Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Requiem by Lauren Oliver
Delirium #3
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher (Edelweiss)
Goodreads Stars: 4
Rating: Essential

They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

We are even free to choose the wrong thing. - Goodreads

While I don't think that Requiem is the strongest book in the series - that title goes to Pandemonium - I still really liked it and I am more than happy with the way things wrapped up. I think that Requiem could have been much more exciting if a few things had been adjusted, but overall it was a fantastic book! And yes, I cried.

Pretty Girl Thirteen by Liz Coley

Pretty Girl Thirteen by Liz Coley
Release Date: February 28, 2013
Publisher: Harper
Source: Publisher
Goodreads Stars: 4
Rating: Essential
Buy the Book: Amazon UK

Angie Chapman is only 13 when she gets lost in the woods in the middle of the night.

The next thing she knows she’s returned home, scars around her wrists and ankles, physically exhausted. Her parents collapse into tears when they see her, but Angie doesn’t understand – until they tell her she has been missing, presumed dead, for three years.

Angie doesn’t remember anything from her missing years. But there are people who do – people who could tell Angie every terrifying detail, if only they weren’t locked inside her mind.

With help, Angie begins to unravel the darkest secrets of her own past.

But does she really want to know the truth? - Goodreads

Pretty Girl Thirteen is one of those books that change lives. At least, it has definitely made an impact on mine. It was difficult to read due to the subject matter, but it was also very hard to put down. I was engrossed in Angie's story, and I wanted to see how she turned out at the end.

WoW: Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers
His Fair Assassin #2
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Goodreads

Top Ten Authors On My Auto-Buy List

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week everyone is listing the authors who are either on their auto-buy list, or who would be if they had a list. I do happen to have a list (a mental one, but still) and so I am prepared this week! I've also included a few honourable mentions because I feel as though I should mention more awesome people.

New Releases: February 26 - March 4, 2013

I'm so excited for the books that are coming out this week! PULSE! FRAGMENTS! DUALED!

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Release Date: February 18, 2013
Publisher: Simon and Schuster (UK)
Source: Publisher
Goodreads Stars: 4
Rating: Enjoyable
Buy the Book: Amazon UK

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste. - Goodreads

Burn for Burn was a fantastic read, filled with juicy revenge, mysterious and emotional back-stories, and three brilliant characters. I loved all three of the mains, as well as most of the secondary characters, because they were mostly all fantastic too, in their own little way.

City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster

City of a Thousand Dolls  
Release Date: February 5, 2013 
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: Bought
Goodreads Stars: 3
Rating: Enjoyable
Buy the Book: Amazon UK

An exotic treat set in an entirely original, fantastical world brimming with deadly mystery, forbidden romance, and heart-stopping adventure.

Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a child. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. Nisha makes her way as Matron’s assistant, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city’s handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die.

Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls’ deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but her own life. - Goodreads

The plot contained a lot of mystery and very little action. The mystery was good, someone was killing girls in the City of a Thousand Dolls, and Nisha was trying to find the culprit. I had no idea who the killer was going to be up until the reveal, so Miriam Forster did a great job with that. Unfortunately there were some other twists in there that I saw coming from a mile away. So while the novel was a bit predictable, the major plot was rather surprising!

Young Adult Paranormal Giveaway Hop 2013

CLOSED

Hosted by YA Between the Lines and I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

You can win a YA Paranormal book of your choice

as long as the price is below £10 on Book Depository

What do I recommend?

WoW: The Program by Suzanne Young

The Program by Suzanne Young
Program #1
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Goodreads

Sister Assassin by Kiersten White

Sister Assassin by Kiersten White
Mind Games #1
Release Date: February 19, 2013 (UK)
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
Goodreads Stars: 2
Rating: Bland

She never chose her deadly gift but now she’s forced to use it. How far would you go to protect the only family you have left?

Annie is beset by fleeting strange visions and a guilty conscience. Blind and orphaned, she struggles to care for her feisty younger sister Fia, but things look up when both sisters are offered a place at Kessler School for Exceptional Girls.

Born with flawless intuition, Fia immediately knows that something’s wrong, but bites her tongue… until it’s too late. For Fia is the perfect weapon to carry out criminal plans and there are those at Kessler who will do anything to ensure her co-operation.

