Top Ten Tuesday #32

Hosted by the Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books You Will Love If You Like X Movie or TV Show
(What a fun topic!)

If you like: Star Wars

If you like: Mulan

If you like: Avatar The Last Airbender

If you like: Downton Abbey

Do you have any excellent book-to-movie pairings to share? Any thoughts on mine?

Thanks for reading!

Review: Blonde Ops

Blonde Ops by Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman 
Date Published: May 6th, 2014
Genre: YA Contemporary/Mysery
Amazon/Barnes and Noble

Expelled from yet another boarding school for hacking, sixteen-year-old Rebecca "Bec" Jackson is shipped off to Rome to intern for Parker Phillips, the editor-in-chief of one of the world’s top fashion magazines. But when a mysterious accident lands Parker in a coma, former supermodel and notorious drama queen Candace Worthington takes the reins of the magazine. The First Lady is in Rome for a cover shoot, and all hands are on deck to make sure her visit goes smoothly. 

Bec quickly realizes that Parker's "accident" may not have been quite so accidental, and when the First Lady's life is threatened, Bec is determined to uncover the truth. On top of that, Bec must contend with bitchy models, her new boss, Candace, who is just as difficult as the tabloids say, and two guys, a hunky Italian bike messenger with a thousand-watt smile and a fashion blogger with a razor-sharp wit, who are both vying for her heart.

Can Bec catch the person who's after the First Lady, solve the mystery of Parker's accident, and juggle two cute boys at the same time? Blonde Ops is a fun, action-packed romp through the hallways of a fashion magazine and the cobblestone streets of Rome.

Models. Hackers. Plots. And Rome. 

Need I say more?

Blonde Ops is a fluffy adventure ideal for fans of Ally Carter and Robin Benway. The characters are fun and entertaining, the plot is exciting although a tad predictable, and the setting is awesome!

The main character, Bec, is a hacker just kicked out of a boarding school for the umpteenth time. I absolutely loved reading from her POV! She is smart, quirky, and... how can I phrase this?... very meddlesome. Additionally,  Bec was refreshingly enthusiastic about Rome, food, and of course, the cute Italian delivery guy!

Once Bec was shipped of to EDGE, under the custody of EDGE's editor, Parker. However, soon after arriving, things start going awry and Bec must use all her skills to find out a scheme involving the first lady! While I predicted the "bad guys", I still immensely enjoyed the mystery/adventure aspect of Blond Ops!

I've been to Italy before. The place is so amazing. I loved visiting there again while reading Blonde Ops! Also, I enjoyed the setting of Edge. There were a lot of quirky models, photographers, assistants etc. Also, I think I lot of YA books portray people who enjoy fashion in a bad way, so I enjoyed how the authors didn't shame anyone into fashion. I also enjoyed the light-hearted portrayal of the drama of the magazine. I especially like Sophie, Candace, and Kevin. 

Overall, the two authors of Blonde Ops have written a delightful, unputdownable story! I've been wondering if they will write a sequel as the ending wrapped enough up while still leaving the story open for a next installment. A girl can hope!

4/5 Stars

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review*

Blog Tour: Prisoner of Night and Fog (Review + Giveaway)

Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blackman

Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Release Date: April 22nd 2014
Rating: 4 Stars

In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her "uncle" Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf's, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.

Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler.

And Gretchen follows his every command.

Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can't stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can't help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she's been taught to believe about Jews.

As Gretchen investigates the very people she's always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed?

This book was an amazing treat. Fans of historical YA novels such as Rose Under Fire, The Book Thief, and In the Shadow of Blackbirds will be in a real delight with Prisoner of Night and Fog. This book is a well-researched and emotional masterpiece. 

My main concern going into the book was a gut feeling that I wouldn't like the main character, Gretchen. She calls the nasty Hitler "Uncle Dolf" after all. However, I am happy to report that I couldn't be more wrong about this lovely main character. Gretchen may be a bit naive, but she was strong-willed from the beginning and was a truly brave heroine. 

Also, I was a bit nervous about how the author would handle Hitler. Once again, my worries turned out to be all for nothing. Hitler was quite the characters, one I loathed fiercely but could see how others in the past could be so blind. The author clearly did her research on him, making him a three dimensional character. Anne Blackman even incorporated some shocking facts I hadn't known about Adolf Hitler!

Also, the romance was perfect. While the book was (thankfully) not centered around Gretchen and Daniel's romance, it was still very sweet. I loved the two of them together.

Overall, this historical fiction is among my new favorites. The amazing characters, setting and romance, mixed with the true facts and time period made Prisoner of Night and Fog quite the hit in my eyes. I would highly recommend this novel!

4 Stars

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review*

Anne Blankman may have been meant to be a writer because her parents named her for Anne of Green Gables. She grew up in an old house with gables (gray, unfortunately) in upstate New York. When she wasn't writing or reading, she was rowing on the crew team, taking ballet lessons, fencing and swimming. She graduated from Union College with degrees in English and history, which comes in handy when she writes historical fiction.

After earning a master's degree in information science, Anne began working as a youth services librarian. Currently, she lives in southeastern Virginia with her family. When she's not writing young adult fiction, she's playing with her daughter, training for races with her husband, working at her amazing library branch, learning to knit (badly), and reading.

