Review: Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Angelfire
by Courtney Allison Moulton
February 15, 2011
ebook/galley from HarperCollins thru Netgalley
Buy the Book:  Book Depository   |   Amazon

"When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember." (Goodreads)

Review

Aside from the recurrent nightmares, Ellie thought she was just a normal teenage girl - struggling to get good grades, picking a college, and going out with her friends without going beyond her curfew.  But when a dark creature called a reaper came for her, a gorgeous and mysterious Will turned up and awakened her powers.  Thus thrusting her into an ancient-old battle of good vs. evil with the fate of the Apocalypse in the balance.

This is a thrilling and action-packed novel from debut author, Courtney Allison Moulton.  Ellie seems like an ordinary teenager juggling teenage pressures and activities in her life.  But when it was revealed to her that she's an ancient warrior, the only one who can defeat the reapers, nothing could top a pressure like that.  Fortunately, with her duty comes a Guardian in the form of a gorgeous and hot, Will, whose stoic and moody facade seems only to add to his charm. His unwavering loyalty to Ellie can be unnerving at times, especially when he goes into a his guilt moments.  But it's one of the things that can make you love him.

I love Ellie's character because I read her as someone who is true to her feelings, and remains strong despite her battle with the supernatural and her normal life as well.  At first she can appear as whiny and stubborn, but it subsides later on as she learns to cope up with the reality that was revealed to her by Will.  Will, on the otherhand, is painfully hot.  Even though he is stoic and awfully all mysterious at first, he slowly emerges as a more complex character on his own.  I love the other characters too like Ellie's friends, especially Kate who is just adorable, and more who I will look forward to in the next book.  Angelfire is just the grounding, things takes flight at Wings of the Wicked.

Readers should hold on while they read Angelfire - tossing steam, action, and mystery, you wouldn't know what hit you.  

Angelfire will hit the shelves on February 15, 2011, published by HarperCollins / Katherine Tegen Books.

Music Monday

Some people find the video for this music weird, but I totally dig it.  I'm still worked-up about the song because it makes me feel more than one emotion at the same time.  And I guess it totally shows on the video, which appears to be inspired by Alice in Wonderland / Little Red Riding Hood on a high. :D

December 2 Chapter VII - Taken by Cars

American Talk with the Harry Potter Cast and Harry Potter as Dan?

I know this video had been viral for a while now but nonetheless I'm sharing this video with you because it rocks!  Boo-yah!  I'm officially converted to The Grint fan and pardon me if I ship Harry and Draco.

And by the way, have you noticed that almost everyone in the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows are 10x sexier now?  Nomnomnomnom.



And we have a video where Daniel Radcliffe "confesses" that he is actually Harry Potter playing an actor named Dan.. hilarious. :D 

I Am Harry Potter from Daniel Radcliffe

Book Blogger Hop Friday (26-29)

It's Friday hop again!  I want to greet everyone again a Happy Thanksgiving!  

I hope you all had a great thanksgiving. :)  I posted my thanks here for the year. 

This week's question comes from Sarah of Reader, Writer, Dreamer:

"What is your favorite book cover?"

Hmm.... just one?  That would be very difficult.  But the first that comes to my mind when asked about favorite book covers would be Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush.  I think some of you will agree on this one.  It's totally awesome.  I was captivated the first time I saw it. 


Then there's also Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel which is also beautiful.  Especially the hardbound copy where the clockwork angel is embossed.  I love it!  Not to mention that Will (on the cover) is an eye candy too. *wink-wink*





Happening now:
A Reader Happy's Gratitude Giveaway: ends on 11/28 11:59 PM EST.

New Posts:
Cover Love:  Chain Reaction, Graveminder, Sweetly, and Eternal
Review for Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Movie Trailer for Red Riding Hood

Soon:
Review for Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Mini Review for Shadow Days by Andrea Cremer
Review for Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

Cover Love: Chain Reaction, Graveminder, Sweetly, & Eternity

Here are some of the new book covers going around for some time now.  It took me a while to get a grasp of what's happening. :D 
 

Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry, #3) by Simon Elkeles

"Luis Fuentes is a good boy who doesn't live with the angst that his big brothers, Alex and Carlos, have always lived with. Luis is smart, funny, and has big dreams of becoming an astronaut. But when he falls for the wrong girl, Luis enters a dark world he's never known, and just when he thinks he's got life all figured out, learns some disturbing news about his family that destroys his positive outlook on life. Will that Fuentes bad boy streak come out with a vengeance and lure Luis to live on the edge like his new girlfriend and his own father?

