Glow (Sky Chasers #1) by Amy Kathleen Ryan & a Giveaway!!

Here is the Goodreads Blurb:

What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?

Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...


Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.


But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside.

Here is my Take:

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a Goodreads First reads win for me.

If you adored Across the Universe by Beth Revis then you will enjoy Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan. It is a breathtaking journey across space with fifteen year old Waverly and her soon to be husband and Captain in training Kieran.

Come to find out that there are two identical ships launched one year apart, the New Horizon and the Empyrean. Each crew is different. One crew is religious and finds that it is lacking the ability to reproduce. They have delayed their mission to New Earth to wait for the Empyrean to aid them in their research to help them develop ways to remedy this but it is too late when they find out that the New Horizon have an agenda of their own.

Waverly finds crucial information that helps her understand how the New Horizon was plagued with their problems and who was responsible and also the conditions that the Empyrean was left in when she was taken to help the New Horizon with their fertility problems.

It is up to Waverly to decide if she wants to free Seth to help her set the Empyrean free from Kieran and another attack from the New Horizon.

This book is highly recommended to those who love YA Science Fiction

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Giveaway time. Guess what? I have an extra copy of this ARC....who wants it? Yeah, I know it is being released next week, but hey. Free book anyone?

RULES:

Must be a GCF

Must fill out this form below.

Giveaway deadline is September 16, 2011!

Famished by Lauren Hammond

I loved this book from the moment I started reading it. It makes me want to know more and making me crazy with the unknown. So if you haven't gotten a chance to pick up this book then please go do it now. I don't think that you will be disappointed at all.

Here is the Goodreads Blurb:
There is no United States. There is no world. An asteroid has destroyed what the human race knew as earth and The Great Famine has wiped out most of the surviving human population. For the few remaining survivors, food is scarce-- precious--a luxury. A luxury that most humans can’t find.

Seventeen year old Georgina Carver is fortunate. She’s survived the destruction. She eats three times a day while the rest of humanity is plagued by The Great Famine. And she’s safe, hidden away in an underground colony with her family and several other families of survivors.

All of that changes the day she’s randomly selected to be a gatherer. Georgina must leave her safe yet simple world and venture out into a world unknown. A vast, dangerous, destroyed world that could literally eat her alive.

After Georgina is severely injured, her life begins to fall apart. She can’t remember how she got home or what happened to her while she was on the new earth. The boy she is crushing on avoids her and she keeps having visions that involve an unknown person with violet eyes.

As Georgina begins to unravel the truth, it doesn’t take her long to figure out that maybe her safe yet simple life isn’t that safe at all.


My Take:
Famished by Lauren Hammond
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wowza. I loved reading this book so much I did it all at once. I couldn't stand not knowing what was going to happen next. Craving Hunger Games from Suzanne Collins? Yeah, then you will eat this series up. It will leave you FAMISHED and wanting more by the last page.


I won this book from Lauren and am so happy I got the chance to read it. A wonderful story about a colony living underground trying to survive. Georgina is one tough young lady and has heroine written all over her.


When her name is drawn from the lottery and she is paired with her long time crush, Colin, things are looking really hot and steamy. When they get to the surface to look for supplies things go from bad to worse. They have two separate lists to shop from and have to try to dig through rocks, dirt and debris for what they need.


Once they leave each others side, the adventure begins and unknowingly Georgina will meet an ally that will help her survive. A small mixture of a love triangle is in the desolate air.


Recommended for all YA lovers of dystopian times.


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Spread The Love Contest: The Sky is Everywhere

First I need to apologize for the lengthy absence I have shown on my blog lately. I have had a very trying month. My father suffered a stroke on August 4^th and we are still trying to get him back on track at home. My mother was also just diagnosed with breast cancer. She is have a mastectomy on August 31^st. I have been dealing with those medical emergencies but am glad to say that I have a great opportunity for you all. I am a couple weeks late on getting this posted so here goes.

I just finished THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson. It was poetic, romantic and full of raw emotion. Here's the blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.



I loved Lennie, and I really connected to her. I know that if you read this, you will not be disappointed.

Now, on to the fun part! Casey Mccormick @ Literary Rambles started this contest back in February and it is still going strong! I won my lucky copy from Eliza Tilton  and now it's time for one of my followers to win theirs.

Here are the rules:

Since this is a pay-it-forward contest the winner must agree to hold the same contest on their blog, preferably within two weeks. All you need to do leave a comment below. If you tweeted or Facebooked the information, let me know that as well. Deadline is next Friday, 9/9. USA only.

Athena's Curse by Stacey Darlington

Goodreads Blurb:
Is it a curse or a gift of the gods?

Thirteen-year-old Asudem has a hard enough time having snakes instead of hair but now her eyes have a burning new power that turns living things into stone. She sets out across the most dangerous part of Lower Olympus to learn how she got this infuriating ability. Her best friends, Drella the Goddess of Chaos and Vanity and Pretal the Lion Goddess, join her as she battles past the most terrifying monsters of Greek mythology on her journey to find the answers. Can she discover where she fits in this world of gods and goddesses?

