Title: The Dare
Author: Hannah Jayne (Twitter)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publish Date: July 1, 2014
Genre: YA, Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 288
Source: Publisher

Two jumped off the pier that night...but only one came back alive.

Bryn did everything with her best friend Erica. So when someone dared Erica to jump off the pier one night at Harding Beach, Bryn was right by her side. But when Bryn made it back to the surface, Erica was nowhere to be found. Bryn tries to make a fresh start by burying her memories of that awful night. But when a Twitter post from "EricaNShaw" pops up on her feed and a chilling voice mail appears on her phone, she realizes that someone isn't ready to let go of the past...

A good mystery or thriller has the ability to keep you thinking about it long after you've closed the book on the last page. I am the type of reader that is almost constantly in search of the perfect mystery, and I'll read anything and everything until I find that gem. Author, Hannah Jayne, is known for her gripping storylines, darker themes and embracing the underbelly of humanity. So, naturally, I was drawn to The Dare, if only because I wanted to better understand what happened to Brynna that night and what, or who, was determined to haunt her future. 

The Dare, in theory, had all the makings of the perfect thriller - a traumatized protagonist, a mysterious threat, a desperate attempt at a new life and a haunted past. I found myself struggling to connect with Brynna from the start though, and not simply because she was so walled off from the world. Having seen and experienced her best friend's death at her last school, she enters Hawthorne with the goal of flying under the radar. Yet, she feels as though the lurking stares, the eyes and the pain of her past never quite leaves her. She was very standoffish, as well, which made it difficult to access her emotions and understand whether they were fear-driven, or if she really was as selfish as she appeared. 

I read The Dare in one day, and I do believe that Hannah Jayne has a great writing voice that's both personable and likable. Unfortunately, however, I struggled to find myself getting fully invested in the story and the plot. For one, we're given a host of secondary characters including Darcy, Lauren, Evan and Teddy, but none of them are ever fully introduced to us. Lauren's character often blended into Darcy's, though Darcy was given this arrogant persona that only seemed to serve as a device to throw us off the real villan's trail. Evan was given a side-arc in which he comes out to Bryn, but it felt as though it was haphazard and only offered up simply to serve a later agenda in the story. And Teddy? Frankly, as a love interest, I never really got to know Teddy at all.

My main issue with The Dare, however, lies within the plot, itself. We spend a ton of time throughout the novel accessing Brynna's internal struggle and her fear of the water since the night of Erica's death. The threatening tweets, phone calls and emails are interjected throughout, but they don't feel like they take center stage at all. And, perhaps my biggest qualm of all is that we're barely even introduced to our villain in the story, but we're expected to take the giant leap in the end and simply accept those characteristics without question. I felt as though we finally started getting somewhere, then the novel abruptly closes and we're left with nothing but questions and a lack of plot development. 

I wanted to love The Dare because I really enjoy the writing and the voice, but it simply fell short of the spectacular mystery that I'd been hoping for. Had we been given an extra hundred pages, plus a little more depth to the story and the backstory, this is the type of mystery that could keep me awake for days. I give it a 2.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA - especially those who enjoy the author's style and light mysteries.

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.

Title: The Vicious Deep
Author: Zoraida Córdova (Twitter)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publish Date: May 1, 2012
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 372
Source: Publisher

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave. He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.

His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he's heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he's suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods.

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea...and now it wants him back.

I've contemplated reading this series for a good long while now, but I'm always hesitant to start series without the rest of the books being out or imminent. Thus, with the third installment soon to be released in July, I figured it was high time to start reading The Vicious Deep and see what all the magic is regarding this underwater world that author, Zoraida Córdova, has created for us. It's been a long time since I've read a story with mermaids or mermen, and I'm always looking for stories that give readers a bit more angst, darkness and novels that are willing to raise the stakes. Reading the synopsis for this definitely promised us all that and more.

In theory, The Vicious Deep had everything working in it's favour. Ms. Córdova is an excellent writer, and she paints a picture that's vivid, entertaining and, at times, hilarious. I love the wit and charm that she interjected into Tristan's character, giving him both depth and a realistic teenage human male persona. It made him that much more tangible in what would have otherwise been intangible circumstances. That said, however, I suppose I expected the stakes within this novel to be a bit higher and more gruesome. With mentions of "razor-sharp teeth" in the premise alone, I was looking for the novel to spin us into a darker and, I'll admit, slightly more vicious world. I also found her use of present tense for the novel to be both a strength and a weakness at times. While it added urgency to the plot, it also made everything immediate and in the here-and-now, which made backstory a little less prevalent.

