In My Mailbox (71)

This is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren that tells people what new books we've gotten over the weeks.

From Net Galley:
Starters by Lissa Price-Book w/lots of buzz coming out March 13th. Thank you to Random House for eARC

From the library:
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher-Yes, yes, I know I should have read this AGES ago. My only excuse is that I don't read contemporary books as a rule. I'm trying to get better about that this year. If you want feel free to rec me contemporary that you think I should absolutely read. I've already read Maureen Johnson (love her), Stephanie Perkins (greatly enjoyed), Jodi Picccoult (not a fan), and I'm about to pick up John Green.
Katerina Trilogy Book 1: The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges-historical fantasy that I've seen no reviews for at least among my blog list. Strange because it sort of sounds awesome.
Unearthly Book 2: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand-As a rule I don't enjoy angel books that much. It's just one of those genres that I don't get/isn't for me. So when I say I enjoyed Unearthly last year that's saying something about the book. Looking forward to this one.
Empty Coffin Book 1: Envy by Gregg Olsen-Paranormal/horror mystery thing from last year that sounds awesome.
Incarnation Book 1: The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams-paranormal romance thing from January that I've seen little to no reviews for for some reason.

Book Review: Wildthorn

TITLE: Wildthorn
AUTHOR: Jane Eagland
PUBLISHED: 2010
CATEGORY: YA
GENRE: glbt, historical fiction, drama
PREMISE: A girl is sent away to a insane asuylum by her family...
MY REVIEW: First up, this book features a lesbian romance. If you do not like glbt books for whatever reason you come up with then this book will not be for you. I will say again: I will not tolerate any flaming I get for reading or promoting glbt books. You are welcome to believe what you believe but don't expect me to go along with you on it.
That said, this was a decent book. Granted, it's a wee bit slow moving and I sort of feel the author hit you over the head a bit with the feminist message and I felt it was rather biased towards one point of view but for the most part, I enjoyed this. It's a strong character piece that really shows what women had to put up with in Victorian England. I'll give you hint: it wasn't fun.
Maybe not the best book ever but romance was sweet and even while I didn't think it was terribly subtle in the message I did like what it had to say.
WHO SHOULD READ: glbt book fans, historical fiction fans
MY RATING: Four out of Five gowns

Book Review: Juliet Immortal

TITLE: Juliet Immortal
AUTHOR: Stacey Jay
PUBLISHED: 2011
CATEGORY: YA
GENRE: retelling, fantasy, romance
PREMISE: The tale of Romeo and Juliet is a big fat lie. In reality Romeo betrayed Juliet for power and she is on a quest for vengence.
MY REVIEW: For the record I LOVE the premise of this book. It has always bugged me how people go on about Romeo and Juliet being so romantic when hello, they commit suicide! Not very romantic there. Plus I fall under the group of people who believe Shakespeare was actually doing satire with this play because when one looks at it as satire, it makes so much more sense. So this concept here? Genuis in my opinion.
I do have some issues with the book, namely much plot devices were convenient, I still don't understand how Juliet and Romeo jump into people's lives and why they do so and I've also read that particular idea earlier before in the book Mercy by Rebecca Lim (though I think this book handled the concept better then Mercy did). Plus I would have liked better characterization for Juliet who seemed to float between badass and whiny girl who needs saving all the time. But other then these things it was a well done book and I agree with my local Barnes and Noble sellers: much better then Twilight.
So if you want a different take on Romeo and Juliet this fits the bill.
WHO SHOULD READ: Romeo and Juliet fans, Twilight fans, romance fans
MY RATING: Four out of Five plays

Book Review: Dearly Departed

TITLE: Dearly Departed
Book 1 in the Dearly series
AUTHOR: Lia Habel
PUBLISHED: 2011
CATEGORY: YA
GENRE: zombies, dystopian, steampunk, adventure, romance
PREMISE: In a future that mixes technology and old victorian customs a girl and a zombie meet...
MY REVIEW: Okay I won't lie to you: the zombie as a love interest IS a bit wierd and takes some getting used too. I also give there could have been a bit better developement on the romance front. But I honestly find myself not really caring because I for one LOVED THIS BOOK. Seriously, I was grinning the whole way through.
Yeah okay, Nora is a bit Sueish. But she's an enjoyable Sue so she's tolerable. Actually all the characters are enjoyable in this, particularly my favorite characters: Chas, Tom, and Renfield who should all totally have their own show where they discuss things like on the View; it would be awesome. Habel clearly isn't going for deep stuff here (though I say there are one or two little interesting morsels in there) and is obviously trying to just entertain people and by golly she succeeds. She has fun characters you can't help but grow to love, a great concept slightly along the lines in tone of Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series, great dialogue (the "vampires are just zombies with good PR" line will never cease to amuse me) and she has a good pace going. I didn't even honestly mind the romance even if again, not very developed (but how awesome is it that they don't even talk about romance till like three-thirds through the book? DO YOU KNOW HOW RARE THAT IS IN YA?).
In short this is a entertaining romp with zombies once you get over the zombie as a love interest idea (which you should be able too after a bit because Bran is so darn fun). No, it's not deep nor will it win any literature awards but if you're looking for fun entertainment with zombies I whole-heartedly rec this book. You'll be in for a good time.
WHO SHOULD READ: zombie fans, steampunk fans, fans of the Parasol Protectorate series
MY RATING: Four out of Five stumbling zombies

