Review: Delcroix Academy: The Candidates by Inara Scott

Title: Delcroix Academy: The Candidates
Author: Inara Sott
Publisher:  Hyperion Books
Publication Date: August 24, 2010
Pages: 293
Source: Borrowed
Challenge: none

Summary: Dancia Lewis is far from popular. And that's not just because of her average grades or her less-than-glamorous wardrobe. In fact, Dancia's mediocrity is a welcome cover for her secret: whenever she sees a person threatening someone she cares about, things just...happen. Cars skid. Structures collapse. Usually someone gets hurt. So Dancia does everything possible to avoid getting close to anyone, belieiving this way she can supress her powers and keep them hidden.

But when recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix Academy show up in her living room to offer her a full scholarship, Dancia's days of living under the radar may be over. Only, Delcroix is a school for diplomats' kids and child geniuses--not B students with uncontrollable telekinetic tendencies. So why are they treating Dancia like she's special? Even the hottest guy on campus seems to be going out of his way to make Dancia feel welcome.

And then there's her mysterious new friend Jack, who can't stay out of trouble. He suspects something dangerous is going on at the Academy and wants Dancia to help him figure out what. But Dancia isn't convinced. She hopes that maybe the recruiters know more about her "gift" than they're letting on. Maybe they can help her understand how to use it...But not even Dancia could have imagined what awaits her behind the gates of Delcroix Academy.

Review: I’d been really looking forward to reading Delcroix Academy ever since a friend of mine recommended it to me. Now, with all the books I’ve read there are quite a few that take place in boarding schools and academies where the children are usually unsupervised and there because they all have special powers or something. Well, with Delcroix Academy the students there do have very skilled talents but ones that any one of you could have. It’s an interesting concept on people that excel in talents more than others. I really enjoyed seeing how it worked in with the book and Dancia.

The unknown is a strong element in the book. You can’t really trust anyone through out the entire book but it leaves you guessing the motives of each person. Dancia was a fun person to read through. Cam and Jack were so different from each other that it set up a hard chose for Dancia to pick from (but I’m a Jack fan^^).

Overall, Dexcroix Academy is a great read that introduces a new twist to a person’s skills and questioning who you can really trust or love.

Review: Firelight by Sophie Jordan

 Title: Firelight 
Author: Sophie Jordan
Publisher:  HarperTeen
Publication Date: Sept 10, 2010
Pages: 323
Source: borrowed
Challenge: none

Summary:
A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

Review: Firelight truly surprised me with it’s incredible story! I never really thought I’d be into the whole human’s-shifting-into-dragons thing but it was so cool to get out into a different world from werewolfs and fairies and any of the other million of things you want to name. Firelight definitely stands out among them and I’m craving more!

Firelight was a good take on the whole Romeo and Juliet concept. The hunter falls for the hunted. I say it was a “good take” on the whole impossible love concept because there are stories where they try to make it seem like it’d be impossible to be together but, really, there is a clear why around it. With Will and Jacinda I have no freaking clue how they are going to work things out and I wish them the best! The characters in the story were really awesome and well-described. I loved that Jacinda had the ability to breath fire (it made for some hilarious moments) and the whole mystery surrounding Will definitely pulled you through some loops and I loved how it all worked out (even though it ending in a pretty devastating way)!

Really if you’re looking for a new kind of paranormal story make sure to check out Firelight. If not for the fact that it’s an incredible story with great characters, do it for the fact that smoke comes out of Jacinda’s nose when Will’s around. xD

 

 

 

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler is out today!

YAY! Congrats to Holly for the release of her second novel! Playing Hurt looks like am amazing read and I can’t wait to get my hands on it! Later in April I’ll be part of Holly’s Playing Hurt Blog Tour so look out for an interview between her and me. Now I must say go out and get your own copy of this steamy romance novel between to ex-athletes!

Order a copy HERE!

Description:

“Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college—and everyone's admiration back home. Then she took a horrible fall during senior year. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.

That summer, Chelsea's dad hires Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player and "boot camp" trainer, to work with her at a northern Minnesota lake resort. As they grow close, Chelsea finds that Clint's haunted by his own tragedy. Will their romance end up hurting them all over again—or finally heal their heartbreak?”

Review: I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Title: I Am Number Four
Author: Pittacus Lore
Publisher:  HarperCollins
Publication Date:  August 3, 2010
Pages: 440
Source: Bought
Challenge: none

Summary: In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now.

The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

I AM NUMBER FOUR is the thrilling launch of a series about an exceptional group of teens as they struggle to outrun their past, discover their future—and live a normal life on Earth.
I AM NUMBER FOUR.
I AM NEXT

Review: I Am Number Four was so much fun to read! One of the first things I thought about it was that both a girl a boy would enjoy the book with it’s action and romance mix. There were so many elements to it that make me just fall in love with the characters and the unique story lines draws you right in.

“John” or so what his name is for the moment is an alien from the planet Lorien which was taken over by other aliens and he, along with eight other children, were able to get away in time to survive and make it to Earth. They are now scattered all through out Earth and the Mogadorians are hunting them down and killing them off one by one. Number three was just killed, and Number Four is next and now that they are all developing their powers the Mogadorians are even more impatient to see them done with.

Like I said, a truly amazing book! The characters were so enjoyable to read about, especially Sam! The romance between John and Sarah was nice and I loved the relationship between John and Henri, his guardian from Lorien. They had a special bond that showed clearly through the writing. The action scenes were fun to read and sometimes a bit gory but nothing too rough. Overall, I Am Number Four is an action packed adventure with secrets and love that will entertain anyone looking for a new world to explore!

