Waiting on Wednesday #32

was started by Breaking the Spine and serves to showcase those books
that aren’t released yet, but that we’re eagerly awaiting.

Name: When My Heart Was Wicked
Author: Tricia Stirling
Number of Pages: 192 in Kindle
Published: February 24th 2015
by Scholastic Press
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal

I used to be one of those girls. The kind who loved to deliver bad news. When I colored my hair, I imagined it seeping into my scalp, black dye pooling into my veins. But that was the old Lacy. Now, when I cast spells, they are always for good. 16-year-old Lacy believes that magic and science can work side by side. She’s a botanist who knows how to harness the healing power of plants. So when her father dies, Lacy tries to stay with her step-mother in Chico, where her magic is good and healing. She fears the darkness that her real mother, Cheyenne, brings out, stripping away everything that is light and kind. Yet Cheyenne never stays away for long. Beautiful, bewitching, unstable Cheyenne who will stop at nothing, not even black magic, to keep control of her daughter’s heart. She forces Lacy to accompany her to Sacramento, and before long, the “old” Lacy starts to resurface. But when Lacy survives a traumatic encounter, she finds herself faced with a choice. Will she use her powers to exact revenge and spiral into the darkness forever? Or will she find the strength to embrace the light?

I’ve stumbled upon this on Goodreads and I was caught by how enchanting the blurb was written. Plus, I love those lead characters that could be the villain/heroine at the same time. I find it quite enthralling. It tends to be tiring to read about goody goody, perfectly made characters right? I must admit that I’m really excited about this book’s released date. I saw a couple of friends who rated the book a five and they’ve confirmed that the book is indeed fascinating.

I’ve done my research about the book a couple of days ago and just earlier, but I’m left empty-handed. Not really sure why. The author, Tricia Stirling, doesn’t have a blog that I could check so I didn’t find any interesting updates. As well as launch parties, blog and book tours. I saw her Twitter account though, but still nothing. I’m kind of a stalker pretty much. Lol! No. Seriously, of course I want to know more about the authors I like. 😉 Anyway, I found a book giveaway on Goodreads. Jaraaaaaaaannn!

The thing is.. the book giveaway is for US book lovers only. Argh. Life’s unfair. Haha! 😀
Click “Enter To Win” so you guys in the US can join the giveaway! ♥

I think I’ve covered everything. I’ll update this whenever I’ll find something new until this will be released. So always check back when you’re free. Okay? By the way, care to share the books you’re dying to read? Comment and I’ll check on it. 😀

Book Review: Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne

Name: Midnight Thief (Midnight Thief #1)
Author: Livia Blackburne
Number of Pages: 376 pages in Hardcover
Published: July 8th 2014 by Disney-Hyperion
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Growing up on Forge’s streets has taught Kyra how to stretch a coin. And when that’s not enough, her uncanny ability to scale walls and bypass guards helps her take what she needs. But when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers Kyra a lucrative job, she hesitates. She knows how to get by on her own, and she’s not sure she wants to play by his rules. But he’s persistent—and darkly attractive—and Kyra can’t quite resist his pull. Tristam of Brancel is a young Palace knight on a mission. After his best friend is brutally murdered by Demon Riders, a clan of vicious warriors who ride bloodthirsty wildcats, Tristam vows to take them down. But as his investigation deepens, he finds his efforts thwarted by a talented thief, one who sneaks past Palace defenses with uncanny ease.When a fateful raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, the two enemies realize that their best chance at survival—and vengeance—might be to join forces. And as their loyalties are tested to the breaking point, they learn a startling secret about Kyra’s past that threatens to reshape both their lives.

This is my December feature for the meme Random Reads. I’m getting great in keeping up with this meme. Hihi! So I got this book because the book cover is amazingly mysterious. Yeah. Call it judging the book by its cover. You got me there. I forgot all about this though. Given that I’ve acquired tons of books for the past weeks. This meme helped me a lot so far in reading books I’ve already forgotten. Though I’ve read awesome reviews, I’ve also stumbled upon not so good reviews about the book and I must admit I’ve got of issues myself which is sad since I want to like this at the very least.

This is an easy read. The writing is pretty much straightforward. Nothing out of the ordinary which is somehow, for me, not good. Though it’s an easy read, I can’t connect with the first couple of chapters or let’s say four to five chapters, that is. I kept on reading since the premise of the book has a lot of potential. In the middle of the book, I’ve come to realized that the ending could somehow be good or trash. The world building is no great shakes. It’s in an archaic town on a monarchy type of government with corruption and poverty as main issues. BTW, the King and Queen were never mentioned. Just the councilmen, knights and Red Shields aka soldiers. As you can see, everything is quite stereotyped so far. Nothing really remarkable. I have a lot of unanswered questions from how the plot goes. Not even a conclusion on why things were like this and that. So the main protagonist is a thief that cannot defend herself. Go figure.

