It's Netgalley Month!!

Emily at Red House Books has declared April to be NETGALLEY MONTH!!

She put together a great challenge to help all of us Netgalley users catch up on all the ebooks we've got waiting to be read! Check out this post for all the details---there's going to be prizes!
The idea is to read as many Netgalley books as you can throughout the month of April. Here's what currently on my Nook from Netgalley (um..sadly, I'll probably realistically only get to a few of these but here's hoping! lol)

Always a Witch by Carolyn McCollough
Die For Me by Amy Plum
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Lost Voices by Sarah Porter
A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Huge thanks to Emily for the inspirational kick in the pants to get these read! :D

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Bloodspell
by Amalie Howard

release date: June 1st, 2011 by Langdon Street Press

description:
The spell was simple …

Cruentus Protectum. Defend the Blood.

But what do you do if your blood is your enemy?

Victoria Warrick has always known she was different. An outcast at school, she is no stranger to adversity. But when she receives an old journal for her seventeenth birthday, nothing prepares her for the dark secrets it holds—much less one that reveals she’s a witch with unimaginable power.

What’s more, when she meets the dazzling but enigmatic Christian Devereux, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. Enemies will hunt her. Friends will turn on her. The terrible curse that makes her blood run black will stop at nothing to control her. And Christian has a sinister secret of his own …

Without knowing whom to trust, can Victoria survive her blood’s deadly desires? Or will she lose everything, including herself?

My thoughts: Witches, desires, sinister secrets, and mysterious journals?? OH this one sounds so good to me! Lots of story elements that catch my eye...and that cover?? Gorgeous, seriously.

Review: Exposed

Exposed by Kimberley Marcus

publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

release date: February 22, 2011

hardcover, 288 pages

intended audience: Young adult

rating:



source: from publisher for honest review

description:In the dim light of the darkroom, I'm alone, but not for long.
As white turns to gray, Kate is with me.
The background of the dance studio blurred, so the focus is all on her
legs extended in a perfect soaring split.
The straight line to my squiggle,
my forever-best friend.

Sixteen-year-old Liz Grayson is photogirl—sharp, focused and ready to take the world by storm with her camera. But Liz's entire life is called into question when her brother is accused of a crime—and the accuser is Liz's own best friend. As the aftershocks from that accusation rip through Liz's world, everything she thought she knew about photography, family, friendship and herself, shifts out of focus. And for the first time in her life, Liz finds herself unable to trust her own point of view. Told in stunning, searingly raw free verse, Exposed is Kimberly Marcus's gut-wrenching, riveting debut and will appeal to fans of Ellen Hopkins, Laurie Halse Anderson and Virginia Euwer Wolff.

Review: This amazing debut, written in free form verse, is a poignant look at how everything a person holds dear---their family foundation, their closest friendships, their own sense of self---can be shaken to it's core by one moment. It's beautifully written. One thing I've noticed about books written in verse (this is only the second that I've read) is that with so few words, and especially for this one, since its only 288 pages, each and every word packs this amazing emotional wallop. Each and every line has impact and perfectly conveys what the character is feeling and experiencing.

Liz and Kate have been friends forever, and planned to keep it that way. No matter what else is going on, they drop everything once a month and have a sleepover. During one of these sleepovers, they have a fight, Liz goes upstairs to her room, and from that night on, everything changes. Kate won't talk to her, won't return her calls, avoids her the school hallways. Liz is dumbfounded---the fight they had wasn't that bad. The mystery is solved a few days later when she finds out through word of mouth what happened when she left Kate alone that night and Liz's older brother came home.

I really felt for Liz being thrown into the middle of this, being left to try to decipher what really happened and which of these people that she loves is lying to her. Both sides have completely different stories. Her best friend in the world says she can't even look at her because when she does she sees her brother. Her brother says he did nothing wrong and is hurt that Liz doubts his innocence. Her parents are just barely holding it together, but also placing a lot on Liz's shoulders. Even Liz's one saving grace, her ability to lose herself to her photography and the future she had in it, seems to be slipping away. It was heartbreaking to read, brought me close to tears more than once. Everyone involved loses so much in these sorts of situations, everyone gets dragged through the mud. It's the kind of story that artfully and honestly presents both sides and gets you thinking. Definitely give this one a try.

Visit Kimberly Marcus's site here.

Purchase Exposed at: Amazon • BN.com • BookDepository • Indiebound

Once Upon A Time Challenge 2011!!

The annual Once Upon A Time challenge hosted by Stainless Steel Droppings is starting up again, and this year I've decided to join up and go on the quest! :D I am really excited to participate in this. Anyone whose been around my little blog for awhile knows how much I love books that are fairy-tale retellings, fantasies, or based on any kind of myth or folklore, so this event will be right up my alley! If you love them as well, definitely stop by the challenge site and get all the details!

So, for my first time participating, I have decided to jump straight in with both feet and take on "Quest the Third". To fulfill my goal, I will be reading at least FIVE books that fall into the categories of fairytale, folklore, fantasy, or mythology between now and June 20th, AND in June I'll be finishing off with a viewing of Midsummer Night's Dream (the one with Michelle Pfeiffer, Stanley Tucci, Anna Friel, and company. I loved that one and haven't watched it in so long!)

