So now that 2011 is mere hours away I wanted to sign up for the challenge I plan to participate in for 2011. As most of you most likely know, Kristi from The Story Siren is hosting her annual Debut author challenge were you try to read at least 12 debut YA books. I love reading from new authors so this is the perfect challenge! Here are a few of the books I plan on reading for the challenge:
… And many more hopefully!
1&2. The Forest of Hands and Teeth & The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
3. Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
4. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
5. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
6. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
7. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
8. North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Hadley
9. Fire by Kristen Cashore
10&11. Spirit Bound and Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
I hope you all read some truly amazing books in 2010 and I highly recommend even book I have listed here! I loved them all for the pure adventure I got to experience with each and they will likely always be remembered.
Title: Last Sacrifice
Author: Richelle Mead
Publication Date: December 7, 2010
Publisher: Razor Bill
Pages: 594
Source: Bought from store
Summary: Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules.
She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.
Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.
But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you
Rating: 5 stars 
Review:
I can remember the first time I picked up Vampire Academy and thought it’s be just another vampire series. I soon found out how wrong I was and got sucked into Rose’s world. I was hooked and never looked back. And now, having just read the last book in the series, I’m so sad to see it over, though this could not have been a greater ending to a wonderful series.
Rose and the crew are back. With Rose having been jailed to allegedly murdering the queen, beginning quickly takes off with a crafty escape plan by her friends. Now, Rose and Dimitri take off to a safe place to stay hidden until Lissa & Co. come find the real murder. Though, who has known Rose to be one to sit back and let others do the dirty work?
I don’t think I could have loved this book any more. There was actions (as always), romance (hell yes there was), and a mystery that had to trusting no one. While Rose, Dimitri, and Sydney searched for Lissa’s lost half-sibling, we are trying to put the clues together as to who really murdered the queen. In the end I was put into shock more the a number of times and mead did a wonderful job at cluing in while not giving away.
The only thing that made me upset about the book was with Adrian. I won’t say too much, but I’ll say that I love him and I hope his heart can heal.
Overall, I honestly wish there was more to come in the series, it was the epitome of epicness. I enjoyed the wild, emotional roller coaster that I shared with Rose. It will stay with me forever.
Hey everyone! I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. This has been a great half year of blogging and I’m looking forward to the new year filled with new books, new people to meet, and all the other things to come. For now I hope you all are enjoying your breaks and make great memories.
Author: Gwen Hayes
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Publisher: New American Library/ Penguin
Pages: 336
Source: Different Area Codes Book Tours
Summary: Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.
As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.
And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
I can tell this book is going to be a hit. I knew I was going to enjoy this book within the first few pages of reading it. Very dramatic and mysterious beginning and I immediately wanted to know more about Theia and the hauntingly, handsome man that haunted her dreams.
The characters in this book really made it for me. I loved them all! Donny and Amelia were great friends for Theia. I loved Donny’s snarky personality and Amelia’s very down-to-earth vibes. What stood out to me was that all there conversations sounded like ones I would have with my friends! Varnie was also a very much loved character because how many books have a cross-dressing, physic, surfer hottie in it? I felt like I would easily want them to be my friends.
Haden was the perfect mix of sexy and danger and sweetness. Though I wish that Theia and his relationship had developed a bit more before their romanced continued it was under very unique circumstances that they ended up together and I loved all the twisted and turns that happened along the way. The pacing of the book was quite fast and a lot of things happened, but I thing it’s better then having had it be filled with pointless scenes and the story was getting no where (not that I don’t love some fluff filled moments).
In the end, Theia must choose between braking free from her structured life and follow her heart or play it safe and continue to wonder, what if? I don’t want to say too much about the main plot because there are quite a few things that could easily be given away but lets just say that hell has never been hotter with Theia and Haden there.
Falling Under is a new, sexy take on demons and the battling of lust verse love.
Title: The Dead-Tossed Waves
Author: Carrie Ryan
Published: March 9th, 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 407
Summary: Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.
Review:
Carrie Ryan’s book really puts a definition on what I expect from a wonderful story. There was suspenseful action, believable romance, and heart-gripping horror. We are taken through Gabry’s journey of finding out who she is in such a messed up world that is becoming more dangerous by the day. It makes you wonder how you would survive living in the world where your every move is surrounded by the undead.
