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Waiting on Wednesday: Clockwork Prince
“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
Clockwork Prince
by Cassandra Clare
The Infernal Devices Book 2
Release Date is December 6, 2011
From Goodreads.com:
In Clockwork Prince, with Mortmain vanished and the clock counting down on how long Charlotte can keep control of the Institute away from Benedict Lightwood, Will, Jem and Tessa must dig into Mortmain’s past to predict what he will do in the future, But secrets about Mortmain aren’t all they find buried — Tessa begins to uncover the truth about her own birth, and the ghosts of Will’s past return to haunt him. As Tessa grows closer to Jem, and Will is driven further toward the brink of madness by jealousy and guilt, will they discover the truth in time to halt the next phase of Mortmain’s evil plan?
It’s always exciting when the next book in a series you’ve waited over a year for is coming out! Not much else to say. I loved the first book in the series, Clockwork Angel, and I can’t wait to read this next installment.
Happy Reading! Not happy waiting. =)
Book Review: The Maze Runner
Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Press Books
Release Date: September 2009
Pages: 379
Series: The Maze Runner #1
4 STARS: I Really Liked It
From Goodreads.com:
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.
Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.
Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.
Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.
My Thoughts:
My husband recommended this book to me. It’s so great to have a hubby who loves to read young adult fiction like me!
Thomas is just a likeable 16-year-old guy. He has no memories of his life or people he knew which made me feel for him and cheer him on from the beginning. The mystery of the “glade” and why all these boys are there with their memories taken away kept me reading. I liked the action and mystery. I think I’ll enjoy the next book even better with more answers.
I especially recommend this book for teenage boys since all but one of the characters are teenage boys. There is some violence. It’s still a great read for girls and adults though!
Happy Reading!
Contest Craze: Mini Challenge
Princess Bookie is hosting a Contest Craze: Mini Challenge. This challenge is to post our top 5 books we’re looking forward to release in 2012. So here’s my list!
Insurgent
by Veronica Roth
Release May 2012
Divergent #2
Out of Sight, Out of Time
by Ally Carter
Release March 2012
Gallagher Girls #5
Clockwork Prince
by Cassandra Clare
Release December 2011 (almost 2012)
Infernal Devices #2
The Secrets of Ashona
by Kaza Kingsley
Release February 2012
Erec Rex #5
Endlessly
by Kiersten White
Release 2012
Paranormalcy #3
Flashback Friday- Just One Wish
Flashback Friday is a weekly posting event, hosted by me, that gives book bloggers an opportunity to review a book they love but haven’t read in awhile. These reviews probably won’t be as detailed as more recently read books fresh on our minds.
Post your own Flashback Friday book review then add your URL to the linky at the bottom of this post. I look forward to reading where your Flashback leads us.
Title: Just One Wish
Author: Janette Rallison
Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons
Release Date: March 2009
Pages: 264
Series: none
4 STARS: I Really Liked It
4 STARS: I Really Liked It
From Goodreads.com:
Seventeen-year-old Annika Truman knows about the power of positive thinking. With a little brother who has cancer, it’s all she ever hears about. And in order to help Jeremy, she will go to the ends of the earth (or at least as far as Hollywood) to help him believe he can survive his upcoming surgery.
But Annika’s plan to convince Jeremy that a magic genie will grant him any wish throws her a curveball when he unexpectedly wishes that his television idol would visit him. Annika suddenly finds herself in the desperate predicament of getting access to a hunky star actor and convincing him to come home with her. Piece of cake, right?
Janette Rallison’s proven talent for laugh-out-loud humor, teen romance, and deep-hearted storytelling shines in a novel that will have readers laughing and crying at the same time.
My Thoughts:
Oh such a fun read. It’s difficult not to tear up a little during the read though. A six-year-old has cancer! That fact is truly sad and will pull on your heart strings, but, true to the writing of Janette Rallison, there are lots of light and funny scenes as well.
I love how Annika has to try to meet a mega tv star, Steve Raleigh, and convince him to visit her sick brother. What teenage girl wouldn’t love to meet a gorgeous teenage tv star? Lots of laughs!
Favorite Line:
“The problem with internet directions is that they’re not always clear. That is the only reason it took us half an hour to get to the store and not, as Madison claimed, because I drive too fast, pass by streets, and then recklessly make U-turns in the middle of four lanes of traffic.”
Happy Reading!
New Blog Button!
I made a new blog button! Please replace the old one with my beautiful new one. The html code is in the box below my button in the right column. I also updated my background. Fun fun! I love change.
Waiting on Wednesday: The Son of Neptune
“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
The Son of Neptune
by Rick Riordan
Heroes of Olympus Book 2
Release Date is October 4, 2011
From Goodreads.com:
In The Lost Hero, three demigods named Jason, Piper, and Leo made their first visit to Camp Half-Blood, where they inherited a quest:
Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.
Who are the other four mentioned in the prophecy? The answer may lie in another camp miles away, where a new camper has shown up and appears to be the son of Neptune, god of the sea…
I loved the first book in this series, The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. This is the author who also wrote The Lightning Thief and the rest of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Great books! Lots of fun and adventure. I can’t wait!
Happy Reading! Not happy waiting. =)
Book Review: Cascade
IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE 1ST BOOK IN THIS SERIES DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW! It might giveaway who lives or dies and who gets together or doesn’t in the 1st book. You’ve been warned. =) Read my review of Waterfall, book 1 in the River of Time series.
