Waiting on Wednesday (21) - Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. Every week, bloggers post the books they're pining for, books that unfortunately have yet to be released.

Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith

Hits Shelves on May 28, 2013

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis
Things you earnestly believe will happen while your parents are away:

1. You will remember to water the azaleas.
2. You will take detailed, accurate messages.
3. You will call your older brother, Denny, if even the slightest thing goes wrong.
4. You and your best friend/bandmate Lukas will win Battle of the Bands.
5. Amid the thrill of victory, Lukas will finally realize you are the girl of his dreams.

Things that actually happen:

1. A stranger calls who says he knew your sister.
2. He says he has her stuff.
3. What stuff? Her stuff.
4. You tell him your parents won’t be able to—
5. Sukey died five years ago; can’t he—
6. You pick up a pen.
7. You scribble down the address.
8. You get on your bike and go.
9. Things . . . get a little crazy after that.*
*also, you fall in love, but not with Lukas.

Both exhilarating and wrenching, Hilary T. Smith’s debut novel captures the messy glory of being alive, as seventeen-year-old Kiri Byrd discovers love, loss, chaos, and murder woven into a summer of music, madness, piercing heartbreak, and intoxicating joy. (Goodreads)

Why I'm Waiting
I am intrigued; I am curious. I often find myself loving random books with wild premises. This book sounds wonderful, chaotic, and exciting. I'm starting to appreciate YA contemporary for the first time. I'm hoping this book does not disappoint. I mean even the cover screams READ ME with its vibrant colors.

And MURDER?! You betcha!

What's your WoW this week?

Top Ten Authors That I'd Put On My Auto-Buy List (17)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Every week, bloggers post their top ten lists based on a bookish theme. This week's Top Ten Tuesday is:

Top Ten Authors That I'd Put On My Auto-Buy List

1. Stephen King - Did you even have to ask what my numero uno would be for this list? If you know me, you know King's a given. I'm slowly working through his bazillion published books, reading them one by one, and they are all amazing. This man is a genius. I want to marry his brillant, sick mind (sorry, I'll get a hold of myself). 

2. Patrick Ness - If his other works are anything like his Chaos Walking series, then I'm on board. This man has made a diehard fan out of me. I cannot wait to read more of his books, like A Monster Calls and his upcoming releases. I cannot imagine that he will disappoint.

3. Tamora Pierce - This woman is wonderful. Her writing has me singing her praises. After reading three of her series, I crave even more. She is simply amazing at doing what she does best: fantasy.

4. J.K. Rowling - Since she wrote the Harry Potter series, like many others, I have been waiting for my Hogwarts acceptance letter. It still hasn't come. But I have not given up hope! I am going to give her the benefit of the doubt and try her Casual Vacancy, with some anxiety, but also confidence in her writing capabilities. You are my hero, J.K. Rowling.

5. Cassandra Clare - Clare's books for me are like what candy is for a sweet tooth. I cannot get enough of them. As soon as one of her new books comes out, I snatch it up and read it in one sitting. I have to be prepared when a book of hers is released. I need a full night of sleep, caffeine, and plenty of time to read. Because once I start, I'm not stopping. I can't explain why I love her writing so. It's just so addictive.

6. Laini Taylor - So far, Taylor has blown me away with her Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. I couldn't find a fault with this series if I tried. I just love her writing, and I am anxious and beyond excited to read more by her in the future. 

Well, those are all the authors I could come up with. There are others I could have included here because I loved, loved, LOVED one of their books and I'm pretty sure they have out of this world talent, but I can't know for sure until I've read more by them. It's safe to say I'm more of a book person than an author person. I generally read books because they sound like they're up my alley and not because they're by a certain person (but there are exceptions). Though there are plenty of dead authors that I would put on my auto-buy list...like TOLKIEN!

What's everyone's Top Ten this week?

Review: The Archived by Victoria Schwab

Title: The Archived 
Author: Victoria Schwab
Published: January 22, 2013
Publisher: Hyperion
Series: The Archived #1
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Pages: 328
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“Because the only way to truly record a person is not in words, not in still frames, but in bone and skin and memory.”
― Victoria Schwab, The Archived

Synopsis
Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.
Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often—violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn’t just dangerous—it’s a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da’s death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
With such a wildly imaginative premise, I began The Archived with high expectations. Although I own The Near Witch, I have yet to read it so this is my first Victoria Schwab book. While the story was original, I found it sorely lacking in background story.