With Annie trapped in Kessler’s sinister clutches, instincts keep Fia from killing an innocent guy and everything unravels. Is manipulative James the key to the sisters’ freedom or an even darker prison? And how can Fia atone for the blood on her hands? - Goodreads

As someone who enjoyed Paranormalcy, I was expecting great things from this novel. Especially given the hype around it. As it turns out, I seem to enjoy Kiersten White's books less and less as time goes on. I don't know what's happening, but it seems as though less and less effort is being put into them as time goes by. 

New Releases: February 19 - 25, 2013

There are a few books coming out this week that aren't really hyped up that much. I'm interested in a few of them to see what they're all about, though!

Weekly Wrap Up (10.02.13 - 16.02.13)

I've decided to start doing a weekly wrap up post to round up the posts and reviews I post each week. Hopefully this will give the people that have missed posts an easy way to catch up!

Reviews: 

Override by Heather Anastasiu

Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

You can see the new releases for this week here. Which ones did you end up buying? Which do you plan on buying?

I also posted my stop on the Override blog tour. Heather Anastasiu talks about what makes a great love interest, and the importance of chemistry, and the characters complimenting each other. She also mentions Jack and Rose, which may or may not have made me burst into tears.

Coming up next week I have more reviews, more new releases, and a giveaway!

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1
Release Date: February 7, 2013
Publisher: Puffin
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads Stars: 2
Rating: Bland

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other. - Goodreads

I have yet to find a YA novel about witches that I can actually connect with. For the most part, all of the witch novels I have tried so far have been boring and have had little substance. Born Wicked in particular focusses on the romantic aspect, rather than on the sisters' actual powers, since the sisters are meant to be hiding them.

Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black
Dance of Shadows #1
Release Date: February 14, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Source: Bloomsbury
Goodreads Stars: 1
Rating: Troll

Vanessa doesn’t believe that her sister is a runaway. She wouldn’t leave her family behind without saying a word. The only way Vanessa can discover the truth behind her mysterious disappearance is to follow in Margaret’s footsteps, but to do so she risks her sanity and maybe even her life . . .

Vanessa Adler is one of the talented few to get a place at the acclaimed New York Ballet Academy. Between backbreaking rehearsals for the school’s production of The Firebird she desperately tries to find out what happened to her sister before she vanished. There are rumors that the pressure of performing the lead role, the same role Vanessa is now rehearsing for, drove her mad. Other girls have gone missing too. Can the role be cursed? Vanessa’s new relationship with leading-man Zep only seems to complicate things further. What is he hiding from her and can she really trust him?

Black Swan meets Gossip Girl in this thrilling first book in a new series. Sexy, sinister and full of secrets, readers will be hooked on Dance of Shadows from the first page. Look out for the sequel in 2014. - Goodreads

I'm just going to be blunt; Dance of Shadows was awful. The pretty cover is what drew me in, making me look forward to a mysterious paranormal book involving ballet. Instead, Dance of Shadows was more of a Twilight-esque romance with some random supernatural stuff scattered around.

Override by Heather Anastasiu

Override by Heather Anastasiu
Glitch #2
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: St Martin's Griffin
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads Stars: 4
Rating: Essential
Buy the Book: Amazon UK

Zoe is free. She has escaped the enslavement of the Community, disconnected from the hardware that had controlled her every thought and emotion, and evaded capture by the Chancellor intent on killing her. She is finally free, but she is far from safe.

Zoe and Adrien hide themselves from detection at the Foundation, an academy that trains teen glitchers to fight in the Resistance movement. Together, Zoe and her new team of superhuman fighters must risk their lives to rescue other glitchers and humans from the Chancellor's control. Challenges abound at every turn, and Adrien, who has become silent, distant, and tormented by his visions of the future, only adds to the growing certainty of defeat. But worst of all, as Zoe's team fights against impossible odds, distrust and betrayal leads to the terrible discovery that their greatest threat could already be lurking behind the safe walls of the Foundation.

Full of high-adrenaline action and shocking twists, Heather Anastasiu's Override is an exciting continuation of this popular young adult trilogy. - Goodreads

You should definitely check out my stop on the Override blog tour. Heather Anastasiu talks about what makes a good love interest, and I found it very insightful. There is even a mention of Jack and Rose, which may or may not have caused my stomach to flip flop. I cannot handle Titanic references.

