Friday, March 30, 2012

SPRING READS AND FOLLOW FRIDAY

Hi everyone!  So, here's what I'll be reading this Spring Break :D


Ward's latest, Lover Reborn, just came out on March 27th, and Armentrout's Pure is due to hit shelves on April 3rd *jumps up and down*  Cannot wait to dig into these drool-worthy reads!



And it's Follow Friday, so that means getting to meet new (and old) friends and see how they're doing.  The FF is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, and this week's features are Alluring Reads and Justin's Book Blog!

Q: Do you read one book at a time or do you switch back and forth between two or more?

I used to read just one book at a time, but now I seem to be a two-at-a-time person.  Usually one YA and one adult read (See example above ;)).  But if one captures my attention more, I'll probably finish that book first.

Hope you all are doing great.  One of my ninja aunts has a birthday today so...HAPPY BIRTHDAY NINJA AUNT COLLEEN!  I hope it's a great one :D  I've also gotten back into writing my 4th novel, so yay!

Have a great weekend everyone,

Ninja Girl



Thursday, March 22, 2012

MISSING OFF THE HUNGER GAMES SOUNDTRACK

This song so should've been included, no idea why it wasn't.  Title says it all :D


Yes, "Letters From the Sky" by Civil Twilight has been used in a lot of places, but man.  Listen to those lyrics...  You can't tell me that's not The Hunger Games.  It's a great soundtrack--but it would've been better with Letters, just my opinion.

Any song you wish had been included?

Hope you enjoy,

Ninja Girl

P.S. LOVED the movie!!!  So good I've already seen it twice...and am planning to go a third time :D

Monday, March 19, 2012

POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder


Maria V. Snyder's Poison Study kept me intrigued from page one.

The main character, Yelena, is next in line to be executed.  Murderers are not tolerated in Ixia, no matter the excuse.  On the day she's set to hang, however, Yelena is given another choice: Become the Commander's new food taster, learn to identify every poison placed before her, and live the rest of her days one spoonful away from death. 

I loved the plot, but when Valek stepped on the scene I knew it would be a great read.  The best assassin in Ixia, a man known and feared by all, Valek is set to be Yelena's mentor, teaching her to identify the many poisons out there.  Their relationship is strained from the start.  Valek tricks Yelena into drinking Blue Butterfly's Dust, a poison that will kill her slowly (and painfully) unless she receives the antidote each morning.  An antidote Valek keeps under lock and key. 

How else would they keep the food taster from making a run for it? 

And that was one of the things that Snyder did so well.  She closed up those loose ends so deftly.  Not only that, but she did it in such a way that it made the story even more dire.  Yelena is in constant danger throughout the book.  Possible poisoning is only the tip of the iceberg (though I loved those scenes where Yelena learned how to identify each poison by taste, smell, color.  Very detailed and well thought out, gave the book much more depth imo).

She's still not rid Reyad, the man she killed and the son of a General.  His ghost keeps popping up to torture Yelena even beyond the grave, and his General daddy still wants Yelena's head on a platter.  When General Brazell comes to Ixia, his troops are gunning for Yelena; nowhere she goes is safe--not even her own living quarters.  I felt that sense of danger the entire time.  And there are plenty of scenes where Yelena had to save herself--she was tough as nails, and I loved her for that.

Valek was a great character, a big fan of him and his snark.  Couldn't get enough of him, and I really enjoyed his quiet chemistry with Yelena.  Still, I could’ve got more from a romance perspective.  Actually, there was a great build-up; I really felt the tension between them.  But when it came time for the resolution, it happened too fast and wasn't really enough for me. 

The magic aspect was interesting and I'm sure will be explained more in the next books.  Ari and Janco were awesome, two of my favorites.  They watched Yelena's back in a place where treachery and betrayal were around every corner.  The adventure was constantly pushing the story forward.  Overall, I really, really loved this J

Poison Study was wonderful; the intrigue/kingdom espionage kinda reminded me of Kristin Cashore's Graceling or Gabaldon's Outlander (both definite favorites).  So glad I finally read it!

Happy reading,

Ninja Girl

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY

Hi everyone!  I only do "Waiting on Wednesday" posts when I've found something really awesome--which I totally did yesterday.  It's a meme hosted over at Breaking the Spine, featuring those books that are just too good, the ones you wish were out. Right. This. Second.


If the cover wasn't enough to get me hooked, check out this fantastic summary from Goodreads:

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

I, Ninja Girl, am officially salivating!!  I feel like that girl from Willy Wonka.  You know the one, that whiny Veruca Salt who wanted a golden goose?  Yeah, Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill is my golden goose and I want it.  Now.  So much I'm about two seconds away from bursting out in song lol ;)  Big thanks to the ladies over at Stalking the Bookshelves for directing me to my WoW pick!

