skimming to the next conversation between the girls, and not paying attention to the action. This made the book a little less enjoyable. Also, the beginning felt rushed to the extreme.

Overall, I would recommend this book for people wanting to laugh and wonder about what our world has become for young girls. Have you read this book? My favorite characters was Adina. I also liked Petra. Who were your favorites? Leave your answer in the comments!

4/5 bookcases

Cover Reveal: Revelations

Revelations: Renegade book 2

Release date- November 5th, 2013   

Isn't the cover beautiful? I haven't even read Renegade yet but I really need to, especially after seeing this new, spectacular cover!          

Here is the first book cover:      

And Goodreads Synopsis:

Since the age of three, sixteen-year-old Evelyn Winters has been trained to be Daughter of the People in the underwater utopia known as Elysium. Selected from hundreds of children for her ideal genes, all her life she’s thought that everything was perfect; her world. Her people. The Law.

But when Gavin Hunter, a Surface Dweller, accidentally stumbles into their secluded little world, she’s forced to come to a startling realization: everything she knows is a lie. 

Her memories have been altered. 

Her mind and body aren’t under her own control. 

And the person she knows as Mother is a monster.

Together with Gavin she plans her escape, only to learn that her own mind is a ticking time bomb... and Mother has one last secret that will destroy them all.