Netgalley!

So, now that I'm eighteen, I am FINALLY able to join Netgalley! 

So, naturally, that was the first thing I did :)

I straight off went to browse all the different titles and as of today I have already been accepted to read two books.

The School for Good and Evil (The School for Good and Evil #1) by Soman Chainani

Data Runner by Sam A. Patel

Quite obviously, I am SO excited to get started and these books sound amazing!

Cover Reveal: 400 lb Gorilla

400 lb Gorilla by D.C. Farmer

"Matt Danmor thinks he’s lucky. Not many people survive a near death accident with nothing more than a bout of amnesia, a touch of clumsiness and the conviction that the technician who did the MRI had grey skin and hooves.

Still, it takes time to recover from trauma like that, especially when the girl who was in the accident with you disappears into thin air. Especially when the shrinks keep telling you she’s just a figment of your imagination.

So when the girl turns up months later looking ravishing, and wanting to carry on where they left off, Matt’s troubled life starts looking up. But he hasn’t bargained for the baggage that comes with Silvy, like the fact she isn’t really an English language student, or even a girl.

Underneath her traffic stopping exterior is something else altogether, something involving raving fanatics bent on human sacrifice, dimensionally challenged baked bean tins, a vulture with a penchant for profanity, and a security agent for the Dept of Fimmigration (that’s Fae immigration for those of you not in the know) called Kylah with the most amazing gold-flecked eyes…

The 400 Lb Gorilla is caustic, (vampire-free) introduction to the Hipposync Archives: Contemporary fantasy at its sparkling best."

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400 lb Gorilla sounds like an immensely strange and intriguing read, the cover looks awesome and the description is unlike any I've ever really read before!

What do you think?

Triangles Blog Tour!!!

Triangles by Kimberly Ann Miller is a novel that I have been long awaiting and I had planned for this post to be a review of Triangles, but alas, I get to today and my review copy has not yet arrived. But better late than never, I get home from school and what was waiting for me.... Triangles was. It was the best thing for me to come home to on my birthday (yes, I am finally 18!).

 Triangles has a gorgeous cover, a gripping description, and upon diving straight in - an even more amazing story. Although I have not finished Triangles (due to too much homework grrr) I am be putting everything aside tomorrow to finish what I started and I am soo excited. Expect a review in the next few days....

Here is the description (from Goodreads)  so that you know what to look forward to:

A cruise ship. A beautiful island. Two sexy guys. What could possibly go wrong?

In the Bermuda Triangle—a lot.

Hoping to leave behind the reminders of her crappy life--her father's death years ago, her mother's medical problems, and the loser who’s practically stalking her--seventeen-year-old Autumn Taylor hops on a ship with her sister for a little distraction. When she wakes up in the Bermuda Triangle, she fears she's gone nuts for more than one reason: that loser’s suddenly claiming they're a happy couple... a hot guy is wrapping his arms around her and saying "Happy Anniversary"... and suddenly, she’s full of bruises, losing her hair, and getting IV medication. Autumn visits the ship's doctor, hoping for a pill or a shot to make the craziness go away. Instead, she's warned that these "alternate realities" could become permanent.

She just has to ask herself one question—how the hell is she going to get out of this mess?

Waiting on Wednesday (#18) Sentinel

This is a weekly meme 'Waiting on Wednesday' that I take part in, it is hosted by Breaking the Spine

It is a meme where you post about a yet-to-be-released book that you are looking forward to reading. Here is a book I have been highly anticipating:

 Sentinel (Covenant #5) by Jennifer . Armentrout

Publication date: November 2nd, 2013

Description (From Goodreads)
It's a beautiful day for a war. Alex must face a terrible choice between destruction of everything she loves and her own destruction. The final book in the COVENANT series.

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Only a very brief description for the final Covenent novel, but hell, who can't wait to have this book in their hands?!?!

Love this series so, so, SO much and I'm going to be sad to see it end and to farewell these characters!

LEGEND by Marie Lu

Book One in the Legend trilogy
Publication date: November 29th, 2011
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Number of pages: 305
Date read: May 18th, 2013
Genre: Dystopia, YA, Romance, Adventure, Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic
Source: Bought




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(Description source: Goodreads)

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

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“You should have taken me with you," I whisper to him. Then I lean my head against his and begin to cry. In my mind, I make a silent promise to my brother's killer.