Onto the actual book review. As some of you may know, I loved Glitch. I read it last year when it first came out, and I was one of the people who were raving about it. I was so excited for the sequel, especially after Glitch's action packed ending. Override, while I didn't enjoy it quite as much as Glitch, definitely did not disappoint me. It was fast paced, exciting, and Zoe gets even more badass!

WoW: With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent

With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent
Soul Screamers #7
Release Date: March 19, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Goodreads

Blog Tour: Override Guest Post and Giveaway

Today Heather Anastasiu, author of Override, is on my blog to talk about the hot topic love interests. What makes a good love interest? How did Heather work these requirements into her books? Find out below! And be sure to check out the giveaway, along with the other stops for this tour!

New Releases: February 12 - 18, 2013

All links go to Goodreads.

Weekly Wrap Up (03.02.13 - 09.02.13) and Stacking the Shelves (10)

I've decided to start doing a weekly wrap up post to round up the posts and reviews I post each week. Hopefully this will give the people that have missed posts an easy way to catch up!

Reviews: 

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding

Reviewer X, an anonymous guest reviewer, reviewed the historical fiction novel, The Pillars of the Earth. X highly recommends it!

You can also check out which YA books came out this week here in my New Releases post.

Reviewer X: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
The Pillars of the Earth #1
Release Date: February 4, 2002 (This edition)
Publisher: NAL Trade
Source: Bought

As a new age dawns in England's twelfth century, the building of a mighty Gothic cathedral sets the stage for a story of intrigue and power, revenge and betrayal. It is in this rich tapestry, where kings and queens are corrupt - and one majestic creation will bond them forever. - Goodreads

The Pillars of the Earth is an epic (seriously, it's over nine hundred pages) novel that basically is about a Cathedral. But don't be turned off the size and somewhat dubious subject matter - this is one of the best books I've ever had the pleasure to read.

Set approximately during the 12th Century, primarily in England, this is first and foremost a historical fiction; the novel accurately depicts the lives of people living at the time - this isn't a novel about court politics or royal intrigue, but the main characters are mostly ordinary people whose lives are affected by those in power. The rich description of buildings and townships reflect the fascination with archetiture that had developed from basic to dramatic and beautiful, all set against a backdrop of historical events.The imagery in this book is stunning - it's easy to close your eyes and see the towering Cathedral, or smell the streets of the towns and feel the wool that made up such an important part of the businesses of the time.

The story itself is engrossing, encompassing historical accuracy, political intrigue, action, romance and just a touch of the supernatural. As the years pass, the reader on a rich journey throughout 12th Century Europe, all the while rooting for the characters to reach their happy endings. If any of you are anything like me and are easily stressed out, there will be points during the novel where you will want to throw the book viciously against the wall out of sheer frustration. The plot twists and turns with every page, and nothing is predictable, right up until the very last page.

As for the characters, this book is long enough to fully flesh them out and it doesn't disappoint in that respect. The development of each character is done very well - the villains are truly vindictive but never boring, and the heroes remain heroic without losing their flaws. You want these characters to succeed if they're good and turn each page waiting for the comeuppance of the villains.

Basically, everyone should read this book, even if it's out of your comfort zone as a reader.

-----

Reviewer X in an anonymous reviewer that I recruited due to their broad reading choices and excellent reviewing skills. I just had to have this on my blog! X will be reviewing everything from YA to classic novels, so I hope you enjoy these posts!

The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding

The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads Stars: 3
Rating: Enjoyable
Buy the Book: Amazon UK

Things I know about Reece Malcolm:

1. She graduated from New York University.
2. She lives in or near Los Angeles.
3. Since her first novel was released, she’s been on the New York Times bestseller list every week.
4. She likes strong coffee and bourbon.
5. She’s my mother.

Devan knows very little about Reece Malcolm, until the day her father dies and she’s shipped off to live with the mother she’s never met. All she has is a list of notebook entries that doesn’t add up to much.

L.A. offers a whole new world to Devan—a performing arts school allows her to pursue her passion for show choir and musicals, a new circle of friends helps to draw her out of her shell, and an intriguing boy opens up possibilities for her first love.