In My Mailbox (12)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. Every week, bloggers showcase the books they've borrowed, bought, received in the mail, etc.

These are the books I've actually received over the last couple of weeks. I'm trying to cut back, and my TBR pile just keeps growing and growing. I'm afraid it's going to eat me.

Bought:

-Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

-The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

-Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Borrowed:

-Sanctum by Sarah Fine

For Review (Netgalley):

-Poison by Bridget Zinn

I cannot wait to read this book, and I'm so happy Disney Hyperion finally accepted one of my egalley requests. Maybe they just got sick of me asking them so much. 

What did everyone else get this week?

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron King
Author: Julie Kagawa
Narrator: Khristine Hvam
Published: February 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd.
Series: The Iron Fey #1
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Length: 11 hours and 48 minutes
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“But if the Nevernever dies, won’t you disappear, as well?”
“I am a cat,” Grimalkin replied, as if that explained anything.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron King

Synopsis
Meghan Chase has a secret destiny--one she could never have imagined...Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school...or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth--that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face...and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Once again, I have fallen prey to all of the hype surrounding a series. I just had to see for myself if the The Iron Fey series was worth all of the hullabaloo, and I have mixed feelings. I'm torn between loving The Iron King and calling it another over-hyped, typical paranormal romance. There were certain aspects that had me rooting for The Iron King and others that majorly turned me off.

Waiting on Wednesday (20) - The Symptoms of My Insanity by Mindy Raf

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. Every week, bloggers post books they're eagerly awaiting.

The Symptoms of my Insanity by Mindy Raf

Hits Shelves on April 18, 2013

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Synopsis
A laugh-out-loud, bittersweet debut full of wit, wisdom, heart, and a hilarious, unforgettable heroine.

When you’re a hypochondriac, there are a million different things that could be wrong with you, but for Izzy, focusing on what could be wrong might be keeping her from dealing with what’s really wrong.

I almost raised my hand, but what would I say? “Mr. Bayer, may I please be excused? I’m not totally positive, but I think I might have cancer.” No way. Then everyone at school would know, and they would treat me differently, and I would be known as “Izzy, that poor girl who diagnosed herself with breast cancer during biology.”

But Izzy’s sense of humor can only get her so far when suddenly her best friend appears to have undergone a personality transplant, her mother’s health takes a turn for the worse, and her beautiful maybe-boyfriend is going all hot and cold. Izzy thinks she’s preparing for the worst-case scenario, but when the worst-case scenario actually hits, it’s a different story altogether—and there’s no tidy list of symptoms to help her through the insanity. (Goodreads)

Why I'm Waiting
You had me at hypochondriac. The title, the premise, all of it is magnetically drawing me in. I hope it proves to be a hysterically funny but also deeply moving debut!

What is everyone else waiting for this week?

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway Book Review

Title: A Farewell to Arms 
Author: Ernest Hemingway
Published: 2003 (first published 1929)
Publisher: Scribner
Genre: Historical Fiction, Classic
Pages: 332
Source: Purchased
Rating: 2 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“If people bring so much courage to this world the world has to kill them to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.”
― Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms

Synopsis
The best American novel to emerge from World War I, A Farewell to Arms is the unforgettable story of an American ambulance driver on the Italian front and his passion for a beautiful English nurse.

Hemingway’s frank portrayal of the love between Lieutenant Henry and Catherine Barkley, caught in the inexorable sweep of war, glows with an intensity unrivaled in modern literature, while his description of the German attack on Caporetto—of lines of fired men marching in the rain, hungry, weary, and demoralized—is one of the greatest moments in literary history. A story of love and pain, of loyalty and desertion, A Farewell to Arms,written when he was thirty years old, represents a new romanticism for Hemingway. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Oh Hemingway. Oh you. Why did you have to write this? Why couldn't you return home from being a WWI ambulance driver and leave it at that? It pains me to criticize any classic because classics are classics for a reason. They have remained untouchable for decades, standing the tests of time because of their popularity and how deeply they have resonated with a variance of audiences. And I have always loved classics. My favorite books fall in the classic literature genre. I eat classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But Hemingway, I had to spit A Farewell to Arms out. I couldn't stomach this infuriating drivel. This is why I dreaded writing this review because this book frustrates me beyond belief and I don't even know how to rip apart a classic.

