In My Mailbox (9)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

Grrr.  Blogger isn't letting me upload pictures of my books right now, so I'm annoyed.  Ah well, I shall just list the books I've gotten this week instead, and if Blogger decides to cooperate later I'll upload my pics.  *gives death glare to Blogger*

Books I bought/got from the library this week:

- The Essence by Kimberly Derting
- Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
- Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
- Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
- Wicked Jealous by Robin Palmer
- Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson

So far I've read The Essence, Wicked Lovely, and Confessions of a Murder Suspect.  My review of The Essence will be posted in the next day or two!  Anyway, I want to try to read Lola and the Boy Next Door sometime soon this week.  I absolutely adored Anna and the French Kiss (the author's first book), so I can't wait to read about Lola!

Feel free to leave links to your IMMs in the comments so I can check them out! :)

~ The Bookworm

Book Review: Touching the Surface

Goodreads summary:

Experience the afterlife in this lyrical, paranormal debut novel that will send your heart soaring.

When Elliot finds herself dead for the third time, she knows she must have messed up, big-time. She doesn’t remember how she landed in the afterlife again, but she knows this is her last chance to get things right.

Elliot just wants to move on, but first she will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she’d rather keep buried. Memories of people she’s hurt, people she’s betrayed…and people she’s killed.

As she pieces together the secrets and mistakes of her past, Elliot must find a way to earn the forgiveness of the person she’s hurt most, and reveal the truth about herself to the two boys she loves…even if it means losing them both forever

My review:

I was very excited to read this book.  I adored both the cover and the summary, so I was hoping it would be as good as it looked.  Well, about one-third into the story, I liked it well enough.  It was just a bit...weird?  Awkward?  Some of the characters behaved strangely, and the story was slightly confusing at times.

So why did I rate this five stars?  As I continued reading, this story really grew on me and I began to find myself attached to the characters.  More of the characters' past is revealed, and the stakes start rising.  Quickly, I became sucked into the story and it turned into an unforgettable experience.

I usually know right away when I love a book.  For me, it's rare start reading a book, find it mediocre, and then suddenly like it a lot more.  But that's just what happened with Touching the Surface.  The author does an excellent job of creating a unique afterlife and characters that will stick in your mind long after you finish the story.

The characters are great; full of depth and easy to relate to.  Elliot, the main character, is probably my favorite throughout the whole novel.  Some might call her self-absorbed, but I like her because she's real and imperfect.  She has to face her flaws and start caring for others more.  I love the character growth she has in this story.

Then there's Trevor, who I disliked at first because I thought he was a jerk.  But as the story progresses, we learn that he's not like that at all.  He becomes a strong, likeable hero by the time the story is over.  Also, I love how, in the afterlife, his t-shirts always have a funny saying on them that reflects what he's thinking.  That was a clever touch!

The minor characters really add to the story as well.  They are all different and each play important parts.  The plot is so interesting and thought-provoking as Elliot and the others try to figure out a sense of self and what their purpose in life was.  And the prose is lyrical and lovely.  A couple of my favorite quotes are: "What I've started to figure out is that the things I avoid the most seem to have the most importance" and "Life and death unfold and every moment is a mystery to all of us, but the mystery isn't that it happens, it's what we do with it."

With a unique and refreshing take on the afterlife, thought-provoking themes, and complex, interesting characters, Touching the Surface is definitely an amazing read.  The only reason I give it 4.5 stars is because I think the first 100 pages or so are slightly slow and a touch confusing.   Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more of Kimberly Sabatini's future work!

My rating:  9 out of 10 (4.5 stars)

~ The Bookworm

Waiting on Wednesday: The Goddess Inheritance

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 The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter!

Goodreads summary:

Love or life.
Henry or their child.
The end of her family or the end of the world.
Kate must choose.

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity.

My thoughts:

I can't wait for this book to come out in about a month and a half!  This is the final book in the Goddess Test series and I'm really excited for it.  I've enjoyed this series so far, with its unique spin on Greek mythology.  It's very interesting.  And after that major cliffhanger at the end of the previous book, I'm especially looking forward to The Goddess Inheritance's release!

Leave links to your WoW in the comments!  Happy reading, everyone! :)

~ The Bookworm

Book Review: Nevermore

Goodreads summary:

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

My review:

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.  A good friend of mine had read it recently and really disliked it, so I was prepared to dislike it too.  But it actually wasn't as bad as I was expecting - it was a very creative, engrossing read!

