Monday, October 31, 2011

Review: Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #1)
In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?(copied from Goodreads)

My Review
The Forest of Hands and Teeth is a very interesting read. It is about Mary, who lives in a fenced in community. The Unconsecrated, zombies, fill up the forest around the fence. If one ventures to close to the fence, they maybe bitten and infected. After this happens to her mother, Mary is given over to the Sisterhood. The Sisterhood is a religious group of women, who are in charge of the village. While in the Cathedral, the headquarters for the Sisterhood, Mary begins to learn some of the secrets of the Sisterhood. 


Mary grew up listening to her mother’s stories of the time before the Return. Where there were buildings as tall as the sky, and of the Ocean. Mary dreams of being able to stand in the ocean, where it is untouched by the Unconsecrated. When the fences are breached, and the village is overrun by the Unconsecrated, Mary uses this as an opportunity to try, and follow her dream of the ocean. She decides to venture down the fence line, deeper into the Forest of Hands and Teeth. 


Mary does not complete this journey alone, her brother, Jed, her betrothed, Henry, and the love of her life, Travis and his betrothed, Cass, who is also her best friend. This is a very complicated long triangle, more like love square or circle. The Forest of Hands and Teeth takes the normal complications of love and commitment and then adds the pressure of being surrounded by fleshing eating zombies on top of all that. 


I loved Forest of Hands and Teeth, even though there are a few times Mary’s actions made me want to slap her. This book is a thrilling read, and I could not put it down. While Mary upset me on more than one occasion, I still loved her! This book is so quote worthy, and usually I do not pick quotes out but there are a few that stood out to me. Any dystopian or zombie fan should read this book! I cannot wait to start The Dead-Tossed Waves, the second book in the Forest of Hands and Teeth series. 


FAVORITE QUOTES:
From Page 15:
“In the moment between my mother’s death and her Return, I stop believing in God. “
From Page 146:
“Every Night I drown and every morning I wake up struggling to breathe.”

  • Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
  • Publication Date:  February 9, 2010
**Unabridged Bookshelf borrowed this book from the local public library**

BUY FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH:

WINNERS

First I just want to say HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Ok, Here are the 10 awesome people that won my Piracy Sucks! giveaway!

DEMIJEI
DEANNA S.
ROY RUIZ
CAITLIN AUDET
ANGEL SNYDER
READ PHOENIX
SONIA
ERIN
DIVYA
KELLY MILLS

Email have been sent out, so please respond within 48 hours or new winners will be choosen!
Thank so much for everyone that stopped by and commented

If you didn't win, please go ahead and purchase these wonderful books.



Sunday, October 30, 2011

In My Mailbox




In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren
It gives readers the chance to share the books they received over the past week.
This includes books purchased, borrowed, won, or gifted.

For Review
Practice Cake

WON
Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, #1)
Received Traci from The Reading Geek 
Uglies (Uglies, #1)
Received a SIGNED copy from That Hapa Chick
In My Dreams

Borrowed
Bloodlines (Bloodlines, #1) Wolfsbane (Nightshade, #2) I am Number Four (Lorien Legacies, #1)

Also, I wanted to let everyone know that one of my favorite books, Hollowland by Amanda Hocking, is free on Amazon, and Smashwords
Hollowland (The Hollows, #1)
if you haven't read it, check it out now

I am so excited to read all these books, especially Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Wolfsbane!
What did you get in your mailbox this week?
Leave me a link so I can check it out


Friday, October 28, 2011

Follow Friday

 

Q:  If you could have dinner with your favorite book character, who would you eat with and what would you serve?

This is a difficult decision, but I would have to say I would want to have Nancy Drew over for dinner. She is the girl that started me reading, and if you have visited before you know this :) It would be amazing to meet the teenager who shaped my childhood. We could have some good home cooking. Chicken and Dumplings for Dinner, and a hot apple pie for dessert. It would be wonderful, and delicious. 


Now that I am hungry, go a head and leave a link to your Follow Friday!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Review: Ashfall by Mike Mullin



Ashfall (Ashfall, #1)

Under the bubbling hot springs and geysers of Yellowstone National Park is a supervolcano. Most people don't know it's there. The caldera is so large that it can only be seen from a plane or satellite. It just could be overdue for an eruption, which would change the landscape and climate of our planet.

