Favorite Couples of 2011

This is very different then my last videos, I used fan art for the novels and made a little slideshow video to music. I'm very proud of how it came out, I hope you like it as much as I do!




Tucker and Clara (Unearthly) (Only in Unearthly, I have a new favorite couple in Hallowed)
Four and Tris (Divergent)
Ky and Cassia (Crossed)
Adrian and Sydney (Bloodlines) *Kind of couple, but if they don't get together, I will die.
Belly and Conrad (We'll Always Have Summer)
Trella and Riley (Outside In) *The picture for this one is my favorite out of them all.
Jace and Clary (City of Fallen Angels)
Lena and Alex (Delirium)
Amy and Elder (Across the Universe)
Emerson and Micheal (Hourglass)
April and Hudson (Ten Things We Did)

**Hourglass and Ten Things didn't have an photos so I just put the cover.
***I don't own the pictures, I got them off of google and deviant art. All credit go to the owner. To find the owners just type the couple and book title into google or deviant art. (I am letting the owners know i used their photos, so if they don't want it here I will take it down)

Yes there is a ton on this list. I even narrowed it down. You should have seen it before.


Who are you're favorite couples?? And did you like the video?

Favorite Paranormal and Fantasy of 2011

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Vanish by Sophie Jordan
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Legacy by Cayla Kluver
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

What were your favorites of 2011??

Favorites of 2011: Contemporary

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
We'll Always have the Summer by Jenny Han
Shut Out by Kody Keplinger
For Always by Danielle Sibarium
Ten Things We Did (and probably shouldn't have) by Sarah Mlynowski
The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson


What were your favorite contemporary novels this year?

--Danielle

Cheap E-books!

Hey guys! I just wanted to met you know about the amazing sales in e-books today. Whether you have a Kindle or a Nook. I.already bought a bunch and you should go get some before its to late! Here's some examples ... .


Such a fantastic book, if you have yet to read it now is your chance for just $.99!



















This is FREE! How can you get any better then a free book? Well by that book being an AMAZING story. This is another one of my always recommended novels, so go read it for FREE!.











This one I haven't read yet but I've been wanting to for awhile so I'm taking Harperteen up on their offer of $.99 for this one! You should too!

These are just a few of the great deals you can find in e-books right now. Go and take advantage of them before they are gone till next year.

Favorites Of 2011 - Dystopian

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Crossed by Ally Condie
Outside In by Maria V. Snyder
Legend  by Marie Lu
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Delirium by Lauren Oliver

IMM - After Christmas

Happy Holiday's everyone!

What did you get this week?

--Danielle

Review: Crossed by Ally Condie

Crossed
by Ally Condie

Summary: In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Review: Crossed is the sequel to Ally Condie's debut novel,  Matched.  While I was not the biggest fan of Matched, I did think that it set up a new exciting dystopian world with an opportunity for a great sequel. Well, Crossed was that great sequel that Matched led up too. Since the world had been set up and explained in the first novel, Ally Condie was able to go right into the action and suspense of Crossed. 

Crossed also had an extra point of view that Matched didn't have. Ky's. I love Ky, he is a great character and I loved getting to see inside his head for just a bit. It also added to the suspense. You would see were Ky was and what he was doing then in Cassia's point of view you would see how close they are, yet they just couldn't find each other. Cassia has the hardest decision to make, between the two greatest guys in the world Ky and Xander. I wouldn't be able to pick. 


In my opinion, Crossed was a huge improvement to Matched, Ally Condie went above and beyond with it. Now i'm officially on board with this series. I'm -no so patiently- waiting for the next installment. 

Waiting on Wednesday

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine < Check it out 

 

Summary: 

The trees swallowed her brother whole. And Jenny was there to see it. Years later, when she returns to the woods where Tom was taken to say good-bye at last, she finds herself lured into a world where stunning beauty masks the most treacherous of evils, and strange and dangerous creatures await—creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with allegiances that shift as much as his moods. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack’s help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where nothing is what it seems, no one is who they say, and she’s faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice—and not just her own.

This one just sounds great but I'm really just excited for so many 2012 books. Yet i don't know how they will be able to stand up to the amazingness that we had this year.

This cover reminded me so much of one that I've seen before, it took me awhile to place it. I finally figured out where I remembered it from....