Waiting on Wednesday #28

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Breaking the Spine and serves to showcase those books that aren’t released yet, but that we’re eagerly awaiting!

Name: Ensnared (Splintered #3)
Author: A. G. Howard
Number of Pages: 384 in Kindle Edition
Published: January 6th 2015 by Amulet Books
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Retellings, Romance, Paranormal

After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She’s determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles . . . and even if the only way to Wonderland, now that the rabbit hole is closed, is through the looking-glass world–a parallel dimension filled with mutated and violent netherling outcasts. In the final installment of the wildly popular Splintered trilogy, Alyssa and her dad journey into the heart of magic and mayhem in search of her mom and to set right all that’s gone wrong. Together with Jeb and Morpheus, they must salvage Wonderland from the decay and destruction that has ensnared it. But if they succeed and come out alive, can everyone truly have their happily ever after?

Remember when I posted a blog that I’ve requested for this on NetGalley? Well, I was declined. Sigh. Sadface. Anyway, I really really love to have this despite of me having issues with the first two books. Giving this series another shot since how the second book has ended intrigued me and I love Jed’s character who’s on the cover of Ensnared. I love the book cover. So gorgeous. Don’t you think? So here I am, waiting for this one to be released. Hoping to win an ARC on the latest giveaway I’ve found.

Click the links below to join the giveaways 😀

10 Hardcovers of Ensnared (US Only)

1 Signed Splintered Series ARC set (International)

A. G. Howard also released the first chapter of the book and
THAT made me so much more excited to have the book.

Teaser Tuesday #22

I’ve decided to join this ’cause I think it’s pretty fun and easy. Plus I really want to quote smart retorts, full blown bullying, words of wisdom, swoon worthy lines and the like without giving much to readers about the entire book. A quote or two won’t hurt I guess.
So this is how you do it:
1. Grab your current read.
2. Randomly open a page.
3. 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!)
4. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants
can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This is for this week’s Teaser Tuesday

Midnight Thief
by Livia Blackburne

“It had been tracks and droppings the entire trip and nothing else. No sign of human habitations, no campsites. They’d followed the trail through the forest for two days, but the dogs just led them in circles.”

“Tristan suppressed a bitter chuckle. So even though a group of unknown men had snuck into the supposedly impenetrable compound, past the best trained guard force in the region, and carried off a fortune in medical supplies, they could at least comfort in the fact that the thieves had felt the need to hurry while doing so.”

As you can see, I’m still reading this since I can’t seem to find time for reading this days. Anyway, what are your thoughts about my teasers? 🙂 Anyway, you could share some teasers on your current read too. Comment the link of your own Teaser Tuesday so I can check it out and have an idea of amazing books that I would want to read.

Teaser Tuesdays (TT) is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Currently Reading│Book Beginning : Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne

Currently Reading #34

Name: Midnight Thief (Midnight Thief #1)
Author: Livia Blackburne
Number of Pages: 376 pages in Hardcover
Published: July 8th 2014 by Disney-Hyperion
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Growing up on Forge’s streets has taught Kyra how to stretch a coin. And when that’s not enough, her uncanny ability to scale walls and bypass guards helps her take what she needs. But when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers Kyra a lucrative job, she hesitates. She knows how to get by on her own, and she’s not sure she wants to play by his rules. But he’s persistent—and darkly attractive—and Kyra can’t quite resist his pull. Tristam of Brancel is a young Palace knight on a mission. After his best friend is brutally murdered by Demon Riders, a clan of vicious warriors who ride bloodthirsty wildcats, Tristam vows to take them down. But as his investigation deepens, he finds his efforts thwarted by a talented thief, one who sneaks past Palace defenses with uncanny ease.When a fateful raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, the two enemies realize that their best chance at survival—and vengeance—might be to join forces. And as their loyalties are tested to the breaking point, they learn a startling secret about Kyra’s past that threatens to reshape both their lives.

This is my feature for my December Random Reads and I’m quite proud of myself for consistently keeping up with the meme. It’s hard to squeeze books when you had them scheduled, but I’m so keeping up with this. I can’t remember when I’ve received this book so I’m excited. Here’s a five star, three star and one star review respectively. Got them from book lovers on Goodreads.

There are several reasons why I am in such a tizzy over this book and why others should be too. I rarely encounter two strong main characters, a fleshed-out world, a true threat, and a surprising plot in one book. Yet Blackburne managed all of them, and from the semi-cliff-hanger ending, I predict at least two more books. Now that she’s put all that good foundation work in, the rest of her series is her playground. And if Amazon’s labeling of Midnight Thief as “Grades 7 and up” gives you doubts about its maturity, ignore it. Pierce’s books are also tagged as “Grades 7 and up,” and I just reread it last week.
— Andrea of The Jukebox Muse

Waiting on Wednesday #27

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Breaking the Spine and serves to showcase those books that aren’t released yet, but that we’re eagerly awaiting!

