Waiting on Wednesday: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Breaking the Spine that gives bloggers the chance to express their longing for books before they're released!

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Mark it To-Read: Goodreads

Pre-Order: Amazon

Release Day: May 8, 2012 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?

Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.

And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

More on The Mortal Instruments

City of Fallen Angels Review

Adult Release Spotlight: The Wind Through the Keyhole by Stephen King

Released yesterday is the new book in Stephen King's acclaimed series, The Dark Tower. This book, The Wind Through the Keyhole, hit the shelves yesterday, April 24 from Scribner. While the eighth book to be published in this series, this book is in retrospect and takes place as book 4 1/2 between Wizard and Glass and Wolves of the Calla.

Goodreads | Amazon

Stephen King returns to the rich landscape of Mid-World, the spectacular territory of the Dark Tower fantasy saga that stands as his most beguiling achievement. 

Roland Deschain and his ka-tet—Jake, Susannah, Eddie, and Oy, the billy-bumbler—encounter a ferocious storm just after crossing the River Whye on their way to the Outer Baronies. As they shelter from the howling gale, Roland tells his friends not just one strange story but two . . . and in so doing, casts new light on his own troubled past. 

In his early days as a gunslinger, in the guilt-ridden year following his mother’s death, Roland is sent by his father to investigate evidence of a murderous shape-shifter, a “skin-man” preying upon the population around Debaria. Roland takes charge of Bill Streeter, the brave but terrified boy who is the sole surviving witness to the beast’s most recent slaughter. Only a teenager himself, Roland calms the boy and prepares him for the following day’s trials by reciting a story from the Magic Tales of the Eld that his mother often read to him at bedtime. “A person’s never too old for stories,” Roland says to Bill. “Man and boy, girl and woman, never too old. We live for them.” And indeed, the tale that Roland unfolds, the legend of Tim Stoutheart, is a timeless treasure for all ages, a story that lives for us. 

King began the Dark Tower series in 1974; it gained momentum in the 1980s; and he brought it to a thrilling conclusion when the last three novels were published in 2003 and 2004. The Wind Through the Keyhole is sure to fascinate avid fans of the Dark Tower epic. But this novel also stands on its own for all readers, an enchanting and haunting journey to Roland’s world and testimony to the power of Stephen King’s storytelling magic.

The Immortal Rules Release & Trailer

Releasing today is the first book in Julie Kagawa's new urban fantasy meets apocalyptic dystopian series, The Blood of Eden. This first book, The Immortal Rules, is hitting the shelves today, April 24 from Harlequin Teen. This book has already had flooded the blog world with amazing reviews and is destined for greatness! Check out the synopsis and official book trailer!

Goodreads | Amazon

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

Check out last week's First Impressions for another amazing trailer from Mira Ink!

First Impressions Friday: The Immortal Rules

First Impressions is a meme hosted here at The Fiction Pixie where we take a look at all things, mostly booky, and reflect on our initial thoughts. Non-bloggers, non-book bloggers, and everyone alike can participate on any topic you'd like. Feel free to drop your links or thoughts in the comments!

  __________________________________________________________________

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Official Trailer

So can I watch this movie now? I mean I want to read the book (which is always better) but wow, the cinematography in this trailer is awesome! I cannot wait to get my hands on it! I met Julie Kagawa at a book signing when the Iron Knight came out and she briefly talked about this world and it totally pumped me up and this trailer only furthers that excited emotion!

So now that I rambled on redundantly, what do you think? Can you wait for the release?

Mark it To-Read: Goodreads

Pre-Order to have it April 24: Amazon

Off the Shelf Giveaway Winner!

The winner has been chosen to pick the book of her choice! She has been contacted and claimed her prize!

Congratulations, Ishita S!

Thank you everyone for entering the giveaway! Be sure to check out the Hunger giveaway that is still going on!

Follow Friday (17)

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison.

What is one book that you would be nervous to see a movie adaption 

of because you think the movie could never live up to the book?