There were elements of The Vicious Deep that rang true though, and that I loved. In large part, Layla's character was just as strong as Tristan's. I never really felt as though she lacked the depth of an important character, and I really appreciated the fact that she was strong in her own right. Furthermore, this is one of those few novels in which the parents actually play a role, which is often a huge qualm with me. It was nice to see the author embrace the reality of teenage life - even in a fantasy setting. As the stakes are raised in the story though, I wanted to see more of Tristan's evolution, and I wanted to see him embrace and harness a power that was deep within him. Yet, armed with a magical dagger, he's thrust into melee with little to no training, and an attitude that belied his heroism.

Overall, despite a few hiccups along the way, I thought that The Vicious Deep was a strong start to a new series. I'm hoping to see that the plot holes and flaws are resolved along the way, and I'd really like to see the stakes raised with more drama in the future. I must also admit that the cliffhanger at the end of this book is a doozy, and it definitely left me less than impressed - until I remembered I have the sequel in hand. I give this book a 3.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal and mermaid 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.

Title: See Jane Run
Author: Hannah Jayne (Twitter)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publish Date: January 7, 2014
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 288
Source: Publisher

I know who you are. When Riley first gets the postcard tucked into her bag, she thinks it's a joke. Then she finds a birth certificate for a girl named Jane Elizabeth O'Leary hidden inside her baby book.

Riley's parents have always been pretty overprotective. What if it wasn't for her safety...but fear of her finding out their secret? What have they been hiding? The more Riley digs for answers, the more questions she has.

The only way to know the truth? Find out what happened to Jane O'Leary.

Have you ever read The Face on the Milk Carton? That is, essentially, what I expected when I first began reading See Jane Run by Hannah Jayne. The mystery within the pages is set up early on, almost before we truly get to know our characters and our protagonist, which leads readers to believe that this mystery will dominate the novel above all else. I figured that the mystery, because of this, would be pretty cut-and-dried, but I was surprised to find that Ms. Jayne didn't hesitate to have us second-guessing, peering over our shoulders and really, honestly, topsy-turvy throughout. That is, essentially, what makes a good mystery after all, and it is a large part of why the novel ended up working fairly well for me.

While much of the novel was rife with paranoia and speculation, however, we weren't offered nearly as much mystery or depth from Riley, our protagonist. On one hand, she's an incredibly sympathetic character, as we can sense her palpable anxiety from the minute the novel begins. On the other hand though, Riley fails to use any sort of logic or common sense when she could have probably easily discovered the root of the mystery, if only through asking the proper questions. Rather, we watch as Riley makes countless poor decisions, and we're helpless but to beat our head against a wall, begging this girl we really want to like to simply stop, take a breath and then proceed. At the same time though, you could sense an air of vulnerability about her that made you desperate to like her, regardless of her numerous character flaws. It must be said that I also really struggled with Riley's best friend, Shelby. The girl was so antagonistic, unfailingly blunt and constantly swapping between logical and illogical that the scenes with her actually pulled me out of the story more than once. If she'd been a bit more tempered and supported Riley's persona better, I think she could have worked.

In terms of the mystery itself, See Jane Run isn't a slam-dunk, but it does have a solid setup. Yes, there were several plot holes throughout the novel, but just when I thought things were about to unravel, Ms. Jayne would patch up the fragmented pieces and send us down another path. I'm not sure it was entirely logical in the way that the mystery played out either, but I can appreciate the direction in which the novel took us. It was different than I'd anticipated, and there's something to be said for that, in and of itself. Furthermore, there is a sweet romance that leaves its mark on the story and the plot, and the connection between JD and Riley heightens the stakes and further draws us in, despite a few little flaws through the novel.

Overall, See Jane Run was a solid, but not perfect novel. Regardless of the flaws though, I found myself rather enjoying the story as a whole, and I could overlook many of the little issues to appreciate the story in the end. I give it a solid 3.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA novels, especially those who like mysteries and thrillers.

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.

Title: Racing Savannah
Author: Miranda Kenneally (Twitter)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publish Date: December 3, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher

They’re from two different worlds.

He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.