Hope you all have a good one,

Ninja Girl

Thursday, March 8, 2012

BORN WICKED by Jessica Spotswood

Can we just talk about that awesome cover for a sec?  Okay, so I'm not all that big into witches.  Don't know why; it's not like I have anything against them.  I just don't look for the witch factor.  The premise hooked me, but I never would've have read it without this lovely cover and title.  The color scheme is just right¸ kind of a bronzy-gold with those colorful flowers that make it pop.  It's romantic and whimsical yet a little lazy/hazy.  How can you not love it?

And Born Wicked as the title of a YA about three sisters who are witches, living in an age where that fact would surely get you imprisoned--or worse?

Yes and yes!

Cate Cahill is running out of time.  In an effort to control young ladies and the evil within, the priests of the Brotherhood have mandated either marriage or the Sisterhood.  Cate has six months to decide--or have the brothers decide for her.  Her childhood best friend has already expressed an interest, but as Cate finds herself falling for the irresistibly smart gardener, Finn Belastra, for the first time, she's unsure.

Up until now, she's kept her promise to her mother, protecting her two younger sisters--and the family secret.  The Brotherhood doesn't tolerate witches.  If they knew, the Cahill sisters would be hauled away to the asylum like so many of the other girls in town.  Even a whiff of suspicion could send everything tumbling down, but Cate is always vilgilant, looking out for Maura and Tess, making sure they don't use their magic and accidently reveal themselves.

But someone already knows their secret.  They think the Cahill girls may be the sisters from a prophecy--and they will stop at nothing to get to them and their magic.

I enjoyed this book immensely.  I liked the historical setting and the fanatical Brotherhood.  The picture of these men, parading around in the guise of priesthood and telling young women that they are inherently evil, was very Crucible-esque.  Also reminded me of Jane Eyre and how unfairly she was treated by Mr. Brocklehurst  (*Grrrrr*  I really, really disliked that man).  The constant threat of the Brotherhood was handled very well, especially in the scenes where girls would suddenly be dragged away simply b/c they might be witches.  Very well done.

I couldn't help but love Cate.  She did everything she could to fill the shoes of her mother.  She looked after Maura and Tess as best she could.  They were always her first priority, and I loved that.  Maura, on the other hand, was a selfish little twit.  I'm sorry, but seriously, she was just concerned with herself and her dreams, and while that's all fine and good, she should've given more thought to her sisters.  But that's why Cate was the main character.  I think Spotswood picked the right sister to tell the story.  I loved Tess as well, but Maura needs to grow up a little and redeem herself in Book 2.  Ninjas don't like selfish/easily persuadable people :p

Finn Belastra is my newest book boyfriend.  He was smart, he wore glasses, he had a thing for Cate the whole time and would've fought the entire Brotherhood before he let them lay a hand on Cate or his loved ones.  Oh, Finn, why can't there be more guys like you in YA?  Is it obvious that I'm drooling over here b/c I totally am!!  Cate and Finn's first kiss was simply sublime, the romance right on point.  Can't say enough how much I loved Mr. Belastra <3

Born Wicked was a great read; it definitely gets the Ninja Girl stamp of approval!  Hope you like the Cahill sisters as much as I did.

Happy reading,

Ninja Girl

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

TUNE IN TUESDAY


Hi all! Tune in Tuesday is a meme hosted over at GReads that showcases music.  This week it's the Book Edition, which means pairing great songs with great books.  I've been watching so much of The Voice lately (totally my guilty pleasure/obsessionJ) that I couldn't resist sharing some of my faves!

First off, Jamar Rogers's rendition of Seven Nation Army and Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me.  I just think this song and the way he performed it was so bad a**.  Could totally be either Juliette's or Warner's theme song.



Next, Lindsey Pavao singing Say Aah.   I've paired it with Ward's Dark Lover (the first book of BDB) b/c it's smooth yet gritty, more than a little in your face, and Pavao's voice gives it a dangerous quality.  And Ward's writing is always all of those things ;D



Then, of course, I have to include my favorite audition: Jesse Campbell singing A Song For You.  I had to pair a favorite with a favorite, so I went with Anna and the French Kiss.  The man is so darn likable! Doesn't hurt that he has a powerhouse voice and is so modest about it.  Just wow!!



And as an added bonus…Jamie Lono's version of Folsom Prison Blues.  No book, just Jamie.  I LOVE that guy!



Do any of you watch The Voice???  If not, look up; four great reasons why you might want to start*wink wink*

Have a great one,

Ninja Girl