Where does the time go?

Hi everyone! Boy does the time fly by. It feels like just yesterday that I was celebrating the new year. Yet, another new year is right around the corner. It has been too long since I last posted on this blog. For that I am greatly sorry. I never wanted to leave you guys hanging. I just really felt like I needed break. One of the reasons as to why I have not been blogging lately is that I'm more into trying to reach my goal for year of 50 books. Last year I had read 56 book! I felt defeated, because at the start of the year I had made my goal 56 but school has been kicking my butt so I had to lower it to 50. Yet, I'm still finding it hard to keep up with the lowered reading goal. Right now I'm basically 4 books behind. So in my rush to try to read as many books as I can to catch up blogging has taken a back seat. 


I do have so many books to gush about and discuss with you guys. I've read an equal amount of books I totally adore and books that were just okay. Also. have you seen the book trailer for Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi? Well I saw it when they released it and was blown away it was so awesome. I wasn't even expecting an updated trailer. What are your thoughts about it? If you have yet to see it here it is: 



Also, today I saw the trailer for Everneath by Brodi Ashton. I feel like a little kid, because I was absolutely fascinated by the use of smoke in the trailer. 




There is one book that is about to hit shelves very soon. This book would be The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler. If you didn't know I reviewed this fun and adorable book. You can check out my review here. The trailer for the book was released three days ago. I think the trailer is cute but there was one thing that was bothering me. The person doing the voice over did not sound like a teenager or a even a young adult to me. No offense to the person! The voice just sounded like it came from someone more mature and sophisticated than a teenager would be. Anyways here's the trailer and when you're done watching please tell me what your opinions are on any of the trailers.



Last but not least, Wednesday, 11/16, was my blog's two year anniversary! So happy birthday to my blog! Yay! I'm looking forward to another wonderful book year with you guys. :) 

Eve Book Trailer + A GORGEOUS Book Cover

The book trailer for Eve by Anna Carey was just released today. Take a look at it here:


I love the book's trailer. It really does capture what the book is about. In case you missed my blog tour stops for Eve you can check them out here and here.

While browsing Goodreads I saw that the cover for Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock was revealed. The cover is simply gorgeous! I love the color scheme, the beautiful purple dress, the pretty blue flowers, the background, and the model's hair style. I can't wait to read Hemlock! I just don't know if I'll be able to wait until next year, Hemlock is expected to be released early summer 2012. For more information about Hemlock you can check out its Goodreads page.

Blog Tour Book Review: Eve by Anna Carey

Synopsis: 

Where do you go when nowhere is safe?

Sixteen years after a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth’s population, the world is a perilous place. Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a future as the teachers and artists of the New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school’s real purpose—and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Arden, her former rival from school, and Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust . . . and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

In this epic new series, Anna Carey imagines a future that is both beautiful and terrifying. Readers will revel in Eve’s timeless story of forbidden love and extraordinary adventure.

Book Details: 

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pub. Date: October 4, 2011

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 336

My Review:

To begin this review I want to say that Eve by Anna Carey was everything I expected it to be and then some. When I first sat down to read Eve I was only going to read the chapter one. Boy was I wrong, because I ended up reading 13 chapters. I had to force myself to quit reading that night due to homework and sleep. Ok, I guess the fact that Eve immediately gripped me was a surprise.

I enjoyed every single step of Eve's journey for a new life. What would you do if you found out everything that you've been told your whole life was a lie? Eve discovers the truth about what really happens to girls after they graduate from school. Instead of having others tell her what her life will be, she decides to take her future into her own hands. I really loved how this is a story about independence and new discoveries. 

Eve's journey for the life that she wants is not an easy one. The fact that she is not just any girl on the run makes the journey that much more difficult. Along her journey she makes alliances and friendships. Because when you're out in the wild you sure don't want to be alone to find shelter, food, and face enemies. The plot of this book will have anyone hanging on the edge, and reading like there is no tomorrow just to find out how it all works out for Eve. 

Aside from the plot, I loved all the characters. I loved Eve's friends at her school even if they were barely in the book. I loved Arden even though I didn't really care much for her at the start. Arden does prove that there's more to a person than what they project. I LOVED Caleb, he is such a kind and caring boy. The relationship that he forms with Eve is the true kind. I also love the boys who Caleb lives with. Especially the little ones, they were adorable! Although there was one boy who I didn't like from the start and I still don't like him after reading Eve. 

