Waiting On Wednesday (31): Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

My Pick This Week Is...

Liars, Inc.
By Paula Stokes

Expected publication: March 24th 2015 by HarperTeen
368 pages

"Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell lies to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money and liven up a boring senior year. With the help of his friends Preston and Parvati, Max starts a business providing forged permission slips and cover stories for the students of Vista Palisades High. Liars, Inc. they call it. Suddenly everybody needs something and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative?

When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn’t think twice about hooking him up. Until Preston never comes home. Then the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead the cops to Preston’s body. Terrifying clues that point to Max as the murderer.

Can Max find the real killer before he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit?"  ~ Goodreads

Why?

Uh, why not? Oh right, my bad, yeah that plot sounds bor-ing. And really, a mystery? What are they thinking, that is so not cool. And that cover? It isn't even wickedly awesome in the slightest!

Okay, okay. Enough. In all seriousness, I think a murder mystery would be such a great change of pace for me. I just recently discovered this one and I really, really can't wait to get my hands on it. Need. It. Now! 

What are YOU waiting for this Wednesday? Leave links and I'll visit!

Review for Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

Princess of the Midnight Ball (Princess #1)
By Jessica Day George 
Published January 20th 2009 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Borrowed from Local Library
280 pages

"Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of twelve princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all—true love—to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well, and as cruel as the King Under Stone has seemed, his wrath is mere irritation compared to the evil that awaits Galen and Rose in the brighter world above." ~ Goodreads

Review

 There is no doubt that Jessica Day George knows how to put her own spin on a classic. She accomplishes it in such a way that you at times forget she based it on a Grimm tale!

I remember reading the story of The Twelve Dancing Princesses many times in my old worn-out fairytale book when I was young. It was delightful to see how Princess of the Midnight Ball took the main ideas of the original and fleshed it out. I couldn't quite forge a deep connection with the characters because of the way it was written. However, they are very amiable and I did care for them. Galen was not brooding or arrogant, he was humble and kind. He had manners, wasn't ashamed of his skill at knitting, and yet he was not in the slightest a pansy. Instead, he was the perfect hero - one the girls needed. The princesses were a bit hard to keep track of, but I enjoyed how they acted like typical sisters. Rose was obviously my favourite. She was family oriented and did not stick her head in the sand regarding their situation. When the time came, she was prepared to do something. As for the rest of the characters they each were given personalities that fit.

I wouldn't call Princess of the Midnight Ball fast paced, but it was engaging. Events flowed nicely together and as expected things turn out in a way that will curl your toes in contentment (I hope that isn't a spoiler). It is a fairytale retelling after all. Again, the spin that is used (namely, the curse the girls are under) makes so much sense and provides a strong basis for the rest of the story. I loved how pieces of the original tale would pop up in between the expanded portions of the book. Very cleverly executed!

I highly recommend Princess of the Midnight Ball to readers who enjoy Grimm tale retellings, fairytales, princesses, princes, originality, and of course sweet heros. A quick pleasure read at its finest!

Excerpt

"Allow me to give you this orange, Your Highness, along with my wishes for a swift recovery."

"That's very generous of you, Master Galen," she replied, a faint light kindling in her eyes, "especially since they are my family's oranges." She took it from him, rolling it between her palms. "And considering that my illness is most likely a result of falling into the fountain the day we met."

Galen winced. He had known she would remember that, but he had hoped she wouldn't hold it against him. Although, judging by the faint smile on her pale lips, she didn't mean it in earnest.

"Well, Your Highness, I know that I am indeed handsome, but I can hardly be blamed if my good looks overcame you so strongly that you fainted," he said, striking a pose. He had butterflies in his stomach, wondering if he was taking the teasing to far.

But he was rewarded: Rose laughed, a high, clear sound, and lobbed the orange at him.

Stacking the Shelves (11)

Stacking the Shelves is a meme created/hosted by the lovely Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews! (All credit goes to her for this meme.) If you want to participate click on the link! The more the merrier! It's a chance to showcase titles that arrived in the mail or for review... any book goodies over the past week (or weeks for me).

(click on the covers to see their Goodread's synopsis)

Free Ebooks From Amazon 

 



I always look for free ebooks (I'm so cheap) and was excited to find these! I can't wait to read all three of them. They're all so different, it will be nice to switch between genres. 

What did you lovelies get? Leave links to your post and I'll visit. Thanks for reading...

