30. svi 2012.

Blog Tour & Giveaway: The House on Blackstone Moor by Carole Gill






Book summary:

The House on Blackstone Moor is a tale of vampirism, madness, obsession and devil worship as Rose Baines, only survivor of her family’s carnage, tells her story. Fragile, damaged by the tragedy, fate sends her to a desolate house on the haunted moors where demons dwell. The house and the moors have hideous secrets, yet there is love too; deep, abiding, eternal, but it comes with a price.


My thoughts...

At the beginning you’ll probably be surprised by this book. It’s placed in past so the writing style will probably remaind you of some classics. This is really unusual story about the vampires. Different, because it’s not set in modern time and it’s not typical „girls fell in love with vampire“ story.
You’ll meet Rose, or better said she will tell you her story. Her story is dark and because of that the whole book is somehow dark and gothic. The story begins when one day she comes home and finds that her family has been killed and that the murderer was her father who killed himself at the end. She hasn’t got where to go so they place her in mental institution where she meets Dr Banninon. He finds her a job at House on BlackStone Moor and then things start to change.
I believe that people who enjoy gothic and dark stories will like this book more than me. After all I’m still lover of YA books.

About the author 


I wrote my first story at age 8. It was sci-fi but as both my parents were sci-fi fanatics it wasn’t a surprise.
I continued to write however life got in the way as it often does, and it wasn’t until 2000 that I turned back to writing. I joined a local writer’s workshop and was greatly encouraged to keep up with my writing and to send things out.
Shortly afterwards, I was selected by Northwest Playwrights of England for further development but found I preferred fiction writing.
Widely published in horror and sci-fi anthologies, The House on Blackstone Moor is my first novel. It is a tale of vampirism, madness, obsession and devil worship.
Set in 19th Century Yorkshire, its locales include Victorian madhouses as well as barren, wind-swept Yorkshire moors. The story is a marriage of horror and gothic romance. I think it can best be described as being gothic paranormal romantic horror.
I suppose you could say I want to put the Goth back into Gothic.
Living in the area the novel is set in, was very beneficial. Also, as a great admirer of the Brontes and frequent visitor to the Bronte Parsonage in Haworth, I found myself nearly obsessed with recreating the gothic romantic narrative.
Having been employed in a hospital which had been historically a workhouse and asylum in Victorian times, I was able to add great realism to the depiction of the asylums as described in my novel.
The sequel, Unholy Testament, is the confession of a demon to the woman he loves. It is nearing the end of its first draft and will be released shortly. 


Guest post


Here is also guest post by Carole Gill! Enjoy.

 10 Favorite Books and Why
by Carole Gill

Dracula
Dracula has not been out of print since it was first published in 1897. That says a lot. The structure of the novel is terribly interesting. The story is told from journal reports, letters and various papers.
I love that because the first person narrative (a favorite of mine for long fiction to read and to write) creates intimacy. It makes it all quite real as well.
I look to it for inspiration and always shall. This novel decided me on choosing my point of view for my novel, The House on Blackstone Moor and frankly it further decided me on how to write the sequel, Unholy Testament.
I think every author, of whatever genre, should study the technique used here because it is brilliant.

Interview with a Vampire
This to me, is as ground breaking a novel as Dracula was. It is a brilliantly told tale but it is written for the modern reader.
Here we find that vampires are not all the same. They feel and remember their living lives.
Rice shows us that vampires are more complex than any other monstrous fictional creations. That is why the genre will go on, adapting itself continually for each generation of reader.

Jane Eyre
 This novel is the best representation of just how harsh English society was in the middle part of the 19th Century. It was class based. Whatever class you were born into, you remained in as did your children.
Jane Eyre, one of society’s unfortunates is determined to survive and be loved at all cost. This alone makes the character remarkable. She wants love in a loveless society.
I love the dark romance in the novel as well as the beautiful narrative.
I often joke that The House on Blackstone Moor is Jane Eyre with vampires, in a way it is! Read it and you’ll see what I mean!

Wuthering Heights
 This is a far darker and more controversial story than Jane Eyre. When it was released it was perceived as such.
Just what is Heathcliff and Cathy’s relationship, are they related or not?
Their love is doomed as they are because of this irresolution.
This is a dark, beautifully told story. And really, for me, the test of what makes a novel great is whether we remember it. This is another one to remember.

Rebecca
This is the first gothic romance novel I read. There is a dark mystery at the heart of the story which I find very intriguing. Just why does the housekeeper hate the second Mrs. DeWinter as much as she does?
The questions abound as the mystery deepens. There are surprising twists that will shock and delight. I loved it.