I was so afraid that Nevermore would be full of cliches.  After all, the summary sure sounds like it: Blonde cheerleader?  Check.  Possessive boyfriend?  Check.  Bad boy?  Check.  Well, the author does a great job of making the story different and original.  Isobel isn't one of those annoying, airheaded cheerleaders.  Instead, she takes cheerleading seriously and works hard at it.  Her boyfriend actually plays an important role in the story.  And "bad boy" Varen isn't as much of a bad boy as he might appear, he's actually a mysterious, witty guy and I adored his character.

The characters really are done well.  I connected a lot with Isobel and the struggles she goes through.  I particularly liked her parents and younger brother, Danny.  They feel like a very real family and it was so nice to read a paranormal book where the parents aren't absent and actually have important parts in the story. 

Creagh's writing is absolutely beautiful.  It's gorgeous, poetic, and full of lovely metaphors and descriptions.  She does a wonderful job describing details, setting the mood of the story, and creating vivid imagery.  My only complaint is that there's a bit too much description at times.  Sometimes it made me lose focus on the story a little.

The plot is really great, too.  It is pretty slow-moving, but it's never boring.  The last 100 pages are the best part, I think.  The author takes Edgar Allen Poe's stories and turns them into this fascinating, fantasy dream world.  It was delightful and creepy at the same time.  And can I say, that cliffhanger at the end is pretty cruel.  I can't wait to read the sequel!

I'm so glad this ended up being so original and exciting.  Nevermore stands out from most paranormal YA fiction.  If you enjoy creative paranormal stories and strong characters, then I'd recommend trying Nevermore!

My rating:  8 out of 10 (4 stars)

~ The Bookworm

Book Review: The Lost Girl

Goodreads summary:

Eva's life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination--an echo. She was made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her "other," if she ever died. Eva spends every day studying that girl from far away, learning what Amarra does, what she eats, what it's like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.

But sixteen years of studying never prepared her for this.

Now she must abandon everything and everyone she's ever known--the guardians who raised her, the boy she's forbidden to love--to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive.

What Eva finds is a grief-stricken family; parents unsure how to handle this echo they thought they wanted; and Ray, who knew every detail, every contour of Amarra. And when Eva is unexpectedly dealt a fatal blow that will change her existence forever, she is forced to choose: Stay and live out her years as a copy or leave and risk it all for the freedom to be an original. To be Eva.

From debut novelist Sangu Mandanna comes the dazzling story of a girl who was always told what she had to be--until she found the strength to decide for herself.

My review:

I cannot recommend this book enough.  Going into it, I had the feeling that this would be the type of book I would really love.  And I was right - I completely love it, and it was even better than I had hoped.

I've never read a book quite like this.  I was immersed in Eva's story from the very beginning.  All the characters - Mina Ma, Erik, Sean, and so many more - are realistic and heartwarming.  I completely fell in love with Amarra's family, from her poor parents to her endearing little brother and sweet little sister.  And Eva herself - I loved her so much and was rooting for her through her whole journey.  It's impossible not to like her.  These characters have a way of latching onto you and making you feel what they're feeling.

And the writing.  Oh, it's so lovely.  There's this certain richness and depth to it that made all the scenery easy to envision.  The way everything was described - the world, the characters and their behaviors, the dialogue...it all sucked me into the story.  The pacing in this book was perfect.  It was never too slow moving or too fast, and I couldn't get enough.  I kept turning the pages until I knew what was going to happen to Eva. 

I don't even have any complaints about the romance (which is a rarity for me!).  It's so perfect and beautiful.  I liked Sean right away.  I love how he's such an important part of Eva's life and how they have such a strong bond even before they fall in love.  I feared that there'd be a love triangle with the addition of Ray, but there's not.  The author handled Ray's character very well; he is an interesting part of the story and plays an important role.

This book is such a tearjerker.  I cry occasionally when I read a book that's particularly moving, but The Lost Girl had me in tears several times while reading it.  If you can believe it, I even had a tear in my eyes from a fable that is told only fifty pages into the story!  I cried when Eva is betrayed, when no one stands up for her, when people don't believe she has a right to live.  This book is so emotional and heart-wrenching, but in a completely beautiful way. 

Everyone should read The Lost Girl.  It's one of those stories that will stay with you for a long time, and I'm so glad I read this book.  I can believe this is Sangu Mandanna's debut; it's that good.  I absolutely can't wait to read more of this author's work in the future.

My rating:  10 out of 10 (5 stars)

~ The Bookworm

Book Review: A Fractured Light

Goodreads summary:

When she wakes up in unfamiliar surroundings, Skye knows something terrible has happened to her. It's not until she hears Asher, the dark, rebellious angel she fell in love with, that the memories come flooding back. She tries to put the past behind her, but she knows she'll be forever haunted by the ruthless betrayal that almost took her life.