Before I conclude this review, I do want to point out that the lies the girls were fed to about boys were very interesting. Yes, boys do cause trouble but they are not something girls should avoid like the plague. The lies Eve grew up memorizing makes her all the more hesitant to accept help from Caleb. So it was fascinating to see how she eventually gets comfortable with Caleb. Not to mention an entire cave full of the opposite sex. 

The ending literally had me saying, "Why the ending? WHY? I need book to now!" I'm totally serious I need book two now! haha! I have to know whats going to happen next with an ending like that. There's not even a website that tells me when the next book is expected to be released. :( 

Whatever you do do yourself a favor and read Eve by Anna Carey. There's love, danger, friendship, suspense, and moments where I found myself cheering Eve on. A wonderful dystopian to be read. I absolutely loved it, and hopefully you will too. 

*I want to thank The {Teen} Book Scene for the opportunity to be on this book's tour. I also want to thank The {Teen} Book Scene and HarperTeen for the privilege of reading and reviewing Eve early. Thanks a bunch! <3*

Review: The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

Synopsis: It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet.

Emma just got her first computer and an America Online CD-ROM.

Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on--and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future.

Everybody wonders what their Destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out.

Book Details:
Publisher: Razorbill
Pub. Date: November. 21, 2011
Format: Hardcover 
Pages: 320


My Review:  The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler was pure brilliance. My only regret that I have is not having read any of the authors’ previous novels. Collaborations novels are so fun to read. I thoroughly enjoyed Josh and Emma’s story. 

Since The Future of Us is set in 1996, the reader can reminisce about the 90s. That is if the reader is old enough to have experienced that time period. Haha. I’m not trying to make anyone feel old! I was born in the very early 90s, so I have a lot of favorite 90s memories to look back on. I remember getting the AOL CD-ROM all the time in the mail. I remember the fuzzy and staticy sound of the modem dialing up AOL. I remember having to be quick about how much time spent online because there was just one phone line. So I totally understood what Emma had to through. It was also exciting whenever other 90s things got mentioned. Oh, I just love and miss the 90s. Well, I’m certainly glad that the internet is easier to access and cell phone are not as big as bricks!

Anyways, The Future of Us is told from the perspectives of Josh and Emma. A lot of people always complain about books being told from multiple POV, but I loved the way the others made this story come together. There was hardly ever a dull moment in this novel. The plot was pretty fast paced, and had me gripped all the way till the very end. I love how one of the themes was that one cannot control the future. Also one shouldn’t focus too much on the future, and to just live in the now. 

All the characters are awesome! I loved them all; from the main characters to the secondary characters. Each character had their own personality and quirks. Seriously, I can’t find one flaw about this book. I loved how they actually made the Facebook posts look like actual posts. I looked forward to seeing what the future Emma and Josh had to say about their lives. I also looked forward to what Emma and Josh would do, which was basically the whole book! The Future of Us is one book that simply can’t be missed. Get your copy as soon as you can, because you’ll be reading this book as fast as I did. Yes, The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler is that good!

This or That with Anna Carey + Giveaway

Today Anna Carey, the author of the upcoming book Eve, is here to share what she prefers. Read on for some fun and even a giveaway.

This or That with author Anna Carey:
Day or night? Day.

Summer or winter? Depends on which coast. Love the winter in California, the summer in New York.

Library or bookstore? Bookstore. 

Paper book or e-book? Paper. I have bookcases all over my apartment, and I love thumbing through books I read years ago, looking at things I underlined or little notes I made in the margins.

Read a 200 page book or 500 page book? Most books I right in between that. But usually: 200.

Book or movie/television version of the book? Book. 

Which is better Home Alone 1 or 2? Keep the change ya filthy animal.

Go to a concert or listen to the CD? Concerts (insert a thousand exclamation points here) My favorite venue is the Hollywood Bowl.

Talk on a cell phone or talk in person? I’d much rather talk in person. I’m known for my three-minute cell conversations.

PC or Mac? I’ve written all my books on a MacBook.

Car or Airplane? Airplane—my parents live across the country.

Hot coffee or Iced coffee? Coffee affects me like crack. If I had to pick though, I’d say hot.

Chocolate or Gummies? Gummies (sour!).

Dancing or Running? Dancing.

Be an angel or a fairy? Angel—but only if I could live on earth.


Thanks Anna for your time, I had a blast coming up with this list. Plus, an even more fun time reading your response. 


Now, thanks to the awesome publisher, HarperTeen, you have a chance to win a copy of Eve!

