Waiting on Wednesday (34)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we can't wait to read.

My pick is Split Second by Kasie West!

Goodreads summary:

Life can change in a split second.

Addie hardly recognizes her life since her parents divorced. Her boyfriend used her. Her best friend betrayed her. She can’t believe this is the future she chose. On top of that, her ability is acting up. She’s always been able to Search the future when presented with a choice. Now she can manipulate and slow down time, too . . . but not without a price.

When Addie’s dad invites her to spend her winter break with him, she jumps at the chance to escape into the Norm world of Dallas, Texas. There she meets the handsome and achingly familiar Trevor. He’s a virtual stranger to her, so why does her heart do a funny flip every time she sees him? But after witnessing secrets that were supposed to stay hidden, Trevor quickly seems more suspicious of Addie than interested in her. And she has an inexplicable desire to change that.

Meanwhile, her best friend, Laila, has a secret of her own: she can restore Addie’s memories . . . once she learns how. But there are powerful people who don’t want to see this happen. Desperate, Laila tries to manipulate Connor, a brooding bad boy from school—but he seems to be the only boy in the Compound immune to her charms. And the only one who can help her.

As Addie and Laila frantically attempt to retrieve the lost memories, Addie must piece together a world she thought she knew before she loses the love she nearly forgot . . . and a future that could change everything.

My thoughts:

I'm ridiculously excited for Split Second, the sequel to Pivot Point.  Kasie West is one of my favorite authors ever.  I loved both Pivot Point and her contemporary novel, The Distance Between Us.  I can always count on her stories to be full of spunk, wit, and sass.  Can't wait for this one!

Split Second releases February 11, 2014.

What are you waiting on this week? 

~ Kaitlyn

ARC Review: Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spalding

Goodreads summary:

For Kellie Brooks, family has always been a tough word to define. Combine her hippie mom and tattooist stepdad, her adopted overachieving sister, her younger half brother, and her tough-love dad, and average Kellie’s the one stuck in the middle, overlooked and impermanent. When Kellie’s sister finally meets her birth mother and her best friend starts hanging with a cooler crowd, the feeling only grows stronger.

But then she reconnects with Oliver, the sweet and sensitive college guy she had a near hookup with last year. Oliver is intense and attractive, and she’s sure he’s totally out of her league. But as she discovers that maybe intensity isn’t always a good thing, it’s yet another relationship she feels is spiraling out of her control.

It’ll take a new role on the school newspaper and a new job at her mom’s tattoo shop for Kellie to realize that defining herself both outside and within her family is what can finally allow her to feel permanent, just like a tattoo.
My review:

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Ink is Thicker Than Water.  This book is an engaging, thoughtful contemporary that I'd recommend for Sarah Dessen fans.  I'm definitely going to have to check out this author's previous book, The Reece Malcolm List.

What I love about this book is how it's simply about everyday life.  Although it's fun to read imaginative fantasy books or dystopians, sometimes it's nice to just relax with a coming-of-age contemporary book.  I found that I could really relate to Kellie and her desire to figure out who she is.  I was also surprised by the humor laced throughout the story.  Kellie has a hilariously dry wit that made me highlight multiple lines in my Kindle. 

Oh, and the relationships in this book are written so realistically - especially Kellie's relationship with her sister, best friend, and boyfriend.  She and her sister argue sometimes, but they're also there for each other despite all the changes happening in their family.  And I love how Kellie and her best friend, Kaitlyn (who has the same name as me - even spelled the same way, which hardly ever happens, haha) slowly drift away, but eventually realize that they don't have to be enemies and can still be friends, even if they're not as close as they once were.  Lastly, Kellie and her boyfriend Oliver have such a realistically awkward relationship.  They don't always get along perfectly and their personalities clash at times.  I love the way their relationship is resolved at the end of the book.

As I mentioned, Kellie is a great main character.  With her witty voice, it's easy to like her.  I thought she was a pretty mature character, but I also like how she has a few flaws.  And she can be a little dorky at times and unsure of what she wants in life.  It's the perfect coming-of-age story.  The minor characters are amazing too; I love her quirky family.  There's not much to the plot; but it never bothered me that it was just about everyday life.  There always several storylines happening concerning Kellie and her family and friends, as well as some great life lessons, and it held my attention very well.

