Title: Ada - Legend of a Healer
Author: R.A. McDonald
Publisher: House of Lore
Published: January 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 260
Source: Publisher

No sickness, No injuries, No pain, No limits. If you had the power to heal, what would you do? For fifteen-year-old Ada discovering that she can heal feels more like a curse than a gift. When she learns of the mystery surrounding her mother's disappearance, and sees the indifference of so-called friends, she sets out for Paris to find her.

The power to heal protects her, but also has her hunted by a man who sees her as nothing more than his fountain of youth. Ada realizes her true power is her will to survive, and that her only chance at freedom is to become the best at escaping.

Ada hasn't grown up in a house with a white picket fence. Instead she was cast off and absorbed into the foster care system, quickly putting up a shield of hostility. Always knowledgeable of the sicknesses of those around her and never getting hurt just seemed like facts of life. Finally on her last strike of trouble, an estranged aunt comes to the rescue, giving Ada the knowledge of how to use her healing power. Now Ada, who up to this point has shunned the world, all of the sudden has the power to heal it.

Ada's lived her entire life in the foster system, knowing she has a gift, but is convinced it's more of a curse than anything else. After pulling her last stunt and being caught, Ada is fifteen and past the age that people and her caseworker can simply overlook her childish rebellion. It's either time for her to stay in a home for kids that can't be placed in stable homes, or she goes to Aunt Jessie, her mother's best friend. The two share similar gifts, but Ada resents hers until her unique ability is brought to light and the extent of her power is revealed. Now her gift is a fight between life and death, and the life hanging in the balance is her own.

I have to say this is a first for me. Healers in YA fiction is a nice, refreshing twist on magic and the paranormal, and it was truly a pleasure to lose myself in a world so vastly different than those I've seen. R.A. McDonald has created a world within Ada - Legend of a Healer that's dark and grim, all the while perfectly merging a delicate balance of human nature, the struggle to find oneself and a trippy world where Ada's gift has more than just the power to heal. With intricate details and clever artwork peppering the pages, Ada - Legend of a Healer was a rich world that one can easily lose themselves within.

I didn't know what to expect from Ada, herself, when I started the book, but I was pleasantly surprised. Despite, or in spite of, her incredible gift, Ada is very much a normal teenager within Ada - Legend of a Healer. She's lived a difficult life outside of her gift, and her gift simply amplifies her struggle. Jessie was also a remarkable character. There were moments that I thought I knew her and loved her, and there were times I wanted to strangle her. Throughout it all though, it was apparent that she was doing the best she could, in her own way, to help Ada. The multiple settings, the search for Ada's mother, and the desperate desire to be someone Ada could come to terms with all made Ada - Legend of a Healer poignant and powerful. The only thing I would have specifically changed in the book was to have fleshed out the climax a bit more. I felt it was a bit rushed.

It's rare that I come across a book that so pleasantly surprises me, especially when the cover isn't my favourite (I'm a cover slut...it's no secret). I give Ada - Legend of a Healer a very strong 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to the YA audience, particularly those who enjoy paranormal stories.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Burnout
Author: Adrienne Maria Vrettos
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Published: September 13, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 208

On the day after Halloween, Nan wakes up in a subway car. She is not dreaming. She doesn’t know where she’s been or what she’s done. She’s missing a whole day from her life. And she’s wearing skeleton makeup and a too-small Halloween costume that she doesn't remember putting on.

Nan is not supposed to wake up in places like this anymore. She’s different now, so far from that dangerously drunk girl who hit bottom in the Nanapocalypse. She needs to find out what happened to her, and fast. As she tries to put together the pieces of the last twenty-four hours, she flashes back to memories of her previous life. But she would never go back to her old friends and her old ways. Would she?

The deeper Nan digs, the more disturbing things get. This time, she may have gone one step too far. This time, she may be a walking ghost.

I like creepy stories, and I have a bit of a penchant for the dark and twisty. So sue me. Burnout seems like the perfect combination of the two, and the main character seems to have a past, which makes this even more enticing. If a story tells about a character's past catching up with them in the present, I'm sold, and this sounds like a thrill ride from start to finish. Plus, it doesn't hurt that the cover is all dark and pretty and all that jazz. What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

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Be sure to check out today's stop for The Long Weekend Blog Tour hosted by yours truly! The all-too-awesome Stacey from Flippin Fabulous: A Reader's Record has a fabulous review/guest post/international giveaway for all of you, so be sure to drop by and check it out!

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The ashen, sickly color of her skin faded. Slowly, Madame Cornot loosened her grip on Ada's arms until she eventually let go and lay back against the couch with her eyes closed. 

Ada: Legend of a Healer by R.A. McDonald

And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teasers differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature two sentences (or more) of something I've written, leave it up all day, then remove it around 11 PM. You're welcome to comment on it, love it, hate it, or simply read it at your leisure...if you'd like, of course. This week's teaser is from my current WIP, RACE.

Brimming with blood and echoing with the screams of a thousand dead Racers, I wrench myself from the vivid nightmare, but the terror remains. I launch myself from my cot and crouch in the far corner, panting for a deep breath, feeling the icy cold sheen trickle lazily down my neck.

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Be sure to check out today's stop for The Long Weekend Blog Tour hosted by yours truly! The all-too-awesome Steph from Steph the Bookworm has a fabulous review/interview/international giveaway for all of you, so be sure to drop by and check it out!