With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…

It's no secret that Miranda Kenneally's stories are a bit more like guilty pleasure reads for me, if only because I know I can expect fun, sweet, light-hearted romance. The beautiful thing about Racing Savannah though, is that while, yes, it is all of the above, it is also so much more. It's funny. It's sarcastic. It's relevant. And, just when I'm certain we're going to get a story that offers more sweet than substance, the novel surprises me and offers true character growth and development. It's something I've come to expect from Ms. Kenneally's books. While on the one hand, we get plenty of sweetness and flirty romance, on the other hand, we also get a surprising amount of depth. Racing Savannah is no exception, and as we truly get to know Savannah and Jack, it's a pleasure to catch glimpses of our former favourite characters who have since grown up and moved on with their lives.

Savannah was, perhaps, the most lovable heroine I've read about in a good while. She's one of the lone women in a man's world of horse jockeying, yet she takes the sidelong glances, the whispers and the snark in stride. She had this infectious personality that brims over and reels us into her story in a way that makes it impossible not to fall in love with her and her big dreams. Jack surprised me, as well. From the premise, I worried that we would fall into the trap in which we're stuck with a "poor little rich boy," but he surprised me with his depth and the amount of complexity within him. He was the perfect counterbalance for Savannah, and watching their two characters meet, mingle and begin to grow in a similar direction was truly fun and, at times, so sweet it hurt.

I think that the true strength of Racing Savannah though, is the painstaking amount of care that the author put into crafting such a story. A lesser author might have rested on the laurels of the age-old "star-crossed lovers from different sides of the track," but Ms. Kenneally gives us far more than that. We're given Savannah, who has far less than Jack, but lives a comfortable, empowered and happy day-to-day life. Then we Jack, who has been given everything - wealth, privilege, responsibility - but he has an earnest inner yearning for more that was actually quite tangible. He'd been given everything he'd ever wanted in life, and this is the first time that he actually had to stand up and fight for something he really wanted, all the while still balancing his responsibilities and desire to please his father.

Overall, Racing Savannah pleasantly surprised me. While yes, at times, the novel is a bit more saccharine than I might hope for, there is also a beautiful, powerful amount of depth to this love story. I can't help it - I'm just in love with these books. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction and sweet romance.

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.

Guys, I am super excited today to be a part of the book tour for TMI, the newest novel from acclaimed author, Patty Blount! Tackling some of the biggest hot-button issues of our society today, including the Internet craze, online personas and even the whole second-life phenomenon.

With a story revolving around our living in the digital age, you'd better believe I was all over this book from the moment I heard about it. Patty offers a daring, tension-filled story that readers are sure to love, and I'm so excited to feature her on the blog today. So, without further ado...the interview!

1. Online friendships and relationships are becoming far more prevalent these days. What interested you in the topic, and what made you decided to base your novel around it?

Strangely enough, the news. I’d seen a story about a mom who created a fake Facebook account to pose as a boy interested in her daughter’s friend just so she could break her heart. It kind of hit me that none of us really know if the people we’re talking to online are who they say they are. Practical Megan would tread very carefully but spontaneous Bailey could get into a lot of trouble – and does.

2. While I was reading TMI, I couldn't help but think about a "catfishing" scenario. Have you ever watched the show, Catfish , or did the concept inspire you in some way?

*laughs* I’ve never heard of Catfish until you mentioned it. I had to look it up! But, the Manti Te’o story was just coming out as I was editing TMI.

3. TMI is extremely character-driven, and that drives the suspense of the novel through the roof. How did you balance fleshing out the characters with developing the mystery between Ryder's online vs. real persona?

Ryder was ‘born’ when his real-life counterpart got his feelings hurt and he wanted revenge. But he started having regrets and second thoughts and that’s when you see his real-life persona enter a scene. Hopefully, you didn’t realize this until the big reveal!

4. Would you describe your personality more like Bailey's: fresh-faced and highly trusting, or would you say you're more like Meg: skeptical and cautious.

Oddly, I’m more like Meg minus the artistic ability. I’m skeptical and cautious. I have developed some real friendships with people I met on Twitter, but that was after months of chatting. The first time I decided to meet one in person, I did so in a public venue only after verifying that person was really scheduled to sign his books there that night. And even then, I didn’t go alone.