Book Review: Tempest

TITLE: Tempest
Book 1 in a new series
AUTHOR: Julie Cross
PUBLISHED: 2012
CATEGORY: YA
GENRE: Time travel, romance, drama
PREMISE: A boy goes back in time to save the girl he loves.
MY REVIEW: Tempest is a hard book to review because honestly as a book it's okay. The writing is decent, the plot is easy to grasp, it doesn't really get dull, and so on. In short: it's readable. I've certainly read worse. I think the thing that will make people decide if they like it or not is just whatever your hang ups are as a reader. If you aren't really a detail oriented reader who doesn't get bothered by the little things (lucky you, how I wish sometimes I was a reader like this, I'd probably enjoy more books then) then you'll probably enjoy this book.
But if you're like me and you tend to get bothered by the whys, the hows, and the what's the point of all this then this novel will most likely drive you bananas like it did with me. I'm sorry but the time travel here like with all YA novels using time travel so far MAKES NO SENSE. I don't understand at all how he can "jump" back into time (which by the way is totally stolen from the movie Jumper) and I REALLY don't understand what the point of the time travel is if jumping back doesn't even change anything. I mean talk about pointless time travel. Nothing changes? Then WHY BOTHER? Just...what? I'm sorry this point here makes absolutely no sense to me. So why did he stay in 2007 then? Why is he researching this ability at all if it's so useless? This one thing makes the character motivations or him as well as his enemies (who have SUCH a ridiculous name. Enemies of Time? Really? If this were Doctor Who the Doctor would be making fun of these guys so badly and it would be rightfully deserved) just make no sense at all. Why are you guys bothering with all of this if nothing you do changes anything? Then there's little stuff like how while the romance is sweet I didn't get much of a connection between Holly and the MC and as usual boy narrator doesn't really sound like a boy. Plus it bugged me how the females in this book were basically useless and just there as love interests.
But as one can see by the wide and varying reviews this book gets how much you like it will probably just depend on you as a reader. Me I just think the book is average with details that slightly bug me but it's not horrible and for a debut could have been a lot worse. It was certainly a ambitious idea. I just sort of wish it had been a little more thought through.
WHO SHOULD READ: fans of the movie Jumper, time travel fans, readers not bothered by details
MY RATING: Three and a half out of Five time travel machines

In My Mailbox (70)

This is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren that tells people what new books we've received over the week.

Downloaded to Kindle:
Deadwood Mystery book 1: Nearly Departed in Deadwood by Ann Charles-Paranormal mystery thing that was free. Adult.
Ghost of Granny Apples Book 1: Ghost a La Mode by Sue Ann Jaffarian-Another free cozy paranormal type mystery. No I don't have an cozy book addiction, why would you say this? ;)

From Net Galley
Croak by Gina Damico-Upcoming release whose premise sounds a bit like Dead Like Me which if you haven't seen, you totally should because that show is fabulous. Thank you Houghton Mifflin Court for the eARC.
The Iron Codex Book 2: The Nightmare Garden by Caitlin Kittredge-The Iron Thorn was one of my favorite unsung debuts from last year. I can't wait for book 2. Thank you Delacorte books for the eARC.

From the library:
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray-Female Lord of the Flies done by one of my favorite YA authors? I'm in! Even if it has gotten mixed reviews from her fans (Going Bovine did as well and I loved that so...)
Shatter Me Book 1 by Tahereh Mafi-FINALLY off the reserve list. So much buzz for this one but I'm trying not to let my expectations get too high because the buzz has burned me in the past, especially in 2011.
Wisdom's Kiss by Catherine Gilbert Murdock-Never tried any of Murdock's books before. We'll see how this goes.
Across the Universe Book 2: A Million Suns by Beth Revis-I admit, I wasn't as enamoured of Across the Universe as everyone else but it was good enough that I'm checking out the sequel where I hope there's not as much trope attack (the same with Wither, not crazy about it but I'm hoping the author brings it in the second book). If this (and Fever) suffer from second book syndrome though, I'm done. I give authors second chances unless they really just don't appeal to me.
Under the Never Sky Book 1 by Veronica Rossi-Debut that I've heard good things about that sounds right up my alley so I'm a little pumped even if again, I'm trying to keep my expectations in check.

