Broken Crown by Lauren DeStefano

Broken Crown by Lauren DeStefano
Release Date - March 22, 2016

Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 272 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

**spoilers for previous books in the series**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

War rages everywhere and Morgan is caught in the middle in the haunting conclusion of The Internment Chronicles, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Chemical Garden trilogy.

The city is falling out of the sky…

Morgan always thought it was just a saying. A metaphor. The words of the dying. But as they look up at the floating island that was their home, Pen and Morgan make a horrible discovery—Internment is sinking.

And it’s all Morgan’s fault.

Corrupted from the inside by one terrible king and assailed from the outside for precious resources by another, Internment could be destroyed because Morgan couldn’t keep a secret. As two wars become one, Morgan must find a way to bring her two worlds together to stop the kings that wage them…

Or face the furthest fall yet.

Finding your place in the world as a teenager is hard. Leaving your home behind and discovering some place new can be exciting and scary. Broken Crowns may be about war, and its cost. It may be about discovering the hidden truths behind things, but it is also about the eye opening and heavy rush of seeing the world outside your little piece of it for the first time... even if it is taken to this extremes in this case.

Lauren DeStefano is known for her simple, but beautiful writing. It's laced with lyrical quality that throws you into the story effortlessly. It is her writing that usually shines brightest in her novels. Characterization, along with her beautiful prose, is the selling feature of The Internment Chronicles series. This ending, especially, reminded me of that bittersweet time where everything is changing and people are going off in different directions.

The novel revolves around the war that is on the ground, and what Internment has that could be useful in the war. We quickly see that perhaps none of the rulers involved are good people and that this war could prove disastrous for not only the ground, but the city in the sky as well. The casualties of war are shown in the second book, and this third instalment deals with the fallout of that.

Morgan isn't going to save the world by fighting. She's not physically strong. There is a strength within her all the same. She's resilient, and leads with her heart. She has a taste for adventure and exploring. She's rebellious in her own ways. I love that Lauren DeStefano decided to create a heroine that is different from the typically physically strong trope that we've seen in abundance recently. Morgan never wanted to be involved in the situation she finds herself in, but she does what she can to protect those she loves and that is admirable.

Pen is such a fascinating character. Intelligent, cautious, and someone who has built walls around herself. The truth behind the reason for Pen's distrustful, and cold, demeanour is heartbreaking  and rage inducing. Her character is a direct contrast to Morgan who is an open book with her heart on her sleeve. The friendship between the two is my favourite relationship in the novel. It is the type of bond that is unshakeable. It is instinctual. Each of them know immediately what the other needs.

The romance between Basil and Morgan is one of my favourites. Kindness, patience, and understanding are the themes of their romance. Basil is such a sweet guy. There is plenty of uncertainty with a forbidden kiss between Morgan and Judas looming between them and the possibility that perhaps Morgan's heart may lead her in a different direction. There is not really a love triangle here however, and the status of their relationship at the end of the novel is one of the most realistic I've ever read in YA.

Ending a series is tricky and Lauren DeStefano has shown twice now that she capable of offering surprising and satisfying ends to her series. Broken Crowns is heartbreaking, hopeful and beautiful just like her previous series. Those looking for a thought provoking read that has some incredible characters will want to check out this series.

Burning Kingdom by Lauren DeStefano

Burning Kingdom by Lauren DeStefano
Release Date - March 10, 2015
Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 320 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received for an honest review from publisher**

**SPOILERS FOR PERFECT RUIN**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Danger descends in the second book of The Internment Chronicles, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Chemical Garden trilogy.

After escaping Internment, Morgan and her fellow fugitives land on the ground to finally learn about the world beneath their floating island home.

The ground is a strange place where water falls from the sky as snow, and people watch moving pictures and visit speakeasies. A place where families can have as many children as they want, their dead are buried in vast gardens of bodies, and Internment is the feature of an amusement park.

It is also a land at war.

Everyone who fled Internment had their own reasons to escape their corrupt haven, but now they’re caught under the watchful eye of another king who wants to dominate his world. They may have made it to the ground, but have they dragged Internment with them?

After the events of Perfect Ruin, I was eager to continue this intriguing series.It was a fast paced, jarring beginning to a series that promises to be filled with surprises. Burning Kingdoms offers up a sequel filled with beautiful, lyrical writing, a strong second novel in a series, and more the characters we came to love.

