Stacking the Shelves #19

Hosted by Tynga's Reviews!

For Review:

Adela Arthur and the Creater's Clock

(Thanks to Itching for Books Tours)

Nomad by JL Bryan

(Thanks to JL Bryan! Note: I am also participating in a blitz later this week!)

The Edge of Falling by Rebecca Serle

(Thank you Edelweiss and SImon & Schuster)

The Bagman by Rachael Rippon

(Thanks you Rachael!)

I also received Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott, yes! I am so excited to start reading the book! Sadly, there is not a cover yet, which is why I did not include it above.

 (Thank you to Edelweis and Harlequin Teen)

Bought/Gifted:

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Loved it!

Life After Theft by Aprilynne Pike

Same here. I actually already reviewed it too!

That's my haul! How about yours?

-Emily

Review: Life After Theft

Life After Theft by Aprilynne Pike

Publication Date: April 30th 2013
Genre: Supernatural Fiction (???)
Purchase: Amazon/Barnes and Noble

Aprilynne Pike, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Wings series, shines in this stand-alone novel that offers a humorous twist on ghosts and is perfect for fans of Ally Carter, Rachel Hawkins, and Kiersten White.

Kimberlee Schaffer may be drop-dead gorgeous . . . but she also dropped dead last year. Now she needs Jeff's help with her unfinished business, and she's not taking no for an answer. When she was alive, Kimberlee wasn't just a mean girl; she was also a complete kleptomaniac. So if Jeff wants to avoid being haunted until graduation, he'll have to help her return all of the stolen items. But Jeff soon discovers that it's much easier to steal something than it is to bring it back.

Paying for your mistakes takes on a whole new meaning in this hauntingly clever twist on The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Life After Theft is only 1.99 on Amazon & B&N as of today!

My mind is officially blown. To set the record clean, I have never been a fan of books with ghosts in them. Only in books such as Harry Potter do I make an exception, and even then Nearly Headless Nick doesn't exactly play an essential part in the story, unlike the ghost, Kimberlee, in Life After Theft. So, needless to say, my expectation weren't incredibly high. And yet, I loved this book entirely too much. I even loved the ghost aspect.

The first thing that I immediately noticed, was that this book was narrated by Jeff. This is refreshing as boys are rarely the main characters in the YA genre. Also, Pike writes in a boy's first person voice expertly. I applaud her for making Jeff so vivid, with a clear personality. He was so sweet and awesome! He is also funny and snarky, which is  plus. The second thing I found refreshing was that Kimberlee, a kleptomaniac ghost. She wasn't a creepy "haunter" or a love interest, which I find is most often the case. No, she was a vibrant character. I also loved the way Pike handled Kimberlee's kleptomania.

Other characters I enjoyed were Sera, Jeff's love interest. She was different. I'm not totally sure what I thought of her, but she had been through a lot. However, I was definitely rooting for her and Jeff to end up together. The plot, of course, was something I find genius. Who's the bad guy? Kimberlee for stealing? Jeff for returning the things, yet damaging property while doing it? The principal for trying to catch Jeff? Also, I loved how the plot(s) resolved. Especially the one with Kimberlee and the stealing, and Sera and "the secret".

I found that Life After Theft was also a very addicting read. Every chance I got, I picked up my e-reader to to continue Jeff and Kimberlee's story. By the way, I loved how the author spelled Kimberlee's name. Sorry, that is off topic. Anyway, I found the pacing and length perfect. Another thing I always try to mention in reviews is the setting. I found the ridiculously posh high school a perfect setting for the characters.

Overall, Life After Theft threw me onto a much needed rollercoaster. One with different twists and refreshing spirals. (I remembered something! Just the other day I noticed the roller coaster metaphors are common in reviews, blurbs, taglines etc. I should come up with a more original one for future reviews.) This original stand-alone is definitely reccomended. Also, stand-alones are rare, so I was delighted to find this one.

4.8/5 bookcases

Little Note: This is different than Pike's other novels. Thankfully, I already had some heads up from various other reviews. I think having this knowledge made the reading experience better. Go in with no expectations!