 

Review: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Title: Brightly Woven
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Publisher:  EgmontUSA
Publication Date:  March 23, 2010
Pages: 354
Source: won
Challenge: none

Summary: Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him.

In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers.

Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.

Rating: 5 stars!

Review:

Sydelle lives in a land where it hasn’t rained in years but one mysterious day when rain starts to fall from the sky Sydelle meets a suspicious and handsome warlock in the mountains of her land. It is then that her village is attacked by solders from another country and everything start to unravel. Sydelle soon finds out that the warlock, Wayland, has requested that she go on a journey with him to the palace where the Queen resides to stop the growing war. Now, Sydelle, with her talented weaving skills and determination, sets out with Wayland, a mysterious and cocky warlock that gives her more questions then answers to his intentions.

Wow, this was really an incredible book! It had so many elements to it that made  it such an enjoyable read that I stayed up way later then I should have to finish it. I must say that I wish there were more single novel fantasy books out there. I love my trilogies but the waiting it a kill. And what made this story so wonderful was that Ms. Bracken was able to create her world world and tell a complete start to finish story in just one book. That takes incredible skills I think.

The characters were very good. I enjoyed Sydelle and how she never put up with Wayland’s odd behavior. Wayland was a very interesting character and he knew how to make me laugh. The romance between them was subtle and worked very well. The ending took a very unexpected turn and I loved it! It was an overall well-written, fantasy filled novel and I can not wait for more of Alexandra’s work!

Covers Revealed: 11 New Covers!

Hi everyone. This is when I talk about some of the latest covers that have been revealed to the world. I also hope you let you guys discover books you may not have seen before or a cover that you’ve been waiting to see. I hope you enjoy. *Cover art may not be final.*
______________________________________________________

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead - August 23, 2011 by Razorbill

Well, I’m quite happy with this cover! I love the gold tattoo on Sydney’s cheek and the font it very pretty. I only wish that there was a better background other then the plain red one, but I’m sure there is still room for improvement until the release! Can’t wait for it to come out!

Other Covers in the Series:

N/A

Swear by Nina Malkin – 2011 by Simon Pulse

Wow, what a stunning cover! I find it much more original than the first cover in the series and I hope they change it to match this one. I love the flower petal all over and the position of the model. Overall, a great addition to all the covers out there!

Other Covers in the Series:

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter – June 21, 2011 Hyperion

I really love the style of this series’ covers! The pictures inside the glasses are always a very cool touch. Even though I haven’t read the first book it’s on my list and I’m really looking forward for his to come out.

Other Covers in the Series:

Perfect by Ellen Hopkins - September 13th 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry

They really hit the nail on the head this this one. I have always loved the covers for Ellen’s books but Perfect has taken the spot as my favorite (was formally Glass)! It has something so awesome about it that I just like to stare at it. Maybe it’s the irony of the title and the imperfect ink that bleeds out. Very symbolic I say. Can’t wait to read!

Other Covers in the Series:
 

Everybody Sees The Ants by A. S. King – 2011 by Little, Brown

Yes, another amazing book by the lovely Ms. King! This is about a boy that is being bully and then mysteriously starts to come in contact with his grandfather who had gone missing in the Vietnam. Said really good. And the cover is quite interesting along with the title. I wonder who it will relate to the story. Should be another great one!

Other Book in the Series:

N/A

Damned by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie - August 30, 2011 by Simon and Schuster

Well, damn. I have to say I have a crush on this cover! I think it’s a big improvement from the way the first in the series was designed! I love the blizzard scene with the boy (though he must be cold). I’m looking forward to reading it!

Other Cover in the Series:

The Jewel and The Key by Louise Spiegler – July 11, 2011 by Clarion Books

This is a book I recently came across and it looked interesting. It’s a historical fiction novel of a her who is sent back in time to 1917 right before World War 1 by a magical jewel. I’ve been telling myself to read more historical fiction and this is definitely going on my list. I love the simplicity of the cover too.

Other Covers in the Series:

N/A

Elemental Reality by Cesya Cuono – August 11, 2011 by Revolution Publishing

Wow. This cover is amazingly stunning! The dulled tones of the field and the model’s dress looks beautiful with the rainbow colors behind her and the bright lights! This is one of those book where I would likely not even read what it was about and still bought it. I’m sure it will look even more nice in person.

Other Cover in the Series:

N/A

 

Frozen,  Shattered, and Torn by Robin Wasserman – September 6, 2011 by Simon Pulse

Holy Snickers! It was announced that Robin Wasserman would be continuing onto her Skinned Trilogy! These are the next three book called The Cold Awakening Trilogy that will continue from where her other trilogy left off and as a plus, they are all being released on September 6th!  That is awesome. And speaking of awesome the covers are wicked cool! Put them all together and you get a stunning image of a girl formed out of water! The design team definitely out did themselves!

Just wanted to say… Go Steelers!

Haha, I couldn’t restist! I’m looking forward to the game tonight. It’s going to be a good one, I can tell! So here’s the support for my team! Whooooooo!

In My Mailbox 19 & 20

For Review:
Love, Love, Love: Language of Love and Cupidity  by Deborah Reber and Caroline Goode

Won:
Nightspell by Leah Cypess
Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill (won this a while ago)

Bought:
Lies by Michael Grant
The Iron Witch by Karem Mahoney
XVI by Julia Karr

Borrowed:
The Candidates by Inara Scott (from friend)
Firelight by Sophie Jordan (same friend)
The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams (same friend)
Gentlemen  by Michael Northrop (school library)

That’s all from the past two weeks! Some really great books I can’t wait to read. Hope everyone else had a great book week too!