I mean to be honest, what movie ever lives up to the book? While I enjoy all the Harry Potter films, my favorites fell short in the films (i.e. 3 & 6) so that is an example. OMG, so is My Sister's Keeper. But thinking in the future, so to speak, I would have to say that while I would extremely love to watch Meghan Chase and Ash on the big screen, I don't think actual cinematography could capture the real aspect of the world of the Iron Fey. Sure they could capture the wonderful fantasy of the Seelie/Unseelie Courts, but to really grasp my visualization of the Iron Kingdom and The Iron King and Glitch, etc. I like the idea of what is inside my brain much better. Go Julie Kagawa!

Thanks for stopping by! What is your anti-adaptation?

While you're here!

Check out my current Giveaways: Off the Shelf | Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

J.K. Rowling Goes Adult

Back in February, it was announced that J.K. Rowling had signed with new publisher Little, Brown & Co. with the intention to release a book, her first post-Potter project, that would be geared towards the adult audience. Now the tension has broken and news about the book has been formally released. The title and a plot synopsis has been announced and for your squeeing pleasure I present this to you.

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock.

Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.

Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils...Pagford is not what it first seems.

And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?

This book is expected to release to ease your anxiety September 27, 2012! 

Mark it To-Read: Goodreads

Pre-Order: Amazon

And for a little fun, I found this...

Waiting on Wednesday: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Breaking the Spine that gives bloggers the chance to express their longing for books before they're released!

 

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Mark it To-Read: Goodreads

Pre-Order: Amazon

Release Day: April 24, 2012 by Harlequin Teen

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

New Release Spotlight: Loss by Jackie Morse Kessler

Jackie Morse Kessler has released the third book in her Riders of the Apocalypse series! This series is a powerful series that takes real and extreme problems that teens are facing and uses them for a unique urban fantasy about turning that trouble into power by making them one of the four horsemen. This is extremely unqiue and powerful. In her first books she covered anorexia (Hunger) and self mutilation (Rage), in her new release that hit shelves March 20, 2012 from Graphia, it is the real and ever present idea of bullies.

Fifteen-year-old Billy Ballard is the kid that everyone picks on, from the school bullies to the teachers. But things change drastically when Death tells Billy he must stand in as Pestilence, the White Rider of the Apocalypse. Now armed with a Bow that allows him to strike with disease from a distance, Billy lashes out at his tormentors...and accidentally causes an outbreak of meningitis. Horrified by his actions, Billy begs Death to take back the Bow. For that to happen, says Death, Billy must track down the real White Rider—who is lost in his memories.

In his search, Billy travels through White Rider’s life: from ancient Phrygia, where the man called King Mita agrees to wear the White Rider’s Crown, to Sherwood Forest, where Pestilence figures out how to cheat Death; from the docks of Alexandria, where cartons of infested grain are being packed onto a ship that will carry the plague, to the Children’s Crusade in France—all the way to what may be the end of the world. When Billy finally finds the White Rider, the teen convinces the man to return to the real world.

But now the insane White Rider plans to unleash something awful on humanity—something that could make the Black Death look like a summer cold. Billy has a choice: he can live his life and pretend he doesn’t know what’s coming, or he can challenge the White Rider for his Crown. Does one bullied teenager have the strength to stand his ground—and the courage to save the world?

In honor of this book releasing, I am giving away the first book in the series, Hunger. Reading Rage at the moment, I can see the are consecutive if only mildly connected. Each book is individually powerful and I hope Hunger will make you as excited to read the rest as it did me!

•     Contest Ends April 20, 2012 at 12:01AM EST
•     US Only (Sorry)
•     Must be 13 or older
•     Extra Entries are available
•     Fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter!
•     Comments are love but not entries
•     Winner will have 48 Hours to respond or another will be chosen

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

A Need so Beautiful by Suzanne Young

Goodreads | Amazon

Publisher: Balzer & Bray (June 21, 2011)
Age Group: Young Adult (M*)
Pages (Hardcover): 276
Series: A Need So Beautiful (Book 1)
Read Next: A Want So Wicked
Source: Library
ISBN-13: 9780062008244
Genre: Urban Fantasy
      *This book contains mature themes

We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be Forgotten...

Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become--her mark on this earth, her very existence--is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny--no matter how dark the consequences.

___________________________________________________________________

Overview:

I'm at a loss of what to actually rate this book. I liked it, there were definite parts I didn't like, but it was in fact beautiful. When I finished this book, it stayed with me, lingering in my thoughts and it pretty rare that a book reaches me like that. But there was something about this book that didn't reach my expectations yet I'm not disappointed.

Review:

If the overview of my thoughts is anything to go by, this book left me confused on whether or not I actually enjoyed it. In the beginning, we are introduced to Charlotte and her extremely unique situation. Charlotte has a beautiful gift that she refers to as The Need; this need compels her to people who need to be saved. In powerful ways, this gift changes lives but it also changes Charlotte because this is her destiny. Every time Charlotte pours herself into this need, she loses herself as part of the Forgotten. 

Essentially, Charlotte is an angel in this breathtaking and unique spin on what it actually means to be an angel. Charlotte is a strongly defined and created character. She is loving, empathic, compassionate, and a teenager who wishes only to live. She doesn't have to be strong enough to fight wars or evil incarnate trying to take over the world, she only has be to be strong enough to live her life and fulfill her destiny and I think a lot of times we, as readers, struggle to do that very same thing.

I believe the aspects of this book that I didn't like stem from the note of mature content that I have included. I understand that the bond between Charlotte and Harlin is unique and special and that it requires illustration of just how powerful it is, but I felt this book was too focused around that illustration being sex. For all its beauty, this book was a incredibly sex driven. I believe it is strongly for this reason that it doesn't get a better overall "rating" because I was that distracted by the content and it honestly takes a lot for me to say that.

In the end, I was left with the perfect amount of closure but with a heartbreaking desire to read A Want so Wicked. I was also left with a hint of sadness for this could have been a beautiful and gripping stand-alone for it ended in such glory. It would have left readers with a rare ending not typically found in YA literature and with a radiant story, but alas our journey with Charlotte continues and I can't wait to embark upon it.

 Rating out of 5:

 

Waiting on Wednesday: Endlessly by Kiersten White

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Breaking the Spine that gives bloggers the chance to express their longing for books before they're released!

Endlessly by Kiersten White

Mark it To-Read: Goodreads

Pre-Order: Amazon

Release Day: July 24, 2012 by HarperTeen

Try as she might, Evie can’t seem to escape her not-so-normal past. And what was supposed to be a blissfully normal school break is ruined when a massive group of paranormals shows up at her house, claiming that Evie is the only one who can protect them from a mysterious, perilous fate.

The deadly war between the faerie courts looms ever closer. The clock is ticking on the entire paranormal world. And its future rests solely in Evie’s hands.

So much for normal.

Off the Shelf Giveaway!

I want to say thanks and show some appreciation for my wonderful followers and so I am having a giveaway. I thought about posting the information yesterday but I wanted it taken seriously, not as an April Fool's (at least that is my excuse while I was really making a medieval feast for Game of Thrones)!

The nitty gritty of the giveaway is that there is a varying selection that the winner gets to chose from:

• Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
• Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
• Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
• The Near Witch (ARC) by Victoria Schwab
• Glimmerglass by Jemma Black
• Blood Red Road (ARC) by Moira Young

In the event that before the end of this giveaway the blog breaks 200 followers, I will pick TWO winners!!

•     Contest Ends April 14, 2012 at 12:01AM EST
•     Open Internationally
• In the event of 2 winners, only 1 international will be chosen
•     Must be 13 or older
•     Extra Entries are available
•     Fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter!
•     Comments are love but not entries
•     Winner will have 48 Hours to respond or another will be chosen

Insurgent Trailer!

Join me and the other Erudites to know the facts of just how awesome this trailer really is!

Pre-Order: Amazon

Mark it To-Read: Goodreads

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

More on Divergent: 

My Review | Goodreads | Amazon