Feature and Follow #18

Today's discussion is about ideal reading destinations, which is awesome.

Hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. They are both awesome sites, check them out!

Book Vacay: Where is the best destination reading spot for you? (Where do you like to go to read other then your home) 




Okay, this is weird, but I LOVE reading on planes. Really.

I feel I must defend myself by stating my reasons.

1. I am stuck on a plane! I can read without feeling guilty about not doing blogposts, cleaning my room, etc. Doing those things are not even an option when you are up in the air.

2. Once again, I am stuck on a plane! Probably for at least a few hours... so I can get immersed into my book!

3. A lot of times characters in books are traveling somewhere really cool, and no matter if the place is real or not, I can pretend I am heading there with them. Of course, the book earns bonus points if there are planes involved.

So, where do you like reading? (Other than at home?)

-Emily :)

Cover Reveal: Assasin's Rose

Assasin's Rose

Genre: A New Adult Paranormal Fantasy

Series: The Lost Immortals (Book 0.5)

Author: KaSonndra Leigh

Publication Date: TBD

My mother once told me life is a lot like a card game.

She said you can either accept the hand you have been dealt, or you can create a new play, make your own rules, and win the game one card at a time.  

I loved my mother with all my heart. She’s gone now. He took both my parents away from me. I’m talking about the Angel of Chaos, the one who plans to destroy both the human world and mine. 

I can’t let that happen. He and the ones who serve him have already taken so much from me. I do believe it’s time for a little payback. I will have the final say. With my lover by my side, I can conquer anything. 

I will turn the game around...and win.

For I am the assassin; and revenge will be my rose.

Ooh, I love this cover! I would kill for that mask... What do you think?

Links to Fun Stuff:

(Who doesn't like fun things?)

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/KaSonndra-Leigh/e/B0066W7GY4/ref=sr_tc_2_0

Join thousands of Musical Interlude Fans on the Facebook FanPage: https://www.facebook.com/KaSonndraLeighBooks

Author Website: www.kasonndraleigh.com

Pinterest Board:  http://pinterest.com/alestasia/an-aria-in-venice/ 

Newsletter Signup:  The Seraphine News

-Emily :)

Waiting on Wednesday #17

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

This Week I am Waiting On...

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Publication Date: August 27th, 2013
Series: Throne of Glass #2
Amazon/B&N

An assassin’s loyalties are always in doubt.
But her heart never wavers.

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice. 

Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

The release date is so soon! *squeals* I feel like I need this sequel to Throne of Glass even sooner, though. In fact, this very second would do!

What are you Waiting On this week?

-Emily :)

J.K Rowling's "New" Book

Has everyone heard about J.K. Rowling's The Cuckoos' Calling?  In actuality, this has been released for a few months already, under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. It was just a couple days ago that she was revealed.

I find how she published this, quietly and with no hype, quite amazing. I bet she had her own little adventure whilst dealing with the novel. She got to hear what people thought, without them comparing the book to the infamous Harry Potter series, or having tons of readers give the book 5 stars just because Rowling wrote the words. The way she quietly published the book could also be a kind of experiment on her part. How would people react to this supposedly debut novel?

And, now, the next question. Are there any more of her books hiding out there? (Probably not, but then no one suspected her to have The Cuckoo's Calling hiding in the shelves of bookstores either.) What do you think? Personally, I doubt it. But wouldn't that be cool? I might start thinking of her as a spy-under cover author.

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

Publication Date: April 30th, 2013
Genre: Adult Mystery/Crime

A brilliant debut mystery in a classic vein: Detective Cormoran Strike investigates a supermodel's suicide. After losing his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike is barely scraping by as a private investigator. Strike is down to one client, and creditors are calling. He has also just broken up with his longtime girlfriend and is living in his office.

Then John Bristow walks through his door with an amazing story: His sister, the legendary supermodel Lula Landry, known to her friends as the Cuckoo, famously fell to her death a few months earlier. The police ruled it a suicide, but John refuses to believe that. The case plunges Strike into the world of multimillionaire beauties, rock-star boyfriends, and desperate designers, and it introduces him to every variety of pleasure, enticement, seduction, and delusion known to man.

