Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOK

Dangerous Creatures cover

They cover has been revealed. This means I need to finish the first series! I love that they have a lollipop on the cover. It totally reminds me of Ridley.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Everything single thing you've heard about this book is true (or is it, maybe I am lying). It's wonderfully written. It's beautiful. It's crushing. It's romantic. I can't wait for more people to discover it in 2014 when it's finally released. Needless to say, a hardcover edition will be making it's way into my library. Be sure to add it to your Goodreads list!

MOVIE/TV

The Fault In Our Stars movie poster

Tag line aside, I actually really like the movie poster. I love that they allowed Shailene Woodley to be photographed with evidence of Hazel's illness for the poster. However much I dislike the tag line, the poster is certainly creating a lot of buzz, and the two leads look adorable together. It's been brought up that Augustus and Hazel would LOVE the tag line, and yes, I think they would. However, I don't think it's a good marketing tool. I am excited to see this, and cry all the tears.

Wicked is Coming!

Once Upon A Time revealed during their winter finale that the Wicked Witch of the West is on her way! I am excited to see what twist they'll put on Oz, and The Wicked Witch in general. Here's hoping that she's not related to Henry in some way (let's be honest though...she totally will be).

Dallas Buyers Club

I don't think I've mentioned that I've see this, or that I loved it. Jared Leto is my pick for Best Supporting Actor. He was almost unrecognizable in this role, and I really hope he ends up picking up a few awards this season. It's an emotional, but well acted movie.

So what are you obsessed with this week?

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia
Release Date - October 1, 2013
Publisher Website - Little Brown
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages - 320 pages
My Rating - 3.5/5
**obtained for review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Supernatural meets The Da Vinci Code in this action-packed paranormal thriller, the first book in a new series from New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia.

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.

Unbreakable is a mix of ghostly chills, romance, and friendship.  An entertaining, and rather scary horror filled story that offered a few surprises along the way.

Upon reading the synopsis my first thought was that this had been done before. My opinion is the same after reading it. There is nothing new, or particularly unique about the plot, or characters. Something like this requires the author to put their own spin on it, claim it as their own. At the end of the first book of this series, I see the potential for that to happen, but I don't think this installment succeeded in that just yet.

This novel did sometimes keep me on my toes. Things that I expected to happen didn't or they didn't happen in the manner I anticipated. Part of the allure of this novel was that the predictable aspect of some of the plot points was sidestepped, especially in the latter half of the novel.

The romance in this novel did not appeal to me in the slightest. Two brothers interested in the same girl is always uncomfortable to me, and I can see this 'triangle' being woven throughout all the books. There were a few scenes between Kennedy and one of the brothers that allowed me to see some potential between them. I wanted the characters fleshed out more, and a deepening of the connection between Kennedy and ONE of the brothers. It felt, to me, like the romance aspect was included simply because it's thought of as required. I didn't see the same planning as with the paranormal elements.

The backstory of the characters is almost entirely woven into the paranormal part of the story. It binds them to the story, cementing them into the world Kami Garcia has created. This strength in this story is the paranormal aspect. I found myself caught up in the race to find this weapon that they need. It created some tense moments. The unraveling of the history of The Legion and their true purpose was also fascinating to me. It drew me in and I definitely wanted to learn more.

I did want a little more from the characters, especially Jared and Lucas. I felt they were mostly interchangeable, other than one was kinder than the other. Priest ended up being my favourite character. Charming, self depreciating , and he provided most of the (much needed) comic relief. His journey is one that I am the most curious to continue. The subtle changes in his character in this novel left me with hope for his continued growth in the series.

A creepy, and surprising start to a new series. Even thought I wasn't totally sold, there is more than enough to pique my curiosity and have me coming back for the sequel.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOKS

Third Book In The Royal Circle trilogy by Katherine Longshore

We have a title!! BRAZEN will be the final book in the trilogy, and I can not wait for more details. Details, and a synopsis will be coming from Penguin shortly, and I can't wait. I am curious to learn more about the main character, and what events may be woven into the story based on the timing. Be sure to add it to your Goodreads to get all the details when available.

