The Maze Runner [Review]

Stats: 
384 pages [Kindle]
First Published 1 January 2009
ASIN: B002QE3CTY
[Amazon::Barnes&Noble]


Synopsis:
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:



It was hard for me to get into this book at first because the way it starts out is that you are right along with Thomas, the main character, who remembers nothing of his old life and is thrown into a strange place with 50 other teenage boys who know nothing of why they are where they are. So you are kind of in the dark with Thomas. It does get really intense and the book ends in a huge cliffhanger! I cannot wait to read the next one :) 

I would say this is the Hunger Games for guys :)


Previous Review:
Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep {here}


[Counts toward my TBR Pile challenge: here] 

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Dark Frost [Review]

Stats: 
336 pages [Kindle]
Published 29 May 2012
ASIN:  B006YBREDU
[Amazon::Barnes&Noble]


Synopsis:
I’ve seen so many freaky things since I started attending Mythos Academy last fall. I know I’m supposed to be a fearless warrior, but most of the time, I feel like I’m just waiting for the next Bad, Bad Thing to happen. Like someone trying to kill me—again.

Everyone at Mythos Academy knows me as Gwen Frost, the Gypsy girl who uses her psychometry magic to find lost objects—and who just may be dating Logan Quinn, the hottest guy in school. But I’m also the girl the Reapers of Chaos want dead in the worst way. The Reapers are the baddest of the bad, the people who murdered my mom. So why do they have it in for me?

It turns out my mom hid a powerful artifact called the Helheim Dagger before she died. Now, the Reapers will do anything to get it back. They think I know where the dagger is hidden, but this is one thing I can’t use my magic to find. All I do know is that the Reapers are coming for me—and I’m in for the fight of my life.


My Thoughts:

Estep seriously blows my mind. I've read the 3 books in the series in less than 24 hours. I couldn't put them down. Dark Frost was no exception. Instead of a slow intro that gets you back into the groove with the characters, you are thrown into the middle of a gruesome Reaper attack in the museum that Gwen, Daphne, Carson, and Logan are at for a myth-history report. This is the first time that Gwen meets the Reaper Girl who murdered her mother. More is uncovered of her mom's past at the Academy through her mom's diary that she found in her grandma's attic. There is a lot of confusion about the relationship between Gwen and Logan - they are both so emotional and Gwen's powers definitely get in the way of their communication. Not to mention, an old friend shows back up to assist Gwen.

This book left me speechless, it left me crying (3 times, people!), and it definitely left me crazy excited for the 4th book, Crimson Frost. I'm ready to see where Estep goes with the story next!

Thanks to Kensington Press & NetGalley for letting me review this book!



Previous Review:
Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep {here}


Linked up at...

Kiss of Frost [Review]

Stats: 
385 pages [Kindle]
Published 11 November 2011
ASIN:  B005HJQI0K
[Amazon::Barnes&Noble]


Synopsis:
Logan Quinn was try­ing to kill me. My Spar­tan class­mate relent­lessly pur­sued me, swing­ing his sword at me over and over again, the shin­ing sil­ver blade inch­ing closer to my throat every time. A smile tugged up his lips, and his ice-blue eyes prac­ti­cally glowed with the thrill of battle...

I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Acad­emy, and I have no idea how I’m going to sur­vive the rest of the semes­ter. One day, I’m get­ting schooled in sword­play by the guy who broke my heart—the drop-dead gor­geous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invis­i­ble archer in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties decides to use me for tar­get prac­tice. And now, I find out that some­one at the acad­emy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword—with Logan’s help—I just might die by the sword...


My Thoughts:

Estep just keeps it coming! This book was just as good as the first, if not better!

