Cover Dazzle of the week

Three nice new covers were released this week (of what I know of) in YA literature

Fever (The Chemical Garden 2) by Lauren DeStefano

 Forgiven (The Demon's Trapper 3) by Jana Oliver

 Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy 2) by Jennifer Estep

Aren't all these covers gorgeous? Im Dazzled!

In My Mailbox 2

In My Mailbox is hosted by the awesome Kristi from The Story Siren

This week I bought

• Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
• A Sword In Her Hand by Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem and Pat van Beirs

I already swallowed Wolfsbane. Oh my Lord is super good!! and A Sword In Her Hand is a book I never heard about before and when I saw it at the book store it just picked my attention. It look really good! It's originally written in Dutch and the story takes place in the 13th century. Love it!! Need to read it this week!

~happy reading ~

Review: Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Title: Uncommon Criminals

Author: Ally Carter

Pages: 298

Publisher: Hyperion

Genre: Crime / Contemporary

Release: June 21st, 2011
Source: Purchased

Buy the book at:  Book Depository / Chapter.Indigo / Barnes & Noble / amazon

Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life: Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.
There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long — and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous, and that is . . . the emerald is cursed.
Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all, she has her best friend — the gorgeous Hale — and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses and realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.
Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.

My Thoughts
Uncommon Criminals is a fun, fast passed and smart read. Same as Heist Society (the first book in the series) this book is the kind of book that you read in one seat. However, those things are just in the surface of what Uncommon Criminal really is. Ally Carter is brilliant writing light and fun reads, but underneath all the humour and adventure, she always gift us with values and life lessons in her books. I felt identified with Kat during the whole book and what she learns during this adventure reminded me of some things that I sometimes forget. I'm glad I read it.

The adventure this time is all about stealing the cursed Cleopatra Emerald. Kat, Hale and company have to travel all around the world and have to create the best plan to get their hands on one of the most precious and valuable Gem in the world.
I have always liked Kat as a character. She is a very smart girl, but that doesn't mean she knows everything and she does makes mistakes. She is young and naive and therefore, she still has a lot to learn. In Uncommon Criminals, I think Kat Bishop really grows as a character. Also,the romance in this book was perfect! There was enough of it to balance the plot and I would like to describe it as “nice”. It wasn't the cheesy oh-my-god-I-love-you-and-I-cannot-live-without-you kind of romance that makes a guy puke. So, I think Heist Society series is perfect for both, boy and girls. The rest of the characters are charming as always. We have the paternal figure, the family, friends and Hale! our Hale who is the love interest and the best friend.

I'm looking forward for the third book and I'm pretty sure (after reading this one) that I will not be disappointed. Ally Carter is now on my list of favorite contemporary authors! Also, I need to mention that I love reading the “Acknowledgments” in books (I never skip them!). In this book, Ally Carter starts her ackowledgments mentioning what she learn while writing Uncommon Criminals; And I feel greatly touched that what she learn while writing this book, is the same thing I learn while reading it. How nice is that, eh? ♥

So, If you haven't read Heist Society books, you absolutely should. They are not only nice and light like a crystal made of glass, but wonderful and valuable like the Emerald that Cleopatra herself, loved so much.

Video: Ally Carter talks about Uncommon Criminals

Visit Ally Carter's website!

Review: Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Title: Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2)

Author: Andrea Cremer
Pages: 390
Publisher: Penguin Teen
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release: July 26, 2011
Source: Purchased

Buy Wolfsbane at: Book Depository /Chapters.Indigo / Barnes & Noble / amazon

When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

My Thoughts
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer is a sequel that answer many questions. In Nightshade, through Calla's eyes, we discovered that the world in which the story developed was full of lies and manipulation from the Keepers, leaving us with some loose ends and many, many questions.
After finishing Wolfsbane I'm very satisfied to now have the knowledge of what the hell was going on in these books. I have to highlight that I love the historical and mythological aspect of the story. Also, I am very impressed with the world Andrea Cremer has created and I dare to say that this is not a story of werewolves but a story of a new creature inspired by werewolves. Andrea Cremer's wolves (not werewolves, ehem!) are totally the coolest in YA literature!