Here's a quick list of a few of the titles that I'll be choosing from, because I haven't made a solid decision which books I'll be reading for sure:

• Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
• Pegasus by Robin McKinlay
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore
• Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
• Huntress by Malinda Lo (I've actually just started this one today!)
• Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
• Eon & Eona by Alison Goodman
• The Hollow by Jessica Verday
• The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
• Siren by Trisha Rayburn
• The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland on a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne Valente
• Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright
• Plain Kate by Erin Bow
• So Silver Bright by Lisa Matchev
• Wings by Aprilynne Pike
• What the Dickens by George Maguire
• Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
• Wildefire by Karsten Knight (IF I can somehow get my hands on a copy of this before June!)

So there's my candidates---what do you think? Any that I should definitely add to the list? Any from the list that you'd excitedly recommend?

Anyone else participating in this challenge? Link me up so I can see your book picks!

In My Mailbox {59}

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where we all share what we got during the week!

Got some great stuff for review this week, and scored some fun books at bargain prices!! All in all, an awesome book week!

For Review:
Seven Kinds of Ordinary Catastrophes by Amber Kizer
I really enjoyed Meridian by this author, so I'm curious if I'll enjoy her contemporary work as well.

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan
I haven't read this series, so I'll have to seek out the read the first two! I tend to avoid Zombie stories, so I may pass this one on to another reviewer---any volunteers? :)

The Fitzosbornes in Exile by Michelle Cooper
This one looks amazing!! It's a second in a series, so I'll be ordering A Brief History of Montmarary this week!

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland on a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
I posted about this one a few weeks ago...the trailer is so perfect and I can't wait to crack this one open!

Shimmer by Alyson Noel
I loved the first book in this MG series, I can't wait to see what is in store for Riley and Bodie!

Many thanks to Random House & Macmillan for these!

Bought:
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
I've wanted to read this for a year now...finally just grabbed my own copy. Sooo pretty.

Ash by Malinda Lo
Love this book---catch my review here.

All You Get is Me by Yvonne Prinz
This has been on my wishlist forever. I lucked out finding it at half-price!

Jane by April Lindner
Another of my favorites---here's my review.

Fool's Girl by Celia Rees
This one's gotten mixed reviews, but I couldn't resist the pretty cover and a story involving Shakespeare for just a couple bucks. :)

So this week, expect reviews of Exposed and hopefully Huntress. AND...guys! Wow! I went away today and came back to 800 followers! I may just have to do a little giveaway to say thanks to each and every one of my lovely blog readers! :D Thanks so much, everyone!

Review: Haunting Violet

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

release date: June 21st, 2011

hardcover, 352 pages

intended audience: Young adult

rating:


source: Around the World ARC Tours

description: Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

Review: I tend to love stories set in the Victorian era,... the propriety, the gowns and corsets (though I am grateful the world of women's fashion has long since left corsets behind!), the birth of the seance and a craze over mediums. This one was no exception, I really enjoyed it.

I loved the characters in this book. Violet was a great protagonist, a proper young lady in spite of her position in society but with a great sense of wit, mostly heard through her inner dialogue. Possibly a little on the shy side outwardly, having constantly lived in the shadow of a very demanding, showy mother. It was easy to relate to her and to feel compassion for her and cheer her on. I adored her best friend, Elizabeth. They're closeness and sense of fun was just the perfect touch to lighten the darkness of this ghostly story. Colin was easily my favorite character: humble but brave, funny but passionate...and could sneak a kiss on a girl like nobody's business! Loved him. Oh, and Mr. Rochester...loved him, too, but you'll have to read the book to find out who he is! :)

I loved reading about all the tricks and wool-pulling tactics Violet's mother used to perform her fake seances. You could easily see how much research the author put in to make it as accurate as possible. Funny thing was, Violet begins to actually see real ghosts. The ghost of a drowned girl comes to Violet, insistent that she solve her murder. That's where the story takes quite a creepy turn! It did get off to kind of slow start for me, took about 50 or 60 pages to really pick up. Then there were some moments of brilliance, but also a few moments that left me scratching my head. There were a few times when I was left wondering, "Why did that person react that way? Was it just to make him look like a suspect?" But despite the slow start and a few confusing quirks, this turned into a great, entertaining murder mystery with a nice mix of spookiness, romance, and few good laughs.

Visit Alyxandra Harvey's site here.

Get a sneak peek of Haunting Violet here!

Pre-order Haunting Violet at: Amazon • BN.com

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.


Supernaturally
by Kiersten White

NEW RELEASE DATE!!! July 26, 2011
from HarperTeen

description:A lot has changed in the six months since Evie escaped from the International Paranormal Containment Agency with her shape-shifter boyfriend, Lend. She finally has the blissfully normal life she’s always dreamed of, including:
1) A real live high school
2) A perfectly ordinary after-school job
3) Her very own locker (and by the way, rusted metal is every bit as awesome as she imagined)

But Evie’s not-so-normal past keeps creeping up on her...and things get pretty complicated when you factor in:
1) A centuries-old, seriously decaying vampire stalker
2) A crazy faerie ex-boyfriend who is the perpetual bearer of really bad news
3) A major battle brewing between the faerie courts where the prize in question happens to be...Evie herself.

So much for normal.

My thoughts: Really, this one needs no explanation. Paranormalcy was awesome. And I can't wait to see Evie take on the everyday high school experience. SO happy that the release date has been moved up on this one...a whole month less to wait! Yay! :D