The first novel advanced the plot much faster than I anticipated. I did not expect the characters to reach the ground until the last installment of the series. This surprise left me eager to see what Lauren had in store for the plot as it meant it was going in a completely different direction than I anticipated. Burning Kingdoms proved once again that there are plenty of surprises still in store with this series. From it's pacing, setting and twists it moved the plot to places I didn't expect for THIS chapter in Morgan's story. This created a feeling of unexpectedness and an unpreparedness that became a vital part of the tone of the story.

The setting both feels like the 1920's and also something completely different. It's a mix of the scientific and the fantastical that blend together rather well. We learn more secrets about Internment even as we are discovering the secrets of those on the ground. This new setting and the characters we meet provided a fresh feel to the story and adeptly helped avoid the second book slump that can sometimes weigh down a series. This is not a rehash of the events in book one. This opens the world these characters inhabit and with it new connections and stories form.

The 'fish out of water' element to Morgan and the others from Interment was charming at times, and provided some much needed comic relief. This particular element of the story is rather well done, with the contrast and comparisons adding to the story rather than taking it over. The novel balances those funny moments with some truly insightful and beautiful moments. The ache of missing Internment and home is softly felt throughout the pages. The friendship between Morgan and Pen is especially endearing. These two are devoted friends and it feels true and fully realized. Their connection is a strong as any romance and incredibly nuanced.

This novel is a quieter, more pensive novel that the first. The first was all about the allure of the mystery and the quick pacing that offered. This novel feels like a game of chess where all the players are being put into positions and moves are tactically made for what is to come. This style fit the atmosphere of the book with everyone planning, plotting and the war that is ever brewing.

A solid follow up to a wonderful start to a series. Fans of the first novel will eagerly devour this one and (im)patiently wait for the finale. Lauren DeStefano shows, once again, that she is unafraid to make bold choices with her characters. There are casualties in any war, and with that nobody's safety is guaranteed going into the final part of Internment's story.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

Only one book for me this week. It's a good one though!

Burning Kingdoms by Lauren DeStefano (goodreads)

I am very excited to continue this story. I am sad about the cover change because I loved the other covers so much more. I really enjoyed Perfect Ruin though so I can't wait to start this one. A big thank you to Simon and Schuster (and Edelweiss) for this.

Happy weekend, and happy reading!

Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano

Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano
Release Date - October 1, 2013
Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages - 356 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**obtained for review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

On Internment, the floating island in the clouds where 16-year-old Morgan Stockhour lives, getting too close to the edge can lead to madness. Even though Morgan's older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. She tries her best not to mind that her life is orderly and boring, and if she ever wonders about the ground, and why it is forbidden, she takes solace in best friend Pen and her betrothed, Basil.

Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially when she meets Judas. He is the boy being blamed for the murder — betrothed to the victim — but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find — or who she will lose.

Internment is a perfect place to live, as long as you don't look too closely. A Utopian society that reveals itself to be built on secrets, and half truths. A captivating and page turning story that inspires you to follow your dreams, even if they seem risky.

A feeling of claustrophobia lends itself easily while you're reading this book. Internment is small. It feels even small as you're reading and the city feels like it's tightening around you. The fact that it's forbidden to leave made me, as a reader, stir crazy. Living there would be worse. The city itself leaps off the pages, and by the end you feel that you've fully immersed yourself in every aspect.

Lauren's writing floats like the clouds that surround the city. It's soft, lyrical, and it's easy to immerse yourself in it. It's some of the best writing I've come across and I will happily read anything she writes next. I found that I could recognize her voice. This writing is immediately recognizable as the author of the Chemical Garden trilogy, but still different enough to be appropriate for this story. She captures the essence and tone of the story with her writing, and it makes the novels that much deeper.

Morgan is dreamer. She dreams of life beyond her stars and clouds. On Internment, however, this behaviour is considered dangerous. She came alive for me. Lauren made sure that we know her completely. We understand what makes her Morgan, and I found that I loved every aspect of her character. She was instantly relatable, and everything she questions, wants,  hopes for is something that the reader will ache to give her.

Lex, Morgan's brother, is a jumper. His attempt at finding something more left him blind, and because he unable to, he 'sees' things differently. His bond with Morgan is brilliant. I felt the sibling connection, and the complexity of loving someone that can exasperate you like nobody else can. Their relationship is one of the most well crafted in the novel, and seemed effortless to incorporate into the story.