Kiss of Frost leaves right where Touch of Frost left off. Gwen is now taking combat lessons from Logan, although not nearly as romantic as she thought it would be. Logan seems to take no interest in her and way more than enough interest in Savannah. Daphne tries to lift Gwen's spirits and get her psyched about Winter Festival - a trip to a ritzy ski lodge where the NY Academy will be joining them. Some strange things start happening - like a mystery person shooting an arrow at her in the library and then the arrow being gone when Nickamedes asks her what's going on and an SUV trying to run her over on her way back to the academy from her grandma's house. Gwen finds herself not escaping any danger at the ski resort when the first day she runs into a Fenrir wolf. However, she does meet a mighty cute guy named Preston from the NY Academy. But he seems to be escaping the eyes of all Gwen's peers and professors.

There is so much excitement in this book - there is so much mystery in this book. I had no trouble finishing this one just as quickly as I finished the first. There are quite a few new characters like Kenzie Tanaka and Oliver Hector (briefly mentioned in the first) - two Spartan friends of Logan's. You find out that not only are there Vikings, Valkyries, Spartans, and Romans - but there are also Ninjas, Celts, and Samurais. In the myth-history class, Metis teaches the students about different monsters. You get to hear about the Fenrir wolf when Gwen gets up close and personal with one. I feel like this one was more emotional than the last one, as Gwen discovers more about her mom and her death and about the people around her.


Previous Review:
Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep {here}


[Counts toward my TBR Pile challenge: here] 

Linked up at...

Touch of Frost [Review]

Stats: 
385 pages [Kindle]
Published 1 August 2011
ASIN:  B004SIDTM6
[Amazon::Barnes&Noble]


Synopsis:

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.

But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why —especially since I should have been the one who died. . .



My Thoughts:



Sometimes I get a little worried that I won't find anymore books to fall in love with. I have so many favorite series, favorite heroines, favorite authors...and then I read a new book and am shocked to find that my heart has more room for more book love :)

I love the way this book is written. It reads more in the main character's, Gwen Frost, voice. There's lots of slang and lots of emotion. I love this style because I feel like you can connect so much more with the character. I really liked Gwen - she is very relatable to me. I have been to a new school and felt like an outcast - I've always been a turbo nerd and never been concerned with the latest fashion or whatnot.

I've always loved anything mythology-related. I was so stoked when Estep starting throwing out gods and goddesses and powers. This book was an easy read for me. I just soaked it all up. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys gods/goddesses/mythology.

I also really loved the end of the book where Estep wrote about her inspiration - Clash of the Titans, The Iliad/The Odyssey (one of my personal favorites), and Xena. Seriously, how could this book be any more awesome?!

I am so excited to read where Estep goes with this story! Will Jasmine's family revenge her death, will Logan Quinn reveal his dirty secrets, etc!


Previous Review:
Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin {here}


[Counts toward my TBR Pile challenge: here] 

Linked up at...

#WWReadathon - Slake Your Thirst challenge

This challenge is from Kimba of Kimba the Caffeinated Reviewer. We are to choose our favorite drink recipe and our favorite/most anticipated summer read :)

I'm sharing my newest favorite drink recipe! I posted this one for a cooking challenge on my food blog earlier this month.

**Blueberry Cheesecake Milkshake**

(Print)
What you need:

• 1/2 to 1 cup milk
• 2 cups vanilla bean ice cream
• 1 cup fresh blueberries (Lauren used strawberries)
• 2 oz. cream cheese
• Whipped topping and more berries for garnish

Directions:

Puree all except garnish ingredients in a blender.

 Add milk to your desired consistency.

Top with whipped cream and berries!

Recipe adapted from Lauren's Latest

My most anticipated read for this summer is...

 **The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa**

I've been putting off reading it to finish other books first, but I will be reading it in July and I'm really really really excited. I love Kagawa..and come on...it's VAMPIRES! :3

Game of Thrones [Review]

Stats: 
694 pages [Paperback]
Published 22 March 2011  [First Published in 1996]
ISBN:  0553386794
[Amazon::Barnes&Noble]



Synopsis:
Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.

Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.



My Thoughts:

I hadn't heard of these until the HBO series came out. After seeing the trailer, I got my hands on the books for not only myself, but for my husband as well. He doesn't read a lot of fiction, but I knew he would love these. He just finished the 3rd book on Monday and we've both watched up to the season finale of season 2.

I watched both seasons before reading the book, but I will say that it didn't really affect my opinion of either. I think they did a really good job with the tv series and bringing Martin's books to life. I love how thorough this book is. I think it may be a bit confusing at first. It was helpful to me to have my husband explain everything while we watched. I found it 8 billion times easier when I got around to reading the first book.

I worried a bit about the changing of POVs, but it was flowed very well. Although I have to admit that I hated reading the Catelynn chapters and wasn't very fond of the Jon chapters either. I have a hard time between who is my favorite between Daenerys, Arya, and Tyrion. I absolutely despise Joffrey and Cersei.

I also keep asking my husband if Nymeria has turned back up or not, but he says no :(





Previous Review:
The Glimpse by Claire Merle {here}


[Counts toward my TBR Pile challenge: here] 

Linked up at...

Top Ten Tuesday #10

{Hosted by The Broke & The Bookish}

 

Top Ten Books on my Summer TBR List:

 

1. The Immortal Rules: I have this from NetGalley and have badly been wanting to read it. I have yet to hear one bad word about it and I love Kagawa.
2. One For the Money: I have literally been meaning to read this one for years! And there's a movie too, so I mean...come on! I love when books are made into movies!
3. The Maze Runner: My friend Melissa just finished the second and she said it's amazing and we have very similar taste in books, so I'm really excited about this series :)
4. Anna Dressed in Blood: This is a book for one of my Goodreads groups. It's another I want to read asap.
5. Shiver: I have heard so many things about Stiefvater's books and definitely want to see what all the fuss is about.
6. The Alchemyst: A little behind on this series, as the 6th one comes out in August, but it's another I've wanted to read for a really long time!
7. Dark Kiss: Another NetGalley book! It looks great :)
8. Fifty Shades Darker: After finishing Fifty Shades last week - I'm totally stoked for the second book!
9. Shadow of Night: I just recently got approved for this one on NetGalley. I loved the first one - it was such a good book.
10. Dark Frost: I am hoping to read the first in the Mythos Academy because my review is "due" tomorrow for this one. Uh ohhh!

The Glimpse [Review]

Stats: 
325 pages [ebook]
Published 7 June 2012
ISBN-13: 9780571280544
[Amazon]


Synopsis:
Once you've seen into the future, can you change your destiny?

In a near future, society is segregated according to whether people are genetically disposed to mental illness. 17-year-old Ana has been living the privileged life of a Pure due to an error in her DNA test. When the authorities find out, she faces banishment from her safe Community, a fate only thwarted by the fact that she has already been promised to Pure-boy Jasper Taurell.

Jasper is from a rich and influential family and despite Ana’s condition, wants to be with her. The authorities grant Ana a tentative reprieve. If she is joined to Jasper before her 18th birthday, she may stay in the Community until her illness manifests. But if Jasper changes his mind, she will be cast out among the Crazies. As Ana’s joining ceremony and her birthday loom closer, she dares to hope she will be saved from the horror of the City and live a ‘normal’ life. But then Jasper disappears.

Led to believe Jasper has been taken by a strange sect the authorities will not intefere with, Ana sneaks out of her well-guarded Community to find him herself. Her search takes her through the underbelly of society and into the pits of the human soul. And as she delves deeper into the mystery of Jasper's abduction she uncovers some devastating truths that destroy everything she has grown up to believe, but she also learns to love as she has never loved before.