The same color scheme and flowers, white dress with a girl running. They don't really tell you what the book is about at all. I don't know how I feel about these covers being everywhere.


--Danielle

Review: Jessica Rules the Dark Side

Spoiler if you have not read Jessica's Guide To dating The Darkside. Go read it first! Really, you should it is AMAZING!

Jessica Rules the Dark Side

By: Beth Fantaskey

Source: Around The World ARC Tours
Release Date: January 10th 2012

Summary: It’s one thing to find out you’re a vampire princess. It’s a whole other thing to actually rule. Newly married Jessica Packwood is having a hard enough time feeling regal with her husband, Lucius, at her side. But when evidence in the murder of a powerful elder points to Lucius, sending him into solitary confinement, Jessica is suddenly on her own. Determined to clear her husband’s name, Jessica launches into a full-scale investigation, but hallucinations and nightmares of betrayal keep getting in her way. Jessica knows that with no blood to drink, Lucius’s time is running out. Can she figure out who the real killer is—and whom she can trust—before it’s too late?

Review: The first book in the series, Jessica's Guide to Dating the Dark Side was dark, romantic, and suspenseful. The sequel was all of that and more. At first, I was a bit worried about picking it up. Most of the time, for me, sequels do not hold up to the first book. Especially with one as good as Jessica's Guide. Also with the long wait in between both books it just made me unsure of a sequel. However, I am so glad that I signed up for the ARC tour. Jessica Rules the Dark Side was a fantastic sequel to Jessica's Guide.

Jessica's Guide left so many unanswered questions about Jessica and Lucius's relationship. A girl who knew nothing of vampires throughout her whole life going to go rule them? It couldn't have been easy. This book showed Jessica's struggle and how she over came it. Throughout the novel you get to see Jessica grow as a person and learn so much.

One thing Jessica Rules the Dark Side was missing was romance between Jessica and Lucius. Sure there was a bit, but I felt there could have been more. Well while Lucius was not in jail, anyway. The novel was also missing the sarcasm from Lucius that was present in the first book. We did get romance in the form of Mindy and Raniero. They were an unexpected couple added to the series. Their story was a bit different from the typical romance. If Beth Fantaskey were to write a prequel about them, I would be first in live to buy it!

Once Lucius was thrown into jail, I was able to figure out the mystery to the murder. It was pretty obvious. That was my only problem with Jessica Rules the Dark Side. Yet, the story did throw me for an unexpected  loop every once in while. Beth Fantaskey also kept the suspense and mystery with her excellent writing style and made for an over-all great story. If you enjoyed Jessica's Guide to Dating the Dark Side you will love the sequel!

--Danielle

Also while you are waiting for Jessica Rules the Dark Side, go check out Jessica's and Lucius's wedding that is on Beth Fantaskey's website HERE.

In My Mailbox (61)

Hey guys! This is my first IMM in over a month! That's a bit shocking, but it is due to the fact that I have not been accepting review copies because I have so many to read already. I"m very behind and now I'm finally getting back into a blogging schedule again. I've really missed this and talking to all of you.

 This week I received one book from the Harlequin Teen Panel-

This looks interesting and I hope I get to it during Christmas break. I'm not crazy about the color, the girls face is just weird. Sometimes I wonder what the cover artists are thinking.

Have you read the Goddess Test before? Did you like it?

Actually I also have one more question. I haven't been keeping up to date with the blogging community for awhile, I just started to noticed to many moving to word-press. Why is that?

--Danielle

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Daughter of Smoke and Bone
by Laini Taylor
Source: BEA

Summary: Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky. 

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low. 

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war. 

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out. 

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone has been very popular with bloggers this year. I can name a ton of bloggers who said it was their favorite of the year. While I wouldn't go that far, I did enjoy the novel very much. 

Laini Taylor built this world of Brimstone and his shop, while it was complex and descriptive, I still had a hard time following in the beginning. The different names and descriptions sent me for a loop and I couldn't help but feel like I should have been taking notes. That might have been different if I could have read the book in one sitting.  However once I got a feel for the story and remembering each character, the story sucked me in. Karou and Akiva's background stories were surprising and the plot twists shocked me. Laini Taylor made a beautiful world and characters that I can't wait to learn more about. 