My Cousin Rachel
This is told in the first person narrative. A young man tells this story of doomed love, of dark desires and deeply felt romance. There is a ponderous question at the center or it. Is Cousin Rachel good or bad? Was Philip’s beloved uncle poisoned or not by her?
The truth comes out and it will haunt Philip for the rest of his life as well as those who read the tale!

The Portrait of Dorian Grey
This is a gothic masterpiece. It is positively Faustian in that young, handsome Dorian Gray in a careless moment, stares at his reflection and offers his soul in order to remain as he is.
It is an allegory for all of us, in whatever century we live in. It is the reason we seek Botox treatments and face lifts. And the key question is, if we could offer our souls to remain young as Dorian did, would we?

A Tale of Two Cities
If I had to choose a novel that had everything in it a novel should have, it would be this one.
There is love, romance, bigotry, madness and hatred—told against the backdrop of the French Revolution.
This is Dickens’ masterpiece. For it depicts the greatest gift one human being can give another: their own life sacrificed in the name of love.

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Two beings in one body—a just man and a monster: Jekyll and Hyde. This is one of the most remarkable pieces of fiction ever written.
Hyde looks like what he is, a monster. Jekyll ostensibly wished to see if he could make himself evil.
Of course we could ask ourselves was this a noble scientific experiment or did he wish to know ‘how the evil half lived?’
He could then give into whatever dark desires he might have! If that is in any way the case, it puts a whole different light on this amazing story.

The Woman in Black
 The most superbly satisfying ghost story ever written in my opinion, this is the mother of all haunted tales.
I love it because it is well written and plausible. Hatred has survived death and that hatred, in the person of the Woman in Black, seeks revenge. Revenge that is as terrifying as it is brutally unfair.


The giveaway  

For giveaway today we're offering a ebook copy of The House on Blackstone Moor! Rules are listened in Rafflecopter, but it's simple. It's open for everybody and easy to enter! :) 

Giveaway is over...winner has been chosen and notified!


Until the next time,



*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

29. svi 2012.

Water (Akasha #1) by Terra Harmony



Book summary: 


Elemental powers in the palm of her hand...and it won't be enough to save her. When Kaitlyn Alder is involuntarily introduced to a life of magic, she becomes part of an organization hell-bent on saving the Earth. Just as her new-found life holds promises of purpose, romance, and friendship, the organization divides and a rogue member holds Kaitlyn hostage. Now one of the most terrifying men the human race has to offer stands between her and Earth's survival.


Oh how much I love when book manage to surprise me! This is one of them.

This story is something new for me. The story still contains magic elements but in the same time is really realistic. Story about elements is not new. We all know about four basic elements and fifth spirit element and also story about Gaia is not new, but what is new (at least for me) is that the author put those elements together nicely. Not just that she also created relations between characters so that you're not only interested in story about elements and their rulers but also in relations between characters.

Water is magic story about basic elements. Every element can be controlled separately but only Gaia can control them all. When Kaitlyn finds herself on one unknown place and when she discovers everything about elements her life changes completely. She meets members of The Seven organization and they're hell-bent on saving the Earth. As in every organization you never know who to trust especially if you're new there.

I won't tell you more about the story, you should discover it all by yourselves. I find this story really interesting. It kept my attention from first till last page. I expect the story to become even better. Only thing that could have been better is the end. For me everything happened too fast. But as there will be more book in series the real end I hope will be better.

Yet another thing this story is probably not appropriated for younger readers. It contains some violent scenes. Speaking of I can't remember the last time I wanted to slap someone so much as I wanted to slap "somebody" in this book. When I think about it it's not only one person (you'll know who I'm talking about).

All in all this was a really interesting and nice read. Oh I almost forgot. The covers! They look amazing!



Until the next time, 


***NOTE: I received this book from author Terra Harmony. Thank you.
 I'm not paid to write a review - I do it as a lover of written word.  All opinions in this review are personal. 



28. svi 2012.

One Moment by Kristina McBride




Release date: 
June 26th, 2012

Buy the book

Author's 



Book summary

This was supposed to be the best summer of Maggie’s life. Now it’s the one she’d do anything to forget.
Maggie Reynolds remembers hanging out at the gorge with her closest friends after a blowout party the night before. She remembers climbing the trail hand in hand with her perfect boyfriend, Joey. She remembers that last kiss, soft, lingering, and meant to reassure her. So why can’t she remember what happened in the moment before they were supposed to dive? Why was she left cowering at the top of the cliff, while Joey floated in the water below—dead?
As Maggie’s memories return in snatches, nothing seems to make sense. Why was Joey acting so strangely at the party? Where did he go after taking her home? And if Joey was keeping these secrets, what else was he hiding?
The latest novel from the author of The Tension of Opposites, One Moment is a mysterious, searing look at how an instant can change everything you believe about the world around you.




What Tanja thought about it....