This won't be a regular feature here, but I figured I'd see what other bloggers think about giving positive vs. negative reviews. Now, I've never been one to shy away from what I truly think, and I don't sugarcoat my feelings on books in person, so when someone asked if negative reviews reflect badly on me, it really got me to thinking.

Now, first of all, I'm not a professional reviewer by any means, and I certainly never claimed to be. My reviews are purely my own thoughts and that is explicitly stated in my review policy. I feel I do a good job balancing the positive and negative aspects of books, for the most part. If I can't finish a book, I will put that on Goodreads, rather than my site. If I do finish a book though, and it doesn't work, I want to share that. Case in point? Witch & Wizard by James Patterson. Rarely do I believe a book qualifies as craptastic, but trust me, this book reeks of dumbed-down YA prose. Now, the book might work for some people, but if it didn't work for me, is it right for me to hide that review off my blog so as not to offend people?

Then, however, there are the books I really want to rave about. Raw Blue, anyone? I've never been one for contemporary books, but my last mailbox was all contemps based on that book, alone. A book that can make me want to read more contemporary fiction like that deserves to be raved about, and I want to make a clear distinction between the gems like Raw Blue and Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar (and other such books that prove something to me) and those that just don't work like Witch & Wizard or Trapped. Again, these are personal opinions, but if a book is set apart, the reason I created this site in the first place was to name those books that are standouts and why they work better for me than others.

I guess my main thought on positive and negative reviews is this - I don't take pleasure in writing negative reviews, but how am I supposed to show what books work for me if I can't show which don't? I have received a few snarky, shall we say, emails that imply I've got my head stuck somewhere it shouldn't be, and I wanted to clarify my take on it. What do you all think? Do you think it's alright to write negative reviews? Do you write them, and if so, do you think that gives us, as bloggers, cred, or do you think it adversely affects us?

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Be sure to check out today's The Long Weekend Blog Tour stop at Linds' blog, Bibliophile Brouhaha, for a fabulous review, author feature and giveaway!

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

FOR REVIEW:

Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury - (eARC - Thank you, Simon & Schuster Galley Grab) - Agnes Wilkins dreams of adventures that reach beyond the garden walls, but reality for a seventeen-year-old debutante in 1815 London does not allow for camels—or dust, even. No, Agnes can only see a mummy when she is wearing a new silk gown and standing on the verdant lawns of Lord Showalter’s estate, with chaperones fussing about and strolling sitar players straining to create an exotic “atmosphere” for the first party of the season. An unwrapping.

Boyfriends With Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez - (eARC - Thank you, Simon & Schuster Galley Grab) - Lance has always known he was gay, but he's never had a real boyfriend. Sergio is bisexual, but his only real relationship was with a girl. When the two of them meet, they have an instant connection--but will it be enough to overcome their differences? Allie's been in a relationship with a guy for the last two years--but when she meets Kimiko, she can't get her out of her mind. Does this mean she's lesbian? Does it mean she's bi?

Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott - (eARC - Thank you, Simon & Schuster Galley Grab) - Abby accepted that she can’t measure up to her beautiful, magnetic sister Tess a long time ago, and knows exactly what she is: Second best. Invisible. Until the accident. Now Tess is in a coma, and Abby’s life is on hold. It may have been hard living with Tess, but it's nothing compared to living without her.

FOR REVIEW

Stay by Deb Caletti - (eARC - Thank you, Simon & Schuster Galley Grab) - Clara’s relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it’s almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is—and what he’s willing to do to make her stay.

BOUGHT

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - Sixteen-year-old Macy Queen is looking forward to a long, boring summer. Her boyfriend is going away. She's stuck with a dull-as-dishwater job at the library. And she'll spend all of her free time studying for the SATs or grieving silently with her mother over her father's recent unexpected death. But everything changes when Macy is corralled into helping out at one of her mother's open house events, and she meets the chaotic Wish Catering crew.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen - Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything"—at least that's the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf's Department Store.This year, she's the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong.

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Remember, I have two international giveaways going on now! Enter to be one of three winners for a choice of 6 ARCs in my Birthday Bash Giveaway (ends 3/30) and, while you're at it, enter to win an ARC of Awaken (ends 4/15)!

Title: Wynter Chelsea: The Legacy
Author: Becca Ritchie
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Published: October, 19, 2008
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 384
Source: Author

Four hundred years ago a creature descended upon the Earth. The supernatural hunted innocent lives wanting blood and vengeance. Two families, the Wynters and the Chelseas, knew of the darkness that reigned over the world. For thousands of years they hunted and killed to protect those who knew nothing of the dangers.

Amanda Chelsea vies to be a part of the Wynter Chelsea legacy, constantly craving the thrill of a lifetime that her older brother, Jack, and the two Wynter boys experience. At seventeen, Amanda’s passion to fight is overwhelming, and she cannot come to grips with why the boys are protecting her. Abilities are cast upon the new generation of Wynters and Chelseas, only in hopes of guiding them to vanquish the impenetrable creature.

Even as Amanda Chelsea receives the power of empathy, feeling other people’s emotions, it brings more harm than a vital potency. Through the turmoil in New Jersey, Dustin Wynter is the only one able to relate to Amanda with a similar gift. As Jack’s rage boils over the edge, Dustin must put the pieces back together and hold the legacy up with a shaking arm and a quirky brother by his side.