Waiting on Wednesday: (Kind-of)

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine < Check it out 

(I decided not to talk about a book this week, but a highly anticipated movie) 

Last month I finished The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald in my English class and I fell in love. The book was just fantastic and if you haven't read it yet, you should. It really is an amazing classic that everyone should read. It has to be one of my favorite books, if not my favorite. 

Anyway this post isn't about the book, it's about the new movie coming out NEXT Christmas. SO EXCITED. If you haven't heard it stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby. He's such a perfect choice for the role. I can't wait to see how he portrays Gatsby. He's not the only big star in the movie Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, and Isla Fisher can also be found in the movie. 

The still to the right is the first one that has been officially released and below is the other. 

Have you read Gatsby? Are you just as excited for the movie? 

--Danielle

Books to Movies: City of Bones

Hello followers who I haven't talk to in awhile. Life has just been crazy from being sick repeatedly to my huge amount of school work, not to mention that I've recently started looking at colleges. However, I've missed blogging and all of you so much. I have not even been on Twitter! Really I'm just going through book blogging community withdrawals. Anyway, when I saw this news (which I saw just a little late haha) I had to blog about it.

For those of you who haven't heard, City of Bones is being made into  movie. The leads have been picked and etc, but that's not what I wanted to talk to you about about.

For those of you that know the movie coming out in the near future, I'm sure you noticed the lack of filming going on. I just learned that is because of the script. Or the lack of a good one. The script that they had left out MAGNUS!


That is just not acceptable! At. All. He is my favorite character (or well one of them, who could dislike Jace?) and part of the major plot point. Honestly this just scares me, if they left out Magnus what else could they have possibly done?


The studio realizes now how wrong that was and is working on a new script.  Now there's another this that worries me that I found out in the same article (on pagetopremiere.com). Marlene King is the screen writer for the movie. Most of you know the T.V. show Pretty Little Liars, while that is an amazing T.V. show ad one of my favorite it doesn't follow the books that it is based on. I know that's a bit different with the T.V. show, yet I can't stop but worry about what she'll do with one of my favorite books.


I could probably talk about this movie for hours, I didn't even get started on the actors but this post is already getting to long. Maybe next week....


What do you think about the upcoming City of Bones movie? 

Review: Starcrossed

I'm behind on my reviews and blogging so I thought the next few reviews would be quick and short. Straight to the point reviews. Some of you might prefer this. I've had a few people say my reviews were to long anyway. However once I catch up, I will probably go back to that. I like the long reviews and getting my whole point across. 

Starcrossed 

by Josephine Angelini 

Summary: How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Review:The swirling blues and pastel purples on this glossy cover is what made me pick Starcrossed up, and the summary made me buy it. Including the Greek mythology didn't hurt, that is always interesting to read about. Yet Starcrossed sadly did not lived up to my expectations. My first disappointment was the beginning. There was nothing there to grab me. I was forcing myself to tread through the pages. The story was dry and the main character did not help. Helen didn't have any passion to her, no emotion and just no personality. 

Now there was one thing that I did like, the connection between Helen and Lucas. When they were both in the same room together is when I enjoyed the story. Lucas's family was also another part of the book that I enjoyed; they were interesting to read about. Each member of the family had a different personality and actions. Getting to meet them all was the best part of the book, in my opinion. 

Will I be reading the sequel? Maybe, The story did get more exciting and addicting toward the last 50 pages (of 500) and I would like to know what happens with Lucas and Helen next. 


--Danielle


And I guess that wasn't as short as I thought it would be. When I didn't like a part of the book I have to explain why or I feel horrible. But longer is better right? 

Top Ten Books On My TBR List For Winter

A meme by the Broke and the Bookish

1) Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver- 
AHHHHHH. I'm dying for this book. Delirium was FANTASTIC and with the biggest cliff hanger ever (as I said in my last post) and this is my most anticipated book for 2012!


2) Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
Don't judge a book by its cover? ummm well about that... This cover is just so pretty it drew me in, but I have to admit the summery sounds just as good to! Can't wait to get this one! 


3) Tempest by Julie Cross
I've heard some great things about this debut author and can't wait till this one it released! Plus time travel? Nothings better then that. 


4)Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
Witches? YAY! I haven't read a book about magic and witches in awhile. This is another one that I've read some great reviews from other bloggers. 


5) Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton
Angelfire was such a great book and I can't wait to see what happens next in Wings of the Wicked!


6)Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
I've heard this is one of the best books ever from so many other bloggers and with praise like that how can I not want to read it? Hopefully over break I'll find sometime to dig into this one. 


7) Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Anna and the French Kiss was one of my favorite books that I read over the last winter, so of course I want to read this one too!


8) A Million Suns by Beth Revis
Across the Universe was just so good! It was different and intense, A Million Suns has to be one of my most anticipated books for 2012 (Along with Pandemonium of course)


9) Wither by Lauren DeStefano 
The sequel to Wither is coming out this winter so I decided I should finally read Lauren DeStafano's first book. I've actually taken Wither out of the librarry a few times I just never had time to pick it up. Hopefully during winter break I'll be able to fix that. 

Cliffhangers

This post is a bit random but it's a topic that popped into my head that I wanted to talk about and see if anyone  shares my opinions on.

A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction. A cliffhanger is hoped to ensure the audience will return to see how the characters resolve the dilemma. (Wikipedia)

Cliff Hangers. Everyone has ran into one at some point, whether in a book, movie or TV show. I have come to the conclusion that I despise them. Maybe it's because I just read a book ending with one (Daughter of Smoke and Bone) and I just really want the sequel but honestly I think I'm just getting tired of cliffhangers.


For example, Delirium by Lauren Oliver, and Divergent by Veronica Roth are two books that I enjoyed immensely. Actually they are my two top favorite books of 2011. The story line, plot, and writing in both were just exceptional and I just couldn't get enough. Both of these novels ending in the worst cliff hangers I've ever read. When I finished the last pages of these books, I just wanted to scream. It's just torture waiting to see what's going to happen to these characters next.

Since I love both novels so much, I would go back for the sequel no matter what. The writing, characters, and story is what addicted me to these series. The cliff hanger is not the reason I'll be picking up the sequel. Okay, that's a lie the cliff hanger is a part of the reason I'm going to pick up the next book, however either way I would have bought the next installment just for my love of the book alone.

Now I do understand why authors leave books at these impossible cliff hangers. They want to keep their audiences interested, and they need a place to stop. Now that I'm thinking about it anywhere Veronica Roth stopped in Divergent would have been a cliff hanger. The whole time I was reading the novel I was flew through the pages needing to know what was going to happen. Yet it would be nice to read a series without these crazy cliff hangers at the end of them. For once I want to be happy putting a book down and actually wait patiently for the next.

Oh, if you haven't read Divergent or Delirium I highly suggest you do...just maybe wait till the sequels come out...

What do you think of cliff hangers?

--Danielle

Breaking Dawn Part 1

This is a book blog and Breaking Dawn is based off the book by Stephanie Meyer so I thought it would be appropriate to write a review, and well I'm a huge fan of Twilight. Yup, I know half of you are going to roll your eyes but I'm not going to deny that I LOVED this series.

Now the movies sometimes aggravate me, they are really not that great and it made the fan base INSANE. However it is so much fun to see your favorite characters on the big screen. Characters that you've just fallen for over the years how could you not have fun seeing them being acted?

What did I think of Breaking Dawn?

It was the best one yet. The romance, action, and emotion in this installment just hooked me from the start. The director this time is typically a horror movie director so it was a bit different then the others. A bit bloodier, and a little more biting your nail in nervousness.

Now for the acting, everyone had improved. I've never been a big fan of Robert Pattinson but in Breaking Dawn I have to admit he looked better and made a bit more believable Edward. Kristen Stewart also did a much better job as Bella, I feel she got the emotion across much better, compared to the last three movies.

As a big fan of the books I could go on and on about what I did and didn't like. However, I won't do that here first because it would have tons of spoilers and also just because it would be way to long.

If you haven't read the books, theirs a big chance you won't like this movie. The story line is different and a bit cheesy, however out of all four movies this is the most excited and fun movie for someone who hadn't read the books. Theirs much more suspense because you don't know who's going to live or die.


Here's the trailer for the people that live under rocks and have not seen it yet.



If you saw the movie, what did you think?

