Waiting on Wednesday (43)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week I am waiting on:

 The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
Holly Black

Release 9-3-13

 Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

Why I’m Waiting:

I have been hearing some really good reviews about this book, plus it is Holly Black!  And I really enjoyed the Curse Workers trilogy, so of course I want to read this one as well.  It’s a different kind of vampire book and I am excited for it!  What are you guys Waiting on this week?

*Review* I Hunt Killers – Barry Lyga

 I Hunt Killers (Jasper Dent #1)

Barry Lyga

361 pages

ISBN: 9780316125840

Read 7-9-13

Format: Audiobook

Source: Library

Add it on Goodreads!

What if the world’s worst serial killer…was your dad?

Jasper “Jazz” Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he’s also the son of the world’s most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could—from the criminal’s point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo’s Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret—could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

This summary really had me interested in this book.  Told from the POV of a serial killer’s son?  Sign me up.  I wasn’t sure what I expected from this book, but it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be, and that’s a good thing, because it was better!  It was quite detailed when it came to crime scenes and it was pretty exciting.

Jazz is not your average high school guy.  His father is one of the most notorious serial killers, and he has to live with this and be reminded of it every day.  Though his father has been in prison for the past four years, he is still plagued by memories of him and how he was teaching Jazz everything there is to know about how to get away with killing.  Jazz is a strong character and I love his best friend Howie, who is quite the wise guy and provides a lot of humor.  Connie is likable and loyal to Jazz, though I didn’t feel quite as connected to her as the other two.

The killer is not obvious, which I really liked, but my only gripe is SPOILER: we still don’t know exactly who the person is.  We found out who he was posing as, but not who the person actually is.  But, it is supposed to be this way, so hopefully I will find out more in the next book.  The reader was also really good.  I liked his voice and how he played Howie was my favorite.  If you are wanting a good murder mystery/thriller, then I definitely give this book a chance.  It was a great read and kept my earbuds glued to my ears.

Great characters, good reader, interesting story, looking forward to the next book.

Cover Crush (35)

 Cover Crush is my new meme here at On The Shelf where beautiful and eye-catching covers are spotlighted!  Any cover can be showcased whether it be old or new, read or still sitting in your TBR stack.  Please join in, link up and enjoy some beautiful covers!

My Cover:

At 900 years old, Nissa is finally ready to follow her mother’s path and become the best Fairy Godmother she can. She’s not thrilled when her first assignment turns out to be a teenage human girl with self-esteem issues, but she knows she has to start somewhere. Her assignment has dealt with bullies since her freshman year and they haven’t let up. If Nissa can’t help her regain her self-confidence her future is bleak.

To complicate matters Nissa experiences all the signs that she’s met the being fated for her. This impossibility distracts her from her purpose. After all, fairies and humans aren’t meant for each other. How can her heart believe otherwise? Can Nissa successfully complete her first assignment as a Fairy Godmother? Will the fates allow Nissa and Levi to be together? And even if they do, will Levi believe Nissa once she reveals the truth?

Why I’m Crushing:

I love the soft green colors and the sparkles give it the magical quality any Fairy Godmother would need!  The dress is incredibly beautiful and flowy and I like how the swirls from the “N” reminds me of the dress’s  segments.  Very gorgeous!  Have a Cover Crush?  Leave a link to your lovely covers!

*Review* The Murmurings – Carly Anne West

 The Murmurings

Carly Anne West

384 pages

ISBN: 9781441798

Read 7-23-13

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Add it on Goodreads!

Everyone thinks Sophie’s sister, Nell, went crazy. After all, she heard strange voices that drove her to commit suicide. But Sophie doesn’t believe that Nell would take her own life, and she’s convinced that Nell’s doctor knows more than he’s letting on.

As Sophie starts to piece together Nell’s last days, every lead ends in a web of lies. And the deeper Sophie digs, the more danger she’s in—because now she’s hearing the same haunting whispers. Sophie’s starting to think she’s going crazy too. Or worse, that maybe she’s not…

Well, the cover looks kind of nice and creepy and the synopsis sounds like it would be a bit spooky, but…it just didn’t live up to what I was hoping for. The writing was okay, some of the descriptions were really good, but the dialogue could have been better since it didn’t feel very natural at some points.

Sophie was an okay character, she had a lot to deal with from the death of her sister and Evan was a good guy, but I didn’t see any kind of build up to a relationship or any kind of connection. I have no idea why they liked each other or why Evan decided to start hanging out with Sophie.

There were several instances were I don’t know how they came to conclusions on things, like who the “insider” was. They were talking about going somewhere and that the insider was there and suddenly Sophie somehow knew exactly who it was. There was also no explanation as to how Dr. Keller knew that Sophie was hearing the murmurings since she didn’t tell anybody.

The ending was kind of anticlimactic and also had no real explanation. I don’t really like unclear things like this. I like to know why it worked and how they knew this important information. I hate to say that this book was pretty disappointing.

No explanations, not creepy, no romantic connection, good descriptions.

Waiting on Wednesday (42)

 

 Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week I am waiting on:

 All the Truth That’s in Me
Julie Berry

 9-26-13

 Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy who’s owned her heart as long as she can remember—even if he doesn’t know it—her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever. This startlingly original novel will shock and disturb you; it will fill you with Judith’s passion and longing; and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last.

Why I’m Waiting:

I like the fact that it says it will shock and disturb you since I haven’t found many books that will do this.  I love a good mysterious kind of book and the cover is a good representation of the fact that she gets mutilated.  I need to find a good twisted and shocking read and hopefully this will be one!  What are you Waiting for this week?

Top Ten Tuesday (41)

 Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and The Bookish.  Each week a new top ten list is posted, and to participate all you have to do is fill in YOUR top ten for the list.