Amanda is the only girl in a legacy of demon hunters, two families destined to fight the dark forces in the world. She's consistently trying to prove to herself and to others that she is every bit a part of her family's history as her brother, but it almost seems to bring her further from that. But the forces of darkness are always there, and Amanda seems to be fighting both inside and out, and as much as she wants to fight and be someone, she's got a lot to live up to. Some of what the Wynter and Chelsea families need to live up to is hidden in lies and mystery, and those mysteries are potentially and probably very dangerous.

Some people are born to be writers. Author Becca Ritchie, wrote Wynter Chelsea: The Legacy when she was just 14 years old. Cohesive, action-packed and with a touch of romance that defies the norm of YA fiction (read: this is NOT insta-love), Wynter Chelsea: The Legacy is a little bit of everything that makes the paranormal genre great. The full cast of characters complemented one another well, and each had specific character traits that set them apart from one another. Most of all though, each action had an equal and worthy reaction. If that doesn't equate to what a book should be, then colour me crazy.

The best part of the book was the background and history of the Wynter and Chelsea families. The younger generation of the demon hunting families which included Amanda, Jack, Dustin and Trevor was dynamic and engaging. Jack was a bit of a force to be reckoned with for me. He had a definite mean streak, and his emotions were so off-kilter that it kept the story moving, even when the battles lulled. Amanda, though I desperately wanted her to be a badass in Wynter Chelsea: The Legacy, fell a bit flat for me though, to be honest. Her internal monologues were a bit taxing, and while her power was awesome and really heightened her potential with Dustin, she whined a lot. I get why she did, but I wish she would be less talk and more action, if that makes sense. Either way, the non-stop plot made up for it.

All in all, Wynter Chelsea: The Legacy was a great supernatural read that kept me hooked from page one to the very end. I give it a very strong 4 out of 5, and I recommend it to all YA fans, especially those who enjoy paranormal stories. It's especially great for those fans of shows like Supernatural because, hey, we can never get enough hunters, right?

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Today is day 12 of The Long Weekend Blog Tour! Be sure to check out today's tour stop over at Alex's blog, Electrifying Reviews. He's got another great review for you, as well as an interview and an international giveaway for you...so enjoy!

The Friday Fix is a takeover of my Friday blog post by other bloggers who have volunteered their time and energy to "star" in their very own guest post on Friday. Only one mandatory rule (you can't get out of it!) - you must answer five of the most random questions I throw your way. The rest is up to you. Remember, if you'd like to be featured on the Friday Fix, send me an email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here are the Julia from That Hapa Chick!

The Most Random Questions in the World...

1. Why is an outlet called that if you plug something into it? Shouldn't it be an inlet?

Awww yes that is a puzzling question. That is until you think about the fact that the energy comes OUT of the outlet and into whatever you're trying to power. Then it makes perfect sense!

2. Why does Goofy get to stand up if Pluto has to remain on all fours?

You see when they were first trying to figure out who would play Goofy they couldn't decide between two dog actors so they had to pick randomly. They felt so bad for the actor who wasn't picked that they offered to write a part especially for him. Unfortunately they couldn't write in another walking talking dog so they had no choice but to make him Mickey's pet Pluto who can only bark and walk on all fours.

3. Why isn't there a name for the tops of your feet, but there is a name for the bottom of your feet?

This is a question that NEEDS to be answered! Especially since just about every other part of our foot has a name. Toes, heel, arch, etc. I personally will start calling it the dome of the foot. Who's with me?

4. If you plan to have no plans at all, do you have a plan?

This is a sticky situation. Some people will argue that you have a plan to have no plans but others will say you have no plan at all and that you are merely a time waster. Personally I like to think it means you are spontaneous.

5. If your seat is a flotation device, why doesn't the airplane just become a boat?

My thoughts exactly! I mean if Chitty Chitty Bang Bang can change from a car, a boat, AND an airplane I don't see why modern airplanes can't too! Unfortunately modern airplane manufacturer's don't agree with me. They went the cheap route and decided to only make only the seats float.

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Thank you so much for participating in my ridiculous Friday Fix, Julia! Your answers were fab, and I'm so glad you finally explained the whole Goofy/Pluto thing to me. That's been bugging me for a while! For all of you, be sure to check out Julia's awesome blog, That Hapa Chick. There's never a dull moment there, and she has a great feature there called "Bookish Questions."

In unrelated news, today is day 11 of The Long Weekend Blog Tour! We have yet another awesome tour stop at Lauren's blog, Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf, today! Be sure to check out her review, interview and international giveaway!

In further unrelated news, I have two international giveaways going on now! Enter to be one of three winners for a choice of 6 ARCs in my Birthday Bash Giveaway (ends 3/30) and, while you're at it, enter to win an ARC of Awaken (ends 4/15)!

A while back I was asked by the amazing Yara of Once Upon a Twilight if I'd like to be a part of a blog tour for a book called 12.21.12. Two words: Yes. Please. To see the rest of the amazing blog tour, click HERE to learn more.

I reviewed 12.21.12 today, and I loved how the author, Killian McRae, perfectly balanced a blend of genres, and I'm super lucky to say she sat down to answer a few of my questions, so check it out!