--Danielle
(I actually loved it so much I'll be going to see it again in a few weeks. Don't laugh at me :b)

Waiting On Wednesday

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine < Check it out 

Summary: 

"Kendra Hilferty, the witch who curses Kyle Kingsbury in Beastly, tells about her immortal existence-how she discovered she was a witch and the various ways she has used her powers to help people throughout the centuries. (Unfortunately her attempts have often backfired.) As it turns out, Kendra has actually had a hand in "Hansel and Gretel," "The Princess and the Pea," and "The Little Mermaid"-but these are not the fairy tales you think you know! Kendra's reminiscences are wrapped around a real-time version of "Cinderella," except the "ugly" stepsister is the good guy. With dark twists, hilarious turns, and unexpected endings, Bewitching is a contemporary read for fairy-tale lovers, fantasy fans, and anyone looking for more Alex Flinn."

Beastly was such a great book, and I can't wait to read more about the witch. I'm addicted to fairy-tales in any form TV, books and movies. I love every Disney princess movie and just can't get enough of them!

Have you read Beastly? Will you read Bewitching?

--Danielle

Review: Between the Sea and the Sky

Between the Sea and the Sky
by Jaclyn Dolamore
Released On: October 25, 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury

Summary: For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alandare, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alandare band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.


Review: I am a big fan of Jaclyn Dolamore's previous book Magic Under Glass, so when I was approached to write a review how could I possibly say no? Then reading the summary it just intrigued me even more. Mermaids, magic and romance, plus just look at the beautiful cover!  Over-all I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read Between the Sea and the Sky, it was a quick (only 240 pages) yet delightful read. 


While reading, everything just flowed, from the writing to the characters and plot. I really enjoyed how Jaclyn weaved the story together it had an almost fairy-tale experience to it, which also comes from the age-less feel Between the Sea and Sky has. The magic and sweet romance only added to that feeling the novel radiated.


This creative story was more then just a mermaid falling in love with a human on shore, which is another reason that made me love it so much. The mermaid doesn't just come up to the shores of our beaches, she goes to a world where things like a 'winged race of people' exist. This added to the enchanted feel that Between the Sea and Sky had and I really, thoroughly enjoyed. 


This is a book you're going to want to pick up, the enchanting magical and fairy-tale like feel of this story will have you falling in love as the characters do as you go on a journey. Anyone who enjoys fantasy or just fairy-tales, will fall in love with Between the Sea and the Sky just as I did. 

In My Mailbox (60)

IMM is hosted and created by The Story Siren.

This is my 60th IMM, only 40 away from 100. It's weird thinking that I've been doing this for so long.....Anyway on to the books from this week.


For Review: I got some exciting books this week that I can't wait to digg into.


This is one that I was not expecting, and I did a happy dance as I opened it. I LOOOOVE Unearthly, it's one of my favorites. I just can't wait to start reading and see what happens next.
*Thanks so much to Harperteen for sending this one out!


This one is "A handbook for teens who like to write." and it includes interviews with T.A. Barron, Chris Crutcher, Lauren Myracle, Stephanie Perkins and more. I've only had time to skim through this one so far but it seems really helpful. It talks about how to get a book published and just overall how to improve your writing.


Also I wanted to let you guys know that my marching band season ends next week. That means you'll be seeing much more of me.

What did you get in your mailbox?
--Danielle

Review: Notes from an Accidental Bank Geek

Notes for an Accidental Band Geek
by Erin Dionne

Summary: Elsie Wyatt is a born French horn player, just like her father and her grandfather before her. In order to qualify for the prestigious summer music camp of her dreams, she must expand her musical horizons and join - gasp! - the marching band. There are no French horns in marching band (what the heck is a mellophone??), but there are some cute boys. And marching band is very different from orchestra: they march, they chant, they . . . cluck? Elsie is not so sure she'll survive, but the new friends she's making and the actual fun she's having will force her to question her dad's expectations and her own musical priorities.

Review: If you follow my blog, you probably know that I am in my high school marching band. When I saw this cover, I couldn't help but be ecstatic. A book about marching band? That has to be the first one I've ran into. Now don't think just because you are not, or have never been in a marching band that you will not understand this book. You will. Erin Dionne does a great job of explaining everything and not throwing every technical marching term turn into the story. I play the piccolo and flute so I did not even know all the brass and horn music terms in here but I understood everything thanks to the author.  