Title: Cascade
Author: Lisa T. Bergren
Publisher: David C. Cook
Release Date: June 2011
Pages: 399
Series: River of Time #2
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!
From Goodreads.com:
Mom touched my underdress—a gown made six hundred years before—and her eyes widened as she rubbed the raw silk between thumb and forefinger. She turned and touched Lia’s gown. “Where did you get these clothes?”
Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead.
But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.
But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.
My Thoughts:
I just love this series. I can’t wait until I read the 3rd book. I love these characters. I feel like I am Gabriella when I’m reading the books. I, of course, wouldn’t be as crazy brave as her. I would definitely defend myself, but I don’t think I’d go looking for danger as much as she seems to do.
I can’t remember if I said this in my review of the first book, Waterfall, but I think Luca is my favorite character. I wish I could read a book that follows him around. He’s so funny and light-hearted.
I don’t know what else to say without spoiling the read for you. This book has action and violence. It’s Medieval Times; people get stabbed and killed or shot with arrows. It also has, as my husband said after reading Waterfall, lovey-dovey stuff.
Favorite Line:
This is the scene where Gabi and Marcello are reunited on pages 31-32.
“Marcello wheeled his horse around and studied the length of the river. At last, his eyes met mine. He was in motion so fast, dismounting, running, it made my heart skip a beat. Luca reached for his reins, frowning, looking toward us, wondering what had drawn his master’s attention.
But Marcello’s eyes were only on me.
I let out a low cry and ran toward him, too, ignoring the puddles of water that I trudged through to meet him in the middle of the riverbed.
He reached me at last and swept me into his arms, kissing my cheeks, my eyes, my hair. ‘Gabriella, Gabriella,’ He moaned. He pulled back and stared at me, as if he thought I was a ghost. ‘You returned,’ he said softly, cradling my cheeks in his hands. ‘You returned,’ he repeated in a whisper.
‘Yes,’ I said, grinning.”
Oh tear . . . that is such a sweet scene.
Happy Reading!
Flashback Friday: Emily and the Scot
Flashback Friday is a weekly post where I review a book I love but haven’t read recently.
Title: Emily and the Scot
Author: Kathryn Smith
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: November 2002
Pages: 273
Series: An Avon True Romance
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!
From Goodreads.com:
Emily
At eighteen, Lady Emily Fitzgerald has seen her fair share of scandal. So when this Season’s prime catch proposes to her on a wager, she makes a decision. Rather than face the whispers and stares of London society yet again, she picks up and departs for Scotland, full of romantic images evoked by poetry and her own imagination.
At eighteen, Lady Emily Fitzgerald has seen her fair share of scandal. So when this Season’s prime catch proposes to her on a wager, she makes a decision. Rather than face the whispers and stares of London society yet again, she picks up and departs for Scotland, full of romantic images evoked by poetry and her own imagination.
The Scot
Cousin to the laird, Jamie MacLaughlin is nonetheless a simple man, content with the honest pursuit of living in the bonny wilds of the Scottish Highlands. A simple man he may be, but one with deep emotions and a quick temper. So when an impertinent English lass crosses his path, it’s no surprise that the two engage in sparring matches with words as their weapons.
First there’s a misunderstanding over an item of luggage. Then there’s an indecent swimming incident, followed by a muddy pigsty mishap. But what finally threatens to undo them both is a sudden—and unexpectedly delicious—kiss.
My Thoughts:
This is a book I can read over and over again. Emily and Jamie get off on the wrong foot after a misunderstanding. All they can do is argue and fight, but you can see their interest for each other building. I love how the story is told from both Jamie and Emily’s perspectives. Just when you’re wondering what the other person is thinking it changes to their point of view.
If you want to read a wonderfully romantic (and ‘clean’) book set in beautiful Scotland pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed.
Favorite Line:
“Determined to stop staring at his chest, Emily raised her gaze.
This was too much. He was just a man, for heaven’s sake! She’d met young men who were handsomer, richer–and certainly better dressed–in London. There was no reason for her strange reaction to this one. He was gruff and mocking and rude and completely unlikable.
Her gaze locked with his. Those startling eyes of his had the crystal clarity of an aquamarine, and they bore into hers as though daring her to judge him, to condemn him. It occurred to Emily then that she unsettled him just as much as he unsettled her.
The realization pleased her more than was proper.”
Happy Reading!
End of the Read-a-Thon!
I participated in the Labor Day Weekend Read-a-Thon hosted by Katie’s Book Blog, and now the weekend is already over!
Ok, so I definitely didn’t reach my goals. End Results:
- I read and LOVED Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren. Click HERE for my review.
- I also started Lucky by Rachel Vail and didn’t finish it. I just wasn’t into the story. The main character was 14 and a little spoiled. There wasn’t anything really bad in the first few chapters, but nothing really very good either. Since I only have a limited time to read each day I didn’t want to waste my time on a book I wasn’t interested in. So I didn’t read Lucky or the next 2 in the series Gorgeous and Brilliant. (Note: I don’t post about books I don’t like, find not ‘clean’ enough for my blog, or an adult book. I want to keep my book reviews upbeat and positive and reserved for teen books.)
- I then decided I should probably read the book for my book club tonight! It’s My Antonia by Willa Cather. It’s an adult book so I won’t be posting a review. I’m only a 10th of the way through it and not into the story at all.
I think I’m still stuck in the world of Waterfall! That’s all I want to read about! I need to get the 2nd book Cascade very soon!!
I hope y’all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend with lots of fun reading!
Happy Reading!
Kathryn Cooper 