Dangerous Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

The Castor Chronicles is getting a spin off! Ridley and Link are taking centre stage in this New York City set companion series to Beautiful Creatures. I am excited to see what's next, and this gives me an excuse to finish the first series ASAP! You can add this to your Goodreads, and check out the full synopsis.

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

A Wizard of Oz where Dorothy is not the hero? SIGN ME UP! Deadline, who announced that the CW has optioned this for a TV Show described the  book/show this way

the magically-ever-youthful Dorothy has stayed in Oz, presiding over a now fascist fairyland with her perfectly manicured iron fist and the help of her henchmen - the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. But when another young woman from Kansas is swept up in a tornado and magically dropped into this war-torn Oz, our hero discovers a revolutionary underground of witches and enchanted beings only to learn that she is destined to lead their people in the fight to reclaim Oz from a power-hungry Dorothy's ruthless clutches.

Yup, pretty much LET ME HAVE IT NOW! I am going to be really excited when this comes out in April 2014. This one has flown under the radar a little, but I expect that is about to change. Also, keep an eye out for this in my 2014 Most Antcipated Reads event *wink* . If you haven't already, be sure to add it to your Goodreads.

Cover of Sisters' Fate by Jessica Spotswood 

I love this series, so much. The last book ripped my heart out, and left me a mess when all was said and done. I am dying to get my hands on this one. The last little bit of the synopsis? SHIVERS! *Obvious spoilers for the first two books in the series in the synopsis, so tread carefully*. I am also in love with this cover. The colours are so pretty.

TV/MOVIE

Dexter Series Finale

We're saying goodbye to Dexter. This makes me sad. Watching the following teaser for end made me anxious and terrified as to what is going to happen.


 
Dexter saying "This is all my fault" and the FBI closing in on Hannah! EEEP! Poor little Harrison better have a happy ending in all of this, that's all I am saying. 

So what are you obsessed with this week?

Waiting on Wednesday...Unbreakable

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.

Intriguing. It sound awesome, but also like it's been done before. I am hoping Kami Garcia can put her own spin on this genre, and that I end up loving this.

Expected release date October 1, 2013

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOKS

Cover of Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

I am not sure if it's the cover, or the synopsis but I want this book IMMEDIATELY. I can't wait to read it. I hope it's everything I am expecting it to be.

Cover/Synopis for All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

I am not even sure that it's the cover that has me excited for ths book. It's eye catching, but not something I normally love. I think it's that the synopsis sounds amazing. I am really looking forward to this one.

OTHER

Book Expo America

We are halfway done March. This means April is on it's way. This excites me! April means finding out autograph schedules for Book Expo America. It means finding out which authors will be at Teen Author Carnival, and a bunch of other stuff.

I am having fun making plans for drinks with bloggers, and am beyond excited for a bookish filled few days!

So what are you obsessed with this week?

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Release Date – October 12, 2010
Publisher Website - Little Brown and Company
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages -  503 pages
My Rating- 4/5
**Received from publisher for review**

****SPOILERS FOR BEAUTIFUL CREATURES****

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.   

Sometimes life-ending. 

 Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

Secrets, lies, and loss weave together in the second novel in the Caster Chronicles series. This delightfully, sinfully magical tale has made me fall for it's southern charm, and characters.

I enjoyed the characters in the first novel, and was happy to return to them. Ethan’s friend Link is especially delightful. A true friend who would literally follow Ethan anywhere, and who is brave in his own right. He provides wonderful moments  of humour and contrasts Ethan’s more serious nature perfectly.

I missed Lena in this installment. Her absence is achingly present, and I felt it as strongly as Ethan does. Their love story drives the entire plot, but as much as the first book was Lena’s, the second is all Ethan’s story.  Ethan’s family have secrets of their own, and with Lena pulling away, Ethan takes centre stage.