     This is a story about girl Maggie, who is just regular teen. She spends her time with her four friends and her boyfriend Joey. Until one day he is dead. Is she guilty for that? She doesn’t know because of the shock after his death. We slowly meet all of them and we discover some things that will change the whole thing. All of them are struggling with his death. All of them are trying to deal with it and some of them blame themselves. But Maggie is the only one who was with him. Slowly her memory is coming back in flashes and soon enough she remembers. Is there anyone to blame?  Or was it just a series of circumstances? You know where you’ll find the answers.

     One Momet is story about love, friendship and betrayal. Easily written so that you’ll read this novel in one sitting. Great and realistic story. Maybe it was predictable in some parts, but still it deserves 4 stars from me. Like I said I really enjoyed within reading this story. It was realistic and readable. If you like realistic teen books you should check out this one. 

What Glass thought about it...

     One of my favorite poets is Milosh Crnjanski, Serbian poet who lived in previous century. Why is this relevant for this novel? Well, he had the same idea as Kristina McBride about that one moment that can change everything - all of the people living on Earth are connected in so many ways that sometimes what one person decides to do, can affect the lives of people on the other part of planet.

     One moment isn't so radical - it stays within one small group of friends who shared everything since they were kids, but it's still fascinting thought. Everything starts with accident, but there are so much more. You never really know the people - not even those closest to you. We all have secrets. Are you intrigued enough to read this amazing book? You should be. As Tanja said, you are going to read it in one sitting.


Until the next time, 


***Note: Copy of this book is provided by publisher, Egmont USA, by NetGalley. Thank you. 
We're not paid for writing review - We do it as lovers of written word. All opinions in this review are personal. 

27. svi 2012.

Dark Kiss (Nightwatchers, #1) by Michelle Rowen





Buy the book: 

Author's:

Book summary:

"I don't do dangerous.

Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha—that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me…something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing—and I don't know if I can get it back.

Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me."

What I thought about it...

     So... Let's start with easy part. I love this cover - it's probably one of the prettiest covers this year. Too bad that what was between the covers wasn't so good. Maybe the problem is in me because I've read few good reviews about Dark Kiss and I wanted for a while now to read a really good book involving angels.  (If you, guys, have any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.)

     My biggest problem with Michelle Rowen's novel was that it didn't feel believable. I know what you are going to say - it is fantasy, it's not realistic - but, in my opinion, for fantasy novels it's even a bigger deal that while you are reading it, you have a feeling that it truly could happen the way author described it. That's why it's important to make sure that plot doesn't have loose ends or that what motivates characters is set out really clearly. Problem with Dark Kiss was plot - it sounds great and interesting, but there is too much repetition and you get lost in Samantha's thinking and going over and over the same stuff. You don't have write again what happened on the next ten pages - we read it, we know.

     No matter all the things I found lacking, I still enjoyed in this book - well, I did read it in one day. I like that it has dark atmosphere and that nothing isn't the way it seems. I'm intrigued by Bishop and his past and that's why I'll read next book - Wicked Kiss.

     Just to make sure you get the whole picture about Dark Kiss, here's few reviews I think that should help you:

Until next time,


***NOTE! Copy of the book is kindly provided by the publisher, Harlequin Teen. I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.

26. svi 2012.

Dreamless (Starcrossed, #2) by Josephine Angelini



Buy the book:

Author's:
Book description:

"As the only Scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.
Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out—a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.
As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos."

What I thought about it...

     Are you, Jose Angelini, one of the descendants of, um, I don't know... Is there Greek goddess of torturing by cliffhangers? Just to make one thing clear - I wouldn't mind if you leave the love story as it is. Yes, I am that kinky.

     Second book in Starcrossed series picks up where first one ended so maybe it would be good idea if you refresh your memory before you start reading. Dreamless is more focused on Helen's role in the new world she found herself part of. Don't be disappointed, there's going to be lot of emotional tensions - all suckers for romance will be really happy because there's a new boy. And he's not just any boy - I'm still in team Lucas, now even more than before: good boy is seriously gone bad. Actually, all characters are darker and whole book has this gothic feeling especially parts about the Underworld. But I have to admit one thing. I love strong and believable female characters more than hot, bad, bookish boys and Helen is definitely in this group.

     I think that even if you didn't enjoyed that much in the first book, you are going to devour this one. All the things I found lacking in the Starcrossed is set on the right path in sequel. Josepine Angelini is growing up as the author and I think I have a new girl crush (latest one was on Tara Kelly). Speaking about Josephine, check out her blog post Photos vs Imagination - is it good thing to put faces on the covers and how does it influence the way readers imagine characters. One more reason why I like this girl so much. What do you think? Do you  agree with Josephine?

Until next time,

***NOTE! Copy of the book is kindly provided by the publisher, Harper Teen. I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.