Review: Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

Title: Daughter of the Forest
Author: Juliet Marillier
Published: April 1, 1999
Publisher: Tor Books
Series: Sevenwaters #1
Genre: Adult Fantasy, Retelling
Pages: 411
Source: Gift
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“But there is one thing you must remember, if you forget all else. There is no good or evil, save in the way you see the world. There is no dark or light save in your own vision. All changes in the blink of an eyelid; yet all remains the same.”
― Juliet Marillier, Daughter of the Forest

Synopsis
Lovely Sorcha is the seventh child and only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Bereft of a mother, she is comforted by her six brothers who love and protect her. Sorcha is the light in their lives, they are determined that she know only contentment.

But Sorcha's joy is shattered when her father is bewitched by his new wife, an evil enchantress who binds her brothers with a terrible spell, a spell which only Sorcha can lift-by staying silent. If she speaks before she completes the quest set to her by the Fair Folk and their queen, the Lady of the Forest, she will lose her brothers forever.

When Sorcha is kidnapped by the enemies of Sevenwaters and taken to a foreign land, she is torn between the desire to save her beloved brothers, and a love that comes only once. Sorcha despairs at ever being able to complete her task, but the magic of the Fair Folk knows no boundaries, and love is the strongest magic of them all...(Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Daughter of the Forest had me under its spell from page one. I went into this book with high expectations, having already read Marillier's Shadowfell, and I was not disappointed. Marillier skillfully weaved a tale that rendered me speechless, and I am dying to read more of her books.

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Published: January 2, 2012
Publisher: Poppy/Little Brown
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Pages: 236
Source: Library
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“Love is the strangest, most illogical thing in the world.”
― Jennifer E. Smith, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Synopsis
Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. Having missed her flight, she's stuck at JFK airport and late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's sitting in her row.

A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more?

Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Happy Valentine's Day! I decided to read a mushy romance for Valentine's Day, something I don't do too often. I was torn between Amy & Roger's Epic Detour and this one. I'd like to say that I picked The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight after long consideration and comparing the reviews of both books, but I mainly chose it because of the heart on the front cover and how that fit in with the Valentine's Day theme.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight took me by surprise. Honestly, I was expecting fluff and a gag worthy romance. Maybe even a combination of elements from Serendipity (I adore this movie). It was actually none of the above. Against all my expectations, I found The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight to be more than just another chick lit book. There was less romance and more focus on Hadley's and Oliver's family struggles than I had anticipated, making for deep and meaningful scenes.

Waiting On Wednesday (19) - In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. Every week, bloggers post upcoming releases that they cannot wait to read.

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

Hits Shelves on April 2, 2013

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis
In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time. (Goodreads)

Why I'm Waiting
Could this cover look any creepier? If you didn't already know, I love anything to do with the paranormal. Ghosts especially. Spirit photography is some creepy stuff. Do I believe in ghosts? Yes. I even saw one twice. But let's not get into that. In the Shadow of Blackbirds looks like a spooky, thrilling read, and I am beyond excited to read it. Plus, the premise and the time period really sets this book apart from the rest. And the protagonist's name is Mary Shelley? How wonderful is that?

What's your WoW this week?

Top Ten Favorite Romances (16)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. As Valentine's Day is this week, it makes sense that this week's theme has to do with romance. And without further ado, here is my Top Ten Tuesday...

Top Ten Favorite Romances

1. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - Jane Eyre has remained my favorite book for years. It is a classic tale of romance found between two lonely souls. Against all odds, when their lives have fallen apart, they still find their way back to each other. I have grown to love this book more and more with each reading. It definitely deserves to be number one on this list. 

2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - While The Great Gatsby is not a romance in the traditional sense, it is a tale of obsession and love. Daisy and Gatsby are crazy about each other, and although their love is never meant to last, it still makes for an emotional, satisfying read.

3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Although I'm more of a Gothic romance lover, even I can't help but appreciate Jane Austen's most famous novel. When I want a romance fix, I either watch the movie or the BBC series or I read the book. Who doesn't love Mr. Darcy? 

4. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - I am so happy I finally read this book. It was lovely and enchanting and I couldn't have been more pleased. Despite their age difference, I found the romance between Maxim and the unnamed narrator beautifully done.