Continuing all the steamy romance of the first two books, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Simone Elkeles gives fans one more satisfying taste of the irresistible Fuentes boys."

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One word:  HOT!!  I've been told a dozen times to read this series.  I don't know what's wrong with me for not having read the books yet.  I guess this cover changes everything.  As soon as my book-buying-ban period ends, I'm getting the books.

Contest Alert

• Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm is having an awesome contest here!
• Larissa's Bookish Life is celebrating its 3rd Blogoversary and Xmas with a giveaway!
• Books Love Me:  Blog's 4th Anniversary Giveaway

Happy Thanksgiving and a Thankful Thursday post!

To everyone who's celebrating Thanksgiving, 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a fun and thankful celebration with your special/loved ones!

[Edit]
My Thankful Thursday

I have a lot to be thankful for.  I mean, 2010 was incredibly awesome for me.  I was almost a mess up until later last year and I've never been better.  :)

• I'm thankful for all the book bloggers, book lovers, and readers out there.  You have all been awesome and incredibly generous. 
• I'm thankful for all the YA authors who have shared their talent and stories to the world.  Know that you are loved, appreciated, and have touched lives. 
• I'm thankful for my sisters who have been patient with all mood swings, sleepless nights (reading), tolerated by book addiction, and loved me unconditionally.
• I'm thankful for my parents who have supported me in my every endeavor and madness.
• And lastly, I'm thankful for being alive and for every moment spent with the people I love and care for.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! :)

Waiting on Wednesday: Entice (Need #3) by Carrie Jones

Entice (Need #3)

by Carrie Jones

December 7, 2010

"Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that's not quite how things have worked out.

For starters, well, Nick is dead. Supposedly, he's been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. But it's taking time, and meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But how to get to Valhalla?

And even if Zara and her friends discover the way, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn't just turned. She's Astley's queen." (Goodreads)

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Captivate (Need #2) left us with a cliffhanger.  And I have no idea what would happen next.  As in no clue or theory to keep me going.  That's new. lol.  There are so many things that have happened and are need resolving.  Zara and Nick, but then there's also Astley who happens to be Zara's other pixie half now.  And there's also an incoming war.  This is going to be good!

Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Nightshade (Nightshade #1)
Andrea Cremer
October 19, 2010
Buy the Book:  Book Depository   |  Amazon

"Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?" (Goodreads)

Review

The future and her life had always been planned for Calla.  Everything has been laid out for her as the pack leader of the Nightshades and future bride of the rival pack's alpha, Ren Laroche.  Then a human props up making her think otherwise. 

This is an enthralling first novel from Andrea Cremer about supernatural teenagers, plagued by hormonal surge,  issues on identity, friends and family, and being responsible for the choices one makes.  You'll fall in-love with the strong will of Calla, the dynamics of the packs, and pick a team between Ren and Shay.   And there's also the mystery behind the history of Calla's world, the danger that threatens everyone and hidden truths that can shatter everything they believe in.

I personally fell in-love with this book.  It was definitely a big book to chomp on but I devoured it like I was one of the pack.  It wasn't hard to fall for Shay's charm and also feel for Ren on the other hand.  Every chapter will have you holding your breath wishing wicked creatures out of the way, or the boys are just so freakishly hot they will make you skip a heartbeat.  Though Ren is never short on hotness, I'm on Team Shay and is cheering for the team.  And, sorry Drew (Patch) but I think I'm also crushing on Will (Shay). 

This is really one of the best reads I have for this year and a must-read.  You'd be wishing for Wolfsbane too after reading this baby.  I know I do. :)

Tuesday Trailer: Red Riding Hood (movie)

If you haven't seen the trailer for this movie, Red Riding Hood, then you better click on play.  Directed by Twilight's Catherine Hardwicke, it's a dark and sexy adaptation of the fairy tale, Little Red Riding Hood. 

"Set in a medieval village that is haunted by a werewolf, a young girl falls for an orphaned woodcutter, much to her family's displeasure." (imdb)

Starring Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Billy Burke, Shiloh Fernandez , Max Irons, Virginia Madsen and Julie Christie.  Set for release March 2011.

The trailer looks gooooooood.  Not to mention the sight of Gary Oldman alone will have me running to the screens for this.  Are the guys falling for Red here hot or what? 