Giveaway for a Copy of Eve:
U.S. Residents Only
1 Winner
Giveaway Ends Oct. 4
Click here to fill out the form.

This post is brought to you by The {Teen} Book Scene. To read more fun posts on this blog tour please click the banner at the top of this post.

Review: Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink

Synopsis: With time dwindling but her will to end the Prophecy stronger than ever, Lia sets out on a journey to find the remaining keys, locate the missing pages of the Prophecy, and convince her sister Alice to help--or risk her life trying. Lia has her beloved Dimitri by her side, but Alice has James, the man who once loved her sister--and maybe still does. James doesn't know the truth about either sister, or the prophecy that divides them. And Alice intends to keep it that way. 

There are some secrets sisters aren't meant to share. Because when they do, it destroys them. This stunning conclusion to Michelle Zink's Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy will make saying good-bye bittersweet for readers.




Book Details: 
Publisher: Little, Brown for Young Readers
Pub. Date: August 1st, 2011
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 352

My Review: Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink was a fantastic conclusion to an awesome trilogy. The pace of this novel was a little more faster than the last book, Guardian of the Gate. Which is a good thing, because I would of dreaded picking up this novel just to read a slow paced ending. I have thoroughly enjoyed Lia's entire journey, and Circle of Fire ends the journey perfectly. I couldn't have asked for a better conclusion than what Michelle gave.

Yes, at this point in the review I'm literally at a loss for words. Michelle Zink's writing is superb. Her writing style is fluid and magical. Michelle really has a gift for writing and being able to put readers into her stories. All along I felt like I was right alongside Lia and cheering her on.

Sometimes trilogies or book series end feeling kind of rushed. Michelle took her time writing out the well thought out ending. Each book tied nicely together. Circle of Fire certainly packed a lot of great feelings and messages to the readers. I felt a wide range of emotions while reading Circle of Fire. Among my favorites about this book is the theme of redemption, love, and friendship. I even came to love every single character by the end of this book.

Michelle has proven herself to be one of those authors I will read anything they write. I can't wait for more books by Michelle! If you haven't read the Phophecy of the Sisters Trilogy I highly suggest you do so. If you haven't yet read Circle of Fire what are you waiting on? Circle of Fire will not disappoint readers.

Review: Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink

Synopsis: The ultimate battle between sisters is nearing, and its outcome could have catastrophic consequences. As sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for a way to end the prophecy, her twin sister Alice hones the skills she'll need to defeat Lia. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim her sister's role in the prophecy, and that's not the only thing she wants: There's also Lia's boyfriend James.

Lia and Alice always knew the Prophecy would turn those closest to them against them. But they didn't know what betrayal could lead them to do. In the end, only one sister will be left standing.

Book Details:

Publisher: Little, Brown books for Young Readers
Pub. Date: August 1, 2010
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 352

My Review:

What could I possibly say about Guardian of the Gate? Well for starters I was a little disappointed with the first half of the book. I was hoping to love the sequel as much as I loved the first book of the trilogy. The first book, Prophecy of the Sisters, had me completely captivated. Very much so in fact I was on a trip in Florida to go to SeaWorld (which was awesome) and Universal Studios (which was a bore) and everyday I woke up early to read the book. Needless to say Prophecy of the Sisters was one of my most memorable moments from that trip. 

For much of Guardian of the Gate, Lia is traveling to Altus. The journey, for the most part, was slow going and not much happened. When things did happen, however, the book got less boring. Along the way to Altus is a journey full of betrayal, budding romance, and flight. To be honest the only good thing to come out of the trip was Dimitri who is Lia’s new love interest. Even though he didn’t make my heart flutter and swoon over him I really liked that he cares a great deal for Lia. He is willing to go to great lengths to protect her and make her feel comfortable. 

What happened on the journey to Altus did change the way things are between the keys and Lia. This certain incident made me want to read to find out how, and if, things will get back to the way they were. Besides the first half of the book the second half was awesome! I liked Altus as much as Lia. The people on the island were great (besides two of them) and I like their laid-back kind of living. I mean seriously silk robes as the usual attire sounds heavenly. I remember the day where I would come home Michelle Zink has created and continued to maintain a wonderful world in her Sisters trilogy. Her writing flows magically and thats just one reason why I will forever read her stories. I can say with 100% certainty that the second half of Guardian of the Gate will leave you wanting to read Circle of Fire to find out how it all ends.