Title: Shatter Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: November 15, 2011
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 342
Source: Publisher

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Juliette has a gift she cannot control. Perhaps it's more of a curse. She's been sequestered in a tiny cell with no hope for the outside world again for 264 days. But before she was imprisoned for her formidable power, she watched the world crumble and decay. She watched people dying, the world withering and wasting and worst of all, she felt the true force of worldwide panic. The Reestablishment stepped in then, and they promised a solution. She doesn't know the extent of the solution, but she knows something's off. When Juliette is finally given a cellmate, Adam, he sets a off a chain reaction of events that will propel Juliette towards her destiny and to the epicenter of the Reestablishment. Then perhaps, Juliette will understand the true depth of her power.

In a world of dystopian fiction, it's rare to say that a book sets itself apart because, let's be honest here, there are so many twists and variations on the original that it's hard to find something truly new. Shatter Me is remarkable in the sense that, yes, it borrows some of our most beloved comic book ideas, but it spins them into an entirely new maze with an ending so drastic and intense that its sure to sway many a reader. Tahereh Mafi has crafted a cunningly dark dystopian novel in Shatter Me that gives the reader of heroine to love, a cause to believe in and a world we want nothing more than to put back together. Rich and evocative, Shatter Me is intense and enthralling from start to finish.

Shatter Me, to be honest, defied my expectations. I think that my expectations were so high for it that I almost expected it to fall short, if that makes sense in any way, shape or form. Juliette, as a protagonist, was brilliant. She was a perfect blend of power and strength with hints of vulnerability that allowed the reader access to the very core of her humanity. Then, let's add Adam to the mix. It's hard to describe a male love interest without becoming a true fangirl, but let me tell you that he is not only the embodiment of utter sexiness, but he's pure power, and compassion and brute strength in one being, making him an entirely dynamic and riveting three-dimensional character. I also have to note that the villain in the book was equally fleshed-out and engrossing. Wa they heinous and evil? Of course, but the writing of Shatter Me allowed us to see what made him tick, giving an insider look into a dark and twisted mind. Most of all though, I have to say that the writing of Shatter Me was breathtaking. Truly, the words the author uses are so much more than just words. They're poetry, and they spin a riveting story that's mesmerizing not only in plot but in prose. The only downfall in that is that the writing is so pretty, it's hard to separate the writing from the story, in a sense. The beauty adds depth, but the writing is a treat, in and of itself.

Overall, Shatter Me was a fantastic addition to my growing dystopian collection. While some people don't love the cover and others are scared it won't live up to the hype - trust me. It's awesome. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all those who enjoy YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian novels.

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.

I know I've been absent this past week, and I apologize immensely to all my incredibly devoted and loyal readers. I have taken a self-induced hiatus for the week because of the amount of stress I'm under this week, and it's been much needed.

Why so much stress, you ask? Well, sufficed to say, I received an incredible job offer this past week. Trust me...when I tell you that it's one-of-a-kind, I mean it. However, there are definite drawbacks to it, as well, and I've had a really hard time weighing the pros and cons. I need a decision by the end of next week, but I'm getting there.

Anyhoo, my message to you is...never fear! I'll resume normal posting this Monday with my review of Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, and I'll be back on track, no matter my decision. Thank you so much for all your patience. Love you all!

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

The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson (ARC) - Thank you, Zondervan

Fury's Fire by Lisa Papademetriou (ARC) - Thank you, Random House

BOUGHT

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

TGIF is a new(ish) feature at one of my absolute favourite blogs, GReads!, hosted by the lovely Ginger. It's a way to celebrate the impending weekend, and answer fun questions. Most of all though, you get to know a wee bit more about all those awesome bloggers you meet. So, what are you waiting for? Do your own post and head on over to link up!

Book Blogs That Make You Smile: Pick 5 book blogs you visit often & think others should, too.

This is a difficult one, and I'm just going to throw that out there right away because I visit a lot of amazing blogs every single day, and I know I'm going to miss at least one, which will make me feel bad. But, I've committed to this topic, so five blogs I just know I honestly couldn't live without visiting daily are:

Jenny is the mastermind behind Supernatural Snark, and when I say she's a genius, I mean it. Plus, she's probably the nicest person in the whole world. Not too many people will run at you the first time you meet them in person (at BEA, mind you) and give you a bearhug. Love this girl, love her exceptional reviewing skills and am always inspired by her passion for books.