My Thoughts:



The Glimpse takes you into a dystopian London where "Pure" and "Crazies" are segregated. Pure citizens are those who live without mental disorders, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression; Crazies are those who do suffer from mental disorders. Ariana, "Ana", Barber is the 17 year old daughter of the man who created the DNA test that distinguishes who is predisposed to mental disease. She is labeled a Big3 because her mother committed suicide. She is to be joined with the son of the head of the most famous pharmaceutical company, Jasper Taurell. Ana likes Jasper and is surprised that after her being labeled a Big3 that he would still want to be joined with her. Prior to their joining ceremony, they go on a supervised "date". Jasper is urgent about wanting to talk to Ana about something, but he is unable to do so because he ends up getting kidnapped after he steps out to make a phone call. Ana tries to follow Jasper out in the lobby, but cannot find him before he is kidnapped. She only has a few clues to go by, but she is sure that the Enlightenment Project has something to do with his abduction and sets out to go find some answers.

At times, The Glimpse was hard to get through. It was a roller coaster of interesting parts and slow parts. The characters are all very interesting and the basis for the plot is great, but I think the story wasn't executed as well as it could have been. I feel like the "down" parts of the story stole the show from the more intense parts. There were a lot of things that didn't really get explained, but I did read that it is going to be a 2-book series. I'm not certain whether or not I will read the second. I may because closure is nice and overall, The Glimpse wasn't a horrible book. It didn't blow me away, but it wasn't awful.

Thank you to NetGalley and Faber & Faber for letting me review this one!
 

Previous Review:
Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James {here}


Linked up at...

Wicked Wildfire Readathon: Goals

Hosts: Rebecca @ Kindle Fever | April @ My Shelf Confessions

Oh, yes! I have signed up for another readathon :) This one is a five-day readathon. Click the button to find out more info, sign up, etc. I just wanted to make a goal post and collect my own thoughts because I've had about 8 bajillion NetGalley books that I'm trying to read and I finally have caught up, but it put me way behind in my regular books that I wanted to read this month. So...

Goals:

• Read 300 pages a day - I have nothing to do this week!
• Finish Netgalley* books first - Dark Frost is due by 20 June
• Beat my previous readathon accomplishments - 3 (almost 4) books read, 1303 pages total

Books on my June To-Read List:

• One For the Money by Janet Evanovich (320 pages)
• The Maze Runner by James Dashner (384 pages)
• The Scorch Trials by James Dashner (360 pages)
• The Death Cure by James Dashner (325 pages)
• Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (402 pages)
• Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake (320 pages)
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (540 pages)
• Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep (385 pages)
• Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep (384 pages)
• *Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep (336 pages)
• Hourglass by Myra McEntire (400 pages)

I'm going to be working on the Mythos Academy books this weekend and trying to finish Game of Thrones as well, so my list may change a little. I would have to read 900+ pages a day to finish ALL of these books, but these are the ones I want on my list to get around to. Hourglass is a "just in case" book. I really don't think I'll need a "just in case" I finish all of these books book. But hey, dream big, right?!

**Update - I will be updating this week here...and also on Twitter (@DerpalinaE)

Day 1:
Books Completed Today: Touch of Frost, Kiss of Frost, Dark Frost
Page Number Completed Today: 822  | Total: 822
Challenge: Commented on what I would grab in a Wildfire on Kindle Fever's post :)
Notes: Mid-day update: Finished Touch of Frost!  It's 7pm and I'm done with my second book :) End of the day update: Finished 3 books today and went well over 300 pages. I'm so proud of myself!!

Day 2:
Books Completed Today: None
Page Number Completed Today: 146  | Total: 968
Challenge: Posted {here}
Notes: I had trouble reading today - my cold is getting the best of me today :(

Day 3:
Books Completed Today: None
Page Number Completed Today: 100 | Total: 1068
Challenge: didn't participate today
Notes: I had more trouble today - although I'm feeling a lot better tonight, so I'm hoping today I will have a better day with this cold and it'll start going away.