Guardians, Keepers, Searchers, Vail, The Academy, Scion, etc, etc are only a few things that makes Wolfsbane a book more than interesting. I am also pretty chocked with the events that happened after Calla's departing from Vail. To say that I despite Keepers in such a huge understatement! I think Andrea Cremer was very brave to push her characters to that edge. I really want to see how these characters behave in Bloodrose because the author will have to deal with a lot of psychological PSTD in her characters. Besides this, Wolfsbane was a full of action, grief and hilarious and passionate moments that I will never forget (uuuuuuuuh =9). Also, we get to know new characters that I'm really happy they are part of the story now. Ethan for example, I kinda hated him at the beginning but the boy has his cute side and I love his interactions with Sabine, he is annoying but a very likeable guy. Connor! Oh yeah! He absolutely lightened the mood in many moments and is a such a badass character. I'm looking forward to know more about him in the next book. But, there is one thing that didn't allow me to enjoy this book as much as Nightshade and is the fact that in 390 pages only two days was what we saw of Calla and company. Yes, a lot of history and action in only two days. What is the problem with this? Is only that I personally think that in such a short time it is very difficult to develop characters and relationships among them. I feel I spend to little time with these characters in too many pages. Yes, I love the story, I'm more than happy with what I read but I don't feel I got to love the characters more than I already did.

One more year for Bloodrose... that sounds depression and exciting at the same time. I wish I could speed time forward by my own will and read what happens next. Hell! There is such a cliffhanger! Alert and warning! You are going to bite your nails to the point of bleeding! Yes, my fingers hurt right now. Ouch! Don't wait any longer and go read these books! They are freaking awesome! 

 Sneak Peek Video! Andrea Cremer talks about Bloodrose, the final book in the Nightshade trilogy!

Visit the books website http://www.nightshadebook.com    
Visit the author's website http://www.andreacremer.com

From Pages to Screen★First look at Peeta and Gale!

A while ago EW.com released the first pictures of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen from our beloved trilogy The Hunger Games (currently filming yey!) and now it was time for Josh Hutcherson as Peeta and Liam Hemsworth as Gale to have their "first-look-at" in the same magazine.

Here is the cover magazine (Of course they are on the cover!! what did you think? XD)

 

Check more pictures of Gale and Peeta at ew.com They are pretty dazzling!! =D

And here is an image of Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Gale (Liam Hemsworth).

 

  Wait! that's not all!! if you want to see more pictures just go to this website . They scanned the magazine! hell yeah!!!! 

I'm so excited for this movie!! I can't wait! Now that I see the official photos I'm really happy with Peeta ♥. I must confess that I was not happy with the cast the first time I knew about it. So what did I do? I went to youtube and watched THIS Josh Hutcherson interview. My new thoughts after watching the video? ... Hell!! he IS Peeta!! I love him! He got all the charisma Peeta has to manipulate the audience and most important, he can act!

Now, what am I suppose to do while waiting for this? ah!!? AH!??! well... I guess I'll keep reading... mmm... actually that sounds pretty good, very good indeed =)

Waiting on Wednesday

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by  Breaking the Spine

To be released: November 15th 2011

Words are the most dangerous weapon of all.

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she’s spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can’t be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country’s only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

Reasons why I am desperate to read this:

• The author (yup, she is the same person who wrote The Body Finder and Desires of the Dead)
• It's a Dystopian!!!!!!!!!!! Hell Yeah!!
• The cover is stunning!
•  There is a beautiful and mysterious boy (we all know that Kimberly Derting creates the most perfect dudes in YA literature. Am I wrong?  lol

These posts are always called Waiting one Wednesday, but I would like to call this post, for this one time only, "Waiting while-biting-my-nails-pulling-my-hair-out-and-scratching-my-skin on Wednesday". I think that would be so much more accurate to how I feel waiting for this book. 

80 more days of a long and agonizing waiting. Let's the countdown begin!