Ink is Thicker Than Water is a wonderfully thought-provoking contemporary.  It really reminded me of a Sarah Dessen book, so if you enjoy Dessen's work, you should definitely check this out.  This book is perfect for those looking for a realistic coming-of-age story.

Favorite quote (takes place on Halloween): "Why are you Batgirl?" Adelaide asks.  "What's the significance?"
"My little brother had most of this stuff already," I say.  "The significance is laziness."

* I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thanks!

My rating:  4 out of 5 stars

~ Kaitlyn

Stacking the Shelves (9)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.

Here's my haul for the week (featuring my penguin rug in the background lol)!

Books I bought/received:
- Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano
- Minders by Michelle Jaffe
- Like Moonlight at Low Tide by Nicole Quigley
- Hover by Melissa West

Books I got from the library:
- Splintered by A.G. Howard
- Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan
- Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
- Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

I've only read Perfect Ruin, which I absolutely loved, so far.  I'm especially excited to dive into Splintered and Crown of Midnight, though!

What's in your haul this week?

~ Kaitlyn

ARC Review: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Goodreads summary:

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

--

A timeless love story, THESE BROKEN STARS sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.

My review:

I don't even know where to start.  These Broken Stars was so utterly amazing, and I was on an emotional rollercoaster basically the whole time I was reading it.  I had ridiculously high expectations, and this book totally lived up to them.  It'll easily be going on my top ten favorite books of 2013 list.  This book is spectacular, and I predict that it will be garnering many other five-star reviews when it releases in December.

First, that blurb is absolutely amazing.  As many others have said, it's like Titanic in space.  I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any better than that.  But the best thing is that this book truly does go beyond your expectations.  There's not a single thing I disliked, and that's very rare for me.  The characters, plot, world-building, writing, pacing, it was all perfect.

I LOVE the complex relationship between Lilac and Tarver.  They are two starkly different people who are forced to become allies in order to survive.  Their relationship reminded me of Han Solo and Leia from Star Wars at first; as they'd constantly be having petty arguments and making snarky comments.  I don't know if the resemblance of Lilac and Tarver to Leia and Han Solo was intentional, but I absolutely adored it. :D

Tarver and Lilac are wonderful characters.  I love the dual POVs, it's so fun to read about their perceptions of each other.  The authors do a fabulous of job of developing the characters of Lilac and Tarver as the story moves along.  They're both flawed, yet immensely likeable characters.

The romance?  Completely swoon-worthy.  There's just the right amount of romance, too.  The romance is neatly woven into the storyline and never feels like overkill.  I love how it's so subtly written.  Lilac and Tarver go from dislike to allies to tentative friendship to eventual romance, and you can't help swooning as you watch them slowly fall in love.  Now, it's one of my favorite love stories of all time in YA literature.

The plot is so full of suspense.  It's so intense - from the crash of the Icarus at the beginning to the very end of the book.  I want to talk so badly about the last quarter of the book, but I can't because that would mean major spoilers.  However, you should know that the plot never lets up - there's always some important development happening.  Then, just when you think you couldn't get any more emotionally invested, the book hits the 75% mark.  Believe me, once you hit that point, there is no way you'll be able to put the book down until you reach the ending.

Suffice it to say, These Broken Stars is now an all-time favorite.  I can't gush about it enough.  The plot is pure genius, the love story is gorgeously written, and there's some phenomenal character development.  I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the second book.  Read this book.  You'll be blown away.

* I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thanks!

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

~ Kaitlyn

Waiting on Wednesday (33)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we can't wait to read.

My pick is White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout!

Goodreads summary:

One kiss could be the last

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

My thoughts:

I'll read anything that JLA writes.  She's one of my favorite authors, ever.  I've met her twice and she's just as nice in person as she is online.  And this new series sounds so unique.  I mean, gargoyles?  Pure awesomeness. :) This is definitely one of my most anticipated reads of 2014!

White Hot Kiss releases on February 25, 2014.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

~ Kaitlyn

Book Review: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Goodreads summary:

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

My review:

*Warning: mild spoilers*

Allegiant is such a difficult book to rate.  It took me a while to decide on a rating, but in the end I decided on 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.  If it weren't for the ending, though, this would probably be 3 stars.

Okay, so what happened to the amazing writing in Divergent and Insurgent?  Those books were fast-paced, action-packed, and had strong characters.  And I felt like Allegiant was lacking slightly in all those areas.  The pacing was weird, making me occasionally bored with the plot.  There was a fair amount of action, but there was also too much useless, boring dialogue between the characters.  And what happened to the formerly kick-butt Tobias?  While I still liked Tris in Allegiant, Tobias was more wimpy than he was in the previous books.  His POV and Tris's were way too similar.