Day 4:
Books Completed Today: The Maze Runner
Page Number Completed Today: 200  | Total: 1268
Challenge: didn't participate today
Notes: Mid-day update: finished one book today :) Now hopefully I can finish another book today!

Day 5:
Books Completed Today: None
Page Number Completed Today: 95 | Total: 1363
Challenge: didn't participate today

Total:
Books Completed: 4: Touch of Frost, Kiss of Frost, Dark Frost, and the Maze Runner
Page Count Total: 1363
Notes: I beat last readathon's accomplishments :)

Fifty Shades of Grey [Review]

Stats: 
528 pages [Kindle]
Published 26 May 2011
ASIN:  B0052U59F4
[Amazon::Barnes&Noble]


Synopsis:
When literature student Anastasia Steele is drafted to interview the successful young entrepreneur Christian Grey for her campus magazine, she finds him attractive, enigmatic and intimidating. Convinced their meeting went badly, she tries to put Grey out of her mind - until he happens to turn up at the out-of-town hardware store where she works part-time.

The unworldly, innocent Ana is shocked to realize she wants this man, and when he warns her to keep her distance it only makes her more desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her - but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey's singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success – his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving adoptive family – Grey is man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a passionate, physical and daring affair, Ana learns more about her own dark desires, as well as the Christian Grey hidden away from public scrutiny.

Can their relationship transcend physical passion? Will Ana find it in herself to submit to the self-indulgent Master? And if she does, will she still love what she finds?

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.


My Thoughts:
4.5/5 Stars
Why yes, I did jump on the Fifty Shades bandwagon!

I went into this book thinking I'd be a book snob and not like it because of how obsessed everyone else was. Then I started reading it. I have heard many things before I started reading - the writing was awful {typos galore, where was the editor, etc.}, it was all sex, it was graphic, he is a douchebag, etc. Because of all the hype, I was expecting a poorly written fan-fiction porno.

I do not feel that's what I just read. I'm used to the graphic sex in books written by JR Ward and Laurell K. Hamilton - that is some graphic sex right there. This was very, VERY vanilla (as James used in it :P). The narrative is one of my favorite styles - it is more like reading a journal than a book. I feel like I really connect well with this style of writing. There was a very defined plot, in my opinion. Ana meets Christian, Christian has mommy issues and is a former sub, Ana falls for what he is sometimes, but is confused by his controlling personality, Christian starts to give her more of what she wants, she notices and they try and make it work. "Love" story. There you go.

I guess it's not for everyone, but I enjoyed it. I liked the style of writing, the sex didn't make me uncomfortable, even the inner goddess wasn't that annoying like everyone else found it. Shoot, I'm sure we all do stuff like that and just call it something different. If not, I'm sure we all do something that annoys someone else. I know I do. I'd definitely reread it and am looking forward to the next installment.

Previous Review:
The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker {here}

Clamhouse Book Club Pick for June 


[Counts toward my TBR Pile challenge: here] 

Linked up at...

The Other Life [Review]

Stats: 
190 pages [ebook]
Published 1 February 2012
ISBN:  140954169X
[Amazon::Barnes&Noble]


Synopsis:
3 years, 1 month, 1 week and 6 days since I’d seen daylight. One-fifth of my life.

Sherry and her family have lived sealed in a bunker in the garden since things went wrong up above. Her grandfather has been in the freezer for the last three months, her parents are at each other’s throats and two minutes ago they ran out of food.

Sherry and her father leave the safety of the bunker and find a devastated and empty LA, smashed to pieces by bombs and haunted by ‘Weepers’ - rabid humans infected with a weaponized rabies virus.

While searching for food in a supermarket, Sherry’s father disappears and Sherry is saved by Joshua, a boy-hunter. He takes her to Safe-haven, a tumble-down vineyard in the hills outside LA, where a handful of other survivors are picking up the pieces of their ‘other lives’. As she falls in love for the first time, Sherry must save her father, stay alive and keep Joshua safe when his desire for vengeance threatens them all.