Visit Kimberly Derting's website.

Pre-order The Pledge at Book Depository  / Chapters.Indigo / Barnes & Noble / amazon

Review: Legacy by Cayla Kluver

Title: Legacy (Legacy #1)

Author: Cayla Kluver

Pages: 496

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Genre: Fatansy

Release: June 21st 2011
Source: Purchased
Buy the book at: Book Depository / Amazon

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.
In this mystical world of court conspiracies and blood magic, loyalties will be tested. Courage won't be enough. And as the battle begins for everything Alera holds dear, love may be the downfall of a kingdom. 

My Thoughts

While I was randomly browsing book on Goodreads, I I found myself intrigued by the cover of this book. So, as a good reader and goodread user, I added it to my very long list of to-read books. When the date of its released came closer I found a pretty good review (that was sent to my email) but something got my attention more than anything else; The author of this book, Cayla Kluver, wrote Legacy when she was only fourteen years old! Yes, you read just fine, she was fourteen years old! So, I decided to read Legacy out of curiosity more than the fact that there is a Princess and a gorgeous Knight in shining armor (totally my cup of tea). I must say, I am very impressed. Bravo Cayla Kluver!. She has an amazing talent creating worlds and characters. And I still can't believe she wrote it when she was only fourteen years old!!

So what can I say about this? well, I really enjoyed this book from the very beginning. Here we have a world were politics, cultural differences and love intertwined to create a really fun and interesting plot and I need to mention the characters because, for me, they were the strongest point of the book. Alera, who is the Princess of the Kingdom of Hytanica. really surprised me with her struggles and decisions. I think If she were a real person, she would absolutely be great queen. London (Alera's bodyguard) reminds me of Aragorn. He is has a dark unspoken past that makes you doubt him, but in the end, he is loyal as a horse (and freaking bad ass!). And Narian (our gorgeous Knight in shining armor) is a mystery until the end of the book, a hell of a fighter and a total gentleman who sees women as an equal, not like the rest of men in the Kingdom of Hytanica (how perfect is that, eh?). However, at the end of the book, I would have really appreciated to have at least a hint of why/how/where Narian (our Knight in shining armor) did what he did (I'm being vague because I don't want to give any spoilers). The ending left me with wanting for more. The fact that there is still a big loose end. It feels like cliffhanger-effect but without a cliffhanger. Do you know what I mean?. So at least for me (not a fan of such kind of endings) is very frustrating. I just feel... aaaaaaaaaah!!! I feel like I need the sequel! and now!
 
Regardless my frustration with the ending, I found myself falling in love with this world and its characters. I'm looking forward to read Allegiance (Legacy #2)! I cannot help but feel very compelled to go back into Alera's life, to step once again, into the Kingdom of Hytanica!

Visit the author's website for more info.

New Releases

And tomorrow's New Releases are

 

 

•  Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
• Supernaturally by Kristen Whyte 
• Wildefire by Karsten Knight
• Ripple by Mandy Hubbard
• And Then Things Fall Apart by Arlaina Tibensky
• Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

All books released on July 26th 2011

Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Here is another review (an old one, sry) But this week I'll be posting Wolfbane by Andrea Cremer  and Legacy by Cayla Kluver's  reviews.  ;)

Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter
Pages: 304
Publisher: Harlequin TEEN
Genre: Greek Mythology 
Release: April 19, 2011
Source: Purchased

It''s always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate''s going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won''t live past the fall. Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he''ll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he''s crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she''ll become Henry''s future bride, and a goddess.