I don't even remember how I stumbled upon Lauren's blog, 365 Days of Reading, but from the start, I could count on her for awesome reviews, fun and inventive features and introducing me to new titles. She never fails to give us the best and worst of the literary world - but all with tact, grace and class. She's inspiring, and her blog is so much fun!

Alison from Alison Can Read has had a blog that's been a favourite of mine for almost a year now. I swear, not too many bloggers can sway me towards things I don't know (like Manga), but she has a knack for it. Plus, she's insightful and and eloquent with all her posts, and she never fails to leave a nice and positive comment.

This one is a given, guys. Ginger from GReads! is probably one of the sweetest people I've ever "met". Though I've yet to meet this girl face to face, she has a heart of gold and a site that never fails to impress me. I'm always inspired by her passion for everything she does on her site, as well as everything she promotes. Plus, it has to be said that this girl managed to sway me towards contemps...not an easy feat, but she did it!

Candace from Candace's Book Blog is a fairly recent find of mine, but I visit her site every single day, without fail (even those days when I'm too bloody tired to comment). She always has new content, she writes amazing reviews, and she's incredibly generous with giveaways, help to other bloggers and positive vibes. Her blog is truly one-of-a-kind.

Title: Bunheads
Author: Sophie Flack
Publisher: Poppy
Publish Date: October 10, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 294
Source: Publisher

As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet.

But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah's universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other "bunheads" in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life?

Hannah is living the dream...well, she's getting to the dream in her opinion, but to the rest of the world, she's a graceful swan dancing night after night for the Manhattan Ballet Company. She's young and talented with the world at her fingertips, and she's ready to dance her heart out for a chance to one day be a ballerina because, make no mistake, there's a difference between a dancer and a ballerina. But Hannah's lived her whole life in the world of dance, and she barely knows how to live without it. When she meets Jacob, he sends her world spinning, and Hannah realizes there's more to life than lights, and tutus and pointe shoes. Is love the answer, or is ballet her true passion?

Bunheads is a sweet novel, rich with detail and rife with the true nature of the world of dance. We, the audience, see the glitz and the glamour, while the dancers see the pain, blood and tears that fuel every awe-rendering performance. In her debut novel, Sophie Flack lives her years as a member of corps de ballet for the New York City Ballet through her protagonist. Sparing no details of the harsh reality of dance, but all the while blending the lyrical nature that one might dream ballet to be, Bunheads brings the hidden world of ballet alive.

I think that Bunheads was one of those novels that was on the cusp of greatness in so many aspects. Yet, in the same breath, I felt there was something that could potentially have pushed it over the edge to flawlessness. I know that sounds contradictory, but allow me to explain. The beauty of Bunheads lies within the details. If you know anything about the author, then you know she kept detailed diaries about her life in the New York City Ballet, and those real moments can be felt and chronicled throughout Bunheads. It's reality, and I can sense that, which is a beautiful and amazing gift to give a reader. But there's something to be said for those creative liberties and adjectives that send the reader over the edge with drama and tension. At times, it was those few details and moments that I felt were, perhaps, lacking. That said though, Bunheads was tangible and real, as was its protagonist, Hannah. It was almost as though the author's soul in dance sang through her, giving us unique and personal glimpse at the world of dance through the author's eyes, but also access to Hannah's mind. There's a beauty in the pages of Bunheads that is as rich and evocative as the gravity-defying grace of dancers, but there's also a hunger in me as a reader for more angst and more drama, much like Hannah's hunger for a taste of real life. Ultimately, it's the truth of the novel that rings through, but the peace and calm of the novel that is its one fault.

Overall, though Bunheads might not be one of those novels that stays with me forever, it was a lovely read and one that I will definitely mention to friends. I was never a good dancer, but Bunheads gave me a taste of that life, which I loved. I give it a strong 3.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA and contemporary fiction.

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: The Way We Fall
Author: Megan Crewe
Publisher: Hyperion
Publish Date: January 24, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 304

It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in. And then you're dead.