Still, there were definitely moments in Allegiant that I appreciated.  I love the minor characters; they each stand out in their own way.  There are a couple adorable Tris/Tobias scenes.  Mostly, though, I love how Roth writes about relationships.  I love the tension between Tris and her brother, Caleb, and how Tris has to decide the importance of family and how far she'll go to save her family and friends.  I thought their brother/sister bond was written very realistically.  There's quite a few quotes that I loved, too.  Roth writes beautifully about the meaning of bravery and sacrifice.

I'm still in shock over the ending.  I disliked it at first, even though it made sense and was very fitting.  But now, I have to say that, as sad as the ending is, I do like it.  I admire Roth for that ending; it took guts to write that.  It's very heartbreaking and actually moved me to tears, but I'm happy with it.  Not every dystopian has to have a happily-ever-after ending, and Roth has proved that.

Although Allegiant didn't hold my attention as much as the previous books, I still found it to be a thought-provoking and enjoyable read.  I can't wait to see what Veronica Roth writes next!

My rating:  3.5 out of 5 stars

~ Kaitlyn

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Covers I Wish I Could Redesign

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Broke and Bookish.  Each week, a new list topic is posted, and book bloggers fill in their choices.  This week's topic is "Top Ten Covers I Wish I Could Redesign."

My Top Ten:

1.

Loved this book, but the cover's disappointing.  I think the colors and design are just overall kind of boring.

2.

I disliked this cover right away, although it is growing on me a bit.  Personally I think it's too plain.  I preferred the other covers in this series with their bright, eye-catching covers.

3.

Meh.  Not a big fan of this cover.  It would more accurately represent the book if the cover gave off more of a whimsical, fairytale vibe. 

4.

I think I'm in the minority here, but I can't stand this cover.  I hate the blurry, faded look, and I think the girl's bangs are hideous.

5.

Sometimes, I really like covers where the title is printed in big letters across the page.  But Ten's cover is just so dull.  The font is so boring!  The island, at least, fits the book well, but I can't get past the ugly font.

6.

Again, I think this is a cover most people love, but I can't stand it.  If not for the great reviews, I never would have picked up this book (thankfully I did, and now it's an all-time favorite!).  I like the purple sparkly background, but that's it.

7.

Confession: for the longest time, I simply could not figure out what was supposed to be on the cover.  (I know, I know. *smacks head*)  When it finally hit me that it was a silhouette of the girl's face, I was plain-out annoyed.  I so wish the cover was something easier on the eyes and more attention-grabbing.

8.

Love this book to death, but that cover is terrible.  I adore the covers for Prodigy and Champion, the later books in the series, but I've never been able to like Legend's cover.  I hate the colors so much.  I wish it was as pretty and colorful as the other covers for this series.

9.

I don't really like this cover, or the newly redesigned cover.  Same problem I had with Unremembered - I'm not a fan of the faded look.  I think the way the two images are blended is just weird-looking.

10.

Ugh.  This wouldn't be such a terrible cover if they had just redesigned the girl.  I mean, look at how awkward her position is.  Her posture is just painful to look at.  Definitely not a fan of this one.


What's on your TTT?  Leave a link to your blog in the comments!

~ Kaitlyn

ARC Review: Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

Goodreads summary:

From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a good girl with a reckless streak, a street-smart guy with nothing to lose, and a romance forged in the fast lane

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

My review:

How does Katie McGarry do it?  With each book, she gets better and better.  She is, without a doubt, one of my favorite contemporary authors ever.  I'm impressed with how she continually writes heart-pounding, realistic contemporary stories that never fail to wow me with their well-developed characters and swoony romances.

I think Rachel might be my favorite main character from McGarry's books.  It was refreshing that she wasn't as tough and jaded as Echo and Beth were.  I guess the best way to describe Rachel would be that she's innocent and naïve - which is true - and yet that description implies that she's annoyingly clueless, which she absolutely isn't.  Rachel may be considered innocent and naïve, but she's also smart and determined, and I thought she was a very strong heroine. 