5. What books would you say were your greatest literary influences when creating the story of TMI?

Oooo, good question. I read a lot and I read fast, so it’s hard for me to remember what I was reading last year when I wrote this story. Luckily, I have Goodreads to remind me… oh, here’s a good one! An Abundance of Katherines. This was my first John Greene novel and it featured a strong friendship that I wanted to show in TMI. I also read Divergent and wow, I may have developed a small crush on Four *fans face*.

6. If you could have your readers take away just one thing from TMI, what would you hope for that to be, and why?

I think all stories have a message in them. Sometimes The Message is huge and obvious but look closer to find the subtle messages. TMI on the surface is about the dangers of sharing too much information with people you don’t know, and if you didn’t look any deeper, I’d be happy if you didn’t let that happen to you. But if you did want to look deeper, I’d hope you’d notice the roots of friendship can be twisted and stretched and maybe even redefined but can they really be severed? Or do those roots remain alive, buried perhaps, but ready to bloom when conditions are right again?

Patty: OK, my turn! I have some questions for you! Do you have a best friend? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

TMI is on sale everywhere on August 6, 2013 from Sourcebooks Fire!

Find Patty on:
Twitter
Facebook
Website

Title: Truly, Madly, Deadly
Author: Hannah Jayne (Twitter)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publish Date: July 2, 2013
Genre: YA, Mystery
Pages: 272
Source: Publisher

Sawyer Dodd has it all. She's a star track athlete, choir soloist, and A-student. And her boyfriend is the handsome all-star Kevin Anderson. But behind the medals, prom pictures, and perfect smiles, Sawyer finds herself trapped in a controlling, abusive relationship with Kevin.

When he dies in a drunk-driving accident, Sawyer is secretly relieved. She's free. Until she opens her locker and finds a mysterious letter signed by "an admirer" and printed with two simple words: "You're welcome."

For the longest time, Sawyer was stuck in an abusive relationship from which she could see no way out. Nobody knew of the abuse, and nobody would have really believed it anyway because in public, they were the picture-perfect couple. But life gets a whole lot easier - and messier - when Kevin dies in what seems to be a cut and dried car accident. But when a note appears, seemingly claiming responsibility for his death, this are about to get tricky and dark. Can Sawyer found the culprit before it's too late?

There's something to be said for eerie, dark tales that give you the creeps long after you close the book on the last page. Truly, Madly, Deadly sets the stage for exactly that, inspiring readers everywhere to sleep with the lights on. Author, Hannah Jayne, has written a classic mystery tale, but adds the twisting, compelling drama of YA into the mix giving readers the best of both worlds. With a fast pace, and carefully-revealed details, Truly, Madly, Deadly will stick with you.

There is a lot about Truly, Madly, Deadly that works in its favour, making readers anxious and eager to weave their way through the tale. First and foremost, the mystery element of the story is perfectly eerie, with just a touch of gleaming danger that makes you a bit hesitant to find out the truth behind it all. With that said, however, there is a lot within the story that is, indeed, teased through the synopsis, but we're left wanting upon reading the story. From the premise, I assumed that the abusive relationship in which Sawyer found herself would play a significant role in her character development. Much to the contrary (and my dismay) though, we watch as that element is placed on the backburner and, instead, we simply watch Sawyer chase her tail as she searches for this unknown "saviour" in vain. In my humble opinion, had the abuse of the relationship been more prominent through the story, I would have been far more invested in Sawyer's plight to find Kevin's killer. I think that the mystery element was set up well through the novel and, though I was able to pick through it all quite quickly, the mystery was well done. I do have to say that I wished it had been a bit twistier because I think that a bit of extra development in terms of the unknown would have gone a long way. But, the book was not bad by any means. I enjoyed the fact that I could read the book in a single sitting, and I found that the author's writing voice was engaging and empathetic, making Truly, Madly, Deadly stand out.

Overall, though there were some elements I wish we could have explored more, and though I think more mystery would have worked in the story's favour, this book was quite well done. I give it a 3.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy mysteries and thrillers.

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.

Title: The Predicteds
Author: Christine Seifert
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publish Date: September 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher

Daphne is the new girl in town and is having trouble fitting in. At least she has Jesse...sort of. He wants to be more than “just friends,” but there’s something he’s not telling her about his past. Something dangerous.

When a female student is brutally attacked, police turn to PROFILE, a new program that can predict a student’s capacity for violent behavior, to solve the case. As the witch hunt ensues, Daphne is forced to question her feelings for Jesse—and what she will do if her first love turns out to be a killer.