I will hunt you down. I will scour the streets of Los Angeles for you. Search every street in the Republic if I have to. I will trick you and deceive you, lie, cheat and steal to find you, tempt you out of your hiding place, and chase you until you have nowhere else to run. I make you this promise: your life is mine.” 

Legend is phenomenal! It has to be the best dystopia novel that I've read so far this year. The story line is beyond words and the characters are exceptional, each and every one of them.

Day has to be one of the most beautiful characters I have ever read. Day is gorgeous, brave, rebellious, kind, loyal and protective.

The descriptive style and the amount of detail add so much to the story, taking it above and beyond any expectations I had going into this novel. One of the amazing aspects of the story is the way Marie Lu depicts the horror of what blind obedience can lead to. Legend will make you feel like more things should be questioned.

Legend is full of deception, secrets, lies, and betrayal and romance, and it is absolutely action-packed. Add to that the fact that it is also so heart-wrenching and bittersweet and this novel has the ability to appeal to anyone and everyone on some level.

A truly gripping read that left me stunned, obsessed and dying for more, I swear I am so ready to just run out the door to go order Prodigy (the sequel) RIGHT NOW! An unforgettable read that draws you in and will make it so that you are the one who won't be able to let go of it.

“Tess," I say. "I'm going to head down to the water.I'll be back in a minute."
"You sure you can make it by yourself?" she asks.
"I'll be fine." I smile. "If you see me floating unconscious out to sea,though-by all means,come and get me.” 

I rate Legend Five out of Five!!!

UNTIL I DIE by Amy Plum

Book two in the Revenants series
Publication date: May 3rd, 2012
Publisher: Harper Teen
Number of Pages: 368
Date read: May 16th 2013
Genre: Supernatural, Romance, Young Adult, Urban Fantasy
Source: Bought 

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(Description source: Goodreads)

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

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Until I Die continues to follow the story of Kate Mercier and her boyfriend Vincent Delacroix as they discover how to live together and deal with important issues like how to live a normal life, despite Vincent being a Zombie of sorts, as well as the importance of family and support from those who love you. 

As Kate delves further into Vincents world of Numa (bad zombies), Revenants (good zombies) and the possibility that other fictitious creatures may not be so far from the imagination, she grows as a person and really starts to evolve into herself as she wants to be and begins to live. With the ever charming Vincent by her side she is able to take on everything life challenges her with, until Vincent starts to keep a secret from her, a secret that he says will solve their problems. The trouble is that whatever he is up to is taking its toll on him in a bit way, leaving looking drained and not at all himself.  If that isn't enough, there's the ever present Jules keeping an eye on her when she least of all wants looking after and the icy ancient friends of JB who will do everything to get in her way.

With the Numa quiet after the death of their leader, the revenants suspicions begin to rise. True to form, attacks begins, seemingly random at first but they begin to lead towards one big idea, one important key that could leave the fate of not only themselves, but the human race in their hands.

Until I Die was a lot more action packed and faced paced than Die For Me which I quite liked. I found it to be detailed and very enrapturing to the point that I honestly could not put it down. The way that Amy Plum spun the story was interesting, with twists and turns that I had not even considered. She told the story in such a way that it seemed as though it were really happening and it sprung to life around me. I have always liked the idea of living in Paris and continuing the story here and not taking it back to America, like I thought could have been a possibility, was great. The romantic atmosphere of Paris together with Vincents old fashioned ways was really cute and was the perfect image of what a lot of girls would love their boyfriend to be like. 

Kate kept being quite the stereotypical female protagonist but I think that it actually sort of works in this sort of story, the changes that she has gone through make it seem more worthwhile. Despite her having many of the characteristics similar to those in other books Kate has a personality that I find to be attractive and fun. She is loyal to those she loves and actually has a great bond with her older sister. While her grandparents can be a bit overbearing at times, and she does not always do what they tell her to, she still adores them and this shows through clearly. Above all, her love for Vincent and her acceptance or his 'family' is admirable, the strength that she shows is different and I LOVE that it isn't all about the physical side of her and Vincents relationship. Sure they kiss etc. and the desire is there but there's more to their relationship than that, they build it up and also don't always get along, which I find to be a refreshing twist.

Anyway, I really loved this book and will definitely be reading book 3 in the Revenants series If I Should Die!! 

Here's the blurb for If I Should Die for those of you who are interested!

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

“And I've got THIS," I pulled out the signum and held it up for him to see, "that says I'm kindred. And I've got THIS," I pointed at my head, "that says I'm as smart as you. And I have THIS," I held up my middle finger, "that says go to hell, you immortal bigot."