My Thoughts
First of all, I really like the characters. I think they were very well built and the relationship among them really grew in a way that you can relate to them. However, sometimes I was very confused about Henry's feelings for Kate. I didn't know if he loved her or if he didn't. I didn't know if he was confused or if his heart was with someone else. It always seemed to me that his feelings were very vague. But, by the moment things get a bit clearer I was like... aaah! Now I get it. Then, I realized that all this confusion was meant to be like that. I think Aimee Carter did a great job in that matter because you really get to be in Kate's shoes. I felt as confused and as insecure as her. I liked that from the book and is pretty different from most love stories where, since the beginning of the book, you are 100% sure that the guy will ended up madly in love with the protagonist. Here, this doesn't happens and I think you have to read this book to know how Kate and Henry's relationship is going to end. The setting is beautiful. I wish I was there and even if most of the book's action occurs in this place (Henry's place) you never get tired of being there. I just think is gorgeous!  The plot is very entertaining and well built. There is no moment to get bored while reading this book and I liked that. And the end... Jeez, I did not see that coming! and of course, I think it has a nice message. Perfection doesn't exist. We do make mistake even with the people we love the most. But what is important in those situations is to look deep inside and see what the real intention was.
 
Overall, The Goddess Test is a good book, refreshing and entertaining. It might not be for everyone but  I do recommend it if you like Greek mythology want to get a bit away from all the fairies, demons, vamps and angels out there.

Visit Aimee Carter's website at http://www.aimeecarter.com/ 

Hush Hush graphic novel cover!

Two words...

Love it!!

Expected publication: October 2011

In My Mailbox 1

In My Mailbox is hosted by the awesome Kristi from The Story Siren

This week I bought

• The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima
• Eon by Alison Goodman
• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Last week I read The Demon King and WOW! it was really good so I got The Exiled Queen right after I finished it.  Eon has been in my to-read list for a while and I think it is time to read it. Besides, it has amazing reviews. I already read Anna and the French Kiss but I didn't have my own copy. Shame on me!!! But I finally did yey!

Covers Dazzle

Well, since my blog doesn't have more than a week old, I wanted to upload some of the covers revealed this month from books that Im really, really, really dying to read.

Pandemonium Cover by Lauren Oliver is gorgeous!... but, as many people who bought the first hardcover edition of Delirium Im very sad. Now my Delirium copy wont match with Pandemonium on the shelve! sniff! At least  I buy one of the new and limited editions of Delirium in hardcover with the redesigned cover (left). One thing (very important at least for me) is that I really  hope that underneath the jacket of these new editions there will be a printed picture on the hardcover. That was something I really loved about Delirium's first edition. Now who know what lies underneath the jacket of Pandemonium? Fingers crossed!

A Million Suns by Beth Revis DOES MATCH with Across The Universe wooohooo!!!! beautiful cover! the colors... oh yeah. I love it <3 and, we also have a new cover for Across The Universe Paperback. It's absolutely stunning!

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead (Bloodlines 2)

Another beautiful cover and hell, I haven't even read Bloodlines yet and Im already desperate to get my hands on this one. Too bad is a long wait.

And the newest cover of all (revealed just this week) Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins. Yes! I love that it matches with the previous ones ^_^. How come they never design an ugly cover? Not that it bothers me. Not at all! =D Im just so glad that the publishing companies invest in nice covers. From the bottom of my heart, I am very grateful.

From Pages to Screen

First picture of Lily Collins as Snow White

Two reason why I post this here.

1. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE has grew up with the Brother's Grimm fairy tales. Our childhood would have been a misery without them. AMEN!

2. Pretty Lily Collins is our Clary Frey in the movie adaptation of City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. (one of my favorite series and Im pretty sure is one of yours too).

Look at the picture! aren't you dazzled?

Waiting On Wednesday (uploaded on a Thrusday XD sry)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Espine Check her out!

Lola and the Boy Next Door

To be released: September 29th 2011

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.
When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. 

I love Stephanie Perkins! With Anna and the French Kiss, she put herself in the high league of contemporary authors.
Do you know what I thought when I finished reading Anna? I thought... "I wish I could meet Stephanie Perkins because she must be the nicest person on earth!" I mean, if she was able to write such a beautiful book it's probably because her heart is made of cotton candy ♥. Don't you agree with me?

And hell, I've been dying to read this book since I finished Anna. Anyways, from what I've heard, this book is as dazzling as that one. I still don't get what is the relation between Anna and Lola's books. But what I do know is that Anna and Etienne are characters in Lola!!!! and nope, they are not cameos. They are part of the story play a role in it =). How awesome is that? Truth to be told... I've miss them like hell! Jeez!  I can't wait to read this book and finally meet Lola and Cricket. ♥♥♥

Visit Stephanie Perkins website for more info.