When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.

Because how will she go on if there isn't?

Well, first of all, I love me some dystopia, guys. Truly. It's like a morbid fascination of mine. Moreover, I like it when it could very be real...because it's even more terrifying, I think. The Way We Fall sounds like it has a touch of Contagion to it, as well as a love story that may very well be like that of post-apocalyptic novels. Come on...who can resist that? Here's to hoping this one is as excellent as it sounds!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Books Whose Titles Or Covers Made Me Buy Them:

1. Wither by Lauren DeStefano - Granted, this one is gorgeous on a zillion different levels, but it's almost art, too, which is fabulous. Plus, I actually enjoyed the book.

2. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer - The colours and the moon on this cover sold me in a second when I first started blogging. I loved how each book of the series looked dark and haunting with an enormous moon looming overhead.

3. Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison - I adore this cover, and the colours in general, but I didn't love the book, unfortunately. It was certainly enough to make me crave the book though!

4. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - I bought this one because of the title and because of the fact that it's based on Greek mythology. It was a great buy because I'm obsessed with the series.

5. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - This honestly goes without saying, but what good is a list without Harry? Any book with Harry in the title is an automatic win for me, as cheesy as that may be.

6. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White - Sue me, but I don't particularly love the cover of these ones. I do, however, love the title of this one, and that had me sold from the start.

7. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles - Some books capture you with gorgeous, intricate covers. Others capture you because they're stark, bare and haunting. This one had me because of that.

8. The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher - This is truly one of the most stunning covers I've ever seen. I bought the book for that reason alone. I didn't love the book, but the cover is gold.

9. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - I had an ARC of this one, but I bough a hardcover, as well, because I needed two times the pretty on my shelf. I also won an art print of the cover, which I cannot wait to hang in all its glory.

10. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore - I bought this because of the title - not because of the cover, though I don't mind the cover too much. It's a striking title, and it stands apart.

Title: Every Other Day
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Publish Date: December 27, 2011
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher

Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She's human.

And then every day in between . . .She's something else entirely.

Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.

When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.

Kali could very well be your everyday average teenage girl, if it weren't for the fact that she lives one day as a human and the next as a savage, butt-kicking hunter of all things supernatural. She doesn't know why she is the way she is, but she's learned to cope and live with it. Perhaps it's a gift, or maybe it's a curse, but it's her life, and she deals with it the best she can - even if that means spending a day in her real life and a day on the warpath. But when a curveball is thrown her way, Kali must save someone in her human form - but it's dangerous, and she could very well die trying.

Every Other Day is girl-power, action, grit and drama into one very action-packed book. The brainchild of author, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Every Other Day features a kickass protagonist who just so happens to have the very best human qualities, as well - a quality that is often lacking in the genre these days. Every Other Day is rife with action and tension from start to finish, featuring Barnes' signature and descriptive prose that allows you access to the characters' innermost thoughts while opening up a whole new world of adventure. Above all else though, Every Other Day is gripping and tense, never letting you go until well after the last page.

I have to be honest, I was getting a very strong Buffy vibe while I was reading Every Other Day. Well, if you combined Buffy with Same & Dean Winchester, that is. Truthfully though, Kali was a fantastic protagonist. She was a strong, independent and resilient girl that just so happened to be able to kill supernatural beings every other day. At the same time, however, she didn't lose her humanity or the vulnerability that made her likable and real. Kali's character was flanked by two seemingly polar opposites - Bethany, the cheerleader that's snooty yet snarky and Skylar, the kooky one who you can't help but love. The trio of characters is unstoppable, and their character chemistry fuels the already-gripping plot even more so. I also have to mention the elusive Zev, who just so happens to be a voice in Kali's head, yet he's more when she needs him to be. He's a bit of a mystery, to be honest, but his scenes were powerful and captivating because you just want to understand him. I have to say that the pacing of Every Other Day, however, was the true strength. We're given highs and lows, searing action and gory battles, but then we'll have a lull that leads us to that false sense of calm just in time to shock us again. It's a teasing pace, but it's endlessly addicting.