Music Monday

For this Music Monday, because I'm still on the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows mood, We have O, Children by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.  For those who have watched the film this was the music played during Harry and Hermione's dance (to avoid spoilers for those who haven't watched the film, I purposely turned it translucent. Hopefully it worked).  I love, love that scene once that awkward phase passed.  It was a gentle reminder of how close they were and break they need no matter how short it was. Just one of the awesome things I loved about the film.  It was not in the book but I loved it. 

Some Giveaways Around

• The Bibliophilic Book Blog is holding a Holiday Giveaway where you can win finished books, ARCs, or audiobooks!  Check it out here.
• Sparkling Reviews is giving away a new Nook Color!  Check it out here.
• Badass Bookie 2011 Debutante Event Giveaway!
• Want to win Bree Despain's The Lost Saint ARC?  Bookalicious, and Truth Be Told are holding giveaways for it!  
• Gratitude Giveaway from Book'd until 11/28. Win $10 book from Book Depository.
• Imagination in Focus is celebrating blogoversary with a giveaway! There will be 2 winners!  Check it out here. 
• And there's still time to enter Bookspeak's 100 folowers' giveaway!
• The Bookaholics are giving away a signed Afterlight by Elle Jasper!
• Beyond Words is having a contest for having breach 100 followers!

Early Xmas Discount from Book Depository

Book Depository is a great place to get your reading fix and they ship absolutely free in more than 90 countries around the world!  I have tried them myself and it is now competing with Amazon for my attention. lol.  They hold a variety of books for book lovers and gift shoppers alike.

If you are interested in doing an early Christmas shopping with them, just enter your email below so I can send you a 10% discount voucher.  :)  Will be accepting emails until the 25th.

Note: Vouchers are good until the 15th of December only and one voucher per person only.  ^_^

NOTE: Badass Bookie is having a 2011 Debutante Event.  You can check it out here.

Even until the end. HP will be a part of me.

I survived watching Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (Part 1) without too much tears shed, but hell I still cried.  I'm such a crybaby I'm teary eyed already at the first 5 minutes of the film.  I guess the book have wounded me enough that it didn't hurt that bad.   I hope you, guys are on your way or have watched the movie.  Can't wait to hear your thoughts about it so I won't put any spoilery or comments on the movie yet.

The book was an emotional journey and watching it on-screen may amplify the memory.  I welcome the break between the two-parts.  Although there will be a long wait, it will also serve (perhaps) as a recovering stage for us.  I think after I read the last book, it took me a while to get over it.  Yeah, geek and weird as it may sound I was afflicted with the HP withdrawal-syndrome.  I think some of you may have experienced it too.  I mean, it was our childhood.  For seven years, it became a part of our life.  Waiting for the book, reading it, sharing thoughts about it, etc.  I'm talking like this when it's just the first part!  What more on the second and last installment!  Bring on the truckload of tissue!

So I'll stop my babbling here and cheer you on!  It's a weekend and wishing you all a good weekend! Cheers!

Book Blogger Hop Friday

Happy Friday!  

Thanks for hopping/dropping by my blog. 

Feel free to look around and drop me a message. For old followers, cheers lovey!  

 Parajunkee's Follow Fridays posted this question:

"How long have you been book blogging?"

I've been at it for 10 months now. :)  Never knew I would take it to heart.  I guess I just fell in-love with it and enjoyed the book blogging community.

From Crazy-for-Books:


"Since Thanksgiving is coming up next week, let's use this week's Hop to share what we are most thankful for and what our holiday traditions are?"


Wow, I have a LOT to be thankful.  Let's start with second chances, family, friends, opportunities, and everything else in between.  2010 was an awesome year and I barely made it here so I'm very thankful.

Our family just get together for dinner or some family time.  Nothing fancy but we make sure we're complete. We always say that as long as our family is strong and we are all ok, then everything else will follow, and we can make it through anything.

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Got my dark mark ready

I know most of you might be a little busy (tonight) because of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 1) premiere.  I just saw it last night and went all a little fangirly.  Can't blame me, I love Harry Potter and proud to be from its generation!  People kept staring at my dark mark tattoo.  Most of them have no idea what it was not until after the movie.  I hope you won't encounter lots of people who went to see the movie who have no idea about the book, then ends up asking their seatmate or friend what's going on in the movie.  lol.

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Recently posted:

• Review for Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
• Review for The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3) by Julie Kagawa

Happening now:

• A Reader's Happy Gratitude Giveaways:  Win books of Becca Fitzpatrick and Cassandra Clare.  International, runs until 11/28.

Soon:

• Reviews for Nightshade, Angelfire, Shadow Days, Personal Demons, and Forest of Hands and Feet.
• Get Christmas Discount from Book Depository.