1. Please describe 12.21.12 in five words or less.

Acient murder informs modern apacolypse.

2. If you weren't an author, what would you be?

Unemployed. :)

A librarian. The love of books, it's hard to shake.

3. What traits separate Shep from other male main characters within the genre of 12.21.12?

Shep takes all the new revelations with little fanfare. He's already learned fact usually outscales fiction  (the fact in this fiction is, in fact, fictional).

4. Your book is an interesting mix of reality and fiction - how did you balance the two?

I try to keep the fantasy within two steps of realty. It takes to the edge. That third step takes you over the edge.

5. Why ancient Egypt and why the Mayan prophecy of 12.21.12?

There's just enough in common between these two great, ancient cultures to suggest there's a connection that it was just too irresistable not to explore.

6. Are there any authors or works that inspired you to write 12.21.12?

Not the topic, but as far as treatment of exploiting fact for fiction's sake, Dan Brown is the king.

7. Is there anything specific you'd like to tell your readers?

Even if conspiracy isn't your thing, or gods, or aliens, give 12.21.12 a try. It really doesn't stay in the bounds of one particular genre. You might be drawn in by the love story, or the history, or the intrigue, or any number of elements.

Thank you so much for stopping by, Killian! To all of you...12.21.12 is out now, and to see what I thought of it, click HERE!
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Today is day 10 of The Long Weekend Blog Tour! Be sure to check out today's tour stop at Kate's blog, Literary Explorations, for another amazing review of this one-of-a-kind book!

12.21.12 Review

Title: 12.21.12
Author: Killian McRae
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Published: December 21, 2010
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 238
Source: Tour/Once Upon a Twilight

Archaeologist Sheppard Smyth has staked his career and the honorable memory of his deceased wife and partner on proving his widely-panned theory: Cleopatra VII, last ruler of Ancient Egypt, was murdered. When a statue of the doomed Queen is discovered in an Olmec excavation site in Mexico, Shep rushes to investigate and, hopefully, find the proof that has evaded him for so long.

Soon, he finds himself in the middle of the rivalry between the sexy, enigmatic international thief, Victoria Kent, and infamous rumored Russian mobster, Dmitri Kronastia. Both hold pieces to the puzzle that will finally shed light on Cleopatras death, as they vie for Shep's trust and assistance. As he is drawn further into their world of ancient gods, supernatural powers, and alternative history, little does Shep know that the fate of all humanity may hinge on his ability to discover the truth in between Victoria and Dmitris' fragmented claims and hidden identities.

Shep has enough problems as it is. He's an archaeologist with a drinking problem since his wife's death, and now he's finally got the chance to prove something to both himself and everyone around him that he's not a kook, he's still got game and he's actually right in his theories about Cleopatra. Unluckily for Shep though, he's going to have to contend between two hustling characters to do so, and he inevitably falls down a path that's darker and scarier than he imagined...but not just that...there's a chance he might just figure out more than he anticipated, and it's not good.

First off, if the world is really going to end in 2012, I'm glad I read 12.21.12, so I'm just going to throw that out there. Killian McRae did something in 12.21.12 that not too many authors can do. She mastered throwing multiple subgenres into one cohesive storyline with dynamic characters and a topsy-turvy plot that never failed to surprise me. While it's leaning towards an older YA audience, I couldn't resist the apocalyptic connotations in the title, and I can definitely say that the dark undertones of 12.21.12 don't disappoint.

One of the biggest strengths of 12.21.12 was the superb cast of characters. Shep, though an older MC than I'm used to, was engaging and heroic. He's got a strong voice that also hints at his loss and vulnerability because of it. As a perfect counterpart, Dimitri was this seemingly stereotypical mobster with his hot features and dirty, dirty ways, and yet, he had this sort of saccharin undertone that made you realize the guy wasn't all that bad if you could look past the whole gangster shebang. Victoria was every bit as snaky as I'd anticipated, but knowing there was more to her than surface beauty made her strong and captivating. I would have to say that some of the interactions between the characters seemed a bit forced though, and I liked them better all in their separate scenes. I also think that the scenery within 12.21.12 fell a bit flat compared to the detailed characters.

Overall, 12.21.12 is a great read if you're looking for a slim book with a fast-paced plot and endless action. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to more of an adult audience due to language and some adult situations. It's especially great for those who enjoy a good mystery and thriller, as well as anyone who wants a taste of the apocalypse.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Boyfriends with Girlfriends
Author: Alex Sanchez
Publisher: S & S Children's
Published: April 19, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 224

Lance has always known he was gay, but he's never had a real boyfriend. Sergio is bisexual, but his only real relationship was with a girl. When the two of them meet, they have an instant connection--but will it be enough to overcome their differences?

Allie's been in a relationship with a guy for the last two years--but when she meets Kimiko, she can't get her out of her mind. Does this mean she's lesbian? Does it mean she's bi? Kimiko, falling hard for Allie, and finding it impossible to believe that a gorgeous girl like Allie would be into her, is willing to stick around and help Allie figure it out.

Boyfriends with Girlfriends is Alex Sanchez at his best, writing with a sensitive hand to portray four very real teens striving to find their places in the world--and with each other.