5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - When it comes to romance, I turn to the classics, and while I detest both Heathcliff and Catherine, there is something mesmerizing about the desperate, wild love they share. The passion between them is a force to be reckoned with. 

6. The Princess Bride by William Goldman - I love Wesley. Need I say more? While Buttercup can be obnoxious, I loved the romance between Wesley and Buttercup. Whether you watch the movie or read the book, you just can't go wrong.

7. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - While I loved the movie, the book is so much better. The romance is so well-done in the book. It's sweet and touching. I can't wait to reread it soon!

8. Graceling by Kristin Cashore - I think Po and Katsa are perfect together. The romance was wonderfully done. They love each other with such a passion, and nothing keeps them apart.

9. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson - I haven't raved about this book for about a week so I think it's time again. Once again, this is a book that doesn't have romance in the traditional sense. After her sister's death, Lennie Walker is torn between a chance at true love and a downward spiral into misery. While there are some tough scenes, I think Joe and Lennie are good for each other. 

10. The Time Traveler's Wife - I'll admit I liked the movie slightly more than the book, but I enjoyed both. The characters are very complex and there's nothing simple or easy about this romance. Clare and Henry have known each other since he was 36 and she was 6, which makes for a unique premise and an unbreakable bond between these lovebirds when they continue to meet during Henry's time travels.

How about everyone else? What are your top ten romances?

Review: A Wolf At The Door and Other Retold Fairy Tales by Ellen Datlow

Title: A Wolf at the Door and Other Retold Fairy Tales
Author: Ellen Datlow (Editor), Terri Windling (Editor)
Published: July 1, 2000
Publisher: Simon & Schusters Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Retelling
Pages: 166 pages
Source: Library
Rating: 3 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis
These are not your mother's fairy tales...Did you ever wonder how the dwarves felt after Snow White ditched them for the prince? Do you sometimes wish Cinderella hadn't been so helpless and petite? Are you ready to hear the Giant's point of view on Jack and his beanstalk? Then this is the book for you.

Thirteen award-winning fantasy and science fiction writers offer up their versions of these classic fairy tales as well as other favorites, including The Ugly Duckling, Ali Baba, Hansel and Gretel, and more. Some of the stories are funny, some are strange, and others are dark and disturbing -- but each offers something as unexpected as a wolf at the door. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
A Wolf at the Door and Other Retold Fairy Tales is a collection of fairy-tales retold by such famous fantasy and science fiction writers as Neil Gaiman, Garth Nix, Gregory Maguire, and more. This book contains Gaiman's "Instructions" and 12 retellings of old favorites like Cinderella and The Twelve Dancing Princesses. I found these short retellings to either be a hit or miss. There were some I enjoyed, while others were just strange and poorly executed. There were many dark twisted tales, and I'm surprised this book is primarily for children. But why should I be surprised considering some of the animated movies I used to watch as a kid? I guess the best way to go about this is to review these individually. I'll try to make it short and sweet.

In My Mailbox (11)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. Every week, bloggers showcase the books they've received, borrowed, etc.

Bought:

-Teeth by Hannah Moskowitz

-The Archived by Victoria Schwab

Borrowed:
-Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

Bought:

-How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You by Matthew Inman

First off, who doesn't love The Oatmeal. Secondly, I have four cats and this is information I need to know. Third, these illustrations are HILARIOUS. A must have book for all cat lovers.

Bought (Kindle):

-Everneath by Brodi Ashton

-Everbound by Brodi Ashton

Both of these books were on sale for 2.99 for kindle, and I could not resist such a great price.

Bought (Audible):

-The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

And I bought the Iron King audiobook for only 2.99. So far, I love the narrator's voices for the fairies. 

What did everyone else get in their mailbox?

Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Creatures 
Authors: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Narrator: Kevin T. Collins
Published: December 1, 2009
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Series: Caster Chronicles #1
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Length: 17 hours and 33 minutes, Unabridged
Source: Purchased
Rating: 2 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“The right thing and the easy thing are never the same."
― Kami Garcia, Beautiful Creatures

Synopsis
Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Once again, I have tried reading, or listening, to Beautiful Creatures. And, once again, I am baffled as to why there is so much hype surrounding this book. I know its popularity has increased with the upcoming release of the movie, but I don't think it's entirely deserved. At first, listening to the audiobook was a more enjoyable experience than reading it. I could multitask while listening, and I found the music and sound effects spooky and perfect for setting the right atmosphere for the book. But after a while, the story dragged and seemed repetitive. How many times do I have to hear about Ethan's eccentric great aunts? Or how the cheerleading squad is dressed? Or how the town is obsessed with the Civil War?