Daphne is used to being the new girl in town. While it should make it easier, it doesn't. Everything that could go wrong does, and Daphne is stuck feeling like an outsider. Her only silver lining is Jesse, the outgoing guy who seems to like her enough, but she has to go ahead and actually let her guard down if she wants any sort of connection. But life isn't done dealing her a difficult hand. PROFILE enters their world, and though it's supposed to save them all by identifying which kids are most likely to commit violent acts. In theory, it's great...but will it cause more problems than good?

It's no secret that I'm a sci-fi nut, so the entire concept of The Predicteds is right up my alley. Blending a mastermind plot with a exciting (albeit terrifying concept) author, Christine Seifert, offers up a novel that's both intriguing and alluring with the idea that we can predict our destinies. Moving at a steady pace and slowly building tension throughout, The Predicteds offers readers an insightful, evocative and unsettling look into what might happen if we try to control too much. 

My first thought when I read the premise of the book was simply...Minority Report. Have you seen it? If not, it's a movie where three pre-cogs see the future and a pre-crime division of the police arrests people before they actually commit these deeds and then imprisons them for the rest of their natural lives. I loved the movie, so I was definitely interested in reading a YA take on this sort of phenomenon. In many ways, The Predicteds delivers what I wanted. The book starts with a bang - both literally and figuratively - and we're thrust headlong into the aftermath of a violent crime. I absolutely devoured the first few chapters. We're immediately given a full view of Daphne's character. She's snarky, she's engaging, she's realistic, and she's accessible to the reader. I enjoyed that she wasn't overly self-deprecating, which is far too prevalent in YA these days. I also really enjoyed how Daphne's life is ultimately entwined with PROFILE, as her mother is the creator, but that it's not as cut-and-dried as one might think. There are moral consequences to this project and, while it seems good, there are definite repercussions to this program, as well. The way that PROFILE is addressed in the novel is really well done, too. We get to see the divide that is ultimately created by this program, and we watch as it tears people apart, rather than uniting them for the common good. Unfortunately, despite all the good, I had a few gripes with The Predicteds, as well. When we are introduced to Daphne, she seems like a very assertive, strong and independent individual. As the novel progresses though, she almost regresses, second-guessing Jesse's intent all the time and actually relying on this program that she condemned at first. Second, though the book starts at lightning speed, it slows down steadily and the middle of the book lagged for me. I think the tension could have been ramped up significantly to peak my interest for the climax of the novel. 

Overall, The Predicteds was a pretty good book with engaging writing and a great concept. I think it will definitely please a lot of readers, I just expected a lot more. I give it a 3 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy science 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.

Title: Catching Jordan
Author: Miranda Kenneally (Twitter)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publish Date: December 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 281
Source: Publisher

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

Jordan breaks the mold on a daily basis. She's athletic, funny and smart, and she breaks the stereotype that girls can't play football. As the captain and quarterback of her school's football team, she leads with confidence, simply because her life revolves around her sport. Jordan has carefully created a world around her in which she can succeed, but whenTy moves to town and shakes things up, for the first time in a long time, Jordan doesn't know the next play. Will she find her balance again before it's too late?

On the surface, Catching Jordan looks like everything I despise in YA contemps. Judging by the cover alone, I assumed the book was barely more than a petty teenage drama involving first loves, heartache and whittling a strong main character down to a shell of what she once was. I couldn't have been more wrong. Miranda Kenneally has written a sweet, empowering, humourous and altogether endearing tale of a girl simply trying to navigate her way through high school without falling prey to everyday drama like so many others. Realistic and refreshing, Catching Jordan is so true-to-life and honest that it makes you feel as though you've stepped back in time, and you're watching the ups and downs of high school play out before your eyes. 

Jordan was, at first, a character of whom I was extremely dubious. I don't know the first thing about football, and her life revolved solely around the sport, so I wasn't sure I'd be able to fully access her emotions or passion for her sport. However, simmering beneath the surface, we can see that Jordan is just as human as you and I with her quirky personality and charisma that draws others to her. When Ty enters, though we see Jordan's confidence waver just a bit, we manage to access and draw on that vulnerability, finding yet another reason to root for this confident and empowering female character. What I loved most about Catching Jordan is that we're provided excellent characterization in Jordan, never being forced to watch a girl whittled down to a shell of what she once was due to a high school crush. We get to watch as she transforms from someone with a singular focus to someone who learns that she can let someone in and still be as strong as ever - if not stronger. Furthermore, Catching Jordan presents a high school story that is very honest, offering tangible tension, the navigating of first loves and questioning just how far one should go. It's simple, but realistic, and the beauty of the story is that it doesn't just scratch the surface...it gives us so much more.