The romance is rather intriguing. Lauren manages to create these layered worlds, characters, and puts these little details into them that make the richer. The way marriage works on Internment is just one of these little details. Basil, Morgan's betrothed, is kind, caring, patient. He's everything that someone like Morgan could need and want. He is perfect suited to her because when it counts he supports her. I am just not sure they challenge each other. There is a slight hint of a potential complication in their relationship, and I am curious to see if anything will come of it.

This novel surprised me in the most thrilling way. Things that I expected to not happen until future novels in the series were delivered before the final pages of this installment. It's taken places that left me wanting to grab the second novel immediately. It's pacing is much faster than I expected and the pages raced by even as I savored every word.

A novel that is, dare I say it, better than her previous trilogy. Surprising, wondrous, and filled with both despair and breathtaking hope. Lauren DeStefano has cemented herself as not only a fantastic writer, but a brilliant storyteller as well.

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 Jenny Han's To All The Boys I've Loved Before

Cute, and a fun sounding (seriously, read the synopsis) contemporary. Pretty sure the main character is going to be awesome, and I love the tones/colours used for the cover.

Cover of Lauren DeStefano's Perfect Ruin

Lauren's covers usually offer major clues to the plot of the novels. I love the synopsis of this Utopian novel and can't wait to read my copy. The cover is eye catching, and I expect is offers a few hidden clues about what is in store for the characters.

TV

Friday Night Lights

This is a running theme, obviously. If you haven't met Tim Riggins, Matt Saracen, and the Taylors - YOU NEED TO FIX THIS IMMEDIATELY. It's one of those shows that inspires you to write, but at the same time, makes you realize you will never write something that beautiful EVER. I've become so invested in these characters that the littlest things make me cry. If you've been putting off watching this, DO IT!

Dexter

The final season of Dexter starts this Sunday. It's strange, but I am going to have a hard time saying goodbye to Dex, Deb, and the rest. I hope Deb finally finds a happy ending. I hope little Harrison ends up safe and loved (whatever happens to Dexter). A part of me even hopes for a happy ending for Dexter himself (even if unrealistic).

OTHER

Secret Blog Things

So Christy (from The Reader Bee), Kelly (from KellyVision) and I are working on something that I think is pretty awesome. Details are coming soon and expect the first installment of this new feature to take place in August. I am really looking forward to this!

So what are you obsessed with this week?

Sever by Lauren DeStefano

Sever by Lauren DeStefano
Release Date – February 12, 2013
Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster Canada
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages -  384 pages
My Rating- 4.5/5
**Received from publisher for review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Time is running out for Rhine in this conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Chemical Garden Trilogy. 

With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them. 

Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain. 

In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered

The ending to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy comes with less of a bang and more of a heart wrenching wind down. It’s focus isn’t on the flashy explosions, or other similar things you might expect. This ending is emotional, and keeps our focus on saying goodbye to the characters we’ve embraced.

Rhine's ability to adapt and her tenacity have never been more apparent than in this novel. Her strength to not give up, even when things seems impossible always impressed me. The fact that she hasn't completely crumbled after the things she's experienced says everything about her character.

I adore Linden. Every single aspect of his character. This novel showcased everything I love about him. His loyalty, his caring nature, and his desire to want to see the good in everyone.

Cecily has grown on me throughout the series. A self centered, immature child has blossomed into a capable, strong young women who is a force to be reckoned with. Her character has grown the most out of everyone. While the difference is teased and hinted at in the second novel, this novel makes it staggeringly evident just how far she’s come.

I felt like I got the answers to questions that had been plaguing me since the first novel. While revealing the fate of the characters is not something I am going to do, I will just say that it is concluded in the only way it really could be. Everything ties together, and while the bow it’s wrapped in might be incomplete, I feel like we got the conclusion needed to say goodbye.

This novel really showcased how much depth Lauren has given her characters. Even the “villains” are humanized. Everyone’s actions are driven by something, and right and wrong blur. Desperation can lead to irrational behaviour, and it’s all in the perspective of the individual.  The characters are what I will take away from this series, because they felt real to me, especially in this concluding installment.