Ashfall is the story of Alex, a teenage boy left alone for the weekend while his parents visit relatives. When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts unexpectedly, Alex is determined to reach his parents. He must travel over a hundred miles in a landscape transformed by a foot of ash and the destruction of every modern convenience that he has ever known, and through a new world in which disaster has brought out both the best and worst in people desperate for food, water, and warmth. With a combination of nonstop action, a little romance, and very real science, this is a story that is difficult to stop reading and even more difficult to forget. (copied from Goodreads)

My Review
I wanted to read Ashfall, because of the Yellowstone National Park volcano. As someone who is from Montana, Yellowstone National Park holds a special place in my heart. Before delving into the story, I have to say I love how the author, Mike Mullin, strived to make the events of the volcanic eruption of a supervolcano as accurate as possible. For me, it added an additional level of fear and reality to the story. 

Ashfall starts with Alex getting to spend the weekend by himself in Iowa, while his parents and little sister were on their way to visit his aunt and uncle in Illinois. While playing games in his room, part of Alex’s house collapses, and almost traps Alex inside. That is just the first of many signs that something is wrong. As the day continues, there are loud unbearable explosion sounds that continue for the rest of the day and into the next day. Alex is informed that the supervolcano in Yellowstone, nearly a thousand miles away has erupted. After staying in his hometown for a few days, he decides to travel to his uncle’s house in Illinois to make sure his family is all right.  

The journey is not an easy one, even though his uncle’s house is only a two-hour drive, it is going to take him weeks on foot. The catastrophe of the eruption has brought out the good in some, and the bad in others.  Alex meets a varying degree of these people along his journey. The journey is not easy by any measure, especially with the dangers out on the road. Running out of food, and water is always a constant problem. Ashfall depicts the problems someone who is traveling after a nationwide catastrophe vividly and accurately in my eyes. 

I absolutely loved Ashfall, and I could not put it down. I finished it in one sitting, because I could not find a spot in the book, where I felt comfortable putting it down without knowing what was happening next. There is a range of emotions I felt while reading this book, including joy, sadness, and dread. Mike Mullin does an awesome job of storytelling, and he left me wanting more. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, Ashen Winter. Books like Ashfall are what make me so passionate about reading and reviewing books. 


  • Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  • Hardcover: 476 pages
  • Publisher: Tanglewood Press
  • Publication Date: October 14, 2011

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book from NetGalley**

BUY ASHFALL:

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday: Bloodrose

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we cannot wait to get our hands on.

This week my Waiting on Wednesday is
Bloodrose (Nightshade, #3)

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

In the final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Andrea Cremer creates a novel with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its final pages. A dynamic end to this breathtaking trilogy.(copied for Goodreads)

I love the first one so much, and I am hoping to read the second one soon. I cannot wait to read the next installment in the Nightshade series. Also, look at the gorgeous cover!

Leave me a link to your Waiting of Wednesday so I can check it out.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly event hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  • Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others!
Make sure to share the title and the author so other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their to be read piles.


This weeks teasers comes from
Montana Mountain Fugitives
Before dawn, June 2, 1980, nineteen-year-old Erin Double climbs out her bedroom window and heads for a cabin in the Montana mountains. Upon learning that his cancer is terminal, "Santa," a modern-day mountain man, gives her the use of his cabin for the summer. Erin, enjoying the heavenly surroundings, is startled one day to find out she is being watched. She discovers her observer is a six-year-old boy named Matt. Meeting his father, Noah, she learns he is a fugitive from the law, having fled Nebraska with his son three years earlier. They live a mile away with Santa's friend, "Irish Dan." Despite the threat of discovery, a romance flourishes between Erin and Noah. Enjoying the 4th of July festivities in nearby Copper Creek, they realize they are being watched. They react in a surprising way, giving the story an interesting twist.(copied from Goodreads)


From page 111:


In the living room, Sylvester was wobbling unsteadily across the living room floor until he bumped into the wall, then he sat down a moment, got up, tuned around and with his little head down marched the other way until he met the next object. 


From Page 139:
Then she made a serious mistake, she leaned across the table and in a seductive voice said. "You still have my phone number...you can call me if you ever get bored with Barbie."


BUY MONTANA MOUNTIAN FUGITIVES:
Amazon.comBarnes and Noble

Sunday, October 23, 2011

In My Mailbox




In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren
It gives readers the chance to share the books they received over the past week.
This includes books purchased, borrowed, won, or gifted.

For Review
Fracture
From NetGalley

Remembrance (Transcend Time, #1)
Received for the upcoming tour
Thank you to Michelle Madow and Amanda at Stuck In YA Books
This is my first tour and I am super EXCITED!!

