On My Wishlist (4)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming.

Hex Hall & Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall Summary:

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

Demonglass Summary: (edited for spoilers)

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret....

Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers. But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery...

I adored these books. Need I say more? I can't wait for the third one to come out! Maybe when it does I'll buy all three at the same time. :-)

What's on YOUR wishlist?

Hop & Follow Friday! (16)

Happy Friday, lovelies!

I hope you all had a fabulous week (including, for my US friends, a fab 4th)!!

TGIF is a weekly meme hosted by Ginger at GReads where she poses a thought-provoking question to prompt some blogger discussion!

This week's question:

Blogger Confession: What's the last book you could not finish? (or had a hard time finishing?)

Almost Moon by Alice Sebold.  The really sad thing about this was that I LOVED Lovely Bones and Lucky, both by Ms. Sebold, and I was super excited to get my hands on her newest novel when it came out.  I even pre-ordered it from Amazon and everything.  I didn't really even read the description.  I HATED it.  I still have it on my shelf, for some reason, and I lost the dust jacket a long time ago.  I keep thinking maybe I'll try it again, but I can't force myself to pick it up again. 

"Follow My Book Blog Friday" is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Parajunkee's View where bloggers make new friends, including this week's featured blogger--Lisa @ Read.Breathe.Relax!  Pop on over to Parajunkee's blog and join in the follow fun!!  All you have to do is follow the featured blogger, write your own post answering this week's question, and then leave your link!  Oh yeah--and then follow some new peeps!

This week's question:

Q.  Let's step away from besties...What is the worst book that you've ever read and actually finished?

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo when I was a sophomore in high school.  I thought I would be "cool" and read this super long book (because I was also in the musical at the time and I was a nerdy overachiever).  I got SO ANGRY when they spent 50+ pages telling you all about this character and then he DIED....and that was at the BEGINNING of the book.  I did manage to trudge through the 1000+ pages...but I ending up loving the musical way more than the book!

The "Book Blogger Hop" is a weekly bookish meme where you can get to know fellow bloggers! It's generally hosted by Jen @ Crazy for Books.  Stop by and join in the fun!

This week's question:

Isn't a question!! Promote someone else's giveaway!!

Yay! I love promoting other blogs! First up, I wanted to share with you an awesome giveaway that Ems over at In Which Ems Reviews Books is planning when her blog hits 100 followers! You should check her out and help her get to her goal! Also, there is an awesome giveaway for Inside Out & Outside In by Maria V. Snyder link over on my sidebar (which I shouldn't tell you about because, hello, I WANT TO WIN). You should definitely check out her blog and giveaway(s) as well

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today! I love your comments and try my best to return all follows! 
HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

**Don't forget to check out my 200 follower giveaway!**

(ARC) YA Book Review: Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

© 19 July 2011 by MTV Books

Goodreads description:

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true.

My Thoughts...

While I don't read a lot of contemporary novels, this one caught my eye on Galley Grab because it had something I think the YA crowd doesn't get a lot of--college age MCs.  It's nice every once in awhile to read about characters who are a bit older. I know that I bring it upon myself by reading almost exclusively YA novels, but I firmly believe that 18-24 year olds are really young adults, too! I've never felt that label applied solely to 12-18 year olds...but maybe that's just me. Enough ranting...on to the review!

This was my first read from Jennifer Echols and I can definitely say that it will not be my last!  The writing moved the story along almost effortlessly and the story-line seemed well-developed with just a few curve balls to keep you reading.

Erin was a character I felt like I could relate to. She made poor decisions, as many college freshmen do, and she showed over and over again that she had a lot of growing up to.  Yes, she was a tad whiny at times, but I don't know, somehow that worked with the person she is/was supposed to be (for me at least).

Hunter was fabulous, as so many male love interests are.  His undying love for Erin in the face of her stupidity is downright sweet.  He had a very stabilizing effect on the story overall as the very grounded character.