All in all, Every Other Day was a really fun and entertaining book to read. I did feel that I wanted more of a satisfying answer to Kali's condition though, but that's personal opinion, of course. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal tales.

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.

TGIF is a new(ish) feature at one of my absolute favourite blogs, GReads!, hosted by the lovely Ginger. It's a way to celebrate the impending weekend, and answer fun questions. Most of all though, you get to know a wee bit more about all those awesome bloggers you meet. So, what are you waiting for? Do your own post and head on over to link up!

Show & Tell: Where do you grab a book and get lost in it? Show us your favorite spot you like to read at.

Honestly, I'll read just about anywhere, but this is the one nook where I know I have peace and quiet. Plus, it's all rich and inviting with the red walls...it just needs a few (ok, a lot) more shelves now! I'm hoping one day to have built-in floor to ceiling shelves. Hey, a girl can dream!

Title: Without Tess
Author: Marcella Pixley
Publisher: FSG
Publish Date: October 11, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 224
Source: Publisher

Tess and Lizzie are sisters, sisters as close as can be, who share a secret world filled with selkies, flying horses, and a girl who can transform into a wolf in the middle of the night. But when Lizzie is ready to grow up, Tess clings to their fantasies. As Tess sinks deeper and deeper into her delusions, she decides that she can’t live in the real world any longer and leaves Lizzie and her family forever.

Now, years later, Lizzie is in high school and struggling to understand what happened to her sister. With the help of a school psychologist and Tess’s battered journal, Lizzie searches for a way to finally let Tess go.

Tess and Lizzie lived a charmed childhood full of magic, wonder and impossible things becoming possible. It's a world of escapism that they share and love together but, eventually, they must grow up. Lizzie recognizes this. Tess, however, cannot live in a world without magic. Her world of magic becomes darker and more terrifying as it begins to consume her from the inside out and she loses her grip on reality. Now a teenager, Liz is learning to live without Tess, and must delve into her sister's innermost thoughts to understand and come to terms with the fact that the Tess she knew and loved is, and was, gone a very long time ago.

Without Tess, in a word, is daring. Not too many young adult authors will broach the topic of mental illness, and those who do tend to sugarcoat and dance around the dark nature of many of them. Marcella Pixley, however, is not one of those authors, and Without Tess is not one of those books. Rich and alluring, Without Tess invites you into a world where magic is real for two little girls, then shows how the inevitable reality embraces one girl into the fold and cuts another to the bone. Haunting and painful, the book tackles tedious subject matter with a steady gait and lyrical prose to make the reader both aware and understanding of the depth of mental illness.

I don't think I was fully prepared for Without Tess when I read it. I had an image of a previous book on mental illness in my mind, and I was expecting it to be a bit surface-heavy. Rather, Without Tess wastes no time in throwing you into the all-consuming darkness of Tess's delusions as they consume her from the inside out. We literally watch her wither away into oblivion, all the while causing possibly irreparable damage to her sister. Tess was a complex character. I despised her for the wrongs she did to Liz, and for the bone-crushing pain she inflicted on others. At the same time though, I pitied her and wanted mercy for her. Liz was also a multi-faceted character. I enjoyed reading about her in her younger self, while I felt her teenage self in the present was rather unlikable. The bitterness and anger that oozed from her character was understandable, of course, but it made me dread seeing things through her eyes because it was so bleak. Without Tess does more than show mental illness though. The author tackles the topic of religion and one's belief systems which, at times, felt true and fitting. At other times though, I felt like it overburdened the plot. I will say that Without Tess also featured dialogue for the younger version of Lizzie and Tess's poetry that felt a bit too mature and forced. Dark and mesmerizing, yes, but not true to their age.

Overall though, Without Tess was a powerful read portraying the depth of mental illness while giving us a rich and developed plot. I give it a 3.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to upper YA audiences and adults, especially those who like issue books and contemporary fiction.

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.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time:

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Let's be honest...this book started it all. This is why I love reading so very much. Who wouldn't want to begin the magic all over again?

2. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - Now that I know to expect the Cliffhanger of Doom, I'm prepared for the ending. I wish I could read it over, and over and over for the first time every time to be just as shocked!