Rachel is a lot like me, actually.  She has a fear of public speaking and suffers from panic attacks, which she tries to hide from her family.  I've never suffered a panic attack, thankfully, but I hate being in the spotlight and could completely relate to her and the emotions she felt.  I love her character arc and how, throughout the book, she learned to stand on her own and open herself up to her family.

Isaiah is a great character too.  He's the exact opposite of Rachel with his dark past and tough attitude, and yet he's so respectful and kind to Rachel that you can't help falling for him.  What I loved best about him, though, is how far he'll go to protect Rachel.  He was so protective of her and I couldn't stop swooning, much like this:



I love the romance between Isaiah and Rachel.  It may be considered insta-love, but as I've said before, insta-love can work if it's well-written, and this is Katie McGarry - duh, it's obviously very well-written!  Isaiah and Rachel's relationship is pushed to the limit as the book progresses.  They have to decide whether they truly trust each other, and they learn to work together to pay a debt that has put their lives in jeopardy. 

The plot, of course, is fantastic.  I thought there was a lot more drama and action than in the previous books, and I think the stakes are even higher in this one!  Now, to be honest, I have no clue about cars or street racing, and I'm really not a car person at all.  But, I actually found myself drawn into this aspect of the story.  It's unique and interesting to read about, and I grew to love Isaiah and Rachel's shared passion for cars.  I love how fitting the title of the book is, too. :)

I absolutely loved Crash Into You.  If you haven't read any of Katie McGarry's books yet, you're missing out on some of the best contemporary books I've ever read!  As always with this author's books, Crash Into You has heart-pounding drama, a gorgeous love story, and amazingly developed characters.  I can't wait for the next book, Take Me On, to come out!

* I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thanks!

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

~ Kaitlyn

Waiting on Wednesday (32)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we can't wait to read.

My pick is Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi!

Goodreads summary:

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Times bestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

My thoughts:

I'm ridiculously excited about this book.  Veronica Rossi is one of my favorite dystopian authors ever.  It seems like she gets better and better with each book.  I can't wait to find out what happens to all my favorite characters - especially Roar <3 - in Into the Still Blue!  The release date is January 28, 2014.

What book are you waiting on this Wednesday?

~ Kaitlyn

Book Review: Eramane by Frankie Ash

Goodreads summary:

In the village of Eludwid, seventeen-year-old Eramane Fahnestock goes about her life, cheerfully disregarding a prophecy made to her parents that she would have a great gift. Not yet wed and beset with boredom, Eramane cannot shake the feeling that something exciting awaits her beyond Eludwid. But when she is invited to picnic with a handsome young suitor, Eramane has no i...more In the village of Eludwid, seventeen-year-old Eramane Fahnestock goes about her life, cheerfully disregarding a prophecy made to her parents that she would have a great gift. Not yet wed and beset with boredom, Eramane cannot shake the feeling that something exciting awaits her beyond Eludwid. But when she is invited to picnic with a handsome young suitor, Eramane has no idea that her life will soon change forever.

As Eramane prepares for her date, she is suddenly hypnotized by a strange voice that tells her he will be coming for her that night. Unsettled but determined to press forward, Eramane and her suitor, Lebis, head to the woods to enjoy their picnic. As darkness falls on the forest, however, a beast emerges, transforming their beautiful outing into a terrifying scene. Taken captive and carried away to a mountain hideaway, Eramane finds her memories are soon clouded, even as her family frantically searches for her back home.

In this gripping fantasy tale, evil is summoned to the mountaintop, forcing a young woman to discover her magical gifts and exact revenge against a beast determined to destroy everything she has ever loved.

 

My review:

 

I had the opportunity to meet the lovely Frankie Ash while we were both attending a book signing in VA.  We started talking about books, and she mentioned that she'd just had a book published recently, then kindly offered me a copy!  She even signed it for me.  She was very sweet and I enjoyed getting to meet and talk to her.  So I was very excited to start reading Eramane.

 

I really enjoyed this book.  I like the fantasy world it's set in and how it's explored.  I appreciated the descriptions of the village of Eludwid at the beginning; it gave me a great idea of the setting.  The bond between the Eramane's family is something else I liked a lot; they love each other and will stop at nothing to protect each other.  Eramane herself is a strong, likeable character who has a good character arc.  As the story progresses, she suffers a lot, but she never gives up and I liked that about her.