My Thoughts:
I'm on a zombie kick lately - and this book is the perfect mix of zombies and dystopia. It's magic to my eyeballs/brain/imagination!

The story begins in a bunker, where 15 year old Sherry, her father, mother, brother {Bobby}, sister {Mia}, and grandmother have resided for the last 3 years 1 month 1 week. A variation of rabies had caused an outbreak in the area and the military and CDC advised everyone to get in their bunkers until further notice when the disease was under control. They have run out of food, so Sherry and her father leave to go find rations for the family. At a Walmart, Sherry and her father are attacked by a human-like beast, someone infected by "rabies" - and she is saved by a boy named Joshua. However, the Weepers, as Joshua calls them, have taken her father away to one of their nests to save for a snack for later.

I read this book in 2 1/2 hours. I couldn't stop reading it. Winnacker writes beautifully. In just 190 pages, she creates a believable post-zombie outbreak Los Angeles and a complex cast of characters. Sherry is a kick ass heroine, who shoves her fear aside to do everything she can for her family. Joshua is a fantastic male lead. I cannot wait to read the next book and find out what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Marshall Cavendish for letting me read this one :)


Previous Review:
Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise {here}


Linked up at...

Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise, Part 1 [Review]

Stats: 
76 pages [Paperback]
Published 25 Jan 2012 by Dark Horse Comics
ISBN: 1595828117
[Amazon::Barnes&Noble]


Synopsis:
The wait is over! Ever since the conclusion of Avatar: The Last Airbender, its millions of fans have been hungry for more--and it's finally here!

This series of digests rejoins Aang and friends for exciting new adventures, beginning with a faceoff against the Fire Nation that threatens to throw the world into another war, testing all of Aang's powers and ingenuity!


My Thoughts:
I started watching the Avatar series with my kids about a year ago and fell in love with it. I loved the movie, so I figured I would love the comics - and boy, was I right!

The Promise Part 1 begins after Aang and his friends have helped bring the end to the Hundred Year War and they have allied with the new Fire Lord, Zuko. With the Earth King, they come up with a plan to restore harmony between the nations. But, they find themselves faced with a new war when Zuko withdraws his support from the harmony movement.

It ends with a huge cliffhanger and I'm kicking myself for not getting my hands on these comics sooner! I would love to pick up Part 2 and continue reading. They are very well written. They are funny, just like the tv series. Gurihuri really stole the show with his artwork. For such little detail in the sketchings of the faces, he shows an insane amount of emotion. That, to me, is talent. The colors popped and the paneling of the story was perfect. I highly recommend these to Avatar and comic book fans alike!

Thank you to Dark Horse Comics and NetGalley for the chance to review it!


Previous Review:
Titanic: The Long Night by Diane Hoh {here}

Titanic: The Long Night [Review]

Stats: 
378 pages [ebook]
Published 27 Mar 2012 [First published 22 May 1998] by Open Road
ISBN: 1453248188
[Amazon::Barnes&Noble]
P.S. It's only $2.99 - and it's a pretty quick. light YA read even for such a heavy, sad event.

Synopsis:
Two teenagers discover true love aboard the doomed ocean liner
Elizabeth Farr never wanted to return to America. During her family’s vacation abroad, she has fallen in love with England, and is despondent when her father refuses to let her stay. Returning to New York means having her debut into society, and that means a swiftly arranged marriage. Elizabeth will never go to college, never learn to be a reporter—as she sees it, her life is over as soon as the Titanic reaches port. Of course, if she’s unlucky, her life will be over far sooner than that. As Elizabeth and her family settle into their first-class cabins, Katie Hanrahan, a young Irish girl with dreams of finding fortune in America, makes her way to a steerage berth. Both girls have plans for the future, but love and death are about to intervene. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Diane Hoh including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the author’s personal collection.


