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.

Ten Books That I Read That Were Outside Of My Comfort Zone (whether you liked them or not):

1. Raw Blue - I've never been a fan of contemps, so this one was for sure out of my comfort zone when I signed up to participate in a tour. I was sold about ten pages in. The writing is phenomenal, the story is rich and real and, frankly, it's an all-time favourite of mine.

2. Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar - I hate vampires. If you're an avid reader of my blog, you'll know it's mainly because I want my vampires to be dark and horrible, not sparkly and frou-frou. Anyhoo, this blends steampunk, action, war and some serious hunky viciousness. It's epic.

3. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour - This, too, was one of those contemps that my followers raved about consistently. So, I picked it up, I read it, and I loved it. It was so fun and sweet!

4. Dark Song - I love me some dark and twisty, but dark and twisty contemps have to be done just right to make me truly cringe. This story is brutal, and it's graphic and it is seriously wrong. That's why it pushed the envelope and, in a weird way, I loved it.

5. Boyfriends with Girlfriends - I'll be honest and say I haven't delved too deeply into the realm of LGBTQ fiction, but this one was one of my first attempts. It had a great premise and a solid plot, but I just wasn't completely sold - not the content that did that though...the writing style.

6. I Heart You, You Haunt Me - Verse novels are tricky for me. There's a subtext in the lack of excessive descriptiveness that needs to speak volumes, and this one works flawlessly. I adored how poetic it was.

7. The Long Weekend - I really don't read too much horror, or too many psychological thrillers, but when I was approached to read it, I couldn't help but be sold. The content is horrifying in and of itself. The author also is tremendously talented and paints a terrifying picture without going overboard. It's stunning.

8. Generation Dead - I love zombies in films and a lot of pop culture, but this was one of my first attempts at zombies in YA lit. Unfortunately, it fell horribly flat for me. I could barely get through it.

9. Life As We Knew It - This was one of my first dystopians (perhaps my first, actually), and I was sold on the cover. Colour me petty. It was bleak and dismal, for sure, but there was a trickle of hope that bled through the pages and sold me on the genre.

10. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - About five months after it came out, my little sister was reading this, and I teased her mercilessly. I believe I said something about a "hairy potter." Fastforward ten-odd years, and see how obsessed I am now? It convinced me there's more to YA fiction than I might have thought, and it's my favourite series of all time.

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!

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

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. As Adele labors to bring order to her world, she learns more about the strange powers she exhibited in the north. Her teacher, Mamoru, leads a secret cabal of geomancers who believe Adele is the one who can touch the vast power of the Earth that surges through ley lines and wells up at the rifts where the lines meet.

These energies are the key to defeating the enemy of mankind, and if Princess Adele could ever bring this power under her command, she could be death to vampires. But such a victory will also cost the life of Adele's beloved Greyfriar.

Adele is running out of time. Her wedding is fast-approaching, and she's running out of reasons to delay it. Though her marriage to Senator Clark will provide an alliance that's great for her people, she's at a loss. She's fallen for the mysterious Greyfriar, despite the fact that he should be her mortal enemy, and everything she does and thinks turns right around to him once again. But when things go from bad to worse and Adele learns of a heinous plot to willingly use humans against the vampire race, she realizes something must be done...only fast because her wedding is going to be held no matter what. The Greyfriar learns of other plans though - plans that could threaten Adele's life, and the two will be reunited on adventure that will change the course of their lives and all those around them, as well.

I always have to add this disclaimer to reviews of books involving vampires because, let's be honest, they still have vampires in them, and I loathe vampires. With a passion. That said, yet again, I was blown away by a book that defied my staunch stance on vampires. The Rift Walker deftly picks up where book one left off, carrying a heavy load of backstory with ease, all the while introducing new problems, battles and enemies for our hero and heroine to work through. Clay and Susan Griffith have created a sequel in The Rift Walker that may very well surpass its predecessor. With surprising depth, this love story brims with gripping action, potent characters and an enthralling world that seeps through the pages into real life.

Honestly, I adored The Greyfriar, and I will rarely (if ever) say that a sophomore novel ups the ante and might just be better than the first book, but The Rift Walker is truly dangerously and deliciously that good. While we saw the Greyfriar as a passionate hero in book one, we now see Adele coming into her own. She becomes stronger and more steadfast in her beliefs, and she ardently fights for what she wants and knows is right now. Though she knows what should be done with the way the world is, Adele is more concerned in what must be done for the good of everyone and not just herself. She carries the novel from start to finish - a heavy burden to be sure - but it's done well. The Greyfriar lends his nature to the depth of the story, which enriches it without making their dynamic cloying or overbearing. Furthermore, The Rift Walker makes you want to get into the mind of the villains. When a plot so gruesome is brought to life, you want to comprehend what makes a character tick, and the best part of The Rift Walker is that you can see it, and you can feel it and through each of the characters' actions, you can live it. The true beauty of The Rift Walker though is that, although it features a paranormal romance, the seamless blend of political agendas, power and prejudice, love and war make for a striking story that is compelling and dynamic.