I was completely and utterly surprised by Catching Jordan, and despite the fact that there was some dialogue and subject matter that was a bit too convenient for my taste, I thought this book excelled. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy 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.

I'm so excited today to help the all too awesome Jessica Shirvington and Sourcebooks release the cover for the much-anticipated sequel (in the US) to Embrace, called Entice! Going a bit darker and mysterious this time, the cover certainly fits in the same vein. So, without further ado, check out this amazing piece of art!

Seventeen-year-old Violet Eden’s is back! With a destiny is to protect humans from the vengeance of exiled angels it becomes clear that it won’t be easy as even her partner, Lincoln, is hiding something. And now she has to learn to live with her feelings for him while they work together to stay alive and stop the exiles from discovering the key to destroy all Grigori.

It isn’t easy. Especially when the electricity between her and Phoenix ignites and she discovers his hold over her has become more dangerous than ever. Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme with a race halfway across the world to find the one artifact that could tilt the balance of power between Angels and Exiles. And the ultimate betrayal will be exposed.

Ok, sold yet? Entice will be released in the good ol' USA on September 4, 2012.

To tide you over until then, be sure to check out the first two chapters of Entice just in time for BEA!

Or, simply sit back and enjoy this video of the lovely author, herself, as she invites us into the world in which she creates her stories!

For those of you who don't know, Sourcebooks is finally releasing Jessica Shirvington's "Violet Eden Chapters" in the United States, after being released in Australia first. Beginning with the first book, Embrace, this trilogy has everything that makes the YA genre great - love, paranormal beings and a touch of danger. I am SO excited to be a part of the media efforts for this book, so without further ado...

Violet Eden is dreading her seventeenth birthday dinner. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. The one bright spot is that Lincoln will be there. Sexy, mature and aloof, he is Violet’s idea of perfection. But why does he seem so reluctant to be anything more than a friend?

After he gives her the world’s most incredible kiss – and then abandons her on her front doorstep – Violet is determined to get some answers. But nothing could have prepared her for Lincoln’s explanation: he is Grigori – part angel and part human – and Violet is his eternal partner.

Without warning, Violet’s world is turned upside down. She never believed in God, let alone angels. But there’s no denying the strange changes in her body ... and her feelings for Lincoln. Suddenly, she can’t stand to be around him. Luckily, Phoenix, an exiled angel, has come into her life. He’s intense and enigmatic, but at least he never lied to her.

As Violet gets caught up in an ancient battle between dark and light, she must choose her path. The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity...

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington will be released on March 1, 2012 from Sourcebooks Fire.

What do you think? 

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

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington - (ARC) Thank you, Sourcebooks

Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire - (ARC) Thank you, PYR

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As you all know, it's the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the United States. Wherever you are and whatever you believe, please take a moment today to remember the lives that were lost and the heroes who rose to the occasion. Never forget.

"Now watch me rise up and leave all the ashes you made out of me..." Embrace - Ashes

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Remember that I have a few giveaways currently going!

To win an ARC of Tris & Izzie, click HERE.

To win an ARC of Shatter Me, Click HERE.

Title: I'm Not Her
Author: Janet Gurtler
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Published: May 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 320
Source: Publisher

“For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel envy…”

Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that’s okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. Yet the smiles of her picture-perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn’t hold it together, who will?

Tess and Kristina couldn't be more different if they tried. Gorgeous and athletic, Kristina is the envy of all the girls and object of all boys' affection in high school. Tess is a budding artist, a quiet freshman and a self-professed geek. She's ok with it. She's like her father, while Kristina is like her mother. When Kristina discovers her knee injury is actually cancer though, her pretenses begin to slip and suddenly, her popularity shifts. While before she was beloved, now she's beloved and pitied, and Tess is the key to all things Kristina. But Tess never wanted the limelight, and she certainly didn't want it at Kristina's expense...especially when she might lose her sister forever.