WON
Swear (Swoon, #2)
Thank you to Me, My Shelf and I
The Childe (The Childe Series, #1)
Thanks to the authors C.A. Kunz
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)Blood Law (Blood Moon Trilogy, #1)Primal Bonds (Shifters Unbound, #2)
Thank you to Ruby at Ruby's Reads

Smokeless Fire (Fire Spirits #1)
Thanks to Fiktshun over at Fiktshun's Ramblings

Borrowed From Library
The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #1)  The Body Finder (The Body Finder, #1)  My Soul to Keep (Soul Screamers, #3)

SWAG

Stickers thanks to the wonderful Tiffany King

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Review: My Soul To Save (Soul Screamers #2) by Rachel Vincent



My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers, #2)
When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies.
So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn't wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can't cry for someone who has no soul.
The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad's ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend's loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can't possibly understand.
Kaylee can't let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk….(copied from Goodreads)
My Review 
My Soul to Save picks up six weeks after the end of My Soul to Take, the first book in the Soul Screamers series. Kaylee Cavanaugh has moved in with her father, and they are both adjusting to their new family life. To have some fun, Kaylee and her boyfriend Nash decided to go a concert. While they are enjoying the concert, Eden the young singer collapses on stage. That is when Kaylee and Nash discover that she traded her soul for fame and fortune. 

Kaylee and Nash are both bean sidhes, more commonly known as Banshees. This causes Kaylee to scream when someone dies. Although it sounds like a beautiful song to male bean sidhes, to the rest of the world it is a painful screeching sound. This is how they discover that Eden no longer had a soul, because Kaylee had no urge to scream. I like this expansion on the bean sidhes in My Soul to Save.

Curious, Kaylee starts to ask questions, and discovers Eden is not the only one who sold her soul. Tod, Nash's brother and grim reaper, enlists Kaylee and Nash to help Addison Page, the next big popstar, retrieves her soul. Not only is it dangerous to try to retrieve a soul from the Netherworld, it is not going to be easier either.  While trying to help Addison, Kaylee is also dealing with normal teenage issues in My Soul to Save. Her father wants to know where she is every second, and she has a strict curfew. These conflict with her trying to help Addison

I just love the Soul Screamer series! My Soul to Save is even better than the first one. While there are some elements of danger and suspense, there are also some heartfelt moments. This is what makes this book so good; it is not too much of any one thing. If you loved the first one, you are going love this one, probably more. Rachel Vincent has done a wonderful job creating characters that readers fall in love with, and that are easy to relate too. 

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Harlequin Teen
  • Publication Date: December 29, 2009
**Unabridged Bookshelf borrowed this book from the local public library**

Buy it here:

Friday, October 21, 2011

Review of Fang Me by Parker Blue


Fang Me (Demon Underground, #3)


The vampires want it. The demons want it, too. And someone is willing to kill Val for it.Val and Fang have to find the powerful Encyclopedia Magicka before either of San Antonio's warring underworld factions locate it or the consequences will be deadly for the entire city. As usual, Val's vampire enemies (they still call her The Slayer) want her dead. Even some of her fellow demons may be less than trustworthy, since they'd like to grab the legendary book of spells before she does. Val has a personal claim to the Encyclopedia--her demon father left it to her when he died--but someone stole it recently. And that can't be good.Battling vamps and dodging demons, Val struggles to unravel the mystery and find the thief. At the same time, she's fighting her attraction to sweet, sexy Shade--her favorite shadow demon. Rumor has it that Val will lose her part-demon, vampire-fighting powers if she gives herself to him.With a crowd of vamps and demons out to trick her or kill her, it's not a good time for her to risk her job as the city's best vampire hunter by falling in love. The stakes are high and aimed right at her heart. But Lola, Val's hungry little lust demon, doesn't like being denied. Will Lola finally get her way?What's a part-lust-demon-teen supposed to do? Whatever it takes. (Copied From Goodreads)


My Review

Fang Me by Parker Blue is the third book in the Demon Underground series. Val Shapiro is the “The Slayer,” who is on a new mission, to find the Encyclopedia Magicka, before they fall into the wrong hands. Her biggest challenge, besides finding Encyclopedia Magicka, is trying to keep her feelings for Shade under control. This is not easy, being part succubus demon. A succubus feeds on sexual energy, and has the power to enthrall men. The problem is if Val is not careful, her succubus may kill anyone enthralled, by draining too much energy. If Val gives into her feelings for Shade, she could lose all her powers that allow her to protect herself.

I really love the first two books in the Demon Underground series, and I was excited to start Fang Me. I wanted to see how the relationship between Shade and Val developed, but mostly I wanted to see Val kick some more butt. I like the Val’s relationship with Shade, and want to see how it continues in the next installment. My favorite character has to be Fang. He is just hilarious, and his sarcastic attitude is a great mood breaker. I like how Fang calls Val on her B.S. and does not blink an eye.