The End starts now: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

poster by Olly Moss

Are you ready for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?  The end begins now.  I think I'm going to be incapacitated for a couple of days.  Good luck to us, fellow Potter-lovers.  We are in for a rough ride.  Enjoy the movie.  Don't forget to breathe, bring tissue or a hanky, a fellow Potter-lover (for moral and emotional support), and a lot of love for Harry Potter.

Cheers!

1 Day until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

1 Day until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

I'm so prepared to freak out tomorrow and go to my class the following day in sunglasses.  It's going to be a hell of a start of the end. Are you ready for the end?

A Reader Happy's Gratitude Giveaway!

Gratitude Giveaways - Blog Follower Appreciation is our way to say thank you to our fab followers!

This is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

The blog is barely a year old and I want to thank my fab followers!  Around this time last year I was not yet into reading until I bumped into Hush, Hush and got me hooked.  Almost two months later, i got into blogging.

If it Hush, Hush kind of started it, then there's Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments, which cemented this sort of love.  I still remember finishing all three books within three days.  The best freaking days of that year.

The Giveaway: One Winner can win Hush, Hush or Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick and another winner can choose from Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments books (City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass - not as a set; saving it for a special giveaway.^_^) or Clockwork Angel.

They were the ones that got me hooked into reading again so it's also a way of saying thanks to both of them and sharing all the angel-love! :)

Details:  There will two winners, who can choose from Becca or Cassie's books as the prize.  There is an option in the form where you can choose which you will be entering for.  (So I will have one winner for Becca's and another one for Cassie.)  And since the books will be delivered through The Book Depository, the contest is open internationally as long as they deliver to your country (check here).

This will run until November 28, 11:59PM EST.  I will contact the winner first through email and then announce the winner by December 1.

Rules:

Follower of  my blog through GFC

Book Depository ships to your country

fill out the FORM 

Bonus Entries:
follow me on Twitter (+1)
grabbing my button (+1)
posting, linking, or tweeting this contest (+1/each)

Review: The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Queen (The Iron Fey, #3)
Julie Kagawa
February 1, 2011
Buy the Book:   Book Depository   |   Amazon

"My name is Meaghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stay by my side. Drag me into the core of a conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back." (Goodreads)

Review

The Iron Queen marks the epic conclusion of Meaghan Chase's battle with the Iron Feys.  All she wanted was to be normal.  Even though she knows she can't have the "normal" life she wants, at least she wanted the bit of what her being a half-human, half-fey can offer her.  With the threat of the false Iron King still hounding her, she knows she cannot go back to her family, and her only choice is to confront her battles head on.  Her only consolation is having Ash by her side and they are determined to fight for their love no matter what happens.

As the threat of the Iron Kingdom spread like wildfire across the Nevernever, Meaghan, being the only one to withstand iron, is called to stop the false Iron King.  Together with Ash and Puck, they are thrust into the faery war, knowing that with everything at stake, they have to win this war or bring the false Iron King down with them.   Meaghan and Ash knows that the future is bleak for them.  The only thing that keeps them going is their love for them and a promise of a possible future for them to finally have a life together. 

Expect that this journey will be perilous, merciless, and heart-wrenching.  If you think that the first two books gave you a mighty ride, then hold on tight and prepare something to console you because The Iron Queen is a heart-stopper until the very last page.

Julie Kagawa delivers once again in this much anticipated third book in the Iron Fey series.  There's a fine balance of humor, ardor, pain, and love in the time of war and crossroads.  I found it very hard to write a review for this one and at the same time a strong nudge to write about it.  It's like reading/seeing Lord of the Rings: Return of the King again, where war have torn friends, demanded sacrifices, and living knowing it could very be your last.   But it was certainly worth every tear I shed after closing the book - tears out of the mixed emotions flooding in, but mostly out of hope for a love that will endure.

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Iron Fey series fans!  If you haven't heard about it yet, Julie has something in-stored for you. Now we look forward to the release of The Iron Queen on February 1, 2011! 

Thank you to HarlequinTeen for providing for the galley for review. :)

3 Days until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

3 Days until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

4 Days until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

4 Days until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Music Monday: Gravity by Sara Bareilles

I love, love, love this song.  It never fails to bring tears to my eyes (only a little....).  Nicely written and with just enough softness in the melody to sway you back to that vulnerable spot.  What I love about the video is its concept, the simplicity of it, thus complementing the beauty of the song.