Waiting On Wednesday (18) - In The After by Demitria Lunetta

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. Every Wednesday, bloggers post books they are highly anticipating.

In The After by Demitria Lunetta

Hits Shelves on June 25, 2013

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Synopsis
They hear the most silent of footsteps.
They are faster than anything you've ever seen.
And They won't stop chasing you...until you are dead.

Amy is watching TV when it happens, when the world is attacked by Them. These vile creatures are rapidly devouring mankind. Most of the population is overtaken, but Amy manages to escape—and even rescue “Baby,” a toddler left behind in the chaos. Marooned in Amy’s house, the girls do everything they can to survive—and avoid Them at all costs.

After years of hiding, they are miraculously rescued and taken to New Hope, a colony of survivors living in a former government research compound. While at first the colony seems like a dream with plenty of food, safety, and shelter, New Hope slowly reveals that it is far from ideal. And Amy soon realizes that unless things change, she’ll lose Baby—and much more.

Rebellious, courageous, and tender, this unforgettable duo will have you on the edge of your seat as you tear through the pulse-pounding narrow escapes and horrifying twists of fate in this thrilling debut from author Demitria Lunetta. (Goodreads)

Why I'm Waiting
This sounds fricking awesome! I'm not a huge zombie fan, but already the reviews are high months before its release. I want to know more about Them. Who are these "vile creatures?" Can they be defeated? And I find the combination of the two young girls Amy and Baby, one a toddler, very unique for a zombie novel.

Plus, this book will be released on my birthday! I cannot ignore this momentous date!

What is everyone else waiting for?

Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Title: Unearthly 
Author: Cynthia Hand
Published: January 1, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Series: Unearthly #1
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Pages: 435
Source: Purchased
Rating: 2 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“So often we only do what we think is expected of us, when we are capable of so much more.”
― Cynthia Hand, Unearthly

Synopsis
In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
At first, I was hesitant to read Unearthly, concerned it would be just another Hush Hush. But all of the five star reviews and high praise for this book convinced me to take a risk. When you take a risk, there is always a chance the book will not live up to your expectations. Unfortunately, this was the case with Unearthly. Though it pains me to criticize any published work, I must be honest with my followers. And here's my honest opinion: Unearthly brought nothing new to the young adult genre.

Courtney Reads A Lot Bought An AudioBook

Source

At last. I have finally bought an audiobook.  I kept putting it off, thinking that nothing could compare to an actual book. There's just something about being able to hold a book in your hands as you're reading it, feeling the pages and smelling them (yes, you will see me regularly sniffing books). But, with an audiobook, I can actually "read" at work. Well, listen at work.

My first audiobook is Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl. I actually have the physical copy of this book, and have read it before, but I don't have time to reread it at the moment. I wanted to reread it before the movie so I found the audiobook for my Iphone. What I love about audiobooks is that I save space. I'm no longer cramming books onto my shelves, or piling them by my bed or finding random places to store them.

In one work day, I was able to listen to 22 chapters of Beautiful Creatures which was nice. If I have errands to run, I can just hook up my Iphone to my radio and listen to a book. While my hands are busy doing work, I can finish a chapter. It's definitely convenient. Plus, I used the Audible app on my Iphone for several hours and my battery wasn't hurting terribly. In fact, I still had more than half my battery.

So what are the drawbacks of listening to audiobooks? 

• 1. The pace - I love reading at a leisurely pace. Now, I have to listen at the narrator's pace. 
• 2. Can be pricey - The audiobooks can be on the expensive side. But I bought this one on sale. Also, I could find some audiobooks from the library.
• 3. Easily distracted - Sometimes, I focus on something else, only to realize I've missed an entire part of the audio. Then, I have to keep rewinding to the parts I missed. 
• 4. The narration - The narrator's different voices can be a bit overkill, especially with the Southern accent. Also, it kind of ruins it for me when I hear a guy reading a girl's part or vice versa. It becomes less believable. But I'm definitely loving the sound effects and occasional music. The song Sixteen Moons that's featured in this book is just as I would've imagined: haunting and beautiful. 

We'll see how my audiobook venture pans out. I can only hope this works out for me.