And with that I spun around and stomped out the door, filing the expression on Arthur's face in a mental folder labeled "Kate's Proudest Moments"."

I rate Until I Die Four out of Five!

DIE FOR ME by Amy Plum

Book One in the Revenants series
Publication date: May 5th, 2011
Publisher: Harper Teen
Number of Pages: 320
Date read: May 14th 2013
Genre: Supernatural, Romance, Young Adult, Urban Fantasy
Source: Bought 
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(Description source: Goodreads)

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

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"Still in one piece?” Vincent teased, pulling me close and planting a soft kiss on my lips. “After dirty-dancing with Jules, I’m not sure."

Die for me is the cute, sassy and intriguing first novel in the Revenants series by Amy Plum. Set in the streets of luxurious Paris, it follows Kate Mercier and her older sister Georgia as they try to recover from the tragic accident of their parents and settle into their new, Parisian life along with their doting grandparents. Georgia throws herself into doing what she does best and makes plenty of friends and goes out partying most nights to forget the pain. Kate misses her old friends in America and for a while tries to keep in touch but soon the painful reminders of what she has lost becomes all too much and she stops replying to their messages.  

Kate eventually gets out of the house, either going to look at the art that she loves, but is disastrous at creating, or to one of Paris' many compact cafe's to finish her latest read. It is while absorbed in a book with coffee on hand that Kate looks up to meet a dark, handsome strangers eye, the chemistry between them is undeniable, the moment ends with embarrassment on Kate's part.  The gorgeous stranger does not show his face again at the coffee shop but an equally as gorgeous girl beckons Kate over just before part of the building crashes exactly where Kate was sitting. 

A chance meeting with the gorgeous boy, Vincent, at an art gallery has Kate thinking that there could be more to him than meets the eye. 
As Kate gets closer to Vincent, she discovers a secret, a secret that could change her views of not only the people she has come to love, but also the world around her. A secret that could endanger her life and tear her apart.   

 

 Die For Me, was a lovely, easy read that from the beginning had me enthralled and keen to keep reading. Amy Plum takes a realistic approach with what, at the beginning at least, is a different and enticing plot line, it has great potential to wind up somewhere unexpected, leaving you gasping for breath and having loved every second of the whirlwind adventure.That is until around halfway through the novel, when it disappointingly begins to follow the general style of many other paranormal YA novels. Despite this, Die For Me still felt exciting and fast paced, not necessarily action packed but interesting and something that surely kept me hanging on for more. 

 I found that being set in the luxurious, romantic world city of Paris gave the novel an exciting feeling that engrossed my within the world of the story with even more depth. The sheer history surrounding the Parisian lifestyle that was included in the storyline made Die For Me more detailed, realistic and interesting as a whole. 

Kate is a great, well written character that, especially for avid readers, is individualistic and very relate-able. She is different to other modern, paranormal heroins, she loves art and reading, isn't afraid to be herself, she shows her vulnerable side and seems to almost step out of the pages. Vincent on the other hand seems to be quite calm and collected, his stereotypical character is evident from when we are first introduced to him, his dreamy yet striking physical appearance seems to leave Kate in awe from the moment their eyes meet. Unlike in other teen aimed paranormal novels, Vincent seems to genuinely care about Kate, he is not afraid to show that he cares about, or even loves, her. 

Personally I love this book! The depth, simplicity and addictiveness of Die For Me is wonderful and when coupled with the detail that was put into the characters, even if minor, is commendable, well executed and definitely well worth it. I simply cannot wait to get my hands on the next one, in fact I think I'll pick it up right away!

“Well, spit on my empty grave--if it ain't the attack of the Disney princesses!"

I rate Die For Me Four out of Five!

Waiting on Wednesday (#17) Unbreakable

This is a weekly meme 'Waiting on Wednesday' that I take part in, it is hosted by Breaking the Spine

It is a meme where you post about a yet-to-be-released book that you are looking forward to reading. Here is a book I have been highly anticipating:

 Unbreakable (Unravelling #2) by Elizabeth Norris

I know Unbreakable has already been released in the US but here in Australia I have to wait until the 6th of June, so I may as well Blog about it, since I can't wait to get my hands on this book!

Description (From Goodreads)

Four months after Ben disappeared through the portal to his home universe, Janelle believes she’ll never see him again. Her world is still devastated, but civilisation is slowly rebuilding, and life is finally starting to resume some kind of normality. Until Interverse agent Taylor Barclay shows up. He’s got a problem, and he needs Janelle’s help. 