Book Review: Cinder

TITLE: Cinder
Book 1 in the Lunar Chronicles
AUTHOR: Marissa Meyer
PUBLISHED: 2012
CATEGORY: YA
GENRE: fairytale retelling, dystopian/steampunk, fantasy, romance, science fiction
PREMISE: In this modern take on Cinderella, Cinder is a cyborg who is a mechanic working for her stepmother. When the prince comes with a broken android she agrees.
MY REVIEW: Warning, this review will have much bias because I frankly adored this book with every fiber of my being. Now yes, some plot points were pretty obvious which is a problem a lot of retellings have because most of us know these fairytales very well due to them being so ingrained into our culture (blame Disney). So some stuff here is very obvious from the get go and thus not very surprising.
But that's nothing that keeps the book from being fun because it is interesting seeing the twists the author adds to it to keep this from feeling stale which is what retellings should do (and why I love Once Upon a Time, if you haven't seen that show yet give it a try especially if you're a retelling junkie like myself). Plus Meyer's writing is great. Seriously, if I hadn't known this was her first book I wouldn't have guessed on my own she's that good. She knows how to pace, she keeps the prose simple enough so they don't get in the way, her characters are interesting, and her dialogue really nice. Plus I freaking loved Cinder. Such a refreshing heroine.
In short, this is a great book. Maybe not the most amazing book ever but it's definitely one of my top YA books of the year (so far, the year is still young). I don't know about anyone else but I personally can't wait for the next book.
WHO SHOULD READ: Fairy tale fans, science fiction fans, anyone inclined to pick it up
MY RATING: Four and a half out of Five cyborg parts

Book Review: The Space Between

TITLE: The Space Between
AUTHOR: Brenna Yovanoff
PUBLISHED: 2011
CATEGORY: YA
GENRE: angels/demons, drama, romance, urban fantasy
PREMISE: A girl who is part demon/part angel goes to earth in search of her missing brother.
MY REVIEW: Well, before I start this review I will warn readers: this book deals with some dark, potentially triggering material such as suicide, alchoholism, drugs, and I'm pretty sure abuse was implied as well. If stuff like that disturbs you then chances are you won't like this book. This book deals with some pretty heavy stuff and even sort of messes around with the Adam and Eve story so chances are some religious feathers will be ruffled as well.
But if you don't mind stuff like that, this is a very interesting read. It has that uniqueness to it that I've come to expect from Yovanoff and it has a lot to say about stuff like humanity, who your family is, etc. It's not particularly a fun book but it is definitely an interesting book.
So just be warned that it's dark. But if you're willing this could be a interesting read for you. Chances are if you got into The Replacement that you will get into this. Also can I just say that the cover is gorgeous? Internet pictures really don't do it justice.
WHO SHOULD READ: people that don't mind dark books, fans of The Replacement
MY RATING: Four out of Five angel wings

Book Review: So Silver Bright

TITLE: So Silver Bright
Book 3 in the Theatre Illuminate Trilogy
AUTHOR: Lisa Mantchev
PUBLISHED: 2011
CATEGORY: YA
GENRE: fantasy, romance, adventure
PREMISE: Bertie and co. return to the theatre for a final showdown.
MY REVIEW: This is a trilogy that I'm sorry to see go. It was creative, fun (have I mentioned I ADORE the fairies?), had a love triangle that didn't irritate me for once, and was just a enjoyable series to read. Yes, I give sometimes it jumped around a lot, there's a lot of what the hell moments, and sometimes humor felt misplaced.
But overall this was a solid series. The author brought it to a logical conclusion. I'm happy with the way things turned out, especially in the love triangle as I was rooting for Nate (nothing against Ariel, but that wouldn't have worked out for reasons shown in this book). It was nice seeing people in a love triangle using their heads and behaving reasonably for a change and not making it out to be this great romantic thing because the truth is being in a love triangle is awkward and probably not fun for anyone. Also I just have to give a lot of love to Bertie. She is so refreshing as a main character. She's not mopey, she deals with her stuff, she owns up to mistakes, and cares about something other then her boyfriend.
If you've loved the first two books in this trilogy, you will be satisfied with this ending. Please Lisa Mantchev, WRITE MORE BOOKS!
WHO SHOULD READ: fans of the first two books, theatre buffs
MY RATING: Four out of Five playbills

Book Review: The Throne of Fire

TITLE: The Throne of Fire
Book 2 in the Kane Chronicles
AUTHOR: Rick Riordan
PUBLISHED: 2011
CATEGORY: Childrens/middle-grade
GENRE: mythology, urban fantasy, adventure
PREMISE: Sadie and Carter continue their quest in the fight against Apophis.
MY REVIEW: I have had a long love affair with Riordan's books in the past year or so. This book is really no exception. If you have read Percy Jackson or the first book from this series you already know the drill with these books. Yes, they are a bit nutty at times. No, they are not the pinnacle of children's literature or overly complicated.
But they are damn fun and do something that I just have to tip my hat to Riordan for: explain mythology in a way that kids will get. Because Egyptian mythology is wild. You think Greek mythology is bad? Egypt is ten times worse and even more bloody. But Riordan incorporates the Egyptian myths in a well done way that is respectful of the culture and doesn't trample all over the myths for his own purposes. Which is the number one issue I had with The Goddess Test (not reviewed here because I didn't finish it out of disgust at the pushing the Christian principals into the greek mythology. I mean seriously, ZEUS is against pre-marital sex? ZEUS? Plus I thought the tests were lame).
Anyway, by now most of you have probably figured out if you're a fan of these books or not. If you loved the first book or the Percy Jackson series then this one will be no exception.
WHO SHOULD READ: those that read and liked the first book, Percy Jackson fans
MY RATING: Four and a half out of Five egyptian runes