My Thoughts:
Athena's Curse by Stacey Darlington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Middle Grade novel

Pages 144

Published by Bedazzled Ink Publishing and their Dragonfeather book imprint

www.dragonfeatherbooks.com

Cover Design by: Deborah Davidson


Let me start by saying that I love, love, love this amazing cover. It is vibrant and fun and stunningly beautiful. This is a story of coming to age with thirteen-year-old Asudem on a journey of self discovery. She's thirteen, her head is covered with 14 beautiful and individual snakes. Each one has their own name and personality. Her eyes burn red and can turn living objects to stone with a heated glance.


Asudem is accompanied by her friends Drella and Pretal. They are very detrimental in Asudem's quest to  find her destiny. They make an equal amount of friends and enemies during this adventure and it will keep you wondering what is going to happen next.


Asudem's journey would not be as fun, adventurous, or enlightening without all the help and guidance she receives along the way. This book is a great read for those looking for a new adventure into mythology and the Gods. Very clever read.


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Werewolf Descent by Elizabeth J. Kolodziej

Werewolf Descent by Elizabeth J. Kolodziej

My rating: 4 of 5 stars




Well now I am on the edge of my seat again. We last left Faith with Trent recovering from a butt kicking journey of her discovering her heritage of becoming a witch, being stalked by slayers, her mother revealing more than Faith wanted to know about her father's death and an uncertain fate.

Now just when Faith and Trent think that they can start building their new relationship, a new man moves to town. Vincent -- a psychic vampire, who is obsessed with Faith and is likely to move in on Trent's territory. But the problem is, Faith feels the surge of energy too when she is with Vincent. He cannot be ignored. But the question that begs to be answered is will she?

Faith's connection with Zou Tai is tested when they find that the werewolf pack is being hunted and the werewolves are being murdered. She is willing to do what she can to protect him and help his family from being kidnapped and slaughtered. Faith soon realizes that her powers will be tested when she is up against a powerful alchemist.

Friendships, bonds and futures are strained, bent and tested through this magnetically charged novel as Faith and her team go up against deadly forces, deceptive gods and love. This book was very seductive and alluring making it a tough choice for Faith.

Elizabeth surprises me again and has me wanting more as I am yet again salivating over her latest creation!

You can also read my review of her first book Vampire Kisses here.
If you want more information on Elizabeth and her work go here.


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The Lake - Banana Yoshimoto

I got the chance to read this from NetGalley

Goodreads Blurb:
A major literary sensation is back with a quietly stunning tour de force about a young woman who falls for a cult escapee.

While The Lake shows off many of the features that have made Banana Yoshimoto famous—a cast of vivid and quirky characters, simple yet nuanced prose, a tight plot with an upbeat pace—it’s also one of the most darkly mysterious books she’s ever written.
It tells the tale of a young woman who moves to Tokyo after the death of her mother, hoping to get over her grief and start a career as a graphic artist. She finds herself spending too much time staring out her window, though ... until she realizes she’s gotten used to seeing a young man across the street staring out his window, too.
They eventually embark on a hesitant romance, until she learns that he has been the victim of some form of childhood trauma. Visiting two of his friends who live a monastic life beside a beautiful lake, she begins to piece together a series of clues that lead her to suspect his experience may have had something to do with a bizarre religious cult. . . .
With its echoes of the infamous, real-life Aum Shinrikyo cult (the group that released poison gas in the Tokyo subway system), The Lake unfolds as the most powerful novel Banana Yoshimoto has written. And as the two young lovers overcome their troubled past to discover hope in the beautiful solitude of the lake in the country- side, it’s also one of her most moving.

What I thought:
The Lake by Banana Yoshimoto

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Chihiro becomes distant from her father and sees her dead mother. She is very much and introvert and loves watching out her window until she finds that she is has something in common with another neighbor in the apartment complex who window watches as well.



Chihiro befriends her window watching neighbor Nakajima and begins an intimate relationship but doesn't know how much of a commitment either one can have. Nakajima has some traumatic past experience that Chihiro is trying to figure out.



It took me awhile to get into this book. It was a good read but it didn't have me right away.



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Rules of Attraction - Simone Elkeles

Goodreads Blurb:

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

What I thought:

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This doesn't leave off where Alex and Brittany did in Perfect Chemistry. Instead it focuses on his younger brother Carlos. He comes back to live with Alex while Alex is in college. A rival gang of Carlos' in town is looking to recruit him into their new family.



However when Carlos gets busted with drugs, he is forced to go and live with friends of Alex's and starts to develop a strange friendship with Kiara. Kiara is the daughter of the professor that Carlos is staying with and she doesn't want to admit that she is falling in love with Carlos.



Carlos is in over his head with El Diablo is threatening his family if he doesn't join them. Kiara strains the boundary of their friendship and pushes the limits of their passion.



This book is highly recommended for those who love YA contemporary.



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Solid: Book Review

Solid by: Shelley Workinger       

I want to thank Shelley Workinger for sending me a free copy to read in order to give a review in light of the release of the second book in the series Settling coming out July 4, 2011. 