3. Redwall - I don't care what anyone says. This is my sort of fantasy. Animals that act like humans and books with overriding themes of love and family...that's the best in the world.

4. Many Waters - This one will always be on my list. I don't like the rest of this series, but I think that this one will remain a favourite of mine forever. It's Noah's Ark with a twist.

5. Vampire Academy - Considering how much I hate vampires, you'd have thought I'd hate this series. Quite the contrary though, my friends. I adore it! I want it to start all over again.

6. City of Bones - I remember putting this one off forever because of the hype and because, frankly, I loathe the covers. I would give anything to be introduced to Jace for the first time again.

7. The Hunger Games - I preach the awesomeness of this book to everyone I know. Again, this was a book I put off because of the hype, but I was so wrong. It's incredible, and I love this series.

8. The Adoration of Jenna Fox - I put this one off forever because I was petty and the cover didn't appeal to me. I was blown away by the dark dystopian vibe of it.

9. Life As We Knew It - I didn't like the second and third books all that much, but I loved the first book. It was tragic, but the characters showed growth and the series showed potential. Plus, I love me some post-apocalyptic drama.

10. Raw Blue - This one changed my take on contemporary fiction forever. There's magic in this book, and I'd give anything to relive it every day.

Title: Between
Author: Jessica Warman
Publisher: Walker & Co
Publish Date: August 2, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 464
Source: Publisher

Elizabeth Valchar--pretty, popular, and rich--wakes up the morning after her eighteenth birthday on the yacht where she'd been celebrating with her closest friends. A persistent thumping noise has roused her. When she goes to investigate, she finds her own drowned body is hitting the side of the boat. Liz is dead.

She has no memory of what happened to her, and can only observe in horror the fallout of her death. She's also soon joined by Alex Berg, a quiet boy from her high school who was killed by a hit-and-run driver. The two keep each other company, floating in and out of memories and trying to piece together the details of what happened to each of them.

Liz was perfect in life. She had the looks, the friends and the money to buy popularity and keep it. Beneath the surface though, Liz was more than just a pretty face. Born to a mother plagued by anorexia, Liz learned from an early age that eating equals control, and when her life spun out of control, she controlled her eating habits. On the morning of her 18th birthday, Liz wakes up to see her body floating in the water, but she has no recollection of what's happened. As she wanders the "between," she meets a fellow classmate, Alex, and together they begin to unravel the mysteries of their deaths. But Liz was wasting away in life, biding her time to the inevitable conclusion of her life...what was destroying her?

Between is one of those books that you probably see at the bookstore but pass over for the big-name book you've been coveting for a while. It's daunting in size and, frankly, despite the gorgeous cover, Between doesn't necessarily pop from looks alone. It's unfortunate though because Between is a breathtaking and haunting story about love, truth and the ability to live with oneself at all costs. Jessica Warman is no stranger to issue-driven books. With Between, she's crafted a story that chronicles a teenage girl's life spinning out of control as we, the reader, are helpless but to watch as her life falls to pieces. Gripping and emotional, Between captures your attention from page one through the tragic and troubling conclusion.

From page one, Between is well-written. We're given a snobby, conceited MC that we somehow have to relate to and feel for, but we're challenged throughout. Despite the fact that we want to feel for Liz, we want to know why she has become the way she is, as well. Her story is a downward spiral of darkness that spins and twists throughout, leading us into a darker maze of lies and lack of control, which is compounded upon by the great supporting cast of secondary characters, including Alex, Richie, Josie and Caroline. The dynamic of Liz's relationships in life directly impacts Liz's relationship with Alex in death, which is a strength in Between, showing us character growth and potential. The writing of Between is also well-executed. At times rich and descriptive, we're painted a picture of a girl that's lost in her own life and death. At other times, Between is sparse and puritan, giving us nothing but the clean, essential facts. The two writing styles play off one another to provide depth and intrigue. I will say that the anorexia story, although extremely well-done in Between, was difficult to read. The emotions that anorexics feel and the painstaking details about control and lack thereof are difficult to read and hard to swallow. As one who is, and will always be, in recovery from an eating disorder, Between can be triggering and painful. That said, while it's painful to read, it was executed well and provides a shadowed layer to an already riveting novel.