Anne Blankman is the author of PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG, the first in a three-book deal slated for publication in spring 2014 from Balzer + Bray | HarperCollins. She is represented by Tracey Adams of Adams Literary.

Click on the banner or here, to follow the FFBC Blog Tour

Win (1) ARC of Prisoner of Night and Fog (US Only)

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Question of the Day: What is your favorite YA historical fiction novel?

Waiting on Wednesday #36

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Publication Date: September 23rd, 2014
Genre: YA Contemporary (???)
Amazon/Barnes and Noble

Darcy Patel has put college and everything else on hold to publish her teen novel, Afterworlds. Arriving in New York with no apartment or friends she wonders whether she's made the right decision until she falls in with a crowd of other seasoned and fledgling writers who take her under their wings… Told in alternating chapters is Darcy's novel, a suspenseful thriller about Lizzie, a teen who slips into the 'Afterworld' to survive a terrorist attack. But the Afterworld is a place between the living and the dead and as Lizzie drifts between our world and that of the Afterworld, she discovers that many unsolved - and terrifying - stories need to be reconciled. And when a new threat resurfaces, Lizzie learns her special gifts may not be enough to protect those she loves and cares about most.

I love Scott Westerfeld's books, and Afterworlds sounds especially good. I am excited about the publishing aspect... and then the unique "afterworld" aspect. What a strange and wonderful premise!

Best Series Blog Hop

Hello everybody! Today there will be a giveaway hosted by the fantastic Cuddlebuggery. Yay! The winner will win one book from any of the AMAZING completed and uncompleted series listed below.

Any of the books from the series below are eligible for the winning, even if the book is a pre-order!

Series Choices: Vampire Academy and Bloodlines Series, Fortune's Pawn (Paradox Trilogy), Scarlet Trilogy, The Grisha Trilogy, The Dragon Slippers Trilogy, The Agency, Percy Jackson, or Heroes of Olympus

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules 

You must be 13 or older 

The next rule should be kinda obvious. Please don't cheat! 

US Only :(

I'm sorry, but I don't have the money to ship across the world!

-Emily :)

Now look through all the other awesome blogs participating! They all have epic books featured to win!

SPRING BREAK!!!

Hi! Below is a message with bad and good news:

I am sorry to report I'll be absent from the blogosphere for a week! *Cue sad face* On the bright side, I will be on an awesome vacation for spring break. (I am going on a cruise!) Maybe future me will post some pics of the trip :)

-Emily :D

Happy Reading!

Review: The Shadow Prince

The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain
Publication Date: March 11th, 2014
Genre: YA Fantasy
Amazon/Barnes and Noble

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

The Shadow Prince was a very disappointing (and very long) read. I felt Daphne was a bit bland and the tiny plot had some flaws along with many unnecessary parts. On a better note, I did like the aspect of greek myths and the cute little (haha) hellcat. In the paragraphs that follow, you will see that although I was saddened by the book's performance, I will attempt to read the sequel, for reasons I will explain shortly. Also, this will be a very long review, as I have so many thoughts about this book! I doubt I will be able to cram all my conflicted feeling into this review, but I'll try to address the majority of my opinions. 

Daphne was the character that really ruined the book for me. She was bland and annoyingly flawless. However, everyone in the story though she was simply perfect and amazing. She looks like a model and can sing better then everybody in the entire world. Remember that blog post I made a couple days ago about why I liked flawed and realistic teenagers? Well, Daphne is one of the reasons I made that post. She is perfect, boring, and all the girls hate her for being so perfect. These unrealistic cardboard girls, known as “The Sopranos” are in the book (in my opinion) simply to make the reader feel sympathetic towards Daphne. Overall, the book is missing good, realistic, and strong female characters. However, I am hoping the next book will feature character development for many girl characters!

Shall we go over the plot next? Basically, Haden has been given a mission to make Daphne fall in love and go to the underworld with him. Well, instead he acted like a stalker for 300 pages. I don’t understand why Daphne didn’t call the police on him, or at least why she keeps trying to defend him in her mind. I mean, he is kind of the bad guy in this story. (Depending on how you look at it.) Attempting to drag Daphne into the underworld in not a heroic action!

The Shadow Prince did have it’s moments though. For example, Haden’s transition from the underworld to our world was quite humorous. Also, I enjoyed all the greek mythology the author infused into the story. I did enjoy the ending, and, surprisingly, I will pick up the next book. This is only because I LOVED Bree Despain’s previous series, the Dark Divine trilogy. (If this had been my first experience with the author, there would be no chance of me reading the sequel.) Also, I feel like this story could easily be improved in future books.

The characters need some work, and the plot wasn’t enough to keep me glued to 512 pages of “blossoming romance”. The Shadow Prince felt too much like an overextended introduction, lacking the complex characters and intriguing plot of a good novel. Thankfully, there were some entraining parts. I hope (and predict) that the second book will be a better success. The Into the Dark series has the potential to become quite a hit, however, for me, this first book was a miss. Unfortunately, The Shadow Prince was not the fun, romantic, adventurous read I was hoping for. 

P.S While I determine if Into The Dark is a worthwhile series, you should go read Percy Jackson, The Alchemist, or the Kane Chronicles!!! All those books are wonderful stories that have to do with mythology :D

2/5 Stars

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review*