As I closed the book I felt devastated. I felt each and every loss experienced surround me. I am not just talking in this book, but the entire series. At the same time, I felt hopeful. Rhine’s story ultimately comes with a message of living in each moment. There are so many factors, choices, and consequences that can impact our lives, and nothing is guaranteed. Just like Rhine, we can’t take a certain number of years for granted, and as scary as they are risks sometimes need to be taken in order to really live.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

Another amazing week of awesome books making their way into my already cramped book closet. I had a wonderful time at the Ontario Blogger Meet Up (see my recap) and these novels made their way back from Toronto with me. A huge thank you to all the publishers, and the lovely bloggers who organized the event.

Magnified Word by Grace O'Connell (goodreads)

Speechless by Hannah Harrington (goodreads)

Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens (goodreads)

Fuse by Julianna Boggot (goodreads)

Red Moon by Benjamin Percy (goodreads)

Sever by Lauren DeStefano (goodreads)

Over You by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (goodreads)

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys (goodreads)

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger (goodreads)

Envy by Elizabeth Miles (goodreads)

Next up is a review book from Netgalley

The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter (goodreads)

A big thank you to HarlequinTeen and Netgalley for this. I can't wait to read it and find out how Kate and Henry's story ends.

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

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 for Sever by Lauren DeStefano

Did you all see the fact that her wedding ring is off?! I refuse to accept that she does not end up with Linden. REFUSE. Also the bird is out of it's cage. Hmm......

Either way I am super excited to read this and honestly, I am more of a fan of the hints on the cover than anything else. Add it to Goodreads.

Cover for 17 and Gone by Nova Ren Suma

OMG! I love this cover. The faded missing girl poster and the soft, out of focus look matches the Goodreads synopsis perfectly. I am really excited for this one.

Cover for Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Perry!!! YAY! I thought the first novels cover was pretty but this is just as eye catching. Very excited to find out what happens next. Add it to Goodreads.

The Harper Collins Winter 2013 catalog

There are seriously so many amazing sounding titles coming up.

High on my WISH LIST are

Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook
Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
Pivot Point by Kasie West
Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Just to name a few. I did notice that Dance of the Red Death (sequel to Masque of the Red Death) was not listed. This must mean it's a summer release! Crazy excited for the cover to be released.

MOVIES

Magic Mike

YES! I am finally seeing it this weekend (tonight actually) and I can not wait. I am so beyond looking forward to it.

So what you are obsessed with this week?

Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Fever by Lauren DeStefano
Release Date – February 21, 2012
Publisher Website – Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - pages
My Rating- 8.5/10
**Obtained from swapping with another bloggers**

********************Spoilers for Wither************************

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

Wither ended with Rhine and Gabriel escaping the mansion and setting off to Manhattan to find her brother. Fever picks up when they’ve come ashore and we quickly learn it’s not going to be an easy or peril free journey for them.

In many ways Fever scared me more than Wither. The world outside the mansion is just as (if not more so) dangerous than the one Rhine left behind. There are some pretty horrible fates that can await young women in Rhine’s position and we get a taste of what happens to those who don’t become brides. It’s easy to imagine a world like this and that is where Lauren manages to capture your attention. It also brings to mind one of the main plot points of the second novel - Rhine coming to terms with leaving the mansion and if it was the right choice. She spends a lot of time thinking about Cecily, Linden and the comforts of the mansion. There are cases where it almost seems like Rhine has been freed from one prison just to be locked into another one.

I liked Rhine in this novel. She didn’t just sit back and let things happen. She fights and is very focused. Sadly, she spends much of the novel in situations that are really beyond her control.

Vaughn is horrible.He is such a chilling bad guy. Mostly because he is driven by something we can all understand. He wants to find a cure. His means of doing it are awful, but it is something everyone wants. Also, just when you think the chills and creep factor could not get higher Rhine has something done to her eyes that will give me nightmares.

Fever ends with Rhine once again on the edge and trapped in a precarious situation. She’s dropped an explosion on someone and we are going to have to wait for book three to see the fallout.

Lauren’s dark, scary, and all to realistic world combined with a wonderful writing style has me anxiously awaiting the next instalment in the series.

Team Linden!

The awesome Brodie from Eleusinian Mysteries and I are fighting about book boys again. This time, however, there is no boxing ring involved because we not fighting over the same boy. Instead, we are fighting over who is best for the lovely heroine Rhine - Linden or Gabriel.