Between was a beautiful book that crosses genres, giving us the best of contemporary, love and ghost stories in one fast-paced read. The adult themes of drugs and eating disorders should, however, be known when approaching this book. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA and adult books, especially those who enjoy mysteries, contemporary fiction and ghost 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.

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

Various Positions by Martha Schabas (ARC) - Thank you, FSG

When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen (ARC) - Thank you, FSG

FOR REVIEW

If I Tell by Janet Gurtler - Thank you, Sourcebooks Fire

Life Is But a Dream by Brian James (ARC) - Thank you, Feiwel & Friends

FOR REVIEW

After the Snow by S.D. Crockett (ARC) - Thank you, Feiwel & Friends

Legacy by Molly Cochran (ARC) - Thank you, Simon & Schuster BYR

FOR REVIEW

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting (ARC) - Thank you, Simon & Schuster BYR

Cinder by Marissa Meyer (ARC - 2nd Copy) - Thank you, Feiwel & Friends

Title: You Are My Only
Author: Beth Kephart
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Publish Date: October 25, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 256
Source: Publisher

Emmy Rane is married at nineteen, a mother by twenty. Trapped in a life with a husband she no longer loves, Baby is her only joy. Then one sunny day in September, Emmy takes a few fateful steps away from her baby and returns to find her missing. All that is left behind is a yellow sock.

Fourteen years later, Sophie, a homeschooled, reclusive teenage girl is forced to move frequently and abruptly from place to place, perpetually running from what her mother calls the "No Good." One afternoon, Sophie breaks the rules, ventures out, and meets Joey and his two aunts. It is this loving family that gives Sophie the courage to look into her past. What she discovers changes her world forever. . . .

Emmy had a difficult life. She was a young bride, a young mother and even younger to lose a child. Emmy didn't just lose her child though. Baby was stolen from her front yard in a single instant when she left her for just a moment. Losing Baby meant losing herself, and in losing herself, she lost it all. Sophie is a young teenager with the world on her shoulders. Her mother is world-weary and rigid in her rules. Sophie knows to listen and to obey, but when she meets Joey, she finds that friendship might be more important than essays on Kepler. But Sophie's mother has a secret that spans Sophie's entire life, and uncovering it will tear their worlds wide open.

When I read the premise for You Are My Only, I was sold in an instant. Dark and moody, the synopsis is haunting and draws the reader in. Veteran author, Beth Kephart, is no stranger to issue-driven books. Written in a fantastic and unique writing style, You Are My Only manages to combine illustrative descriptiveness with sparse and wordless pages. By intertwining the two, the prose is rich and balanced, haunting and riveting; all the while drawing the reader into a world where lies are the very foundation of the characters' worlds. You Are My Only doesn't shy away from pain, but rather sings the story of two lost souls whose pain fuels the fire of self-discovery.

I completely mean what I say when I say the writing of You Are My Only was beautiful. That said however, I struggled a bit with this one. I think the writing style was brilliant, but my main issue was the alternating chapters between Sophie and Emmy. Their voices were almost identical, which I could reconcile with because of the connection between the characters, but I felt a bit of a disconnect between the two because of the different time periods between Emmy and Sophie. It felt like it was happening at the same time, and yet it couldn't have been. I loved that You Are My Only dove right into the action from page one with Emmy losing Baby, but I struggled after that, as the plot sped along at the pace of a runaway train. I had a hard time getting into her head, and when Sophie was thrown into the mix, balancing the two was a bit tedious. I think that the secondary characters in You Are My Only stole the show, too. Arlen, Aunt Cloris, Aunt Helen and even Sophie's mother were more well-defined than they were. The ending was beautiful, haunting and poetic but, yet again, a little too rushed. Honestly, my opinion is that this book could have been perfection had it been fleshed out a bit more because it had all the right elements.

Despite my issues with the book, You Are My Only was a really good read. It was fast, and it had a writing style that will stick with me. I give it a 3 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to all fans of the YA and adult genres, especially to those who enjoy contemporary fiction and issue books.