5 Days until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

5 Days until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

6 Days until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

6 Days until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

7 Days until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

7 Days until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Book Blogger Hop Friday (November 12-15)

It's Friday and time to hop and follow!

This week's question for the Book Blogger Hop is from Christina of All About YA Books:

"If you find a book that looks interesting but is part of a series, do you always start with the first title?"

Interesting...
Yup!  I always start with the first book if it's a series.  I never tried reading book series out of order...

The we thave this for Parajunkee's Follow Friday from Jackie of Insane Hussein (Featured Blog):

"What is your usual monthly book budget?"

Wow, that's hard to compute. lol.  I tried to have a monthly book budget but I always fail to follow it.  [bad, tsk.] So usually I try to estimate the price of the books I would want that is coming out per month and then do the allotment.  Then put in extra just in case a magazine or a rouge book props out.  Mine fluctuates around $30-$50.  Anywhere beyond that and my wallet will go mad again. lol.

Thanks for dropping by!  Do leave a message.  I love messages. :)

Next week will be the start of the Gratitude Giveaways, hosted by Kathy of I am a Reader, Not a Writer, that I'm participating in. And just under 7 days before the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 movie!  Good stuffs next week! :)  Cheers!

Waiting on Wednesday: Timeless by Alexandra Monir

Timeless

by Alexandra Monir

January 11, 2011

"When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist. And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance.

Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives." (Goodreads)

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I love the cover, which has a celestial/cosmic feel to it.  And the plot reminds me of the movies, Somewhere in Time (which I so very love) and Il Mare (Korean).  Those familiar with The Lake House is an American adaptation of the latter.  I'm always been a fan of the love-across-time stories and maybe because I believe that even if you can't find your true love in this lifetime, someday in another you will meet. Ack, romanticizing again.  Sorry.  :p  Added to my TBR list for 2011! :)

Vote for COFA fan-made covers!

The five finalists for Mundie Moms' City of Fallen Angels Fan-made covers are now up!  They are all gorgeous and are calling for your votes.  Voting ends on the 12th so head on to Mundie Moms and vote! :)

I also heard that Val Freire will launch a new batch of runes on December 1!  Isn't that great?!  Don't forget her rune design contest. And the unveiling of COFA cover will be somewhere in December as well.  Can Christmas get any merrier? :)

Tuesday Trailer: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Paranormalcy

by Kiersten White

August 31, 2010

"Sixteen-year-old Evie's job is bagging and tagging paranormals. Possessing the strange ability to see through their glamours, she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency. But when someone--or something--starts taking out the vamps, werewolves, and other odd beasties she's worked hard to help become productive members of society, she's got to figure it out before they all disappear and the world becomes utterly normal.
Normal is so overrated." (from Goodreads)

Check out my review of Paranormalcy here.

Cover Love: The Vespertine, Wolfsbane and Nightspell

I'm really loving the cover of Andrea Cremer's Wolfsbane! I can't post the summary yet because I'm still reading Nightshade and I'm avoiding all possible sources of spoilers like a plague.  But I just can't resist sharing the pretty-ness of the cover with you so here it is!


Then we have Saundra Mitchell's The Vespertine, which is another cover beauty.  Somehow in close-up the girl remindeds me of Katie Holmes. :D  It is due for March 7 next year. 

"The summer of 1889 is the one between childhood and womanhood for Amelia van den Broek—and thankfully, she’s not spending it at home in rural Maine. She’s been sent to Baltimore to stay with her stylish cousin, Zora, who will show her all the pleasures of city life and help her find a suitable man to marry.

With diversions ranging from archery in the park to dazzling balls and hints of forbidden romance, Victorian Baltimore is more exciting than Amelia imagined. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. Newly dubbed "Maine’s Own Mystic", Amelia is suddenly quite in demand.

However, her attraction to Nathaniel, an artist who is decidedly outside of Zora's circle, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him. And while she has no trouble seeing the futures of others, she cannot predict whether Nathaniel will remain in hers.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia's world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause." (Goodreads)

Last we have Nightspell by Leah Cypress.  It is a stand-alone novel but perhaps in the same league as her Mistwood (you can read my review here).  The cover is also gorgeous.  I love the sunset setting of the castle and I would love to see the actual book in my shelf. :D  It's slated for release on May 31st next year.