Yet again, I was blown away by this series, and I'm so excited to finally read a sequel that steps up its game! The Rift Walker was a fabulous read, and it's one I'll be happy to read time and again. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to all fans of both YA and Adult reads, especially those who enjoy paranormal romance and steampunk.

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.

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 Underrated Books (those books you can't believe aren't more popular):

1. The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan - It's marketed as a MG read because of the younger characters, but let me tell you - this is one chilling story. The author masters to delicately balance a horrific and psychological thriller with a depth of humanity. It's a must-read.

2. Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut - Perhaps it's that the cover doesn't scream "READ ME!" but this one defies the ordinary angel/paranormal mold. It's a story with heart and depth and one that will transcend the YA genre.

3. The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin - People know the author for her other works, but this one is that seems to slip through the cracks. Honestly, it's one of the best and most heartfelt contemporary stories I've read in a long time.

4. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - I've said it once (or a billion times), but I will sing the praises of this one until the end of time. I hated contemps before this, but this single book gave me hope for the genre. Love, love, love the theme and writing.

5. Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar by Susan & Clay Griffith - Okay, this is saying something because we all know how I feel about vampires. Honestly, this book was so refreshing though...merging steampunk with paranormal? Sheer genius, I say.

6. Time Windows by Kathryn Reiss - Maybe this is too old to still be popular, but I'm surprised it wasn't more popular when it came out, too. It's got a great plot, fabulous characters that stick with you, and an amazing premise. I highly recommend it and continue to re-read it to this day.

7. Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle - The author, again, is so popular for the other books in the series, and this one seems to get slighted in the mix. Perhaps it's that it focuses on the twins, or the Biblical retelling, but honestly, this remains a favourite standout of mine to this day. I can't recommend it enough.

8. Dark Song by Gail Giles - I know a lot of people have read this one, but the ratings are really mixed. Yes, it was a dark book, and yes, it's not for everyone, but I loved it. It's a fabulously ravaging story - and it sticks with you.

9. The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum - A lot of people say that time travel stories aren't their thing. The premise, while it involves time travel, is so much more than that. It's got great characters and a highly engaging plot.

10. This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas - Bone-chilling is a great word to describe this one. If you enjoy reading psychological stories, I highly recommend this one because its true-to-life nature is hard-hitting and powerful.

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

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

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

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

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

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.
Taken from GoodReads.

Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar is the story of an alternate world history for humans here on Earth. Vampires roam freely, mercilessly killing, maiming, torturing, and taking hold of every inch of land available. Those few humans that did survive are either enslaved or have fled to the relative safety of the South. Now, in a world dominated by various cunning and intense Vampire Empires, the world conquests are fought between vampires, rather than men, and Adele, heir to Equatoria, is about to meet the mysterious and complex Greyfriar.

Wow! Ok, when I received The Greyfriar for review, I wasn't expecting too much because, frankly, I've never heard anything about it before, and vampires usually bore the crap heck out of me. Finally! It was so nice to read about non-glittering vampires who stay true to their nature! Using rich prose, an incredibly steampunk atmosphere and a blooming and contagious romance, husband and wife author duo, Susan and Clay Griffith have created an incredible masterpiece of a story that is intense, exhilarating, and completely delicious.

There are too many high points in The Greyfriar for me to name them all, so I'll be general. The characterization was enthralling. Adele and the Greyfriar were so clearly defined, their actions and motives so well-pronounced, that it is impossible not to fall in love with their story as their relationship blooms. The amazing mythology that creeps its way into every aspect of the story heightens the sinister nature of the vampires and makes the story all that more gripping and enticing. Honestly, I'm surprised this book was as slim as it was because the story was well-rounded and truly captivating to read.

I give The Greyfriar a 5 out of 5, hands down. In fact, I'd probably give it more if I could. I recommend that everyone buy this book as soon as it releases (I believe on November 18th) because it is a definite must-read. I would recommend this book to fans of YA and adult fiction, particularly those who enjoy steampunk, vampires, fantasy, and mythology. Due to the violence, I do think an upper YA audience is probably best.

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

Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar - (For Review - Thank you, Prometheus Books) - 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.

Vampire Academy - (Bought) - St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school—it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's—the very place where they're most in danger. . . .

Virals - (Bought) - Megan’s twin sister Remy died in an accident nine years ago, and she’s been haunting her ever since. Knowing how crazy that sounds, Megan keeps this secret to herself and tries to lead a normal life. But when she takes a summer job at Land of Enchantment to keep an eye on her new boyfriend and his lovesick best friend, Samantha, she meets fellow employee Luke who can see Remy, too. Things get even twistier because Megan’s new friend Ari is sporting a massive crush on Luke, who seems to be developing a massive crush on Megan…making for a love triangle that’s positively possessed.

What did you get in your mailbox this week? Leave me a link, and I'll be sure to check it out!