I received this book 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: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publish Date: January 12, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 272

Green stated, "The title is inspired by a famous line from Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. The nobleman Cassius says to Brutus, 'The fault, dear Brutus is not in our stars, / But in ourselves, that we are underlings.'"

Green also promised that every copy of the first printing will be hand-signed by him. He proposed that the general public vote on the color Sharpie he will use to sign the book. The voting resulted in him signing the books with a variety of Sharpie colors, each in proportion to the amount of votes received for that color. He has also been allowing fans to submit their book cover designs.

The book focuses on a girl named Hazel who is suffering from terminal cancer and is forced by her parents to attend a support group.

Ok. Seriously? I can't find any information about this book at all. Not kidding. I perused the web for hours, and hours and hours. What did I come up with? Nadda. Fine, that one last sentence in bold up there. That's what I know. So why am I so excited for this one? Well, folks, it's John Green. That's your answer, in and of itself. Basically, I have no official cover, no official synopsis and pretty much a release date and an author to go on, and I'm salivating for this one. That's that. I'm sold. But seriously...you should see some of the fan covers made for this one...the one I used is just one example! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Book Endings That Left Me With My Mouth Hanging Open :

1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - Holy Cliffhanger of Doom. If you haven't read this one yet, you're seriously missing out. Not only is the book phenomenally tense, but the cliffhanger was one I never even saw coming. And I'm dying. Seriously. Dying. I need book two. PLEASE!

2. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles - Though when I finished this one, I really wanted a second book, I wish I hadn't wished so hard for one. While, yes, it was left with tons of questions and a cliffhanger ending, it would have been perfect had it not been spoiled by book two, in my humble opinion.

3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - Personally, I loved this book. I thought it was epic. The ending, however, was an epic letdown for me. Seriously? I was not expecting ribbons and bows, but I certainly got it...it was just a little unfulfilling, I guess.

4. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - This one blew my mind because the ending was perfect. It wasn't overdone, but it wasn't underwhelming either. There was a sense of justice and peace. I felt good when I closed the book.

5. In My Father's House by Ann Rinaldi - Oscie Mason was headstrong and willful. She wasn't looking for love, and she certainly wasn't expecting it in the middle of the Civil War with her stepfather and she constantly at odds. But she found it...and it was denied? What? Hey...no fair!

6. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - I had so many emotions when I finished that this book, that my mouth would have been hanging open either way. I felt satisfied with Carly and Ryan's story, but at the same time, I wanted more. I wasn't finished watching Carly grow stronger, or Ryan break down her walls.

7. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling - This book never fails to make me cry. For the record, I love all the books, but this one in particular was the changing of the tide in so many ways. I knew the story was getting darker, but this ending haunts me, and while it leads to the next book, I was still satisfied with how it ended...heartbroken, but satisfied.

8. Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle - I know every list always has this on it, but it's one of my favourites. So, sue me. The ending of this one was sad, happy, heartbreaking, heartwarming and a million other things all at once. Did I love it? Heck yes. Did I wish it could have played out another way? Heck yes! Could it have worked another way? No, and that's why I love it every time.

9. Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison - Okay, maybe I'm not fair on this one because, frankly, I didn't like it, but still. Really? The ending was the epitome of everything fixing itself in about ten pages to create a happily ever after scenario. I might not like real life all the time, but it's more believable. This one didn't work for me, and the ending sealed the deal.

10. The Lying Game by Sara Shepard - This woman can write a cliffhanger. I loved the Pretty Little Liars series, but I think this one tops it, if I'm being honest. It consistently has me on my toes, and book one had me begging for book two right away.

Title: Carrier of the Mark
Author: Leigh Fallon
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: October 4, 2011
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher

Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

Megan is no stranger to being the new girl, but this time, she's the new girl at school, the new girl in town and the new girl in a new country. Everything's different this time, despite the fact that it's yet another fresh start for Megan and her father. This time, she feels at home. This time, Megan feels like Ireland might just be calling to her. She finds friends, and she finds a place for herself, and she finds herself oddly attracted to the attractive Adam DeRís who, despite her outgoing personality, seems to have a strange reaction to her presence in Ireland. But the more she learns about Adam, his sister Aine, and his brother Rian, the more questions she has. Is it worth getting to know Adam, or is it too dangerous? Either way, Ireland is beginning to awaken her destiny.