Review for Everblue (Mer Tales #1) by Brenda Pandos

Everblue (Mer Tales #1)

By Brenda Pandos
Published March 22nd 2012 by Obsidian Mountain Publishing
Free Ebook
304 pages

"She wanted her life to change... he wanted his to stay the same.
Best friends share everything with each other. Or do they? Seventeen-year-old Ashlyn Frances Lanski is tired of her boring, single life. Spending time with her best friend Tatiana, dreaming about kissing Tatiana's twin brother Fin, and swimming competitively are her only sanctuary. The girls plan to leave their drab lakeside town far behind for college. But when Tatchi fails to return home after a family emergency, and no one knows where the family has gone, Ash chooses to do something drastic to find them.
Ashlyn is about to discover what she'd thought to be true her whole life, wasn't, and the truth, too fantastical to imagine. Secrets lurk beneath the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, secrets that will change Ashlyn's life forever." ~ Goodreads

Review

Everblue had the potential  to be great with its own take on the mermaid world, but it fell short in quite a few ways.

Ashlyn, Ashlyn, Ashlyn. It was easy to relate with certain aspects of her personality, especially the timid side. However, as time went on I sadly came to a point where I didn't care what happened to her. (On a bit of a side note, I have no idea what the synopsis means by her "doing something drastic to find them", I don't remember her doing anything. She was a complete bystander.) Her initial crush on Fin was cute and her loyalty to Tatiana endearing. The biggest issue for me was the lack of relationship development . Not enough page time to get a deep connection or understanding of her friendships with these people. There is only one scene with Tatiana and Ash in the entire book. I couldn't get a feel for why they were friends - there wasn't even a childhood flashback. 

Same goes with the romantic relationship between Ash and Fin. In the first half they have one brief interaction. There were no real reasons given as to why Ash and Fin had a crush on each other other than the obvious physical attraction. Then, later on when things get a bit more interesting with their relationship it feels so forced. They may have known each other since childhood, but it totally felt like insta-love. On a positive note, it was refreshing to see two sets of parents in the picture! The character that I loved most was Ash's father because he was so understanding and caring. It was beautiful. 

The mer society was interesting and sufficiently developed. Aspects such as the "promising" were very loyal to mermaid lore and made Everblue stand out from the crowd. However, the first half of the book left me waiting for something - anything - to happen. Even after the pace picked up slightly and more substance was added to the plot, it became a chore to finish reading. That really saddens me to say. The dual POV's (Ash and Fin) were done well and it was great to see the difference between worlds.

I (don't know if I should) suggest Everblue to readers who like mermaid tales. It is important to mention that many, many people love it and I am in the minority. So, the choice lies with you. 

Excerpt

“Would I like this boy?"

I bit my lip to keep from smiling. "Yeah. I think so. He's nice."

"So I imagine you'll need a dress?"

"Yeah, probably."

"And I'll need a gun."

"Dad!”

Waiting On Wednesday (30): The Heir by Kiera Cass

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

My Pick This Week Is...

The Heir (The Selection #4)
By Kiera Cass 

Expected publication: May 5th 2015 by HarperTeen

352 pages

"Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story. But as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she always thought" ~ Goodreads

Why?

I know I have only read the first book in the series (and didn't really love it), but come on. I had to pick this one. First of all the cover. CAN THESE COVERS GET ANY MORE GOREGOUS?! Seriously, it blows my mind. Second, I love the idea that The Heir takes place twenty years later with the offspring of the heroine. Yeah, that should be interesting. Plus, think of all the potential suitors... Anyway, I have to get going here and read The Elite and The One, so I can properly prepare myself.

What are YOU waiting for this Wednesday? Leave links and I'll visit!

Review for Rebel Wing (The Diatous Wars #1) by Tracy Banghart

Rebel Wing (The Diatous Wars #1)

By Tracy Banghart
Published July 29th 2014 by Alloy Entertainment
Received Ebook from NetGalley
372 pages

"The Dominion of Atalanta is at war. But for eighteen-year-old Aris, the fighting is nothing more than a distant nightmare, something she watches on news vids from the safety of her idyllic seaside town. Then her boyfriend, Calix, is drafted into the Military, and the nightmare becomes a dangerous reality.
Left behind, Aris has nothing to fill her days. Even flying her wingjet—the thing she loves most, aside from Calix—feels meaningless without him by her side. So when she’s recruited to be a pilot for an elite search-and-rescue unit, she leaps at the chance, hoping she’ll be stationed near Calix. But there’s a catch: She must disguise herself as a man named Aristos. There are no women in the Atalantan Military, and there never will be.
Aris gives up everything to find Calix: her home. Her family. Even her identity. But as the war rages on, Aris discovers she’s fighting for much more than her relationship. With each injured person she rescues and each violent battle she survives, Aris is becoming a true soldier—and the best flyer in the Atalantan Military. She’s determined to save her Dominion . . . or die trying." ~ Goodreads

Review

Rebel Wing may initially feel like a "been there done that" sort of book, but in truth it is well written and highlights the importance of finding one's identity and independence.