I'm Not Her is, by no means, a light read. Tackling difficult material like cancer, the bonds of sisterhood and family and testing the waters of coming-of-age, it's written to push the envelope past normal into something more meaningful. Author Janet Gurtler provides the reader with the story of two sisters living polar opposite lives, simply orbiting around one another until an occurrence forces their worlds to collide. I'm Not Her is a story of finding oneself, the importance of family and the depth of character in the midst of turmoil and despair, written from the unadulterated viewpoint of a wallflower.

While, in theory, I should have loved I'm Not Her, I have to say I'm rather on the fence about rating it. Here's the thing. The author has a great writing voice that's accessible, easy to follow and perfectly describes two very different characters. That said, however, I don't think I ever really got to know Kristina past the surface, so I had a hard time truly feeling sorry for her, and Tess, too, was a bit surface-only. Furthermore, I love when books jump into the action from the get-go, but I felt I'm Not Her was a bit forced. Jumping straight from an overplayed high school drinking party (which, by the way, I never experienced...was I a super nerd?) to the drama of cancer was a bit much for me, and how the family handled it immediately felt foreign, as well. I guess, while I'm Not Her was meant to be emotional, it felt more jarring to me.

Now, I'm not saying I'm Not Her is a bad book by any means, but it is an example of what I don't really love about contemporary fiction. The author, however, has a great writing voice, and I would love to read more of her work in the future. I give this book a 2.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA who especially enjoy 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.

Title: The Liar Society
Author: Lisa & Laura Roecker
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Published: March 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemps, Mystery
Pages: 361
Source: Publisher

Kate Lowry didn't think dead best friends could send e-mails. But when she gets an e-mail from Grace, she’s not so sure.

To: KateLowry@pemberlybrown.edu

Sent: Sun 9/14 11:59 PM

From: GraceLee@pemberlybrown.edu

Subject: (no subject)

Kate,

I'm here…

sort of.

Find Cameron.

He knows.

I shouldn't be writing.

Don't tell.

They'll hurt you.

Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace’s death was more than just a tragic accident. But secrets haunt the halls of her elite private school. Secrets people will do anything to protect. Even if it means getting rid of the girl trying to solve a murder...

The Liar Society follow Kate Lowry, living in a prestigious boarding school in the aftermath of her best friend Grace’s death. Kate is confused and lost, wondering what could possibly have turned life so horribly upside down when she receives an email from Grace, saying that she needs Kate to figure out what happened to her – and to be careful. Up until now, Kate was certain that dead girls didn’t send emails, but now Kate has the chance to prove that Grace’s death was more than the accident it seemed. Teaming up with the cute and nerdy neighbor, Seth, and the ultimate bad boy at school, Liam, Kate is determined to find the truth once and for all.

I’ve been stalking reading Lisa and Laura Roecker’s blog forever, and when I say forever, I mean since the day I started my blog. Literally. Debut authors, Lisa and Laura are a sister duo, self-described as “The Hilton sisters – spray tans + brains – 4 inches + 20 (ok, 30) pounds / Cleveland, OH.” Seriously witty and original, the sisters have created a mystery story in The Liar Society that’s equal parts adventure, mystery and intrigue. Throw a little pinch of oh-so-cute romance into the mix, and The Liar Society is, essentially the epitome of a slam-dunk debut.

The Liar Society presents one of the most likeable heroines I’ve ever read. Kate has these hilarious one-liners that are so fresh and fantastic that I want to slap myself for ever having read books with whiny little female MCs. Kate, Liam and Seth perfectly complement one another and add a dynamic of intrigue and fun to their already-developed personalities. Furthermore, I am pleased to say that, though set in a boarding school, The Liar Society is NOT rife with your stereotypical mean girls/rich students with all their baggage. Rather, the mystery fuels the plot, and the flashbacks that let us experience the friendship between Kate and Grace give us even more depth. You know what? Kate is like Veronica Mars – full of snark and sass, but with a mushy marshmallow interior hiding beneath her resilient personality.

I am going to sing the praises of The Liar Society from here until the sequel, so help me God. A twist between Nancy Drew and Veronica Mars, The Liar Society is fresh and fabulous, leaving us hanging just a little with an ending I truly did not expect. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I want the sequel. Now. I would recommend this books to all YA fans, especially those who like mysteries 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.

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 Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker

(ARC) - (Thank you, Sourcebooks Fire)

Kate Lowry didn't think dead best friends could send e-mails. But when she gets an e-mail from Grace, she’s not so sure.