25. svi 2012.

The Glimpse by Claire Merle



Book summary

Once you've seen into the future, can you change your destiny?

In a near future, society is segregated according to whether people are genetically disposed to mental illness. 17-year-old Ana has been living the privileged life of a Pure due to an error in her DNA test. When the authorities find out, she faces banishment from her safe Community, a fate only thwarted by the fact that she has already been promised to Pure-boy Jasper Taurell. 
Jasper is from a rich and influential family and despite Ana’s condition, wants to be with her. The authorities grant Ana a tentative reprieve. If she is joined to Jasper before her 18th birthday, she may stay in the Community until her illness manifests. But if Jasper changes his mind, she will be cast out among the Crazies. As Ana’s joining ceremony and her birthday loom closer, she dares to hope she will be saved from the horror of the City and live a ‘normal’ life. But then Jasper disappears.
Led to believe Jasper has been taken by a strange sect the authorities will not intefere with, Ana sneaks out of her well-guarded Community to find him herself. Her search takes her through the underbelly of society and into the pits of the human soul. And as she delves deeper into the mystery of Jasper's abduction she uncovers some devastating truths that destroy everything she has grown up to believe, but she also learns to love as she has never loved before.




I don't know if I should say finally or not! I really had hard time with this book. When you get to the point that you actually have to encourage yourself to keep reading you know it's not good. Now after I've finally gone through whole book I'm confused. I'm not confused with the story. I'm confused about my opinion of it.

The whole concept of the story is actually not so bad. I mean it's extreme but still it's new and I like new, innovative ideas. The writing was not the best for me. It couldn't keep me focused. I couldn't feel anything, only words coming one after another creating one story, which I'm afraid will be forgettable.

I won't tell you about the story itself because more than enough you can read in the summary. I also won't rate this book as I don't know how. 

Until the next time, 


***NOTE:  Copy of this book is provided by publisher via NetGalley. Thank you.
I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as a lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.


24. svi 2012.

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini



Buy the book:

Author's:

     I've been doing a little research about Josephine Angelini last night and I found her blog. What made me smile was this post - Final Dreamless ARC giveaway. One of the tasks was to answer this question:
"If you had to pick a theme song for the STARCROSSED series, which one would it be?"
     If you read comments, you'll see some pretty hectic choices. First song that came to my mind was I've Got To See You Again by Norah Jones - find it and listen it - I think that lyrics are perfect.

Book summary:

"Helen Hamilton has always tried to hide how different she is—no easy feat on an island as small as Nantucket, and only getting harder as she finds herself haunted by hallucinations and vivid nightmares.
It's not until she crosses paths with Lucas Delos at school that Helen's true heritage is finally revealed. Yet even as Lucas helps her awaken to her startling powers, they can never be together—not unless they can break free from the tragic destiny the Three Fates have in store."

What I thought about it... 

     Starcrossed, alongside with Until I Die by Amy Plum, was one of the books with pretty covers I wanted badly to read last year. And then it was published, I read few negative reviews and I already was disappointed with Until I Die, so I gave up. Other than that, I was sceptical about novels based on Greek mythology. Maybe it was good that I waited this long - I had to read some bad books first so I could appreciate what Josephine Angelini had done in Starcrossed.

     Lot of people compare this book with Twilight - there are few similar elements like new mysterious family in small town, clumsy girl and just a tiny bit of stalkerish tendencies. Considering that there are maybe even more ant-Twilight readers out there than pro-Twilight readers, I shouldn't have been surprised by mixed reactions.

     I'm a big fan of Twilight so I didn't have problems with Starcrossed. There is perfectly clear explanation for everything - don't start throwing imaginary daggers on Josephine after first fifty pages. Yes, that was the "weakest" part of the plot, little bit repetitive and slightly annoying with all that talking about cramps Helen was having (there's even explanation for that and I loved it). Characters are stereotypical for this kind of young adult novels, especially family members and friends, but that's what I expected.

     The biggest plus for me was the way author used Greek mythology. This is why you should refresh your knowledge about Homer's Iliad and Greek mythology in general - you'll understand it better that way.

     All of you with weak spot for star-crossed lovers will love chemistry between Helen and Lucas. I liked the beginning of their story the most. But that cliffhanger...Ugh... You'll need second book as soon as possible!

     Talking about sequel, Dreamless is coming out on May 29th and I know that some of you can't wait for it. So, make sure to stop by later this week because we are doing ARC review.

My rating: 4/5

Until next time, 


22. svi 2012.