Someone asked me the other day why I don't think contemporary fiction is my thing, and I told them that I thought so much of it is formulaic and the same-old, same-old. I really long to read books that take risks and step outside the box. So, in line with my personal contemporary challenge, I've been on the hunt for something different. I like that Boyfriends with Girlfriends isn't something I've read before. I don't think I've read enough LGBT story lines, and I'm interested to see how this is done. Plus, it sounds like there's a lot of internal struggles going on here, and I like watching those transitions. Colour me crazy. What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

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Today is day 9 of The Long Weekend Blog Tour! Be sure to check out today's tour stop over at Savannah's blog, Books With Bite! She's got an awesome review, interview and international giveaway for you today, so be sure to enter!

About a month ago, I was approached to be a part of an amazing blog tour called A Cornucopia of Dystopia based solely around dystopian fiction by the amazing Danya of A Tapestry of Words and Casey of The Bookish Type. How could I possibly refuse?!

Long story short...I had the amazing opportunity to read Awaken by debut author, Katie Kacvinsky, who took time out of her busy day to answer a few of my questions for all my readers? So, check out the interview below, and be sure to check out the lineup for the rest of the tour!

1. Please describe Awaken in five words or less.

Yikes. I’m really bad at this but here you go: Dystopian romance, anti-technology drama.

2. What made you decide to write a dystopian novel?

I write the kind of books I want to read. I love science fiction and dystopia because you can take the fictional themes and apply them to real life. I also look at where our culture is headed with all of our digital devices and it freaks me out. I think we’re losing touch with what makes us human and that’s what inspired my story.

3. Finish this sentence..."If I weren't an author, I would be a ____."

Movie director. Or, I’d be an assistant to James Cameron who is my favorite director.

4. What is one message you hope your readers will come away with from Awaken.

I think we are all caught up in the digital age. Even though many of these technologies have so many benefits, I think they can also be addictive and waste a lot of our time. I hope people will think about their own habits and remember that it’s okay to unplug once in a while.

5. Technology is at the core of Awaken. Do you ever fear that the world be the way it is in the novel?

In some ways we are already there; technology is the core of our own society right now. But, I’d like to think that we’ll never make it to the extreme I write about. 
6. You could virtually workout on a computer or do a physical workout in the real world. Which do you choose, and why? 
I’ve tried working out to DVDs but I much prefer running outside or playing sports with friends. I can’t even play Wii video games. It makes me laugh to watch people do it; I think they look really stupid. I’d rather invest in a tennis racket and a pair of shoes and go play the game outside instead of swatting my hand at an invisible ball moving on a screen.

7. Is there anything specific you'd like to tell your readers?

If you like a good love story, you’ll like by novel.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions, Katie! Now for the rest of you...do you want a chance to win an awesome ARC of Awaken for yourself?! Here are the rules: This international giveaway ends on April 15, 2011 at midnight EST. Random.org will pick the winner and the winner will be emailed directly. You do NOT have to be a follower, but if you are, it is much appreciated!

Click HERE to enter!

Awaken Review (Cornucopia of Dystopia Tour)

Title: Awaken
Author: Katie Kacvinsky
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Children's
Published: May 23, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 352
Source: Cornucopia of Dystopia

Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her.

Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.

In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.

Maddie lives in a future world where everything is digital. School, friendships, relationships and life, in general, are all lived out through computers. The real world people once lived in is an inconvenience, and Maddie's content to obey her father's rules and the world she's used to. Justin comes into her life though, and makes her wonder what she might be missing because he loves the tangible world that's so foreign to her. And Maddie starts to wonder if there's something to be said for real life...and she has to decide if it's something she wants more than the virtual world.

I love the premise for Awaken. We live in a society where technology really drives our culture. I mean, seriously, people vie for the best phones, best television and best computers all the time. The more we communicate via these means, the better. Author, Katie Kacvinsky, has taken what we see in society and made it the entire backbone of the future. It's a scary world where nothing is done together, but rather all virtual, and it makes you wonder what will happen if continue on this path. Thought-provoking and eerily believable, Awaken made me uncomfortable but intrigued.

That's all fine and well, but I have to admit that I really struggled to connect with Maddie and Jason. I liked that Maddie wasn't a pushover in Awaken, but I felt that Jason was just so incredibly preachy that it was off-putting. The theme of Awaken was powerful, but I also felt it was really, really in-your-face if that makes sense. I knew two pages in that the message was that we don't really live if we live in a virtual world, but I felt it was a bit bland because it was just beating me over the head with it. That's not to say the message wasn't strong or powerful in and of itself, but I guess I wanted to see more of a visual from Awaken, and all I saw were words.

Awaken is a rich story with a good, moral message despite its flaws. In a world of dystopian fiction, it takes a unique approach and simply advances on the world we live in today. I give it a strong 3.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA books and dystopian fiction.

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Today is day 8 of The Long Weekend Blog Tour! Be sure to check out today's tour stop over at Tara's blog, Hobbitsies! She's got another amazing review and interview lined up for you, plus another chance to win!

Title: Raw Blue
Author: Kirsty Eagar
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia
Published: June 29, 2009
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 274
Source: Tour/Bibliophile Brouhaha

Carly has dropped out of uni to spend her days surfing and her nights working as a cook in a Manly café. Surfing is the one thing she loves doing ... and the only thing that helps her stop thinking about what happened two years ago.