Solid is a captivating tale of a group of teenagers brought together by the mere fact that they were unknowingly genetically altered at birth for military use. They are brought to a military base camp and told about their possible mutations and start to make bonds with other characters through out the book. 

Our main character is Calliope Kaid or Clio as she is called by friends. She is socially awkward and doesn't always say the right things around cute boys like Jack Vallard. Clio and the rest of the group of teens soon find out weather or not the genetic altering has given them any abilities and they learn to utilize them. 

I am really looking forward to continuing the journey with Clio and her friends by reading Settling. This book really will appeal to those who enjoy YA paranormal.

The Possession Show the Love Tour!!

REPOST:
Oh Yeah Baby! I can no longer hold it in. I have to let you all know. I was one of the chosen. One of the what? One of the chosen. The one and only wonderful Ali Cross gave the me awesome opportunity to read the ARC of Elana Johnson's debut novel POSSESSION!

Here is a taste of what the book is about by what is posted on the author's page:

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself. 

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn. 

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

My take:

Don't get me started about how amazing I thought this book was...okay do! :) So meet Violet, this girl is wicked cool and quirky. She lost her sister to a society she doesn't understand, a father who went MIA and a mother who doesn't care for her. Violet (Vi) is matched with Zenn whom she has known as her soul mate for years. Control or be controlled is the premise of this book. Duty or Death!

Vi has many choices to make and they weigh heavy on her. Insert another hottie hunk here (Jag), who throws a few curves into Vi's life. Some sizzling connections and a power hungry monster and a few intriguing people from her past lie in Vi's path, forcing her to make choices she doesn't want to make.

Anyone who is interested in reading about people who can use mind control, voice influence, can sense technical power sources, see premonitions and all the latest tech gear than you really want to either pre-order or go and pick this one up. It hits stores on June 7, 2011.

Vampyre Kisses Review

Vampyre Kisses by Elizabeth J. Kolodziej

Goodreads blurb:

Vampyre Kisses is an enthralling story about a young woman named Faith, who seems content with her life, but deep down craves more excitement. Then a mysterious man named Trent enters her world and everything changes. Surprising to Faith, Trent is a green-eyed vampire from Ireland. She is even more amazed to find out that she is a witch, and the last of her kind. 

Faith learns that she is destined to restore her witch line and becomes more powerful as she gains confidence and knowledge, but danger lurks everywhere -- especially when unknown assailants steal the most important gems from the vampire master and werewolf royalty. 

Now surrounded by a world filled with mystifying vampires and werewolves, can Faith gain enough power to help her friends and rescue the stolen gems? 

My Take:

When I first started reading Vampyre Kisses I wasn’t sure where it was going to go. I’ve read many vampire novels and they’ve lead me down the same road of mortal girl falls for immortal vampire and they live happily ever after. La, la, la.

I would like to say that Vampyre Kisses has enlightened me by showing me that there are other ways of intertwining immortals and supernatural love and also finding ways of complicating things.

Our main character Faith is best friends with her ex-boyfriend, Max. Untraditional, but this relationship works really well throughout this book. Faith meets many challenges in her life from work, love and family. Faith also transitions and develops a new sense of self.

Faith encounters Trent, a tantalizing Irish vampire and forges a bond in more way than one. For those who crave the love triangle there is still hope when Faith meets Zou Tai, prince of werewolves. These three, along with Max are brought together on a quest to restore the stolen blood gems to rightful houses. Elizabeth didn’t hold out, she put in the whole kit and caboodle, so go check out her book “Vampyre Kisses”.  I look forward to the next installment.

Vampyre Kisses anyone?

Anyone interested please go to her blog http://www.vampyrekisses.com
Here is from her blog:
I hope everyone is having a good week and ready for the holidays. So I have a new plan for Vampyre Kisses that I want to try out. I may not start doing this fully until next year when I get back from vacation but I want to see if there is any interest.


What I am thinking of doing is getting 100 bloggers to read my book Vampyre Kisses and do a review. The review should be listed on their website, goodreads, shelfari, amazon, and smashwords. I know its several different sites but all you got to do is copy and paste. 


Now, I know bloggers that do book reviews are normally very busy. So I am trying to think of something I can offer you (beside the free eBook of Vampyre Kisses). Oh BTW even if you don’t have an eReader you can still read the book in PDF form on your computer. So no worries there! But BESIDES that, I am thinking that the reviewers could choose a couple different things. You could do a guest post on my blog to get more followers at your own website. I could list your link on my blog roll or if you have a banner I can create a page and have your banner there as a wbesite I “support”. I could send you a free sticker and/or bookmark. OR! I could send you some free short stories I wrote. 


If you can think of something that would be a better trade let me know. Or if you think I don’t need to bother trading thats kewl too. I am not trying to bribe anyone to give me a good review. Just want to make it worth your wild.


But if you are interested in doing this PLEASE let me know! I need more reviews.


Happy Reading!


<3′s and Fangs,
Liz ^_^
Elizabeth_Kolodziej@vampyrekisses.com