The Dead-Tossed Waves, I would say, is better than the first book. Not that I didn’t love The Forest of Hands and Teeth, I just felt like there was a better connection I made with Gabry than Mary. There was more action in this book and it’s all epic and all begins on the very first pages. Also, Carrie did something that I was deeply impressed by because I have come across very few authors who could do so, but she made me fall in love with one guy and hope for Gabry’s romantic relationship to be with him, but she then brought in anther guy that I fall for. Love triangles are tricky, but she pulled it off flawlessly and there was a real struggle for who Gabry should go for. The way Carrie can tell a story is so graphic and real it really brought the story to life. There was never a dull moment while reading and I greatly am looking forward to the next in the series to see where Gabry’s journey continues! I loved this book’s every word and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves an epic adventure and seeing how love can be found in even the darkest of times.
Overall: 5 Stars 
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*Find Carrie Ryan*
Website
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In My Mailbox is hosted by the epic Kristi from The Story Siren.
Party by Tom Leveen (signed)
The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore (signed)
Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers (signed)
BUNCH of swag
Personal Demons Tank Top
(Big thanks to Randombuzzers, Rosemary, Lisa, Jessica, and YA Reviews!)
Check out the awesome site Random Buzzers!
I know the winners are really late to be announced but here they are! The winners will be sent an email by me and will have 48 hours to get back to me before I pick new winners.
Winner of She Smells The Dead Giveaway:
Kelsey M.!! (claimed)
Winner of Living Dead Girl Giveaway:
Missie (The Unread Reader)!!
Winner of a Signed copy of The Body Finder:
Lisa Gibson (YA Literature Lover)!!
Winner of The Body Finder Swag pack:
Lily K.!!
Winner of signed copy of Picture The Dead and T-shirt:
Kelly Masa! (claimed)
Thank you to all that entered my contest!! I’m planning to have few more coming up soon for watch out for them!
Die For Me by Amy Plum ~ Released May 10, 2011
Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker ~ Released July 19, 2011 
Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren ~ Released February 1, 2011
The Lucky Kind by Alyssa B. Sheinmel ~ Released May 10, 2011
Watch Me Die by Erica Spindler ~ Released March 29, 2011
The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder ~ Released June 28, 2011
The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson ~ Released May 1, 2011
Nightspell by Leah Cypess ~ Released May 31, 2011
Something Deadly This Way Comes by Kim Harrison ~ Released April 8, 2011
Flying Blind by Deborah Cooke ~ Released June 7, 2011
Dead Rules by Randy Russell ~ Released June 21, 2011
Luminous by Dawn Metcalf ~ Released July 7, 2011
Illusions by Aprilynne Pike ~ Released May 8, 2011
The Serpent’s Coil by Christy Raedeke ~ Released July 8, 2011
Wolfbane by Andrea Cremer ~ Released July 12, 2011
Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon ~ Released March 3, 2011
A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young ~ Released June 21, 2011
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelni ~ Released May 31, 2011
Bumped by Megan McCafferty ~ Released April 26, 2011
Arranged by Catherine McKenzie ~ Released January 8, 2011
Lost Voices by Sarah Porter ~ Released July 4, 2011
The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell ~ Released March 7, 2011
The Demon’s Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan ~ Released May 2011
Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs ~ Released May 2011
From Bad to Cursed by Katie Alender ~ Released June 2011
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma ~ Released June 14, 2011
Secrets (The Ivy #2) by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur ~ Released June 1, 2011
Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade ~ Released June 7, 2011
Never Have I Ever (The Lying Game #2) by Sara Shepard ~ Released April 8, 2011
Hereafter by Tara Hudson ~ Released June 7, 2011
After Midnight by Lynn Viehl ~ Released May 8, 2011
The Siren’s Cry by Jennifer Anne Kogler ~ Released July 1, 2011
The Watchers (Delcroix Academy #2) by Inara Scott ~ Released August 2, 2011
Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore ~ Released June 7, 2011
WOW. I’m legit drooling over all these freaking AMAZING covers! 2011 is going to be an awesome book year! My wallet is shaking in fear. Also, why is everything so far away?! Everything is set to be out in like June or July! *pouts* And if I didn’t know better I’d say that Mermaids have invaded the YA section!
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