What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor





Book summary: 


Getting drunk homecoming night your senior year is never a good idea, but Jake Hayes never expected it all to end with a car crash and a t-post embedded in his throat. 
His biggest regret about it all? What he never said to Samantha Shay. He's been in love with her for years and never had the guts to tell her. Now it's too late. Because after that night, Jake will never be able to talk again.
When Jake returns to his small island home, population 5,000, he'll have to learn how to deal with being mute. He also finds that his family isn't limited to his six brothers and sisters, that sometimes an entire island is watching out for you. And when he gets the chance to spend more time with Samantha, she'll help him learn that not being able to talk isn’t the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Maybe, if she'll let him, Jake will finally tell her what he didn't say before, even if he can't actually say it.


Here I'm again, with my all time I'll try not to give 5 stars to every book that make me cry "problem". At the end I always manage not to listen to myself. I know that a lot of you won't agree with me about this book and yes true, maybe it doesn't deserve 5 stars and maybe the writing could've been better and so on. But I  enjoyed in this book and that's the only thing that matters. 

It's hard to say anything about the story as too much is said in the summary. If you, like me, don't read blurbs then you'll be surprised or better said shocked, again as me, when you find out about the accident. Jake is like any other senior year student. He plays football, hangs out with his friend and thinks about his future. Everything seemed normal until the accident. He thinks that for him everything is over, because he is not like "normal" people again. He is mute. Only after one person shows him her real self and everything she bares on her shoulders he will understand that not being able to talk isn’t the worst thing that could ever happen to you.

So this is story about teenagers and all the stupid decisions they make, all the doubts they have and all the words and actions that they're afraid to say or make. This is also the story about life. At the end this is the story that will made you consider your actions and maybe change your views. That's why I'm putting this book on my YA Saves Reading Challenge. 

Until the next time, 


***NOTE:  Copy of this book is provided by publisher via NetGalley. Thank you.
I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as a lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal. 


21. svi 2012.

YA Saves Reading Challenge 2012



Red Button



I've been checking our my Twitter account when I read tweet which led me to this amazing reading challenge hosted by The Busy Bibliophile and Patricia's Particularity.

Here is how Patricia explained what is YA Saves:

What is YA Saves Reading Challenge? & What Books Can You Read?
YA Saves Reading Challenge is a way to challenge yourself to read any Young Adult book that can be considered a YA Saves book.  What is a YA Saves book you may ask?  It is a book that tackles hard issues, in any genre (fantasy, contemporary, etc) as long as it is Young Adult.

And why would you do this?

First, to have fun reading! Second, to gain more knowledge and understanding about real life issues that affect many people.

Minimum books to complete the challenge is ten, but I'm sure that Tanychy and I would be able to post much more!

Until next time,

20. svi 2012.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Today is time for second book in Divergent series. Yes it's time for Insurgent.


Book summary:

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.




First I want to warm you that there will be spoilers if you haven't read Divergent! So trust me and don't read this review. When we're up to this may I ask...WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU WAITING FOR??

I really don't know how Veronica manage to do this, but anyway she’s doing it right. Thank you really for writing these books, I'll always appreciate it. 

For me second book in series is always tricky one, especially after Divergent. Luckly Veronica wrote great book again. Maybe is not as good as Divergent, but still I love it. Maybe Hunger Games is more “realistic“ but again we don’t know what have happened to the world as we know it. That’s what I really like here, all that mystery. Now back to the story.

This book is different form Divergent, by that I mostly mean characters are different. Now after everthing, Tris is different. She wants to do more and I understand that. After all the sacrifices her parents made she knows that she must do something to help. It’s huge prasure on her back so maybe her actions were extreme in some parts of the book, but without doing so she would never realize how stupid that was.  I dunno if it’s just me, but Four is also different. I had some strange feeling like he is not that sweet Four who would do anything for Tris. Maybe he is like Tris, he wants to do more and he doesn’t know his limits. I could keep guessing as much as I want but the fact is that I have to wait until next book in series. While I’m talking about changes I must add that after Divergent, my faction was Amity, but after Insurgent I’m not so sure. As much as I’m for peace I really couldn’t sit down and watch everything what’s going on. So yes like majority of people I’m Divergent.

I really hope that you’re not like me, that you’ll actually read this book slowly and take your time. You wonder why? Well, this book is full of action, there is always something going on and you need to pay attention because you’ll probably need those details letter in series. But I’m not like that and I couldn’t stop reading this book. Which is not bad as it means that I’ll probably read it again before next book in series.

I must add about that ficitional harem Glass mentioned yesterday, well we’ll see about that. Something is wrong with Four, so right now I’m thinking about what to do with him. Should I give him to somebody else? Or should I wait until the next book? Dunno, but we’ll see. :)

Another thing changed. My opinion about covers. When I first saw them I liked UK covers more. But after reading Divergent and now Insurgent I understand the meaning of these covers. Now I just wonder how the cover for the next book will look like. 

You should check our blog later, because I hope that Glass will share her opinion of this book soon. 