Then she meets Ryan and Carly has to decide ... Will she let the past bury her? Or can she let go of her anger and shame, and find the courage to be happy?

Carly believes that if there's a black sheep in her family, she fits the bill. She followed her family's path until she decided to do something fun one night and everything changed. She lost the love of her father, lost her faith in herself and found her feet ripped out from under her with one horrific act that haunts her every day. She hides from reality in a bubble of surfing and cooking, but she knows the darkness of her past is lurking under the surface, just waiting to leer its ugly head. And above all else, there's a chance she might be falling for Ryan, but can she put the past behind her and learn to love herself and find the faith to trust again?

Remember how I said contemporary fiction wasn't my thing? After reading Raw Blue, I can honestly say that this is the epitome of what the genre should be. I've read a lot of books, but Raw Blue is in a league of its own. Raw and real, Kirsty Eagar bottled heartache and let it spill over into the pages of her book, letting the words spin a story that's mesmerizing, heartbreaking and wholeheartedly touching. Raw Blue is definitely a tearjerker, but not in the melodramatic way where the girl is trying to decide between two boys or find the perfect summer love. It's the story of an internal struggle that becomes external as the main character, Carly, tries to piece her life back together.

At first, I had no idea what happened to Carly, so while I could relate to her confusion and self-induced isolation, I wasn't sure I could put myself in her shoes. I could, however, feel her peace that she feels with the ocean, which definitely made Raw Blue that much more real for me. Carly doesn't know who did those things to her that night, but she does remember what happened, and so she built armour around herself. Ryan isn't your glittering love interest, but he's solid, and real and he has a past of his own. The fact that he was flawed and wanted to know Carly on her terms made him the ultimate YA love interest. Raw Blue delicately walked a fine line between character and plot-driven, and it did it well. It was equal parts, and it led to an ending that was fitting, but made me long for more.

I've heard a lot of good things about Raw Blue, but it's so much better to have read it myself. I give it a firm 5 out of 5, hands down, and I have to say it's probably the best contemporary fiction I've ever read. I would recommend this to all fans of YA, as well as adult readers, especially those who enjoy the contemporary genre.

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It's day 7 of The Long Weekend Blog Tour! Be sure to check out today's stop over at Sarah's blog, That Bookish Girl! She's got another fabulous review, interview and international giveaway, so be sure to indulge!

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

FOR REVIEW

Ada, Legend of a Healer by R.A. McDonald

(Thank you, House of Lore)

For fifteen-year-old Ada discovering that she can heal feels more like a curse than a gift. When she learns of the mystery surrounding her mother's disappearance, and sees the indifference of so-called friends, she sets out for Paris to find her.

The power to heal protects her, but also has her hunted by a man who sees her as nothing more than his fountain of youth. Ada realizes her true power is her will to survive, and that her only chance at freedom is to become the best at escaping.

FOR TOUR/REVIEW

Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar

(Thank you, Bibliophile Brouhaha)

Carly has dropped out of uni to spend her days surfing and her nights working as a cook in a Manly café. Surfing is the one thing she loves doing ... and the only thing that helps her stop thinking about what happened two years ago.

Then she meets Ryan and Carly has to decide ... Will she let the past bury her? Or can she let go of her anger and shame, and find the courage to be happy?

BOUGHT

Jersey Tomatoes are the Best by Maria Padian

Both Henry and Eva are New Jersey natives and excellent athletes: Henry's a master on the tennis court and Eva is a graceful ballerina. When opportunity knocks for both of them the summer before their junior year in high school they throw open the door: Henry sees freedom from her overbearing father and a chance to build her talents on the court.

Eva sees the chance to be the best as well as even more pressure to be graceful, lighter, more perfect on the dancefloor. But soon, Eva's obsession with physical perfection leads her down the path to anorexia.

WON

Proofs of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer...and this amaaaaazing art print!

(Thank you, Michelle Hodkin!)

Title: Forsaken
Author: Keary Taylor
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: January 11, 2011
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 330
Source: Author

It’s been four months since Alex gave everything to save Jessica. Life should be perfect; she has Alex, she’s been freed of the nightmares, and most of all- she’s alive. But some things have changed, some things haven’t. That’s the problem. Alex still hasn’t asked “the question”. Jessica can’t see the reason why and it’s tearing her apart. He’s keeping something from her.

Alex isn’t the only one who has changed though. Something is different about Jessica but she doesn’t understand what’s happened. She just knows something’s wrong, that she feels different than she used to, on a skin deep level. And it may keep her and Alex apart. Forever.

Jessica's life should be perfect. Alex gave up everything to save her life, and her troubles are over...but are they really? In a world where her reality has been turned on its end, secrets are coming into the open and Cole is determined to show her that these secrets mean something but the past and just how they might change her future. And, despite the hope that Jessica and Alex might just be together forever, something dark is brewing beneath the surface, and it's almost like destiny is coming into play and overriding it all.

Forsaken is the second installment in author, Keary Taylor's, Fall of Angel series. As the sequel to the promising first book, Branded, I went in with high but measured hopes for Forsaken because, let's be honest, series seem to be the way every single author in just about every single genre goes these days. Luckily for us, Forsaken continues its unique twist and take on the angel trend, giving life to a dark and haunting world where angels are every bit as badass as your run-of-the-mill vampire or werewolf, and perhaps moreso than them, too.