But then the Reece Malcolm list gets a surprising new entry. Now that Devan is so close to having it all, can she handle the possibility of losing everything? - Goodreads

The Reece Malcolm List is your average story with your average main character and average (and at times bad) writing. It's everything you look for when you want a light read for the beach or a car journey. It's definitely not a bad book, but I don't think it has anything that sets it apart from the rest.

The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead
Bloodlines #3
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Penguin
Source: Publisher
Goodreads Stars: 4
Rating: Essential
Buy the Book: Amazon UK

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood. - Goodreads

Struggling to write reviews has become a common thing for me when it comes to Richelle Mead's books. I love everything about them, and I cannot contain my gushy fangirling. Since this is my review, I decided not to contain myself this time. But I did try to at least make it mildly coherent, for your sake!

WoW: Fragments by Dan Wells

Fragments by Dan Wells
Partials #2
Release Date: February 26, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Goodreads

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
The Lunar Chronicles #2
Release Date: February 3, 2013
Publisher: Puffin
Source: Publisher
Goodreads Stars: 5
Rating: Essential
Buy the Book: Amazon UK

Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. The police have closed her case. The only person Scarlet can turn to is Wolf, a street fighter she does not trust, but they are drawn to each other.

Meanwhile, in New Beijing, Cinder will become the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive – when she breaks out of prison to stay one step ahead of vicious Queen Levana.

As Scarlet and Wolf expose one mystery, they encounter Cinder and a new one unravels. Together they must challenge the evil queen, who will stop at nothing to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner . . . - Goodreads

Note: I freakin' hate this synopsis. The last paragraph gives away things that happen in the last fifty pages, so please don't read it if you don't want to be spoiled. I've crossed it out for your convenience. 

I'm pretty sure I had forgotten why I loved Cinder so much before reading Scarlet. I read it so long ago, and I didn't have time for a reread before getting to this. Luckily for me, Scarlet is just as amazing and once I started reading it was easy to tell why I fell in love with Meyer's writing and the world she has created. 

New Releases: February 5 - 11, 2013

All links go to Goodreads. Who else is excited for this week's releases? I AM! *WAVES HANDS IN THE AIR*

Weekly Wrap Up (21.01.13 - 02.02.13)

I've decided to start doing a weekly wrap up post to round up the posts and reviews I post each week. Hopefully this will give the people that have missed posts an easy way to catch up! I missed last week's wrap up due to having no internet connection, so I'll include the posts I missed as well.

Reviews: 

Infinite Sky by C. J. Flood

The Disappeared by C. J. Harper

Night School: Legacy by C. J. Daugherty

Prodigy by Marie Lu

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

The Prey by Andrew Fukuda

Pivot Point by Kasie West

As for any extra posts, my 2013 Debut Showcase for February went up this week! You should definitely check it out, and let me know if you have read any of the January debuts, or if you're planning on reading any of the February ones. I'm so excited for this month! I also wrote up a January wrap up post, in which you can see what my Book of the Month was. Anyone who has been paying attention to my Twitter feed will be able to guess which book I chose!

I'll be doing a giant book haul next week, I just didn't have time this weekend since I've been trying to catch up with posts after falling behind *shakes fist at the faulty internet connection*

Pivot Point by Kasie West

Pivot Point by Kasie West
Pivot Point #1
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Edelweiss
Goodreads Stars: 5
Rating: Essential
Buy the Book: Amazon UK

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without. - Goodreads

Pivot Point was my first read of 2013. After a slight false start and DNF-ing a different novel, I picked up Pivot Point without even really knowing what it was about. I can honestly say that this is one of the best books I've read in a while. I would compare it to Altered by Jennifer Rush, which I also adored, due to the two sharing the same mystery element and for being able to capture my attention so well. Other than that the two books are pretty different. I just wanted to mention that I adored both of them!

2013 Debut Showcase: February

The purpose of this feature is to show you guys which YA debuts I'm most looking forward to, and which ones I've enjoyed. Hopefully it'll also help build some buzz around some of these debuts. There will be one post at the beginning of each month showing the top three upcoming debuts I'm most looking forward to and excited for, and it will also wrap up the previous month by showing which debuts I read and enjoyed.