Skye returns home, but with the knowledge of who she really is, nothing can ever be the same. As she tests the limits of her newfound powers, Skye discovers that she's capable of far more than anyone could have imagined. Both the Order and the Rebellion want her for their side as war between the factions looms. She can't forget the terrifying truth she now knows about the Order, but something holds her back from embracing the Rebellion.

A Fractured Light picks up right after A Beautiful Dark's shocking cliffhanger ending and is perfect for fans of Lauren Kate's Fallen and Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush saga.

My review:

The summary says "perfect for fans of Fallen and Hush, Hush."  Well, honestly, I should've known.  I despised both Fallen and Hush, Hush, so I guess it's no surprise that I didn't like A Fractured Light.  Anyway, it's been nearly a year since I read A Beautiful Dark, the first in this series.  I rated it three stars, but now that I think about it, it's probably closer to two.  To me, this series is very meh and boring. The only good thing is that this book is a very fast read, at least for me - I read it in three hours.

Absolutely nothing happens in this book until the last ten or fifteen pages.  Seriously.  I kept flipping the pages and wondering when the action would come, and it never did.  Skye spends all her time talking and arguing with her family and friends, worrying about what the bad guys will do, and hanging out with Asher.  It was so boring.  There are a couple cool scenes, like when she actually starts using her new powers, but that's all I liked.  This book definitely suffers from "Middle Book Syndrome."  Nothing new happened.  The plot hardly progressed at all.

I really couldn't stand the characters either.  Skye is so indecisive, I just wanted to shake her at times!  For most of the book, she thinks she's in love with Asher, but then she thinks he's hiding things from her and manipulating her, and then Devin shows up and she thinks that he's not completely evil.  She's just so wishy-washy, and it got on my nerves.  I don't like Asher or Devin either; they are very bland, typical YA love interests.  The only character I halfway like is Skye's friend Cassie - she's funny and sweet.

But overall, I'm just not a fan of this series.  It's not as eye-bleeding as Fallen and Hush, Hush, but it's very mediocre and shallow.  If my library gets the final book, I might pick it up just to see how the trilogy ends, but otherwise I'm not terribly interested in reading it.  If you're looking for a really good series about angels, try the Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand.

My rating:  4 out of 10 (2 stars)

~ The Bookworm

My Top 5 Books of December 2012

Each month I post a list of the books I read and what my top five favorite books of the month were.  Here's all the books I read in December:

- Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier
- Jane by April Lindner
- Radiant by Cynthia Hand
- Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
- Endlessly by Kiersten White
- Reached by Ally Condie
- Out of Reach by Carrie Arcos
- Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer
- A Girl Named Digit by Annabel Monaghan
- Flash Point by Nancy Kress
- The Kingdom by Bryan M. Litfin
- Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
- The Unnaturalists by Tiffany Trent
- Starters by Lissa Price
- Liberator by Bryan Davis
- From the Mouth of Elijah by Bryan Davis
- The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
- Venom by Fiona Paul
- Crewel by Gennifer Albin
- Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill
- A Fractured Light by Jocelyn Davies
- The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna
- Survive by Alex Morel

I was able to read more books than I expected, since I had more free time over Christmas break.  While there were a handful of books I disliked this month, I read lots of fantastic books.

1. Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout.  Any time I read a JLA book, it always ends up number one on my "top 5 books of the month" post.  Opal is no exception.  This book was heartbreaking, gorgeous, awesome, and had one of the worst cliffhangers EVER.  I can't wait for Origin to come out in July.

2. Reached by Ally Condie.  There's something so poetic and lovely about Condie's writing, and the strong characters she creates.  Reached was a wonderful ending to the Matched series, and I cannot wait to see what this talented author writes next.

3. The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna.  Oh, this book was good.  Unlike anything I've ever read.  It grabbed my attention immediately and I could not put down this heartbreaking story of one girl's right to live.  Very highly recommended.

4. Crewel by Gennifer Albin.  This is one of my favorite new dystopians.  I don't care if you're sick of dystopians.  Read this.  It will blow away all your expectations with its creativity.

5. Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill.  This book was full of win!  It was so cute and funny.  The characters were so lovable and that unexpected twist at the end was awesome!  If you're looking for a lighthearted, girly read, try this.

Honorable mentions go to The Dark Unwinding, Throne of Glass, and Venom!

What are some of your favorite reads from this past month?  Leave a comment and let me know. :)

~ The Bookworm