What I enjoyed most about Forsaken was the deeper look we got into Cole's past, which I felt was lacking in book one, and was one of the only reasons I lowered my rating for the first book. Delving into the past and seeing how it affected Jessica's future, as well as the future in general, engaged all the characters into this perfectly enmeshed struggle that was exhilarating and nervewracking at the same time. Yes, there were a few grammatical and punctuation errors, but the only real qualm I had with Forsaken was the cliffhanger ending. While yes, the Forsaken read well, it couldn't stand alone, and I have a hard time with that.

Overall though, Forsaken was a great read with a plot that's well-executed with engaging and dynamic characters, as well as a fabulous voice. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to all YA fans, especially those who enjoy paranormal tales involving angels.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Get excited, guys! It's day 5 of The Long Weekend Blog Tour, and we have yet another amazing stop for you to visit today! Be sure to check out Jen's blog, Makeshift Bookmark, for her take on the book, as well as an author interview and international giveaway!

The Friday Fix is a takeover of my Friday blog post by other bloggers who have volunteered their time and energy to "star" in their very own guest post on Friday. Only one mandatory rule (you can't get out of it!) - you must answer five of the most random questions I throw your way. The rest is up to you. Remember, if you'd like to be featured on the Friday Fix, send me an email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here are the Khadija from Black Fingernailed Reviews!

The Most Random Questions in the World...

1. How far East do you have to go before you're heading West?

You'd have to keep going East until you figure out the only way to go West is to make a u-turn and go back the way you came. Sadly I have a horrible sense of direction so I'd probably never figure it out...
2. If, in baseball, a batter hits the ball and it splits, half of which is caught, and half of which flies out of the park, what is the final ruling?

My brain tells me that will never happen, but what does my brain know? (Nothing about baseball that's for sure...) There's always room for improvement to old and long-standing rules, so to make it fair both the batter and...whatever you call the person who catches the ball, should get half a point.

3. Can animals commit suicide?

It's sad to think about but animals can get upset, even depressed. My tailless cat (who is named Stubby) got depressed after our two guinea pigs (Jack Sparrow and Brownie) died; because she no longer had tinny living creatures to continuously torment. She stopped eating for a while, and I'm quite sure she could have died from that, well ya know if all the running head first into doors didn't get to her first. Luckily we moved into a house with a humungo backyard and Stubzy was let lose among the furry and feathery creatures that inhabited it to torment and chase to her heart’s content. Wait...that didn't really answer the question. What I meant to say is yes, yes I think they can.

4. Why aren't curtains double-sided so they look good both in and outside your house?

*sigh* Because most people never want to spend more money than they have to, or they just don't think curtains are worth the effort. I guess it's more important what's on the inside than what's on the outside...or maybe they just care more about what people on the inside of their house think about its appearance than the people on the outside.

5. Were there woodpeckers on Noah's Ark, and if so...where the heck did he keep them? 
Oh that's easy; he put corks on the ends of their peckers. The real question is what the heck did he do with the termites.

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Khadija, you had me at peckers. Oh, wait...that sounded wrong. Anyhoo *whistles innocently* love your answers! It's TOO much fun to see what everyone comes up with, and I totally agree with your thoughts on the curtains! To all of you, be sure to check out Khadija's amazing blog, Black Fingernailed Reviews. She's got an awesome blog full of fun and sass...by far the best combo!

Also, remember, it is day four of The Long Weekend Blog Tour! Be sure to drop by Tara's blog, Fiction Folio for her awesome review and interview (plus an international giveaway)...hey, you can't beat that, right?!

Title: What Comes After
Author: Steve Watkins
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published: April 12, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 334
Source: Publisher

After her veterinarian dad dies, sixteen-year-old Iris Wight must leave her beloved Maine to live on a North Carolina farm with her hardbitten aunt and a cousin she barely knows. Iris, a vegetarian and animal lover, immediately clashes with Aunt Sue, who mistreats the livestock, spends Iris’s small inheritance, and thinks nothing of striking Iris for the smallest offense.

Things come to a head when Iris sets two young goats free to save them from slaughter, and an enraged Aunt Sue orders her brutish son, Book, to beat Iris senseless - a horrific act that lands Book and his mother in jail. Sent to live with an offbeat foster family and their "dooking" ferrets, Iris must find a way to take care of the animals back at the farm, even if it means confronting Aunt Sue. Powerful and deeply moving, this compelling novel affirms the redemptive power of animals and the resilience of the human spirit.

Iris hardly lives the life that every teen wants to live. After a tremendous loss, she's thrust into a world completely foreign to her that turns abusive, painful and emotionally destructive. So when things finally turn around for Iris and she's sent to another place that's quirky, but instills a desire for her to care for those animals she's left behind, no matter what. Is she brave enough to face the horrors she left, and can she do it for more than the animals...can she do it for herself?

I'm an animal nut. It's no lie. I have to cats and a dog, and if I ever won a million dollars, I'd start a cat sanctuary. But I digress. What Comes After combines all of my favourites into one neat little package - animals, the human condition and the desire to be better. With a pretty original premise in YA today that focuses on character development rather than romance, Steve Watkins has created a novel in What Comes After that just might have the power to transform our own agendas and make us thing beyond our own needs.