The love story between Lena and Ethan is deep. Their connection is intense and heightened. I was delighted to gain more insight into their connection and the characters themselves.

The choice of Ethan as narrator really made sense in this instalment. Lena's point of view could have been wonderful, but would have slide into depressing after the events of the first novel. Ethan's weariness, and his almost jaded outlook provide a perfect outlet for this story.

Lena’s Uncle Macon, whose death is still fresh, is still so present. His ghost haunts these pages with Lena’s mourning, and Ravenwood family secrets being revealed. As I adored this character, I was happy to have more about him be revealed.

The fun twists and turns made this novel a page turner. It left me wanting to scream, yell, sigh, and hug people all at various times. I think that fact that I already care so much about these characters speaks volumes about the characterization and the depths the writers have given each of them.

The setting can make or break and novel, and this gothic Southern setting is a hit. I immediately was drawn into the world of not only the Casters, but the South itself. It’s charm, and manners back dropped with it’s cemeteries, and voodoo make for an even more enchanting setting.

My only complaint is that I feel these books are a little drawn out. There is some aspects that could have been edited out to create a sharper, even stronger story.

The Caster Chronicles is story where good and evil aren’t always clear cut,  and where things are never quite what they seem. This second installment has made me want to pick up the third book immediately, and continue Ethan and Lena’s story.

Beautiful Creatures by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia

Beautiful Creatures by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia
Release Date – December 1, 2009
Publisher Website - Little Brown and Company
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages - 563 pages
My Rating- 4/5
**Purchased**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave. 

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever. 

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them. 

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

Southern Gothic mixes with paranormal in this magical tale of witches, curses and small towns. A slow, unraveling story that allows the characters to breathe.

The start of this novel starts off a little slow. A gradual build up leads to an intense finale. The pacing of the novel felt a little off as a result. I felt it could have easily been shortened and still told the same story. The plot points are well planned out and flow rather nicely, it’s just getting to each moment that drags on a little too long.

The Caster mythology and back story was well developed, and the weaving of the past with the present was nicely done. I found myself getting irritated, however, that nobody would talk to each other. Everyone is keeping secrets and it’s always for someone else’s ‘own good’. I loved the varying strengths and abilities of the Casters as it made for some interesting dynamics between the characters.

I haven’t read many novels with male narrators, so was pleasantly surprised to see this was from Ethan’s point of view, not Lena’s. Ethan is quite soft spoken, and seems like your every day, average teenager living in a small town. His aching desire for something more resonated with me. His need to escape his town and what he sees as his futures if he stays, made him feel different from everyone else.

Lena was surprising. From her clunky necklace, to her off beat fashion sense, she felt like a different kind of protagonist. She is dealing with something monumental, and I think her melt down is well earned. To feel like you don’t have a choice in your own future would be pretty devastating, and waiting for it to happen would be even worse. The things you see coming and feel powerless to change are the most maddening.

The romance between Lena and Ethan was rather sweet. I like that while there is an instant connection, the build up between them is anything but rushed. The relationship, with awkward ‘will you be my girlfriend’ talk and all, felt authentically real, and natural.

The secondary characters are my favourite. The are the ones that felt “larger than life” and stood out for me. Ridley with her bad girl ways and lollipop made for an intriguing antagonist for Lena. A character that fully embraces her sex appeal and flaunts it. Her motivations and actions are complex which made her character I wanted to know more about. I also loved Lena’s Uncle Macon Ravenwood. An intelligent, interesting character, who immediately draws your interest from the moment he enters the story. His love for Lena, and what he was willing to sacrifice for her, made me love him even more.

Magic, romance, and some unpredictable plot twists made this a fun read. While I wished it had been tightened up a bit, it’s a wonderful start to a different kind of witch story.