For the story, I wish it focused more on the actions of what Elsie was doing and less about what was going through her head. Elsie is so worried about getting into a prestigious summer music camp then anything else,  and that's what the book mostly focuses on. Other then that I loved Erin's descriptions on music and how it made Elsie feel. I also enjoyed that Elsie was not the best socially, it was her flaw and it made her relatable. Everyone says something at the wrong time or does the wrong thing sometimes, and we get to see how Elsie handles that. 

I would have loved to see more aspects on marching band through out the book, but maybe that's just because I'm a band geek myself. Either way for someone just starting high school, or joining a marching band, this is a great book to pick up. Filled with funny marching band moments yet serious problems, it was a perfect balance. 

In My Mailbox (59)

In My Mailbox is created and hosted by the Story Siren



Bought:
For Always by Danielle Sibarium
www.daniellesibarium.com

Library:
The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
Wild Fire by Karsten Knight

Review: Clockwork Angel

Sorry I haven't posted anything in awhile, I had my last weekend of band. That was CRAZY. I barley slept all weekend and that's probably why I've been sick with a fever for the past few days. Anyway here's a review...



Clockwork Angel
By Cassandra Clare
Summary:
Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still. 

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos. 

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own. 

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.


Review: It took so long to get this review out because I  just finished Clockwork Angel. I first started it when it first came out, actually it was the release date that I picked it up. I had reserved a copy and everything. I'm such a huge fan of Cassandra Clare's first series and thought this one would be even better because I LOVE historical fiction. Why did I take so long to finish it? Well there were a few reasons. First, I felt like I was reading the same exact story as City of Bones, just a bit down graded since I had already fallen in love with the other. 


Tessa was so much like Clary, independent, innocent, stuck between two different guys and not knowing who she really is. Then the Shadow Hunters had the same problems (with the teenage ones anyway). Will was sarcastic and arrogant, does that remind you of anyone? Then there was Jem with his hidden secret, much like Alec (the secret is much different this time though). I just couldn't get over how similar the stories were, since I had read it before it never sucked me in like the Mortal Instruments. 


Of course this is by Cassandra so you still get the talented writing and quick sarcasm that everyone loved from her first series. The witty dialog was my favorite part of The Mortal instruments Series and I did laugh a few times throughout Clockwork Angel. I just wished Clare's way of writing was the only similarity from her first series. 


If you have yet to read City of Bones and it's sequels, you will like this book much more then I did. However, if you have read them you might want to think twice before picking this one up. 

Waiting On Wednesday

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine < Check it out 

Hey guys, it's Wednesday so that means I get another day of drooling over pretty covers and books that I'll have to wait months to read. 

This week I'm patiently going insane for this sequel. 

I'm sure you remember me raving about Divergent over and over again since it was released. The ending was a huge cliff hanger and I'm just dying to read this one. 

Isn't the cover just beautiful, so much better then the first one. 

"One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. 
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so. 
New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature."

It's sounds so good! How many more days until May 2012???

--Danielle

Top Ten Books To Read During Halloween

A meme by the Broke and the Bookish 

Now at first I was thinking that this would be a really small list, because I HATE horror anything, from books to movies. Really, I just refuse to watch/read them. Have you seen the Paranormal Activity 3 trailers that have been on TV? Well they scare me so much that I have to change the channel. However, I found some Halloween appropriate books that are not necessarily scary.

1) White is for Magic - Laurie Faria Stolarz
This one scared me while I was in 6th grade, I refused to read it at night. The story is about a girl who has nightmare that tell her when bad things are going to happen to people. Then you add some magic and creepy rendition of  Miss Mary Mack and the result is a book that scared me to death.
(This is the 2nd book in the series, I haven't read the first -only the second and fourth, not sure why- but I suggest reading the first book first, don't do what I did)

2)Glass Houses - Rachel Caine
This whole series is just so much fun yet it has that Gothic feel that is great for Halloween. It takes place in a town run by vampires, how much more could you want? These are all my favorite books and I'm always recommending them.

3)The Soul Screamer Series - Rachel Vincent
Now these are books are classified in my library as horror novels, however I don't think that's a good description at all. They are more paranormal romance. The main character can sense people dying, so that's an interesting story line for a Halloween vibe.