My Thoughts:
When I was in middle school, we had to write short stories about Titanic one year, so I've always been really fascinated with the tragedy and different authors' takes on it. Diane Hoh did a wonderful job creating fictional characters and portraying them in the story. I might have enjoyed Katie's perspective the most though because of her Irish accent. I got really attached to each of the characters and it surprised me a little to find they were all fictional - especially because the last book I read about the Titanic was about a true survivor.

It doesn't take away from the events, however. Elizabeth Farr was a first class passenger who learned to not take life for granted (as well as her mother) and was really put in her place as far as being a first classer was concerned. She learned not to judge others by their looks or from gossip. Katie Hanrahan was a really down-to-earth kind of girl. You could easily attach to her character and grasp her personality and livelihood. She was very realistic. The main boys, Max and Paddy, were both charming and brave - everything you would want. I like that they were both sort of mischievous as well.

The part where the ship actually started sinking, broke in half, and finished sinking was a rather short part and Hoh concentrated more on the emotions of the survivors. It was really well done.

Thank you to Open Road and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!



Previous Review:
The Infects by Sean Beaudoin {here}

Linked up at...

The Infects [Review]

Stats: 
384 pages [eARC]
To Be Published 25 Sept 2012 by Candlewick Press
ISBN:  0763659479
[Amazon::Barnes&Noble]


Synopsis:
A feast for the brain, this gory and genuinely hilarious take on zombie culture simultaneously skewers, pays tribute to, and elevates the horror genre.

Seventeen-year-old Nero is stuck in the wilderness with a bunch of other juvenile delinquents on an "Inward Trek." As if that weren’t bad enough, his counselors have turned into flesh-eating maniacs overnight and are now chowing down on his fellow miscreants. As in any classic monster flick worth its salted popcorn, plentiful carnage sends survivors rabbiting into the woods while the mindless horde of "infects" shambles, moans, and drools behind. Of course, these kids have seen zombie movies. They generate "Zombie Rules" almost as quickly as cheeky remarks, but attitude alone can’t keep the biters back. Serving up a cast of irreverent, slightly twisted characters, an unexpected villain, and an ending you won’t see coming, here is a savvy tale that that’s a delight to read — whether you’re a rabid zombie fan or freshly bitten — and an incisive commentary on the evil that lurks within each of us.


My Thoughts:
I give this book 4.5/5 stars!

Think Holes meets Zombieland. The Infects follows a teenage boy, Nick Sole, who works at a chicken processing facility. One day, he finds himself accepting a promotion to work in the mysterious Blue Room, as a butcher. A little while later, he is so exhausted from butchering day after day, that he lands his knife right into his palm. Nick freaks and instead of hitting the emergency stop, he starts removing the chickens from the belt. He winds himself in juvie camp for destruction of property.

Then things start going a little funny. Enter zombies!

I really enjoyed this book. The book is told from Nick's point-of-view. I find it so easy to read the male perspective and Beaudoin really captured the spirit and humor of a teenage dude. I found myself laughing, really snorting and guffawing, at many parts in the book. I love how it started out - I was sucking up every single word of the beginning and pleasantly surprised when it was unveiled (no spoilers for you all - you'll just have to read it to see what I mean :P). It's really easy to get attached to the different characters and really want to know what happens next. You have Nick's love interest Petal, who is kind of mysterious, and then you have Swann, a total badass, crazy b@#$h, who you kind of love to hate and hate to love. There are flashback chapters to Nick's childhood, that give you so much insight on Nick's life. Not to mention, I am in love with how each chapter has a chicken and with each passing chapter, there is a blood splatter header that gets bigger and bigger. Plus the ending is just killer!

Beaudoin weaved a super awesome zombie story that I think is unlike any zombie tale I've ever seen, heard, or read! I highly recommend it to anyone who likes zombie stories or humorous books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for the opportunity to read this book!


Previous Review:
House of Night: Legacy by PC Cast {here}


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