 

That being said, I do think the second half of the book is a little weaker than the first half.  We get to see the point of view of Eramane's brother, which I liked since this meant a lot more action.  Eramane's storyline, however, felt a little more slow-paced and vague.  There's lots of action at the end, though.  Ash doesn't hold back in making her characters suffer, and that really makes this a strong fantasy book.  This promising debut is a fun read for fantasy fans!

 

My rating:  3.5 out of 5 stars

 

~ Kaitlyn

ARC Review: Pawn by Aimee Carter

Goodreads summary:

YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

My review:

I liked Aimee Carter's Goddess Test series well enough, but Pawn completely blew me away.  It's so much better than the Goddess Test series.  The pacing has tightened, the writing has improved, and there's lots more action and drama.  I'm happy to say that Carter's writing only gets better with each book!

Like so many others, I'm tired of all the dystopians constantly being published.  Pawn, however, manages to bring freshness and originality to the dystopian genre.  I was impressed by the world-building and the way Carter explains how the world is set up.  Her writing is stellar and her pacing has improved so much from her previous books.  I honestly couldn't put this down, and I was never bored for a moment while reading it.

Oh, Kitty.  She was a really fun main character.  She's so spunky!  I love how she always had a witty comeback and was so determined to become more than a pawn.  And for those who are afraid of a love triangle, there is none.  Instead, the romance is sweet and cute.

And the plot?  Oh my word, the plot left me breathless.  There's so much drama and political intrigue.  People are constantly hiding secrets and double-crossing one another, and you never know who Kitty can trust.  In a way, it reminded me of Katniss in The Hunger Games.  She was also a pawn to President Snow, much like Kitty is to the Harts.  There's tons of action in Pawn, too, up till the very end.  The story ends with a bang that will leave you dying for the next book.

I'd recommend Pawn to everyone, especially if you're a fan of The Hunger Games - and I don't say that lightly. This was a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat read that really sticks out from all the other dystopians with its high level of intrigue, wit, and action.  I can't wait for the sequel!

*Thanks to Netgalley for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Favorite quote: 
"Kitty," he said, as if he was testing out my name.  "Is that short for something?"
"Yeah," I said.  "It's short for 'my mother was insane and had a thing for cats.'"

My rating:  4 out of 5 stars

~ Kaitlyn

My Top 5 Books of October 2013

Um, how is it already November?  I can't believe Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming up!  Hopefully holiday breaks will mean I get more reading in.  I didn't read as many books this month because I've been so busy with school.

Here's the books I read in October:

- Ten by Gretchen McNeil
- Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
- Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston
- The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson
- Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins
- The Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
- House of Hades by Rick Riordan
- Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame
- Olivia Twisted by Vivi Barnes
- The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider
- The Elementals by Saundra Mitchell
- Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
- Eramane by Frankie Ash
- The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
- Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young
- Pawn by Aimee Carter
- Allegiant by Veronica Roth
- Altered by Gennifer Albin

My top 5 favorites:

1. The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider.  This heartbreaking contemporary story is easily an all-time favorite.  Highly recommended for John Green fans.  I was alternately laughing and crying while reading this.  This book was perfect in every way.

2. The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson.  An awesome ending to the Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy.  Carson excels at writing well-crafted fantasy books, and I love the romance between Elisa and Hector.  This final book does not disappoint.  Rae Carson is definitely one of my favorite authors, and I can't wait to see what she writes next!

3. House of Hades by Rick Riordan.  Um, how can you not love anything Rick Riordan writes?  He's pretty much the king of YA Greek mythology.  What you need to know about this book: there will be tears, both of joy and sadness.  There is an abundance of our beloved Percabeth.  And Leo is as awesome as ever.  (Thank goodness there was no major cliffhanger ending!!)

4. Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins.  I thought this book would just be a cute contemporary, but it's so much more!  I empathized with all the characters and was surprised by how well-written and emotional this book was.  A wonderful, fun read!

5. Pawn by Aimee Carter.  Oh, you guys.  Pawn is SO much better than Carter's Goddess Test series.  Her pacing and writing has improved by leaps and bounds, the heroine is spunky and likeable, and the action and drama never let up.  I know everyone's tired of dystopians, but I have to say, Pawn is absolutely one that I'd recommend - it'll really keep you on the edge of your seat.

Honorable mentions to Rebel Angels and The Darkest Minds. :) What were some of your favorite reads from the past month?

P.S. My review of Pawn by Aimee Carter will be posted this weekend!

~ Kaitlyn