Fang Me is centered on Val working to find the Encyclopedia Magicka. In the last books, the volumes of the Encyclopedia Magicka were hidden, and lost. Until Val finds them, she has to work for Alejandro, the leader of the New Blood Movement. The New Blood Movement is a group of vampires who want to come out public, and announce the presence of Vampires to the world. It is Val’s job to keep the vampires not part of the Movement under control, while protecting the investments of the Movement. As you can imagine, “The Slayer” does not really feel comfortable with this new job position.

If you have read and liked the other books in the series, Fang Me is a definite read. I really think any Buffy fans would also enjoy this type of book. I really enjoyed this book, and I cannot wait until the fourth book in the Demon Underground series is released. Check out my review for the first book, Bite Me here, and my review for the second book, Try Me here.


  • Paperback: 194 pages
  • Publisher: Bell Bridge Books 
  • Publication Date: March 14, 2011
  • Language: English
 **Unabridged Bookshelf received this book from netGalley**

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Follow Friday

 

Q: What is your superhero alter-ego?

I would have to say while there are a lot of superheros to chose from, I just cannot decided on just one. So I decided to go a different route, and pick an alter-ego that kicks some butt. She may not technically be a superhero, but I think my alter-ego would be Claire Redfield. She kicks major zombie butt, and looks good doing it. She shows up in Raccoon city trying to find her missing brother, during a giant zombie outbreak. I really loved all the Resident Evil games growing up, and Claire is just awesome. In the event of a zombie Apocalypse I would like to be able to take care of my family just like Claire. 


Leave a comment below, so I can check your FF.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we cannot wait to get our hands on.

This week my Waiting on Wednesday is
Tempest (Tempest #1)
The year is 2009.  Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.



Release Date: January 3, 2012


I have seen this book popping up all over the place. It sounds like a interesting premise for a story. I am excited to read this when it comes out. 


Please leave a link to you WoW so I can check it out!
To spread the word about Piracy, please check out my post and giveaway

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly event hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  • Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others!
Make sure to share the title and the author so other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their to be read piles.

This weeks teasers comes from
My Soul to Save
My Soul To Save by Rachel Vincent

"No." Nash shook his head firmly. "You can't go there, and neither can Kaylee. It's not safe."
(from page 146)

"Very carefully," he said, his voice grim and dark again.
(from page 208)


What do you think? Leave me a link, so I can check out you Teasers

Monday, October 17, 2011

Review of Iron King by Julie Kagawa


Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined. 

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home. 
When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change. 
But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart. (Copied from Goodreads)



My Review
Iron King is part of the Iron fey series that I have seen all over the place, and I knew it was a book series I had to read. The Iron King is about Megan Chase, a normal teenage girl with a not so perfect life. She only has her best friend Robbie to confide in. Megan is haunted by the events that happened on her sixth birthday, when her father disappeared without a trace. She does not know what happened or why her father just disappeared, and she is very unsettled by this fact. On her sixteenth birthday, things start to take a weird turn she is seeing things out of the corner of her eye. She sees a mysterious man on the way home, and does not understand the reason her friend, Robbie, becomes protective.

Events unfold and it is up Megan to enter the world of the fey to save someone she loves. She soon finds out her best friend, Robbie, is actually Robin Goodfellow or more commonly known as Puck. Puck helps guide her through the land of the fey, NeverNever. Along the way, she meets a few characters out of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I have to say I have never read A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but it did not affect the story at all. I do think if you read A Midsummer Night’s Dream, it would add a new level to the story of the Iron King. I bought a copy after reading the Iron King, so I could read it before I start The Iron Daughter.

As the story of Iron King continues, Megan meets Ash, Prince of the Winter Court. He is super dreamy, but he is Puck’s sworn enemy. The two boys agree to help Megan on her mission to save her loved one, even if they want to kill each other. Another character, Grimalkin is a talking disappearing cat that also accompanies Megan along the way. I just love him; his attitude is just perfect for him. I love Puck, the trickster, and I love Ash, the honorable warrior.  

Iron King is like a combination of Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Midsummer Night’s Dream all rolled into one. Grimalkin reminds me at times of the Cheshire Cat. Puck for reminds me at times of Peter Pan, and he is from the land of NeverNever, or NeverNever Land. Megan also reminds me a little bit of Wendy, but I am not sure why, maybe her innocence. This is all mixed with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The Iron King is just an amazing book, and very well written. I cannot wait to read the Iron Daughter, and continue the adventure of Megan, Puck, Ash, and of course Grimalkin. Julie Kagawa is a splendid storyteller. 

  • Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Harlequin
  • Publication Date: February 1, 2010
  • Language: English 
**Unabridged Bookshelf borrowed this book from a public library**