From Pages to Screen

The Hunger Games Movie Poster


Im DAZZLE!! Oh my God! The poster is way too cool to be true. But it is! Gosh, that's gonna be a hell of a movie! Get the countdown and poster from http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/

How Dazzled are you?

And thanks to  Mariya's blog for providing me the news.

Clockwork Prince Prologue!

Cassie Clare's teaser of the month couldn't have been better! She shared with us the full Prologue of Clockwork Prince! Aren't you excited?  Hell YEAH!

Read Clockwork Prince Prologue here

New releases this week

Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker

Pearls by Jo Knowles

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

     

Review: Blood Red Road by Moira Young

 
Title: Blood Red Road (Dustlands #1)
Author: Moira Young
Pages: 459
Publisher: Doubleday Canada and Simon & Schuster
Genre: Dystopian 
Release: June 7th 2011
Buy the Book at: Book Depository / Chapters.Indigo / Barnes & Noble / Amazon 

"Lugh's gone. Gone. My golden heart is gone. I kneel in the dust. The tears roll down my face. An a hard red rain starts to fall." When her "older" twin brother is captured by marauding horsemen, Saba knows that she will have to leave the ravaged landfills that have supported her family since the destruction of their civilization. Moira Young's Blood Red Road marks the auspicious beginning of an ambitious post-apocalyptic series that will ensnare your attention.

Canadian Author ❤

My Thoughts
It's been ages since I read something THIS GOOD!!! Holy Molly!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I'm totally DAZZLED!!! This was waaaaaaay too good! It kinda remind me a little bit of the Hunger Games and Finniking of The Rock. This is one of those books that have so much in so little. This is a rich read in every single way. Blood Red Road absorbed me since the firsts 3 pages of the book. Those pages that are not even part of the first chapter.

At the beginning it was a bit weird reading this kind of narration, but a couple of pages later my eyes got used to the style and flew over the pages. I think this book wouldn't have reached the same quality if it'd had been written differently. Once you get used to the voice and dialect, you really feel you are somewhere else, somewhere faaaaaar from your reading place. In fact, this book feels real and I really felt I went through all this Blood Red Road.
The characters... Oh the Characters! From our protagonist Saba (who we follow all the way through the book) to DeMalo (who says like two sentences and appears no more than a couple of times in this whole adventure) can delight you with their presence and charms. Jack (oh my Jack! another perfect dude to add to my list of lovers <3), Maev, Ike, Tommo, Ash, Epona, Lugh, Emmi, Nero!!! oh Nero! I so want to know more about you! (and he's a crow), Hermes (who's a horse) and even the freaking King!...and so many others. They are so well build, their strength and flaws, their charms and fears. I just love every single one of them. I felt empathy, sympathy, love and hate towards them. When an author, as a writer and artist, makes their readers feel so much, is one of the greatest achievements!
When I was only on page 32 I had my first OMG! and WTF! moment in the book (yes, both at the same time! pretty badass!) I couldn't believe all the information I had in only 32 pages and how the story took off in such a powerful way.

I don't want to give anything away. In fact, if you can read the book without even reading the jacket, that would be awesome! Discover every single detail on your own through this Road. So just get the book, close your eyes, flip to the first page, now open your eyes and... from now on, you wont be able to stop.

Watch the US Trailer

 

Watch the UK trailer

 

Visit this page http://pages.simonandschuster.com/bloodredroad for more information and some beautiful wallpapers ;)

Welcome to my book Blog! ^_^

Hello!

Welcome dear readers and future followers to my new  blog dedicated to books. This will be my preciousssss spot for me to share my love of reading (specially YA). I will be posting reviews, news (about books and books made into movie adaptation), cover reveals, upcoming releases and more! I want to make from this site a a fun and informative place for all book lovers.

Cheers and happy reading!