To: KateLowry@pemberlybrown.edu

Sent: Sun 9/14 11:59 PM

From: GraceLee@pemberlybrown.edu

Subject: (no subject)

Kate,

I'm here…sort of. Find Cameron. He knows. I shouldn't be writing. Don't tell. They'll hurt you.

FOR REVIEW

Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut

(ARC) - (Thank you, Darby)

For centuries, rumors have abounded of a lowly caste of supernatural beings known as the Terrae Angeli. Armed with the power to control Earth, Fire, Wind and Water, these warriors secretly serve as guardians for mortals in danger.

But for one young angel-in-training, Griffin, life is hell as a cruel master makes his apprenticeship a nightmare. On the verge of failing, a new mentor, Basil, enters his life and changes it forever. It is their father-and-son relationship, sometimes turbulent, often hilarious, always affectionate, that sings through the story like a pure note.

EARNED FROM RANDOMBUZZERS

The Nightmarys by Dan Poblocki

Timothy July is having nightmares. About his brother, who is in a coma after being wounded in Iraq; about his best friend, Stuart, who is behaving like a jerk; about the old biology specimens in jars lining the walls of his classroom; and about Abigail, the new girl who seems to be a magnet for trouble. Or perhaps she is the cause.

Suddenly Timothy’s nightmares are coming true. His brother, his face decaying, approaches Timothy on the street. Stuart ends up in the hospital, terrified that monsters are stalking him. And the specimen jars are tormenting not only Timothy but his teacher as well.

I'm pretty pleased with my week in books! Three is a good number for me, and I'm loving the variety...pretty rad, eh? As a quick aside, please take note of this post, in which I'm desperately seeking about 10 weeks worth of guest bloggers (because you're all dang awesome), and I'll be MIA for awhile. Anyhoo...leave me a link to your mailboxes, and I'll be sure to check them out!

Title: The Water Wars
Author: Cameron Stracher
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Published: January 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 240
Source: Personal Copy

Welcome to a future where water is more precious than gold or oil-and worth killing for.

Vera and her brother, Will, live in the shadow of the Great Panic, in a country that has collapsed from environmental catastrophe. Water is hoarded by governments, rivers are dammed, and clouds are sucked from the sky. But then Vera befriends Kai, who seems to have limitless access to fresh water. When Kai suddenly disappears, Vera and Will set off on a dangerous journey in search of him-pursued by pirates, a paramilitary group, and greedy corporations. Timely and eerily familiar, acclaimed author Cameron Stracher makes a stunning YA debut that's impossible to forget.

The Water Wars follows Vera, a teen living in the Republic of Illinowa, a region decimated by lack of rain, harvesters, and people snatching every ounce of water from the sky. Inland and in trouble, class differences are vast, and Vera and her brother Will are very little more than middle class. When she meets Kai, the beautiful blonde boy with a mysterious background and every stranger wealth, she finds a friend in the midst of her bone-dry life. But Kai mentions a river, hidden and coveted, and Vera and Will are determined to find it and quench their unending thirst. This dangerous goal sends them on a perilous journey of life and death because in a world without water, every drop is worth killing for.

I’ve been cover lusting after The Water Wars for months now, and when release day came, I couldn’t wait to get my paws on this one. Cameron Stracher has created an eerie dystopian world in which water is more valuable than oil or any other natural resource. Led by a government known as the Water Authority Bureau (WAB) that is rumoured to be corrupt, what’s left of what was once America is dry and desolate with pirates searching for water, a government providing synthetic food and poisonous ocean water, and families slowly withering away. The world of The Water Wars is beautifully dark and intricate, letting the reader into a world where we’ve wasted our most precious resource until the last drop.

I’ll admit, The Water Wars got off to a bit of a rocky start for me because there was a lot that Stracher was trying to introduce to the reader. The details of the Republics and Empires of the world, as well as the technology and government overshadowed some of the initial character development because I wanted to know who the heck Kai, Vera, and Will really were. Once the scene of The Water Wars was established though, the action propels forward, spiraling darker and darker and letting us see the true colours of the characters. With just a hint of romance and a true familial bond, I was very pleased with how The Water Wars progressed.

Overall, The Water Wars was a very good read with an incredibly powerful and poignant message for the reader. A fictional book about conservation and the need to store, rather than waste, our resources, The Water Wars is great for a younger generation. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I recommend The Water Wars for a YA audience, especially those who enjoy a hint of sci-fi and dystopian stories.