Until the next time, 



19. svi 2012.

Divergent by Veronica Roth...(what Glass thought about it)

Don't you just love this cover?


Book summary:
   In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
   During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.

      I've been a bad little reader. A bad, bad reader!

     It seems that everyone I know read Divergent before me. Any respectable bookworm over twenty years wouldn't allow to be labeled as one-who-doesn't-follow-hyped-releases. Well, did I tell that  I was a really bad reader lately?

     My fellow partner in blogging crime, Tanychy, posted her review of this novel last month. She was mesmerized by the dystopian storyline and strong characters. But I wouldn't be me if I don't do or say something "blasphemic"...

     It took me a while to get into the story. It was fun to read, don't get me wrong, but somehow I didn't find a whole fictional dystopian society much believable. Am I the only one who still don't get the point of factions? I know - Veronica Roth explained that society had found new order of things to prevent conflict and war - I didn't buy it. There must be something more. I hope she'll develop this aspect of the story in next two books. I should probably blame The Hunger Games for this - it's going to be hard task to find another dystopian novel that will keep up expectations this book set up for me.

     Everything else was perfect. As the matter of fact, so perfect that I was able to overlook everything else above and give Divergent five star rating.  What I liked the most? Characters. Tris and Four are girl and boy with positive and negative sides like any normal human beings - that's what makes them so real. Tris isn't a "wallflower" waiting for someone to save her from "big bad wolf". She is selfish, selfabsorbed and temperamental. Tobias doesn't treat her as something breakable. He isn't represented as Edward-arian hero - Four is moody boy with big case of cocky attitude and no filter between his brain and mouth when it comes to Tris. Other thing I liked? Tattoos. They have nice background story.

     All you girls out there, consider yourselves warned! Tanychy has already put Four in her bookish boyfriends harem (if you don't know what harem means, see it here). And that girl doesn't like to share!

    Make sure to stop by tomorrow - Tanychy will reveal you if she thinks this series is worth reading 'till the end. Yes, we are talking about Insurgent - second instalment of Divergent series was published on May 1st.

Until next time,

18. svi 2012.

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Legacy of a Dreamer by Allie Jean






Release day: May 3rd, 2012.
Author: Allie Jean
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop
Buy the book: TWCS / Amazon / Barnes and Noble
Allie Jean's: Blog / Twitter / Facebook









Book summary

   Chantal Breelan is a ward of the state, living under the care of a woman who is cold and heartless. Her past is a mystery, and her future is even more uncertain. She can’t recall why she had been taken from her parents and so she’s left with nothing but an empty hole where her childhood should have been. When she awakens from her nightmares, she’s left with terrible, violent images, as well as a boy whose face is oddly familiar, yet can’t be placed.
   Scared and alone, Chantal begins to confide in an imaginary friend – a shadow in the shape of a man who stands in the corner of her room. She is comforted when she believes he listens to her.
   On her eighteenth birthday, Chantal is forced to leave her foster home. She moves to New York City, but the start of her new life doesn’t begin as smoothly as she’d hoped. In this environment, she faces a whole new set of challenges.
   One night at a subway station, Chantal meets a young boy who runs away from her, and she’s compelled to follow him down into the tunnels. But this Rabbit Hole reveals a world where reality is a nightmare. Her dreams are clues to her future, and her life becomes twisted and dangerous when she learns that things that go bump in the night are not just in fairy tales and childhood stories.

All you angel loving people out there, this book is just waiting for you. You have good angels and bad angels - although they are not exactly the angels. And even good ones have thair secrets. There's this wierd girl with wild dreams who talks with her shadow friend to keep bad dreams away.  And one day, her hero turns out to be real boy. But that's not a good thing as it looks - but it does has its perks! I have to say that I was a bit disappointet with the ending - it could've been written so much better. Today we have Allie Jean with us - she's going to tell you which was the most difficult and which was the easiest scen for her to write.

Guest post by Allie Jean

     The most difficult scene I had to write was near the ending, when Chantal gives herself up in exchange for Lydia. It's has powerful imagery of giving one's self over for someone else. And even though Chantal learns how important she is and how others fight to keep her alive, she is willing to sacrifice herself for someone she's grown to care for.

     In my mind, it mirrored the scene in Narnia, when Aslan gives himself up to the White Witch. It is very poetic and has so many double meanings that go along with the theme of the book. Chantal has faith that her sacrifice is the right thing to do. It was a powerful yet very intense scene for me to write.

      The easiest scenes for me to write are the battle scenes, strange as that may seem. I can picture the whole thing in my head. I love making the weaponary in my head and pulling all kinds of odd things out of the Shade for the warriors to fight with. And the monsters... well, like I said...Thriller. As far as the hand to hand combat goes, I must have been a ninja fighter in another life. Or, again, I can blame my dad for the memorable afternoons watching old Bruce Lee movies when I was young.