Somebody from an alternate universe is running a human trafficking ring – kidnapping people and selling them on different Earths. And Ben, with his unique abilities, is the prime suspect. To make things worse, Janelle learns that someone she cares about – someone from her own world – has become one of the missing.

Now Janelle has five days to track down the real culprit. Five days to locate the missing people before they’re lost forever. Five days to reunite with the boy who stole her heart. Can she uncover the truth before everyone she cares about is killed?

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Unravelling was just so amazing, dystopia and sci-fi combnined, it's something you don't want to miss out on, and I am dying for this sequel, plus just how gorgeous is this cover?!?!

My review of Unravelling can be found here!

LOST GIRLS by Alyxandra Harvey

Book #0.5 in the Drake Chronicles series
Publication date: December, 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Number of pages: 56
Date read: May 14th, 2013
Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult, Fantasy
Source: Bought


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(Description source: Goodreads)

A bonus story about Liam and Helena and how they met.

Included in the back of Drake Chronicles Book Five: Blood Moon.

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"...angry girls, poor girls, lost girls. Girls like her."

Set in Violet Hill in 1983, Lost Girls begins with Helena kicking ass (which is something she is very well known for in the Drake Chronicles series). Helena is sixteen and well used to watching her back, but now, she has a psychotic vampire after her, wanting revenge and the mysteriously gorgeous Liam Drake hanging around. Girls are going missing and Helena knows that the vampires are behind the disappearances, but where does Liam fit in with it all?

Liam is as sexy as Helena is fierce.  Helena is very much one to look after people she sees as be weaker or less capable than herself. This amazing story really does feed the Drake addiction and explain several things, but how I wish there was more!

This novella show inner strength,  compassion and how no matter how bad things are people will always look out for each other, even putting their life on the line.

This gritty novella reveals how the characters were all first introduced, and elaborates on their history, it really is amazing to learn how things all came together to be as they are in My Love Lies Bleeding and the rest of the Drake Chronicles books.

"He was a vampire, cloaked in mystery and solitude, and as moody as a fourteen-year-old girl with PMS."

I rate Lost Girls Five out of Five!

Waiting on Wednesday (#16) Pods

This is a weekly meme 'Waiting on Wednesday' that I take part in, it is hosted by Breaking the Spine

It is a meme where you post about a yet-to-be-released book that you are looking forward to reading. Here is a book I have been highly anticipating:

 Pods by Michelle K. Pickett

Publication date: June 4th, 2013

Description (From Goodreads)

Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul. 

After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters. 

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.

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I love dystopian novels, dystopia is one of my favourite genres and Pods sounds unbelievably intriguing!

What book can't you wait for?

Is it Pods, same as me, or something different?

Let me know in the comments!

Waiting on Wednesday (#15) Triangles

This is a weekly meme 'Waiting on Wednesday' that I take part in, it is hosted by Breaking the Spine

It is a meme where you post about a yet-to-be-released book that you are looking forward to reading. Here is a book I have been highly anticipating:

 Triangles by Kimberly Ann Miller

Publication date: June 18th, 2013

Description (From Goodreads)

A cruise ship. A beautiful island. Two sexy guys. What could possibly go wrong? 

In the Bermuda Triangle—a lot.
Hoping to leave behind the reminders of her crappy life--her father's death years ago, her mother's medical problems, and the loser who’s practically stalking her--seventeen-year-old Autumn Taylor hops on a ship with her sister for a little distraction. When she wakes up in the Bermuda Triangle, she fears she's gone nuts for more than one reason: that loser’s suddenly claiming they're a happy couple... a hot guy is wrapping his arms around her and saying "Happy Anniversary"... and suddenly, she’s full of bruises, losing her hair, and getting IV medication. Autumn visits the ship's doctor, hoping for a pill or a shot to make the craziness go away. Instead, she's warned that these "alternate realities" could become permanent.

She just has to ask herself one question—how the hell is she going to get out of this mess?

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This book had me dying to read simply after hearing this much of the description: "A cruise ship. A beautiful island. Two sexy guys. What could possibly go wrong? In the Bermuda Triangle—a lot."

The cover is absolutely gorgeous and I have never read a book set in the Bermuda Triangle before, so the concept of Triangles is just so damn intriguing - June 18th cannot come soon enough!!!