"When Darri rides into Ghostland, a country where the living walk with the dead, she has only one goal: to rescue her younger sister Callie, who was sent to Ghostland as a hostage four years ago. But Callie has changed in those four years, and now has secrets of her own. In her quest to save her sister from herself, Darri will be forced to outmaneuver a handsome ghost prince, an ancient sorcerer, and a manipulative tribal warrior (who happens to be her brother). When Darri discovers the source of the spell that has kept the dead in Ghostland chained to this earth, she faces a decision that will force her to reexamine beliefs she has never before questioned - and lead her into the heart of a conspiracy that threatens the very balance of power between the living and the dead." (Goodreads)

Julie Kagawa is at it again!

So what is this sekrit project that Julie has in-stored for us?  

Click here to find out and be all excited, Iron Fey fans! :) 

Music Monday: Enigma's Return to Innocence

Return to Innocence by Enigma

I grew up with this song and music video in mind.  The video has this haunting feeling to it that lingers in you.  And I think this is one of the classic videos that one should not miss watching.  Enigma is one of my favorite artists that my dad think is weird.  Before there were trance, there was Enigma.

TMI Fans, there's a new rune design contest!

Val Freire a.k.a. bhanesidhe, is having a new rune design contest!  Val intends to launch the new batch of Mortal Instruments' runes by December and the contest is a part of it. :)

For those who are artistic and have a knack in doodling and rune/s concept, here's your chance to have your design included in the upcoming TMI runes batch!

So excited!!  I'm going to have new runes for a tattoo [teeeheee].  I heard before from Cassie that there will be like a wedding rune so maybe it will be included there.

And don't forget that December also holds the unveiling of City of Fallen Angels' cover! 

This is from Val's page:

Saturday Sharing: 2 Weeks 'til Harry Potter DH

Cafe Attack snippet

Book Blogger Hop Friday (Nov 5-8)

Friday Hop again! This week's question comes from Vicki from The Wolf's Den:

"What are your feelings on losing followers? Have you ever stopped following a blog?"

 Ack.  Hmmm, to be honest about it of course it's kinda sad if you tend to lose some followers.  But then again, you cannot force them to follow you if you don't interest them anymore.  I know some of them follows because you are following them or vice-versa, but it's also good to know that really some of them enjoys or are still interested with what you have to share.

Have I ever stopped following a blog?  One or two actually because they already said that they will stop blogging or shutting down the site.  Other than that other reasons for me to stop following (e.g. spam, flooding, offensive posts) have not yet surfaced. I love following blogs! 

Then for Parajunkee's Follow Friday:

"Who are your favorite authors?"

I'm totally for Becca Fitzpatrick, Cassandra Clare, and Sarah Rees Brennan.  They sure know how to rock my boat.  And I guess it's fairly obvious I love them!  lol!  But then there's also Kristin Cashore, Julie Kagawa, Michelle Zink, and of course Ms. Suzanne Collins and Ms. J.K. Rowling.  Anything these authors will write I will definitely read!

Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Paranormalcy
by Kiersten White
August 31, 2010
Buy the book:  Amazon   |   Book Depository

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal. (Goodreads)

Review

Evie grew up in the IPCA or International Paranormal Containment Agency and basing on the name of the place, she is used to all kinds of paranormal.  What she has not experience yet - and is also craving for - is what it would feel like to be normal. 

Kiersten White threw all paranormal you could think of into Paranormalcy, kicked it with some teen angst, otherworldly mystery, and of course some good old romance.  Evie is your everyday teen who dreams of experiencing something more than what she has right now, bored of studies, would not miss her favorite tv series, spends time with her best friend, and would now and then defy authority. 

When something broke into the IPCA facility, Evie learns that something is happening to the paranormals and somehow she has something to do with it.  No one is telling her anything. Her twisted fairy ex-boyfriend comes too close for comfort.  And oh, she happens to find love in a wrong place, wrong time, and weird person.   Suddenly, her favorite tv show pales in comparison to how complicated her situation is.  Because like her, everything she knows is not what and who they seem to be.  Her powers to see through glamour can't save her for what is coming.

Bleep will have a new meaning after you have read Paranormalcy.  This is the kind of story that may or may not appeal to some but definitely is a really cool one to read.  With all the paranormal creatures coming in and out of the story, I guess you wouldn't be short of anything.  I also liked the pacing, which I feel was fast so things develop quickly and you're thrown in the next thing before feeling a bit off.  The characters are relatable I think for young adult readers.  The feeling of wanting to experience something new, falling in-love, and being confronted with responsibility, choices and consequences.  And Kiersten White facilitated humor and undertones in the writing are another plus point to note.   

I am certainly looking forward to the sequel, Supernaturally.  With where the ending will leave you, you would probably feel the same way too.  You would want to know too, right?