This week the topic is:

Top Ten Words/Topics That Will Make You NOT Pick up a Book

1. Rape – Rape is a horrible thing and I would never wish it on my worst enemy and I certainly don’t want to read it.  This is the reason I haven’t read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo yet.  I don’t understand why so many movies and books are starting to have rape in them, but I steer clear!

2. Child/Animal Abuse – Children and animals are pretty defenseless when it comes to somebody hurting them.  We are supposed to love them and care for them, not abuse them.  They trust us, why would anybody want to harm them?  If I know the story has this in it, best believe I won’t be reading it.

3. Sports – I’m just not a sports person.  I may pick up some kind of sport romance one day like Catching Jordan, but of all the books I still need and want to read, it just isn’t at the top of my list.

4. Celebrity Authors – I question whether or not these books are really written by the celebrities or not, honestly, and unless you are a celebrity I really like, it is doubtful I will read the book.  The only one I am considering to possibly read is Hilary Duff’s book, and that really is only because it has a pretty cover.

5. Nasty smut books – Romance books are one thing, but the ones that get all out nasty, no.  Beautiful love scenes are great, but don’t be disgusting with it!

Really, these are about all I can’t think of that really make me turn away.  I am a pretty open person, and I will try a lot of different books.  I have read about  incest (Forbidden), a pedophile (Lolita), cancer (The Fault in Our Stars) and suicide (13 Reasons Why), so there are not many subjects I am not willing to give a shot unless I am outright repulsed by the summary I read on the back.  What words or topics make you shy away from books?

Cover Crush (34)

 Cover Crush is my new meme here at On The Shelf where beautiful and eye-catching covers are spotlighted!  Any cover can be showcased whether it be old or new, read or still sitting in your TBR stack.  Please join in, link up and enjoy some beautiful covers!

My Cover:

Sorry no summary yet!

Why I’m Crushing:

This is a gorgeous cover!  I love the blue and black colors, and the share of blue is very lovely.  The bursting shards is similar to the rose on the first cover.  There is so much texture to the butterfly with the shattering and even on the wing that hasn’t been destroyed yet.  What do you guys think?  What is your Cover Crush?

Waiting on Wednesday (41)

 Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week I am waiting on:

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
 April Genevieve Tucholke

Release 8-15-13

 You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery…who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.

Why I am Waiting:

This just sounds like it will be a great read.  I haven’t read much gothic horror and this one really catches my attention, especially since it says twisting romance! I am just hoping it doesn’t have a lot of insta-love!  What are you Waiting on?

Top Ten Tuesday (40)

 Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and The Bookish.  Each week a new top ten list is posted, and to participate all you have to do is fill in YOUR top ten for the list.

This week the topic is:

Top Ten Six Authors Who Deserve More Recognition

1. Tera Lynn Childs – I just loved the Fins series!  Tera writes such fun and bright characters, and for some reason when I mention her, not many people seem to know her, and I don’t know why because her stories are a lot of fun!

2. Sarah Addison Allen – She has an incredibly beautiful writing style and her books are quite magical and wonderful.

3. Jodi Meadows – Jodi can write a gorgeous musical scene and her Newsoul series is wonderful.  I can’t wait to read her next series.  I think even more people should be excited about her.

4. Victoria Schwab – Another author with fantastic writing skills.  I eon’t think enough people are aware of Victoria’s wonderful story telling abilities.

5. Tabitha Suzuma – Forbidden was incredible and I think because of the content of the book, some people are afraid to read it, but she definitely needs more recognition for the amazing, taboo story!

6. Tracy Deebs – Tracy wrote a fantastic dark mermaid story and I think she deserves more recognition for it definitely!

Well, that’s really all I have for this one!  The others I have read really are pretty well known.  Who is on your list?

*Review* Ink – Amanda Sun

 Ink (Paper Gods #1)

Amanda Sun

326 pages

ISBN: 9780373210718

Read 7-18-13

Format: ARC Paperback

Source: Literary Lushes ARC tours

Add it on Goodreads!

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they’ll both be targets.Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.

The first think that caught my attention with this book was the cover.  It is beautiful and graceful and the dripping title is ominous. Then I read the synopsis and found out it takes place in Japan and I knew I had to read it for sure! Thanks to Brittany and Alyssa at Literary Lushes I got to be the first stop on the Ink book tour they are hosting and was able to enjoy this great book.

This author writes incredibly well and I loved the descriptions throughout the book, especially with the cherry blossom trees. The way she wrote out the imagery was very artistic and beautiful.  It is obvious that she had spent some time in Japan and I liked how she included Japanese words through the book. My only complaint on that would be that some of the words I still couldn’t figure out and they were italicized everytime (stupid complaint I know, but my brain kept accenting the words as I read it since they had italics).

As for the characters, I liked Katie pretty well, though I’m not sure why she really felt the need to know what Tomo was up to. She did well as a character who was learning the ways of a new culture and I liked how the book started out with her making a foreigner’s kind of mistake. With Tomo for some reason I didn’t have the connection I wanted, though I’m not really certain why. He was mysterious and confusing at first, but we get to see who he really is eventually.

This story felt very Japanesey to me (not that I’ve been there just seen a lot of movies, anime and manga) and pretty much the whole time it played out like an anime in my head, lol. The concept of having Japanese gods is really cool, though I didn’t learn as much about the mythology as I would have liked.

All in all I felt it was a really good story and beautifully written. I definitely will be reading the next book since the characters stuck with me and I must know what happens to them. Thanks again to the ladies at Literary Lushes! Check out there website to see what tours they are hosting and even join our awesome bimonthly Twitter chats!

Beautiful writing, good characters, great concept, would have liked to have seen more about the mythology.