4)Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte or Jane by April Linder
The original and the YA remake have a spooky mystery aspect to them. To me this just screams Halloween. Also if you have yet to pick up the classic, it gives you a good excuse.

5) The Sweep Series - Cate Tiernan
Another set of books that I hated to read in the dark, especially when I was home alone. The creepy, dark magic vibe just flows off of these books. Yet these are one of my favorite series and I have reread them a few times.

6) The House of Night Series - P.C. and Kristin Cast
This vampire series has the haunting vibe and takes place at a boarding school. These books are filled with myths and paranormal creatures making them a perfect series for Halloween. (I liked them all up until Tempted, but that's a story for another time)

7) The Mediator Series - Meg Cabot
Take a break from all the scary ghosts and ghouls on Halloween and check out this series with a lighter tone by the wonderful Meg Cabot. You know when it sports the name Meg Cabot on the cover it's going to be good and filled with a fun story line. This series is about a girl who can see ghosts and there's one particular one who reminds me a lot of Caspar the friendly ghost...

8)The Ghost and the Goth - Stacy Kade
Another lighter novel for the Halloween spirit, this book is about a popular cheerleader who gets killed by a band bus. (Yup, a marching band bus.)The only person that can see her is the school goth. This makes for a story filled with funny moments but it also has great characters and plot. This is truly one of my favorites.

9)Scary Stories to Tell in The Dark - Alvin Schwartz
My friend and I took this one out of the library in fifth grade, and read them out loud in the dark. At the time they creeped me out. This is the perfect book to pick up for some quick, short halloween stories.

10) Any R.L. Stine book.
This one should be self explanatory. Scary story for kids, also the same goes for Stephen King books except for the older crowd.

I'm so surprised I came up with 10 Halloween books, I really thought it would be much harder.

--Danielle

Review: For Always

For Always
By: Danielle Sibarium
Release Date: October 27, 2011
Summary: You never really get over your first love. Such is the case for fourteen-year-old Stephanie Barrano, self-proclaimed misfit and death magnet. A freshman in high school, Stephanie is befriended by Jordan Brewer, a hot, in-demand senior, who pulls her from the outer circle of obscurity into the realm of acceptance. Jordan quickly works his way into Stephanie’s heart. He’s her everything. And the only person she trusts with the truth about her father’s death. But he won’t act on the strong feelings he has for her. Stephanie vows to wait for him, knowing in time she’ll win his heart.

Two months before her eighteenth birthday, Jordan serves as an impromptu prom date. After sharing a magical evening, Jordan leaves Stephanie with the promise of a future together. Then tragedy strikes. Jordan not only shuts Stephanie out, he also blames her for what happened. Feeling broken and beaten, will she try one last time to get through to Jordan or will she lose him forever?


Review: Vampires, werewolves, faeries, and all the paranormal creatures you can think of have been taking over the Young Adult shelves. No matter what library or bookstore you step into, you are bound to find tons of them. It's time to take a break, and curl up with an outstanding contemporary YA novel. For Always is just perfect for that. The emotion and page turning plot, will have you falling in love with story and characters. 


The main character, Stephanie, doesn't feel like she's wanted or fits in. Everyone feels that at one point which makes it so easy to relate to her. For Always is Stephanie's story of how she grew and she learned who she is. It's through the relationship she has with Jordan that gets her there, yet this is more then just a romance novel.


One things that I loved about For Always is how you follow the characters over a few years. It's not one night or a school year, you get to see how the character change and their lives develop over a longer period of time. While you'll want to know more about Jordan and Stephanie, you won't be left with the feeling that your missing something like in parts of a series. You get to see the beginning, middle and the end in one book. Which I know many readers have been missing.


The relationship between Stephanie and Jordan in For Always was another high point in the novel. Throughout the plot they struggled with their emotions and wanting to be together but life always got in the way. The things these two characters have to go through will bring you on an emotional roller coaster ride.  Danielle Sibarium's writing will you laughing and crying right along with them.


Whether you need a break from the haunting and scary paranormal books out there, or just love a good contemporary novel (especially fan of Sarah Dessen or Stephanie Perkins), you should get a copy of For Always when it comes out on October 27.