I have to be honest. What Comes After has all the makings of a great novel. Iris is a great character. She's relatable, caring and kind, and her innocence lends to the character development she faces through the novel. She struggles. She fails, and yet she has a constant desire to get back up again. The pain in this book is very raw and extremely tangible. She loses her father, faces adversity and yet she wants to find her way back to peace at all costs. Aunt Sue was a terrifying counterpart, and her foster parents added a hint of humour and quirk to an otherwise heart-wrenching tale.

What Comes After is not easy to stomach if you're in a feel-good movie. Yes, it has a message and reads extremely well, but it's not for the faint of heart. I cried. A lot. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction.

I received this ARC free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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It's day 3 of The Long Weekend Blog Tour, and today we're stopping over at Jenny's blog, Supernatural Snark! Be sure to check out her incredibly insightful REVIEW, then stop by for a chance to read Savita's thoughts and enter the international GIVEAWAY!

So, the story begins like this. Once upon a time I did a little old Waiting on Wednesday like every other day...blah, blah, blah...you know the story. I picked the book, I posted it, and I went about my business like the busy little be that I am was. While in a meeting, my phone started blowing up, and I was all "hmmmm who did I offend?" Well, long story short...the uber amazing Michelle Hodkin (whose praises I will also sing) held an impromptu giveaway, and I won! What did I win, you ask? Well, I won an art print of the cover, over which I'm proud to say I drooled yesterday, and I won confidential snippets from The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer! Want proof? Fine. See below. You asked for it. And yes...that's my SQUEE! face.

But really, though I'm sworn to secrecy as to the actual content of what I've read, I can tell you that it's truly amazing - and I'm not exaggerating! Since I'm sure you'd love to know a bit more than that, allow me to share the following ten tidbits to tease you as we wait for the September 27, 2011 release of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer from Simon & Schuster.

WHY I LOVE THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER:

(EVEN THOUGH WE ONLY JUST MET)

1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is descriptive, angst-y, and ripped with tension from the first page.

2. Michelle Hodkin is a tricky little tease with some of her super steamy scenes...and she riddles them with craziness!

3. The first few pages were FAR more riveting than watching Rebecca Black's horrid song one more time.

4. Mara has some crazy mojo.

5. Michelle creates emphasis with short...pronounced...repetition...and girl does it WELL!

6. I want Mara to be my best friend, but I'm terrified of her.

7. There's a boy...and this boy is HOT.

8. Hello, cliffhanger chapter of death.

9. Michelle knows how to set a scene. From page one, it's vivid, exciting, nerve-wracking and thrilling, plus, you can totally put yourself in Mara's shoes...to a point.

10. THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER. IS. NOT. CONTEMPORARY. FICTION.

And there you have it, my friends. Michelle Hodkin, I bow before your genius from just a few short pages (and a pretty stunning art print). I cannot wait for this book to come out, and can you believe it isn't contemporary?! You could have knocked me over with a feather. Anyhoo, while we all wait with eager minds for the release date...head on over to her blog, or stalk her on twitter because she's that awesome.

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In unrelated news, it is day two of The Long Weekend Blog Tour! Hop on over to Alice's blog, The Reader Room, for another awesome review of this fabulous book...plus an interview and international giveaway from Savita Kalhan, herself!

Waiting on Wednesday 3/16

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Lark
Author: Tracey Porter
Publisher: HarperCollins Canada
Published: April 8, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemps/Paranormal
Pages: 192

When sixteen-year-old Lark Austin is kidnapped from her Virginia hometown and left for dead in a snowy forest, she leaves behind two girls who are shocked by the loss of their former friend. At the same time Eve must face the hole left by Lark’s absence, she also can’t shake the guilt that Lark’s death was her fault.

Meanwhile, Nyetta is haunted by Lark’s ghost, who comes through the bedroom window and begs Nyetta to set her soul free. Eve and Nyetta realize it is their responsibility to uncover why Lark is trapped in limbo, but only by coming together to find the missing pieces of themselves can they bring peace to Lark.

There's something to be said about books with simple and beautiful covers that let the premise of the story sing for itself (no pun intended, of course). Lark has a quiet beauty to the premise...eerie and haunting with a story of kidnap and a missing girl, but increased by the intensity of friendship and the pain of loss, this sounds like a truly powerful story. Plus, a book that can perfectly merge such a harsh and realistic situation with a paranormal element like the missing girl's ghost, this sounds like an original, powerful and amazing homerun! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Whatever anger or self-righteousness I'd come in with had vanished. "She shouldn't be allowed to hit me, or steal my dad's money, no matter what," I said weakly. 


What Comes After by Steve Watkins

And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teasers differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature two sentences (or more) of something I've written, leave it up all day, then remove it around 11 PM. You're welcome to comment on it, love it, hate it, or simply read it at your leisure...if you'd like, of course. This week's teaser is from my current WIP, RACE.

My legs are sporting bright droplets of scarlet blood, oozing from the cracks in my injured flesh. I smudge the blood with my stinging hands, only to realize I’ve made my legs look worse. I wipe my reddened hands on the remnants of my dress and let my shoulders slump, collapsing my head into my folded arms.

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Today is the first stop for The Long Weekend Blog Tour hosted by yours truly! The all-too-awesome Jamie from The Perpetual Turner has a fabulous review/interview/international giveaway for all of you, so be sure to drop by and check it out!