Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Title: Unearthly

Author: Cynthia Hand

Pages:  448

Genre: YA/ Paranormal

Source: NetGalley

Clara Gardner found out a few years ago that she's part Angel.  When she begins to have the same visions / dreams over and over, her mother (also of the angelic nature) explains that her "purpose" is becoming known to her.  Every time Clara's visions occur they become more and more involved until they are finally able to pinpoint the location of where it's going to occur.  She and her family pack up their bags and move away from sunny California to a small town surrounded by mountains. 

There she meets the boy in/of her dreams... Christian.  He's exactly how she thought he would be.  Handsome, friendly, popular - but he also has a girlfriend.  She knows he's her destiny and is determined to make him see that they belong together.  But while figuring out her angelblood abilities, making new friends and getting Christian to notice her - she ends up falling for another boy - placing herself and her purpose in jeopardy.

Oh but I loved this story!  Clara was a great heroine.  As an angel you'd think she'd be more secure of who she is and what she looks like, but instead she suffers the same insecurities any girl her age would.  I loved that she wasn't perfect.  It wasn't all harps and angelic voices when she walked into a room.  She was clumsy at times, her hair was bright orange so she stood out in a crowd, she was whiny and sometimes she was even selfish - yet it balanced out perfectly with all her other endearing qualities.  I loved how this other boy (the non-Christian boy who I refuse to name although I'm sure once you pick up the book you'll figure it out soon enough) comes into her life.  The love/hate relationship they have at first is great.  I loved how it slowly progressed and became a sigh-worthy romance. 

Aside from the romance and the great leading lady, there were some other aspects of the story that I really liked.  For one, I think Ms. Hand does a phenomenal job in getting across how important family is to Clara.  Her mother and younger brother, although they play smaller roles in this first book of the trilogy, will most likely have bigger roles in the upcoming storyline.  I also really enjoyed the friendships Clara forges with some of her classmates.  And then, of course, there was the mystery of it all.  Her Angel-ism (yes, I made that word up) is a big mystery.  I truly loved learning along with Clara.  You feel the joy and adrenaline when she first learns how to fly or the comfort and relaxation of a day spent lazying away on a river. 

All in all, I loved Unearthly.  I must admit Angels are not my forte, but this angel book is definitely one I cannot recommend enough.  It was a lovely story - one that although ends with some questions answered, leaves you with many new questions.  I cannot wait to see what happens next! 

My Rating:

Bookcase of the Week - Starring... Stacie of SimplyStacie

On this week's Bookcase of the Week it is with great pleasure that I bring you Stacie of SimplyStacie's bookcases. Most of you might know Stacie already - she runs this great blog featuring product and book reviews as well as tons of giveaways.  Because of her honest reviews, you'll see she has a ginormous following.  I asked to see if she'd be willing to take some time out of her busy schedule and participate in the Bookcase of the Week feature and she quickly sent me a lovely post with pictures.  So without further ado, here is what Stacie had to say:

My mom tells me I learned to read at age 3 and that I was constantly asking her to read to me. She said I always knew when she tried to skip a page and would promptly tell her about her mistake. Reading has been a favourite past time of mine since as long as I can remember. I remember reading my first novel in grade 2. It was Ramona Quimby- age 8 by Beverly Cleary. After that, I read just about everything I could! Some of my favourite books were the Nancy Drew series, The Baby-sitter's Club series, Sweet Valley High series and many many more. I loved going to the public library and checking out books. I remember reading a book a day or more. 

I remember when I was about 12 years old, I started reading some of my mom's books- Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews and some of Jackie Collins books (yes, I know I was WAY to young for these!). I had to hide them from my mom. I remember putting another book jacket on the books to make it look like I was reading something else LOL!

I got out of reading novels for a few years while I attended college and university because I was so busy reading textbooks. I had no time for my beloved books. When I finished school, I was so excited to finally be able to get back into reading again. I found so many new books and authors and it was exciting for me to get back into it. 

Now, I have a HUGE collection of books! I have bookcases and bookshelves all over my house. 

This picture shows one section of my YA collection. Since reading Twilight a couple years ago, I have fallen in love with this genre. I have started collecting a number of series including Night World, Vampire Diaries and Vampire Academy. I also have read the three books in the LA Candy series by Lauren Conrad. Most of the books are still TBR- I need more time to read! My blog keeps me so busy.

On the top shelf you can see my fiance's Star Wars collection. I have zero interest in reading them! LOL

This picture shows my Chicken Soup for the Soul books that I have read. I am part of their blogger program and get a book each month. Also on that shelf are my MC Beaton books. I started reading her quirky mysteries and really enjoy them. 

I started collecting the Gossip Girl books and the It Girl books. I love the show and wanted to give the books a try. They are also for my 12 year old daughter to read as well.

My new obsession has been The Pretty Little Liars series. I LOVE them!!! I have read the first 5 and need to go out and buy the rest in the series.

Jodi Picoult is one of my favourite authors. I discovered her books about 3 years ago. My favourites so far have been The Pact and Nineteen Minutes. I still need to read My Sister's Keeper and have heard that is one of her best.

I also have the Harry Potter books. I have read the first four and want to read them again and finish all the books.

John and I started to collect hardcovers of Stephen King. I read many of his books back in high school. My favourites were The Shining and Pet Semetary.

Stacie this was such an amazing tour of your bookshelves.  I loved looking through all your books and comparing my book covers with yours - since most of yours are different from mine. I was extremely impressed by your collection of Stephen King hardcovers - I have read him since I was in middle school and should start collecting some of his older works too.  I try to at least read something by him once or twice a year.  Thank you so much for sharing your wonderfully detailed pictures.  

For those of you who haven't passed on through to Stacie's yet, please visit her here (tell her I say HI!)