--Danielle




If you're in the New Jersey area on Thursday, you should go check out the launch for, For Always. It's going to take place at Booktowne (171 main street) Manasquan NJ! I don't know if I'll be able to make it but I want to go. If I do, maybe I'll see you there.

Crossed - Book Trailer

Right now I'm reading Crossed and so far it's so much better then Match. Anyway, I just watched the book trailer for it on youtube. I can't really make up my mind if I like it or not, so I thought I would ask all of you.



Now, I really like how the poem is read in the background but I just don't like the actors. I felt like I was guessing who was who. Now, I did really like how they portrayed the society and Cassia's journey. Yet for some reason I just didn't like it much.

What did you think?

--Danielle

In My Mailbox (58)

IMM is created and hosted by The Story Siren


For Review:

If for some reason you didn't know I was a huge band geek by know, well I am. Through the months of July to November my life consists of marching band. (My marching band was actually invited to the Rose-bowl parade for 2012-2013, So EXCITED but that's off topic). That's actually the reason my blogging has been so small and random lately. 

I'm half way through this and I'm really enjoying it. This is actually the first book that I read that revolves around Marching Band, I personally think their should be more. My review of this one will be up within the next week. (I'm on the Around The World ARC Tours)

From The Library: 

I should not be taking books out of the library, I'm way to behind on review books but I just can't help myself. This one sounds way to good. i haven't heard to much about it from bloggers but when I saw this one in my library I just couldn't leave it there. Actually, I downloaded this one from the Simon and Schuster galley grab, yet sadly it expired before I could get to it.  

What did you get this week? 

--Danielle

Waiting On Wednesday

While I did like Jay Asher's book 13 Reason's Why it was not my favorite book in the world. Yet after reading the summary for this one, and knowing how great Jay Asher's writing is, I can't wait to get my hands on this one. 

Summary: 

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.

It just sounds so GOOD! I've also heard great things from everyone who has read it. 

--Danielle

Top Ten Books That Whose Titles Or Covers Made Me Buy It

Top Ten Books That Whose Titles Or Covers Made Me Buy It


Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

For me this is a bit easier, almost all the books I've bought are sitting right here on the selves near my desk. Usually I have to think and remember all the books that I have read. Here are my Top Ten Books That Whose Titles Or Covers Made Me Buy It: 


1) Jessica's Guide to Dating The Dark Side - The cover and title of this one brought me in. It was cheesy and I was in a stage of reading vampire books, actually I was more like devouring them. This is a book that I now, always recommend. i am so glad the title and cover drew me in.  


2) City of Bones - I am not going to lie, the hot guy on the cover of this one it what made me pick it up. Just look at it, you can't blame me. I'm so glad this cover was so pretty or else I would have never ended up buying it and it wouldn't be one of my favorite books EVER. 


3) I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You By Ally Carter - Not only does this book have the longest title ever, it also has to be one of the most eye catching. These are fun girls kick ass spy books that just go perfectly with the title.


4) Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini - The swirling blues, purples and just the all out shine to the cover made me pick this one up to buy. Honestly I did not enjoy it, It was slow and....well I just felt like it was WAY to slow. I never got into it. This is a book I regret judging by it's cover. 


5) I Was A Non-Blonde Cheerleader by Kieran Scott - Honestly the only reason I picked this book up is because I'm a brunette and this title made me smile. Well plus the fact the summary was just to cute. This was just a fun series to read and was the first Kieran Scott book I read and now she's one of my favorite authors. This is a book I do not regret buying, at all. Also the cover said Slash-Free proof and I never saw that before I was got curious, of course it didn't really work. 


6) Unearthly - This book has the prettiest cover EVER. Hands-down, no competition. (at least for me, anyway) I've always loved this cover, probably because purple is my favorite color and I want to steal that dress. I'm glad the cover drew me in because this is now one of my favorite books. 


7) Divergent by Veronica Roth - This book I put of buying because I didn't like the cover or title. They both here just bland and did not capture my interest at all. Now after reading the book (AND IT IS THE BEST BOOK OF 2011, NO COMPETITION) I realize the cover and title are perfect and I should not have judge it by the title and cover. 


F.Y.I - In case you have yet to read Divergent, go pick up a copy RIGHT NOW. <3


That's all I came up with for this week, I usually research a bit about a book before buying it, these were just some exceptions. 


---Danielle