And the giveaway...


     Do you want to win paperback copy of Legacy of a Dreamer? Yes? Well, fill out Refflecopter form, come back every day for more enteries and keep your fingers crossed! Giveaway is international and it'll run until May 30th. Winner will be contacted via e-mail and she or he will have to claim their prize within 48 hours. If not, we'll announce another winner. Good luck!


Until next time,




a Rafflecopter giveaway

17. svi 2012.

Thank you post

Hello all! Today I wanted to say thank you to some AWESOME bloggers. We can say that this is some sort of IMM post! I won books on their giveaways and finally all of them arrived so I can say thank you to all of them. First here are the books I've got:



And now I'll go by order...


Thank you Deb for sending me Changing My Wardrobe ! 
You can find her on her blog Deb Hanrahan! She is really wonderful! 
Also don't forget that Changing My Wardrobe blog tour stops here at 2nd June and little bird told me that there will be giveaway also ;) 

Thank you Christina for sending me Bitten by Kelley Armstrong! 
I still haven't read the book, but I'll soon!! :)
Don't forget to visit Christina's blog Just A Girl Geek! 

Thank you Paula for sending me Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare! 
I've read the book and I love it!! Really amazing series! :)
Also don't forget to check out her blog PaulaSHx

Thank you Isis for sending me Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and Divergent by Veronica Roth! 
I've read both and I absolutely love them! :)
You will find Isis on her blog Isis Rushdan

Thank you Michelle for sending me Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta! 
I haven't read the book yet but I have no doubts that I'll love it! :)
You'll find Michelle on her blog O'Boyled Books

Thank you Jena for sending me Half-Blood and Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout! 
I adore both books and I can't wait for Deity! Covers are wonderful! :)
Jena has one really popular blog so if you haven't you should check it out Shortie Says

That's it for now! Who knows maybe soon I'll win more books! Luckily my shelf grows bigger and bigger ;)


Until the next time,


16. svi 2012.

Quote of the Week: Black Dawn by Rachel Caine


     We are wondering do you have your favourite vampire... Hmmm, stupid question! Of course you do! My absolutely top favourite vampire series would be Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine. So, this week I'm bringing you one of the most amazing kissing scenes ever.

Qoute of the Week:

His smile was bright and sweet and hot enough to melt solid steel. “Is this the part where I kiss you?” “If you like.”
 “Oh,” he said, “I like.” 
And he leaned forward, gripping the arms of my chair, and slowly, slowly, sweetly brought that mouth to me. It was a long, lovely kiss, the kind that melts your spine and fills you with sunlight and steals your breath away. The kind that, as far as I knew, only Michael Glass could give me, because he knew, he just knew that kissing me with those gentle little butterfly-soft presses would make my toes curl, and the way that the teasing sank into something deeper, darker, more intensely needy. His tongue stroked my lips, and I let them part, hungry for him, for the taste of him. 
I had missed him so, so, so much. Missed this. 
Missed us. 
“Eve?” He kept his lips close, punctuating his words with small little electric brushes of our skin. My own mouth felt swollen, tingling, intensely and darkly aware. “I think … we should … find some … privacy. Right now.”

If you want to know more about Rachel Caine, visit her website.

Buy the books on:

Until next time,

14. svi 2012.

Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa


Hello! I've decided not to write review for each book in this series separately so I'll write one for all of them. So let's start.

 We're going to start with first book. (by clicking on each title you'll see the blurb on GoodReads)
The Iron King will tell you story about Meghan. She is young girl, still in High School, living her life like an average teenager. Until strange things happen. One day she discovers new world and if she wants to help her brother she needs to step into that world. Surprisingly her best friend is one who will help you. He is fey from land called Nevernever and his name is Puck. He was sent to help her and take care of her, because she is very important for them. Meghan will have to go through a lot to save her brother and she also needs to save the whole land of Iron King who is planing on destroying it. One person who will also be of great help is yet another fay, prince Ash.  But at the end of their journey things will be slightly different. How is Meghan going to help the Nevernever and will she discover some things she never knew before? The answers you'll find in this book.
The Iron Daughter  is second book in series. Here things will be slightly different. Meghan is now in Winter's court. Ash knows that some things can't happen and he is aware of the danger by being with her. Now the question is how's Puck feeling about all of that and will Meghan see some other side of their relationship? And if she does how will that effect on her feelings for Ash and what are his real feelings? I didn't like this book as much as I liked first one. Meghan was rather annoying in some parts. Still the story itself was interesting, but I couldn't understand some of Meghan's actions. But like I said, twist and turns will keep this story interesting.
Now we move towards the third (and if somebody asks me the best) book in series The Iron Queen. Once again we're back in Nevernever. Again their existence is in danger. The Iron King has some other plans for the whole land. Once more Meghan has to go and help her people. Again Ash and Puck will be by her side. The problem is will they be able to destroy the huge army that is trying to rule the whole Nevernever? And yet the bigger question is will they be able to to that without sacrifices? And if not, what sacrifices they'll have to make in order to save the whole land? Of course you know where all answers are. Just this book was so beautiful. I was going to say like a fairy tale, but this actually is a fairy tale. Meghan is different, she grow up and she is ready to be what she is supposed to be.
Things will be different in last book in series The Iron Knight. Here the story is told form Ash's point of view, not like in first three from Meghan's. In this book we follow his journey to the most dangerous parts of the land. He has to find the way to take back the one he cares the most. But some old friends and memories are now against him. On that journey he also needs to discover his real feelings. Also the question now is where is Puck in all that. What are his feelings and how is he going to react on that sudden truth? At the end who will find the way to his true love.