Name: Hellhole
Author: Gina Damico
Number of Pages: 352 pages in Kindle
Published: January 6th 2015
by HMH Books for Young Readers
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

A devil is a bad influence . . .
There was a time when geeky, squeaky-clean Max Kilgore would never lie or steal or even think about murder.
Then he accidentally unearths a devil, and Max’s choices are no longer his own. The big red guy has a penchant for couch-surfing and junk food—and you should never underestimate evil on a sugar high. With the help of Lore, a former goth girl who knows a thing or two about the dark side, Max is racing against the clock to get rid of the houseguest from hell before time—and all the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos this side of the fiery abyss—run out.

I’ve been eying this for quite sometime now. When I’ve read the blurb of the book, I immediately concluded that this would be a fun read. A breather for all those heavy high fantasy or paranormal stuff that I’ve been reading lately. This book spells awesomeness just by the blurb itself. So I tried requesting for an eARC from NetGalley and YES.. You’ve guessed it right. They have declined my request so I’ll just wait until January next year to read the book. It’s not a long wait anymore since it’s already December. Sure I’m not hurt at all. Everything is quite okay. Really. I’m good. Sniff sniff. BOO!

Moving on.. All the giveaway I’ve found on the blogosphere were done aside from this very easy giveaway from  Eden of Blogging Between the Lines.

↓ Click this link to learn how and win an ARC ↓

December Random Reads

This is where we pick a random book from our shelf to read within the month. Feel free to do more than one, but since a lot of people have a lot of books to read, only one is “required” for the meme.

How to join on Random Reads?

You can either use Random.org, eeny, meeny, miny, moe or you can simply close your eyes and point randomly at a book in your shelf. Easy Peasy 😀

Since new books are still adding up on my shelf every week, I’ve left a lot of books untouched for a long time now. Lack of reading time really. I have been wanting to read more to be honest, but I am really having a hard time squeezing it on my busy schedule. That’s reason why I love Random Reads ’cause I got to pick from my pile without favoring those I’m really craving for and reading books randomly (As the meme would require). Am I making sense? 😀 Anyway too lazy again to use Random.org so I closed my eyes and blindly point at a book from my shelf and this is what I got:

Name: Midnight Thief (Midnight Thief #1)
Author: Livia Blackburne
Number of Pages: 376 pages in Hardcover
Published: July 8th 2014 by Disney-Hyperion
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Growing up on Forge’s streets has taught Kyra how to stretch a coin. And when that’s not enough, her uncanny ability to scale walls and bypass guards helps her take what she needs. But when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers Kyra a lucrative job, she hesitates. She knows how to get by on her own, and she’s not sure she wants to play by his rules. But he’s persistent—and darkly attractive—and Kyra can’t quite resist his pull. Tristam of Brancel is a young Palace knight on a mission. After his best friend is brutally murdered by Demon Riders, a clan of vicious warriors who ride bloodthirsty wildcats, Tristam vows to take them down. But as his investigation deepens, he finds his efforts thwarted by a talented thief, one who sneaks past Palace defenses with uncanny ease.When a fateful raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, the two enemies realize that their best chance at survival—and vengeance—might be to join forces. And as their loyalties are tested to the breaking point, they learn a startling secret about Kyra’s past that threatens to reshape both their lives.

See the published date? JULY. So that’s how long (most probably) that this book is sitting on my shelf I believe. Today is what? December. I know you have already figured that out. I love Random Reads ♥

I’ll try my best to squeeze the book this month for the sake of this meme. Wish me luck! Hey if you do have a Random Reads post, comment your link. I’ll try to check it out. 😀

Book Review: Under Different Stars

Name: Under Different Stars (Kricket #1)
Author: Amy Bartol
Number of Pages: 297 in Kindle Edition
Published: December 19th 2013
by Amy A. Bartol
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance, Paranormal

“Kricket Hollowell is normally not one to wish upon stars; she believes they’re rarely in her favor. Well versed at dodging caseworkers from Chicago’s foster care system, the past few years on her own have made Kricket an expert at the art of survival and blending in. With her 18th birthday fast approaching, she dreams of the day when she can stop running and find what her heart needs most: a home.
Trey Allairis hates Earth and doubts that anyone from his world can thrive here. What he’s learning of Kricket and her existence away from her true home only confirms his theory. But, when he and Kricket lie together under the stars of Ethar, counting them all may be easier than letting her go. Kyon Ensin’s secrets number the stars; he knows more about Kricket’s gifts than anyone and plans to possess her because of them. He also knows she’s more valuable than any fire in the night sky. He’ll move the heavens and align them all in order to make her his own. When everything in their world can be broken, will Kricket rely upon love to save her under different stars?”