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Title: Awaken
Author: Katie Kacvinsky
Pages:  352
Genre: YA/ Dystopian
Source: NetGalley

The world you'll find in the pages of Awaken is not as far fetched as you'd think.  Which, quite frankly, makes it a very scary world.  Imagine not having the need to leave your home.  You go to school online.  Talk to your friends online.  Watch favorite tv shows, the news, or even read books online.  You can even go on a virtual date online.  Why bother leaving your home - when you are doing all this in the safety and comfort of your home.  It doesn't matter what you're wearing or how you look.  You are an avatar.  You can do anything you want to do and be anyone you want to be.  It's the perfect world... or is it?

Maddie has been content living her life in the digital world.  After the incident a few years ago (when she was going through that rebellious phase that threatened to tear her family apart) she has been more than happy to lay low and live the way her father wants her to.  But then she meets Justin Solvi.  Justin who questions everything she believes in.  Who convinces her that living behind a computer is not living at all. 

I loved this book!  I especially loved that it seemed a very realistic fate for humankind.  My favorite type of dystopia, I might add.  The year is 2060, not so very far down the line, and I can definitely see a world where computers are at its forefront.  I mean 15 years ago who would have thought we would be where we are now when it comes to electronics and the world wide web.  Just think how much time we normally spend in front of our computers.  My job has me sitting in front of a computer 7 hours - plus at least 1 to 2 hours at home on week nights... and then there are the countless hours on our phones, iPads, etc.  I don't know about you, but I'm definitely hooked.  This book really gets you thinking.

Obviously, I am a fan of the world building.  Putting that aside, I also really enjoyed the characters.  The interactions between Maddie and Justin were enjoyable.   I loved how their relationship develops slowly throughout the story.  Even though I had a few moments where I didn't trust Justin (his interest in Maddie seemed too much about "the better good", as well as he had this terrorist vibe to him), but little by little he grew on me and I ended up really liking him.  I also really liked the push and pull between those who believed in being "digitalized" and those who wanted more human interaction.  As the reader, you are conflicted because both sides have some very interesting points.  It's not all good vs. evil or black vs. white.  I really found it thought provoking and it surely had me thinking about it long after I was done with it.
 

I'm not sure if this is a stand alone... I guess it can be, but I feel that we need more closure.  I truly hope that there is more to come.  Either way, Ms. Kacvinsky is definitely an author you'll want to keep an eye out for. All in all, I found Awaken to be a very powerful story, with three dimensional characters, action, suspense and romance.  A very worthy read and one that I highly recommend.

My Rating:

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Title:    Darkness Becomes Her

Author: Kelly Keaton

Pages:  288

Genre: YA/ Paranormal

Source: Simon & Schuster

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed. [via GoodReads]

This book completely took me by surprise.  I was not expecting  how awesome it would be.  There was a great mixture of paranormal characters - from vampires, shifters, witches, Goddess's and Gods, Demigods, and even a Voodoo Priestess (and these were just a few of them).  Aside from the very cool characters, the setting, New Orleans (post-hurricane destruction) was very neat.  You could feel the mystery and the magic of it all - since one moment you were in a dilapidated mansion and the next you were dancing in the splendor of a ball gown.  

There's not much more I can say without giving too much away, but I will say this, Ms. Keaton did a phenomenal job in her debut novel. Ari is a kick-ass heroine and her story is one full of adventure, mystery, magic and romance.   I cannot wait to see what happens next!  Oh, and did I mention it was awesome?  It was!  Do yourself a favor and don't miss out on this one.  I guarantee it's like nothing you've read before. 

My Rating:

Manic Monday Recaps (Week 1/10/11)

Ughhhh.  I have been so sick.  They say it's the flu.  I have been in bed since Wednesday and still don't feel better.  I'm waxy, my skin is dry, my nose is red, my eyes are watery, I'm stuffy, annoyed and quite frankly, I need to wash my hair.   Yet, I somehow dragged myself out of bed today and brought my miserable butt to work today.  Haha.  It's going to be a good day.  Oh, and did I mention that when I'm sick I can't concentrate on reading.  I hate it!  You'd think I'd be able to lay in bed and read book after book while I get better.  But nope.  Instead, I'm happy to report that I watched TV.  Oh yes, loads of TV.  I had been recording The Vampire Diaries ever since 2009 and still had not watched one single episode.  So, that's what I did since Friday.  I watched episode after episode of The Vampire Diaries.

TEAM DAMON!

I don't know about you guys but, although I like Stefan, I LOVVVVEEE Damon!  Oh, if only Elena could just fall for the bad brother.  He's so deliciously evil, yet good in his own deliciously evil way.  He is awesome!  I lurv him.  Are any of you hooked on this show?  Team Damon anyone?  Or am I just twisted and always fall for the bad boys?

Here's what I plan on reading this week:

Last week I read the following:
- Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King
- Beauty's Punishment by A. N. Roquelaure
- The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher

I didn't review anything because I suck!


Have a great week friends.  Happy Reading!

My latest addiction

GetGlue stickers!!

Have any of you checked out GetGlue.  (GetGlue is a service that helps you find your next favorite movie, book, music album or other every day thing. GetGlue shows you things that you'll like based on your personal tastes, what your friends like, and what's most popular on GetGlue. taken from their website)    I know many of you are already on there but have any of you fallen prey to need for the stickers.  I have!  As of this moment, I have exactly 352 stickers.  I love it!  The above picture shows the first set of stickers I received in the mail last week.  I know, make fun of me if you must, but I was so excited when I saw that envelope in the mail.  I was stoked.  I'm considering having a weekly update on what stickers become available throughout each  week, etc.  Will you guys be interested in this?  If not, hey, it's no hair off my back (not that I have any hair on my back).  Anyway, tell me what you guys think.