Carrier of the Mark is an intoxicating tale that whisks the reader away to the lush, verdant landscape of Ireland and immerses them in the warm, breathtakingly beautiful and richly historic culture. Debut author Leigh Fallon lends her considerable firsthand knowledge of Ireland to the story and presents a story that is certain to find a niche in the vast young adult market today. With an intriguing premise, a full cast of characters that help drive the story and a fresh take on the paranormal genre, Carrier of the Mark is an inviting and easily-read tale. Alive with mysterious powers and a soaring love story, it's sure to please.

That said though, my review of Carrier of the Mark is a difficult one for me to write, in part because the author is one of the sweetest women ever. That said, I had some pretty major qualms with Carrier of the Mark. First of all, I read the first two chapters, and all I could think was that the book was exactly in the same vein of Twilight. Now, I understand that plots are easily intermingled for a successful story, but it felt overly formulaic and, had I replaced just a few names in the story, I would easily have believed I was reading Twilight. Furthermore, the insta-love between Megan and Adam developed with little to no real drama, and I desperately wanted to feel some tension that was just lacking. Carrier of the Mark began to pick up a bit when the paranormal elements came into play, but they were developed in a bit of a tricky manner. The nature of the powers described in Carrier of the Mark were fascinating, to be sure, but the revelation and information regarding them felt more like an informational dumb than a developing plot arc. The characters in Carrier of the Mark were shadows of awesomeness, if that makes sense. For example, Rian could easily have stolen the show with his fiery temper and demeanor, but he was merely a two-dimensional representation of rebellion. Megan, as a protagonist, should have been able to carry the story but, unfortunately, I felt that she wasn't strong enough to carry a weighted plot that was unbalanced, though promising.

All in all, Carrier of the Mark shows a tremendous atmount of promise for the author, but I wasn't completely satisfied. Perhaps I've read too many books, but I just expect more. I will say that there weren't too many loose ends at the end, and it was nice to feel a decent conclusion. I give it a 3 out of 5 for a promising premise and the intoxicating setting, and I'd recommend it to fans of young adult novels and paranormal stories. Fans of Twilight are sure to enjoy it.

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.

I received a second copy of Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar (book one) back in August at BEA. Recently, I've received two copies of The Rift Walker (book two), and I've decided to share the wealth with one of my lucky readers! If you don't know much about the series, here is what you could win:

Title: Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar
Author: Clay & Susan Griffith
Publisher: Prometheus
Publish Date: November 18, 2010
Genre: Paranormal, Steampunk
Pages: 303

Vampire predators run wild in this exciting steampunk adventure, the first in an alternate history trilogy that is already attracting attention. In 1870, monsters rise up and conquer the northern lands, As great cities are swallowed up by carnage and disease, landowners and other elite flee south to escape their blood-thirsty wrath.

One hundred fifty years later, the great divide still exists; fangs on one side of the border, worried defenders on the other. This fragile equilibrium is threatened, then crumbles after a single young princess becomes almost hopelessly lost in the hostile territory. At first, she has only one defender: a mysterious Greyfriar who roams freely in dangerous vampire regions.

Title: The Rift Walker (Vampire Empire #2)
Author: Clay & Susan Griffith
Publisher: Prometheus
Publish Date: September 20, 2011
Genre: Paranormal, Steampunk
Pages: 399

Princess Adele struggles with a life of marriage and obligation as her Equatorian Empire and their American Republic allies stand on the brink of war against the vampire clans of the north. However, the alliance's horrific strategy for total victory drives Adele to abandon her duty and embark on a desperate quest to keep her nation from staining its hands with genocide. Reunited with her great love, the mysterious adventurer known to the world as the Greyfriar, Adele is pursued by her own people as well as her vengeful husband, senator Clark. With the human alliance in disarrray, Prince Cesare, lord of the British vampire clan, seizes the initiative and strikes at the very heart of Equatoria.

As always, you do NOT have to be a follower, but it is always appreciated! This giveaway is open internationally and will end promptly at midnight EST on Saturday, October 15, 2011.

Click HERE to fill out the form and enter to win!