I forgot about this book last year and just recently stumbled upon it on NetGalley. Braved myself to request it and got approved the following day. Sweet. I love the book cover. Elegantly beautiful. I think that’s how the cover should be described. I’m a sucker for beautiful covers really. I’m also excited since I’ve learned that this book is self-published. That’s extra amazing points I think, ’cause self-published books mostly turned out amazing (That’s by experience BTW) 🙂

This is an easy read. The writing is not confusing and you could truly enjoy every bit of it. I’ve read this in just a day since I can’t afford to put it down. I’m hooked from the very first chapter up to the last. The book was actually funny in a cute way. The humor is quite entertaining. I can’t even count the times I grinned or giggled while reading this.

“His eyes narrow as he gives me a sidelong glance. “What’s nail polish?” “Paint.. for your toes,” I murmur, grinning. “Why?” he wonders, looking intrigued. “Uh,” I shrug, “I don’t know.. because it’s pretty?” He glances back at my feet again, his brow wrinkling in thought.”

How can you not find this funny? 🙂

Waiting on Wednesday #26

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Breaking the Spine and serves to showcase those books that aren’t released yet, but that we’re eagerly awaiting!

Name: Frostfire (Kanin Chronicles #1)
Author: Amanda Hocking
Number of Pages: 336 in Paperback
Published: January 6th 2015
by St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal

Bryn Aven is an outcast among the Kanin, the most powerful of the troll tribes. Set apart by her heritage and her past, Bryn is a tracker who’s determined to become a respected part of her world. She has just one goal: become a member of the elite King’s Guard to protect the royal family. She’s not going to let anything stand in her way, not even a forbidden romance with her boss Ridley Dresden. But all her plans for the future are put on hold when Konstantin– a fallen hero she once loved – begins kidnapping changelings. Bryn is sent in to help stop him, but will she lose her heart in the process?

I’ve loved Amanda Hocking since Trylle Trilogy and when I’ve heard about this new series of hers, I knew that this is something I would definitely wait for. I’m unable to blog about my book review for Trylle Trilogy since those were the days when I’m still deciding if my blog would be a book blog or not. Go figure. I love the cover of this and I’ve mistaken it for a Christmas book. Have you noticed this is with Snow again? It. Is. Just. Coincidence. Haha! Just in time for the holidays right? I just love it. 🙂

I knew there’s a giveaway last month for one FrostFire gift pack, including a pin, fingerless gloves, and a Frostfire ARC, but I registered just in time the giveaway closed so that’s heartbreaking. The chance of winning this awesome gift pack slipped achingly away. Look at this awesome prize 😦

Currently Reading│Teaser Tuesday : Under Different Stars (Kricket #1) by Amy Bartol

Currently Reading #31

Name: Under Different Stars (Kricket #1)
Author: Amy Bartol
Number of Pages: 297 in Kindle Edition
Published: December 19th 2013
by Amy A. Bartol
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance, Paranormal

“Kricket Hollowell is normally not one to wish upon stars; she believes they’re rarely in her favor. Well versed at dodging caseworkers from Chicago’s foster care system, the past few years on her own have made Kricket an expert at the art of survival and blending in. With her 18th birthday fast approaching, she dreams of the day when she can stop running and find what her heart needs most: a home.
Trey Allairis hates Earth and doubts that anyone from his world can thrive here. What he’s learning of Kricket and her existence away from her true home only confirms his theory. But, when he and Kricket lie together under the stars of Ethar, counting them all may be easier than letting her go. Kyon Ensin’s secrets number the stars; he knows more about Kricket’s gifts than anyone and plans to possess her because of them. He also knows she’s more valuable than any fire in the night sky. He’ll move the heavens and align them all in order to make her his own. When everything in their world can be broken, will Kricket rely upon love to save her under different stars?”

After a lot of heartache from declined requests on NetGalley, I’ve been approved! YES! Not only for one, but four books and this gorgeous is one of them. I’ll include them on the Sunday post this weekend okay? Anyway, I’ve long for this since last year, but eventually forgot about it. Lol. I’ve stumbled upon it on Netgalley yesterday, requested for it and received an approval today. Yay! A lot of fantasy readers love this. I’ve included a five star, three star and one star rating reviews..

OMG this book was so captivating! I couldn’t put it down, I was hooked from the first chapter! I am so in love with all the characters, this book has it all. Lots of action, romance, humor,and dystopian! Under Different Stars takes place on both Earth and an alternate planet called Ethar which lends to the sci-fi feeling. I love the world Amy creates, it’s so interesting. Her descriptions of the people and places, especially on Ethar, help you picture this world. I really felt like I was there!
—Paulina of ReadMoreSleepLess