Aris has guts. Posing as a man is one thing, but transforming into a solider is another. The training described is hard - especially for her in her weakened state. It impressed me how this girl who had been treated as a broken doll pushes herself to do the incredible. Her personal growth is astounding. By the end of the book she becomes an independent woman. It is refreshing how the romance doesn't overwhelm the book. Yes, it is the inciting force for her to join the Military, but that changes. She comes to realize the bigger picture and how she can make a difference. The rest of the characters were varied and fulfilled their respective roles (friend, commander, potential love interest, etc.)

The dystopian world is described very well, namely the sectors and dominions. The biggest indicator that it is futuristic is the technology, but I appreciated that it is not far fetched. Rebel Wing is engaging and keeps a steady pace. The chapters alternate between two seemingly parallel stories, which proved to be intriguing. One was Aris' story and the other showed what was going on politically. It definitely enhanced the whole experience.

I highly recommend readers to give Rebel Wing a chance, especially those who look for a strong female lead. You may be surprised. 

Excerpt

High above the olive groves and blinding white roofs of the village, Aris danced. She twisted and dove, guiding her wingjet straight out over granite cliffs and the glitter of the ocean. As she did, she imagined its wings were her arms, reaching far out into the blue. Her fingers would knife through a wisp of cloud, and the moisture would linger against her skin, like a kiss. Most everyone here could fly. But no one flew like Aris did.

Stacking the Shelves (10)

Stacking the Shelves is a meme created/hosted by the lovely Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews! (All credit goes to her for this meme.) If you want to participate click on the link! The more the merrier! It's a chance to showcase titles that arrived in the mail or for review... any book goodies over the past week (or weeks for me).

(click on the covers to see their Goodread's synopsis)

Borrowed From Library

  

Having already read and reviewed Cress, I can give my full recommendation: it is worth the read! Pick it up as soon as you can - the whole series. Trust me. As for the Princess of the Midnight Ball I look forward to another fairytale retelling (I am SO in the mood for these right now).

Net Galley

  

A big shout of thanks to Net Galley and the authors/publishers/people! I cannot wait to devour these three! Rebel Wing so far is looking very promising.

What did you lovelies get? Leave links to your post and I'll visit. Thanks for reading...

Review for Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3)

By Marissa Meyer
Published February 4th 2014 by Feiwel & Friends
Borrowed from Local Library
550 pages

"Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.
Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.
When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has." ~ Goodreads

Review

The third instalment of the Lunar Chronicles packs a punch with the addition of new characters and a thickening plot!

I admire Cinder and Scarlet's tough personality, but it was a nice change to meet Cress. I personally relate to her. She's socially awkward, lacks self confidence, and is a hopeless romantic. I feel like she's an underdog and I always love rooting for the underdog. Then, there is Thorne. I've never met a character quite like him before. His statements are blunt, yet charming. He is not one you would think of as funny, yet he had me laughing more than once. His, well, special, situation in Cress made for quite the bit of entertainment. Together, Cress and Thorne made such a cute duo. It was awkward at times, but my heart melted at the subtle things, like how they both relied on each other. I hope their relationship is taken farther!

Again and again, Marissa Meyer flaunts her writing abilities. It's amazing to see how everything is coming together, all the details she left behind in the previous books and I can assure you the fast pace continues. The multiple POV's has always been a trademark of sorts and I've always appreciated them. It gives immense insight in to what is really going on. However, at times I am so curious to see what happens with one character that I have to restrain myself from flipping ahead. This was the case with Cress and Thorne.

I highly recommend the whole series to readers who search for adventure, action, romance (like three couples worth), dystopian settings, and of course that hint of fairytale retelling!

Excerpt

There he was.

Carswell Thorne.

Though they were separated by two screens and vast amounts of empty space, she could feel the link being forged between them in that look. A bond that couldn't be broken. Their eyes met for the first time, and by the look of pure amazement on his face, she knew he felt it too.

Heat crept up into her cheeks. Her hands began to shake.

"Aces," Carswell Thorne murmured. Dropping his feet to the ground, he leaned forward to inspect her closer. "Is that all hair?"

The bond snapped, the fantasy of one perfect true-love moment disintegrating around her.

Book Trailer