Generally speaking this story is like something written just for me. As a huge fan of fairy tales and hopeless romantic and also big child this is just what I like the most. You don't have to be all that to love this series. Just close your eyes and imagine all those beautiful areas of Nevernever. I highly recommend this series.
While you're reading it don't forget to read short stories that are connected with this one. They will help you to understand some of the characters better. Those stories are:
 - Winter's Passage (Iron Fey, # 1.5)
 - Summer's Crossing (Iron Fey, # 3.5)
 - Iron's Prophecy (Iron Fey, # 4.5)  (this story will be out on August 28th as a part of The Iron Legends)
 - An Iron Fey Valentine
 - Ash's Letter to Meghan 

All in all the whole series deserve 5 stars!


Until the next time,

13. svi 2012.

Blog Tour: The Shapeshifter's Secret by Heather Ostler

 



 Release date: June 12th, 2012.
 Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble
 Author's: Website / Blog / Twitter
 Publisher: Cedar Fort / Facebook  / Twitter


 Blog tour calendar: The Shapeshifter's Secret Blog Tour







 
Book summary:
She tried telling herself to stop, but it was useless. Something had fully claimed her mind and body. A sound began to erupt from inside her chest, a deep sort of growl that seized her entire being. She felt as if there was a grizzly bear inside her, trying to escape. And then a deafening roar echoed from her mouth, only inches away from Lancer’s face. It took everything inside of her not to attack him.
In Julia’s life, timing is everything. Like the time her paranoid father put bars on her window so she wouldn’t sneak out at night—even though she’s never given him a reason not to trust her. Or the time this weird new kid showed up at her school and pretty much every girl in sight instantly and inexplicably fell in love with him. What was up with that?
But as time moves on, things in Julia’s life go from strange to seriously impossible. Now it’s all she can do to keep herself and the life she’s always known from falling apart.
This fast-paced action-adventure story is packed with humor, romance, and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing to the very last page. Get lost in a world of hidden royalty, shifting alliances, and dangerous vendettas, but don’t ever forget: nothing is what it seems.


     The Shapeshifter's Secret is debut novel writen by new young adult author Heather Ostler. Book is coming out on June 12th, but you would be able to prepare yourself for this new YA title by visiting all virtual tour stops during May. All of you who live near by should come to King's English Bookshop on June 14th and join Heather on The Shapeshifter's Secret Launch Party.

 What Glass thought about it...

      This is sweet story in which will enjoy younger readers. Magic, Hogwarts-like boarding school, nymphs, castles and secret royalty. I'd be honest with you guys. The Shapeshifter's Secret has its ups and downs. Some parts left me frustrated and some made me swoon. Beginning is little bit too fast and there are lot of things left hanging loose. I wasn't really "convinced" by love story between Julia and  Terrence but I'm guessing that that's all part of Heather's "evil" master plan to make us addicted to this series. Swoon part of the book is Caleb - boy who introduces Julia to the secrets of her tru nature and Ossai history. You'll see why! Probablly the strongest thing about The Shapshifter's Secret is the story about friendship and girl power. I believe that many of you will find this novel as ideal start of your summer reading list.

What Tanychy thought about it...

     Yes, I agree with you Glass. Young YA paranormal readers will find this book quite interesting. While I, like you , have read a lot of paranormal things so we see things differently. Basically the whole idea about shapeshifting in this story is interesting and positive. Only I couldn't find myself lost in story or I couldn't relate with characters and to be honest the whole book is a little bit forgettable. All in all, this book is really readable, you'll read it in few hours. If you're about to meet whole paranormal world and you're looking for something light and interesting to read then I recommend you this book. 

Until next time, 

***NOTE! Copy of the book is kindly provided by the publisher, Cedar Fort via NetGalley. We are not paid for writing review - we do this for free as lovers of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.

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