Wednesday, July 31, 2013

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY

 
Hey there, "Waiting on Wednesday" is a meme hosted over at Breaking the Spine, featuring those books that you wish were out. Right. This. Second.

I kinda cheated this week.  *cue shifty eyes*  My WoW pick actually came out yesterday--but I'm so excited I had to share :D.

 
Ninja Aunt P and I LOVE this series!!  We stormed our local Books-A-Million yesterday and grabbed 3 copies (one for her, one for me, and one for Ninja Aunt C).  Seriously, Kate Daniels is the best heroine in UF.  Yeah, I said it.  If you haven't read these books, I'd definitely recommend them--but start with Book 1 b/c you don't want to miss any of the awesome ;).
 
 
Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…
 

Yes, this is one of those series I'm a little fanatical about.  Yes, Kate and Curran are one of my favorite couples eva.  Yes, I cheated and posted a book that just came out.  But it's Kate Daniels.  Can you blame me?

Hope you're all having a great week,

Ninja Girl

Friday, July 19, 2013

VERONICA MARS MYSTERIES?!?

 
So, I'm a huge Veronica Mars fan.  For real, I love Veronica and her fierce, marshmallow-y, overly curious self.  Wallace, her best friend, was A-mazing (proof that you can have a boy-girl relationship where they remain "just friends" and have it work).  I LOVED LOGAN!!  Like seriously.  It was a real thing--the only person I might've loved more was Weevil :).

Anyway, like so many others, I was devastated when they cancelled the show years ago.  One of the only great things on TV and they cancel?  Grrrrrr, so so wrong.

But check out what I just found on Publisher's Lunch:

"Rob Thomas' two original Veronica Mars mysteries"
 
Ahhhhh!  There are going to be Veronica Mars books?!?!?!?!?  Yessssssssssss!  Excuse me while I happy dance :)
 
 
V Mars in book form...I can't even...I am SO reading those books.  Any other Veronica Mars fans in the house?  I can't wait!!
 
Ninja Girl


Monday, July 15, 2013

PUSHING THE LIMITS by Katie McGarry


Before I read Pushing the Limits, I saw it literally everywhere.  Lots of the blogs I follow had reviews up, and they were all sparkling.  I saw it every time I went to the bookstore.  Everyone (truly, I can't recall one bad review) fell in love with this book.

And yet, I held back.

It was probably b/c whenever I see a story like this--a YA romance with lots of drama--there's a 50/50 chance I won't enjoy it.  Why?  Well, in romance especially, I'm one of those people who have to care about the characters first, plot second.  Stories like this depend completely on the main characters.  So, I didn't pick it up immediately, and now my only question is:

Why did I wait so long? J

Echo and Noah were both intriguing.  I mean, seriously, I can't pick a favorite; I liked them both equally.  The dual POV was used to great affect here.  I got a chance to be in the heads of the characters, and I loved it.  Both kids are dealing with their own issues (Echo with her scars and tragic past, Noah with the death of his parents, losing custody of his brothers).  But what made them even more interesting was their initial dislike for each other.

I really love it when there are these awful first impressions.  McGarry did a great job here b/c both Echo and Noah were equally prejudiced at first.  Echo thinks Noah's an antagonistic jerk who's constantly stoned.  He thinks she's a hot, weird girl with perfect grades and the perfect life.  And the changes in perspective come about so naturally b/c the writing is spot on.

Everything changes when: Noah sees Echo's scars for the first time.

His reaction surprises her.  Instead of being a jerk about it or spreading rumors, he keeps her secret.  This is when their feelings really begin to take off.  Noah is curious about Echo, can't get her out of his head.  Echo doesn't know what to think about Noah's silence.  It's the perfect catalyst.

Which brings me to The Romance. *sigh* The chemistry was undeniable.  When Noah gives Echo his coat at a party--his only coat mind you--and then almost kisses her b/c it's her birthday…  When he serves her dinner at the diner…  The way he always accepted and didn't freaked out about Echo's scars or ask her to hide them…  The development of their relationship was terrific and had a believable desperation.

Actually, I think this book is what New Adult aspires to be.  It's extremely dramatic--McGarry's characters go through hell, and you never know until the end if they'll make it out in one piece.  The romance is mature with high stakes that will have life-altering consequences.  Even though Echo and Noah are still in high school, we get the sense that they are adults already, forced to grow up faster b/c of their experiences.

Great book, I really loved the chemistry/romance, and the resolution at the end!!  I'm sorry I waited so long to read it--but I will keep an eye out for any more of McGarry's books J

Happy reading,

Ninja Girl

Saturday, July 13, 2013

STACKING THE SHELVES (13)

 
Hi there! Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.  I went on vacation and found an amazing Books-A-Million!!  Seriously, it kinda put ours to shame--anyway, here are the books I got.

 
List of books: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
                        Belle Epoque by Elizabeth Ross
                        Hooked by Liz Fichera
                        Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
                        Delirium by Lauren Oliver
                        The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
                        The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
                        Matched by Allie Condie

First up to read:

 
I've been waiting patiently for this sequel to come out--and now it's HERE!! Yay, throws confetti!  I can't wait to dig in.  One of the coolest premises in my haul had to be Elizabeth Ross's Bell Epoque.  I've never read a concept with a "beauty foil" (basically hiring an unattractive person to play your friend and make you look better by comparison).  And I've heard a lot about Jandy Nelson, so I'm expecting a lot :)

Hope you got some really great books as well!

Ninja Girl

Thursday, July 4, 2013

HAPPY JULY 4TH!

 
Hi all!  Just wanted to do a quick post to wish everyone (even if you're not in the U.S.):

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

Hope everyone has a great holiday,

Ninja Girl

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Teaser Tuesday: BORN OF ILLUSION by Teri Brown


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open it to a random page
  • Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO REVEAL SPOILERS! (Be sure not to spoil the book for others!
  • Make sure your sentences don't reveal something important!)
  • Include the title and author to, so that other participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!
So technically, I just finished reading this one--but it was awesome, and I had to share!  Plus, isn't that cover Gorgeous???

Teaser:

"The moment our fingers meet, a spark flashes between us, so powerful I feel my heart stutter.  We stand frozen as the first shock subsides into frothy, electrical pulses that travel between our palms and tickle my flesh like effervescent bubbles."--pg. 12 & 13, Born of Illusion

And a second one just because :-).

"I shuffle a single card through my fingers several times, pop it in the air, and catch it in the middle of the deck.  Then I do a one-handed cut, a flip back, and then, for flourish, a long spring.

Some girl indeed."--pg. 180, Born of Illusion

What I really liked is how this book took me to another time and place.  I haven't read a lot of YAs set in this time period (1920s New York), and of course, I'm a sucker for magic and romance :).

Hope everyone's having a great week,

Ninja Girl