You may think you know detectives, but you've never met one quite like Strike. You may think you know about the wealthy and famous, but you've never seen them under an investigation like this.

What do think of this new discovery? 

All I know, is that J.K Rowling will go down in history with many achievements and personal stories. The tale of the Cuckoo's Calling will be one many people remember, and perhaps even admire.

Ultimate Summer Giveaway: Round Three!

So, time for the Ultimate Summer Giveaway which will be going on all Summer...

The details: Every couple of weeks I will post a new book or two and add them to the pile the winners will choose from! How many winners wiil there be? Currently only one, but for every 100 followers via email or 100 via bloglovin, I will add another winner. Here are some more books of many to add to the pile...

Oh, and this is US and International. If you are international, the book will be shipped from the book depository instead of from my shelf though.


THIS WEEKS ADDITIONS ARE...

THE PREVIOUS ADDITIONS

So, what would you like to win? 52 Reasons to Hate my Father, Tiger Lily, Dante's Girl, My Life Undecided, Prophecy, or For Darkness Shows the Stars? 

Good luck!

-Emily :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Confessions of an Angry Girl

Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett

Publication Date: August 28th, 2012
Amazon/Barnes and Noble

Rose Zarelli, self-proclaimed word geek and angry girl, has some confessions to make…

1. I'm livid all the time. Why? My dad died. My mom barely talks. My brother abandoned us. I think I'm allowed to be irate, don't you?

2. I make people furious regularly. Want an example? I kissed Jamie Forta, a badass guy who might be dating a cheerleader. She is now enraged and out for blood. Mine.

3. High school might as well be Mars. My best friend has been replaced by an alien, and I see red all the time. (Mars is red and "seeing red" means being angry—get it?)

Here are some other vocab words that describe my life: Inadequate. Insufferable. Intolerable.

(Don't know what they mean? Look them up yourself.)

(Sorry. That was rude.)

The Review

I had moderately high expectations for this book after reading the awesome synopsis, and fortunately, those expectations were met. Confessions of an Angry Girl was an emotional and, most of all, vividly realistic read. The story sucked me in and I definitely laughed and cried a few times! (Not at the same time though.) I cannot wait to read Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend.

One thing I loved were the characters. Rose seemed real, with her many faults and realistic voice. Her narrative was entertaining, especially her use of the big words, and her character growth by the end was noticeable and amazingly written.  Her family also was a realistic set of characters. Rose, her brother, and her mother, are all still coping with the dad's death. I found all the turmoil caused by this a big part of the book. Jamie Forta was another reoccurring character in the book. I am still not quite sure what to think of him... he seems to be hiding something. I hope we will find out more in the next book. However, I do hope he is a good guy, just because I am optimistic like that!

Along with the family troubles, there was also a fair share of high school drama. I will not mention each character, as there were lots. However, all of them seemed interesting and memorable from Robert, a guy who has been tailing after Rose since middle school, to Angelo, a laid back student I want to know more about, to Regina, a evil cheerleader. I find "evil cheerleaders" pretty tiresome nowadays in YA books. However, to me Regina was a little more interesting than the rest, although still a smidgen unoriginal. Overall, the high school drama, and Rose's feeling of not fitting in, were pretty well written.

One thing that flat out impressed me was how the cover relates to the book. Yes, in the book she does have a necklace with an "R" charm on it. I also found it cool that the cover creator people (???) cover designers chose to focus the cover on that part of the book. I also enjoyed the fact that there isn't just one big plot, in actuality, there are loads of mini plots circling around. This made the book seem more dimentional. I mean, our lives don't just revolve around one problem, right? Of course not.

Overall, Confessions of an Angry Girl is a worthwhile read. Fans of contemporary will find the characters realistic and the many emotional plots appealing. I was not kidding when I said this book made me laugh and cry. So, what are you waiting for? This book deserves to be read.

4/5 bookcases

Extra Note: I will probably be reviewing the second book later this month. I can't wait! Has anyone else read this series? What did you think?