Overall, for someone who is not generally a contemporary reader/fan, this book was a good read.  It was definitely a breath of fresh air to see COLLEGE students as the main characters.  I think that in some ways it may be a slightly under-served portion of the population (literature wise) [although I definitely welcome some suggestions for great books with college-age MCs!!!]

**Disclaimer: Book recieved from publisher via Simon and Schuster Galley Grab for my honest review.**

Waiting on Wednesday (18)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where book bloggers discuss the books that they are most anxiously waiting for! (And this fabulous button was designed by my dear blogger friend Lindsay at The Violet Hour)

This week I'm waiting on...

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

© 20 September 2011 by Greenvillow/HarperCollins

Goodreads Description:

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will. Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

Also, I figured I would combine this post with W.W.W. Wednesdays...so here is some more info about my reading for this week! To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…Grab the logo...and post your link at Should Be Reading!


What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next? 

What are YOU waiting on this week?

Teaser Tuesdsay (2)

"Teaser Tuesdays" is a weekly feature that you can join in HERE at Should Be Reading; this fabulous button was designed by Jessi @ Gone With the Words

Wanna play?

• Grab your current read. 
• Open to a random page. 
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page. 
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! 
• You don’t want to ruin the book for others!). 
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Listening to this was like watching a colorful origami box unfold. Only it was Hunter showing me the contents. That made me very uncomfortable.

- Love Story, p.208

Add it on Goodreads!

YA Book Review: Legacy by Cayla Kluver

Legacy by Cayla Kluver

© 28 June 2011 by Harlequin Teen

Goodreads description:

I noticed his eyes. They were blue, sharp and intense. Despite the youthful glows of his suntanned face, his eyes were cold and unfriendly, suggesting he had great experience in the world and was now expecting the worst. 

In her seventeenth year, Princess Alera of Hytanica faces one duty: to marry the man who will be king. But her father's choice of suitor fills her with despair.

When the palace guard captures and intruder—a boy her age with steel-blue eyes, hailing from her kingdom's greatest enemy—Alera is alarmed…and intrigued. But she could not have guessed that their clandestine meetings would unveil the dark legacy shadowing both their lands.

My Thoughts...

When I received this eARC, I was VERY excited to read the book.  It sounds like such a captivating read--historical fantasy fiction filled with romance and political intrigue. Sign me up!  My overall thoughts were that this was a worthwhile read but it definitely could use a little polishing.

Cayla presents us with a heroine, Alera, who know her duties as the Crowned Princess of Hytanica--attend parties, learn good manners, and find a suitable husband to become the King.  This last one is proving a bit of a struggle for Alera, for her father has basically chosen the next King despite Alera's disappointment with the match.  Then Narian comes into the story.  An intriguing captive from Hytanica's bitter enemy...who turns out to be so much more.

The character development in Legacy was the best part for me.  Alera really struggles with the decisions that she makes and she develops throughout the story from someone who blindly accepts her destiny to someone who questions authority and, in the end, makes difficult decisions. Narian was a very intriguing character and I thought that Cayla did a fabulous job slowing uncovering bits and pieces of him to the reader while still leaving you guessing about the "real" Narian.  My favorite character really throughout, however, was London, Alera's bodyguard (at the beginning) and friend.  London strikes me as a very complex character that we still have so much more to learn about. That boy definitely has secrets!

The only complaint that I really had about this book was that the pacing was a tad slow for me.  I felt like occasionally the story got bogged down in excessive details regarding the setting of each scene and the sharing of background information that didn't seem to have a purpose in the story.  I felt that the story could have moved along a bit quicker without getting bogged down in such details as each thing that they ate and what they wore and the items in each room.

Overall, I did enjoy the story that Cayla Kluver has started here and I won't hesitate to pick up the second book when it comes out. I must commend her on writing such an imaginative story at such a young age (as this story was first penned when the author was, I believe, 14/15).  There is a lot of promise in the story and I can only hope that books two and three move along a bit more quickly than this one.

**Disclaimer: Book recieved from Harlequin Teen/NetGalley for my honest review.**