I am firmly Team Linden. Yes, I know, his father is horrible. I am not Team Vaughn or even Team Linden’s family. I simply love Linden. I am going to lay out my reasons for thinking he is the best match for Rhine. Not all of them are going to be popular reasons, but ultimately I think he’s the one that is best capable of being what Rhine needs.

I might as well get the less than wonderful aspects of Linden out of the way. He is certainly not perfect. In order to see my points you have to remember the world Rhine lives in. She will die when she reaches 20. This is not something she can ignore or not deal with. It might be selfish of her, but Linden can provide comfort during her agonizing illness when it happens. I am not only referring to his presence. He has the ability to make her illness a little easier on her. She will be kept comfortable, given what medication she can to ease the pain and be surrounded by her sister wives and a loving husband.

There is always Vaughn to contend with and I agree that Linden would be much more appealing without him around. I think that Linden would protect Rhine from him. A position as the favoured wife would afford that.  One of Linden’s flaws is that he has been kept in the dark about his father’s true nature for too long, and it would be beneficial for Rhine to tell him. It would make her life with Linden much easier.

Not only is Linden kind to her, he is patient as well. He doesn’t push or really expect anything from her. He lets her go at her own pace. Rhine could have ended up in much worse circumstances than with someone like Linden. It may seem like a weak reason, but in Rhine’s world it is a real possibility that she could have ended up with someone much less gentle towards her.

Linden is this kind hearted, broken young man who has loved and lost. While Rhine can’t relate to losing a significant other the way Linden lost Rose, she can relate to losing someone she loves. Her parents (and even her brother.)They both understand loss and could comfort each other and hopefully help each other heal.

Linden is broken, very much so. He seems to come alive, and even takes steps forward with Rhine. She holds him and lets him cry with her. She is used to taking care of people, and it’s this type of relationship Linden needs. I think Rhine needs to feel needed and Linden would give that to her.

Linden himself isn’t happy with how they became married. He is as much driven by the circumstances of the world they live in, and quite sheltered by his father as well.

We see that Rhine is coming to care for Linden while at the mansion. She even gets jealous when he is dancing with another girl at a party. She was almost running from her feelings because she wanted so desperately to find her brother. I think if there was a way for her to know her brother was ok, and see him regularly she would have been happy where she was.

In Wither we see that Rhine is softening towards Linden. She could truly be happy with him if she could let herself.  Neither Gabriel nor Linden are perfect but I think she could be safer, and happier with Linden.

Have I convinced you to give Linden a shot? Want to learn all about Rhine’s other love interest Gabriel? Head on over to Brodie’s blog and read her persuasive Team Gabriel post.

Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of Fever, and let me know in the comments if you are Team Linden or Team Gabriel!

In My Mailbox....

This is a weekly meme hosted by the awesome Kristi at The Story Siren. It gives us a chance to showcase the books we got during the week.

I have a lot of books to show you this week. I had to split it up into 2 pictures for it to work. It's a little heavier due to the amazing blogger meet up I went to this week.

First I will mention the books I got from the library this week -

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi (goodreads)
The Alchemy of Forever by (goodreads)

So excited to read both of these!

As mentioned I went to a fantastic blogger meet up with some fantastic Ottawa bloggers. We were fortunate enough to have the publishers provide us with some review copies for the meeting.

I want to thank Meaghan from Feeling A Little Bookish, Emilie from Emilie’s Book World, Katherine from The Lady Critic’s Library and Katie from Bookishly Yours for the wonderful afternoon. We have to do it again soon ladies!

I received from Hachette Group Canada for review -

Belles by Jen Calonita (goodreads)
The Boy Recession by Flynn Meaney (goodreads)
All For You by Sheila O' Flanagan (goodreads)
A Private Affair by Lesley Lokko (goodreads)

I received from Harper Collins Canada

Until I Die from Amy Plum (goodreads)
Arcadia by Lauren Groff (goodreads)

I can't thank the publishers enough for being so amazing and helpful. Really, they are the best.

We also decided to swap books while there and I obtained

Fever by Lauren DeStefano (goodreads)
Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer (goodreads)
Dead To You by Lisa McMann (goodreads)
Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey (goodreads)

I had gotten Bloodrose out of the library as my hold came in, but I just haven't talked myself into reading it yet, because I know it's going to break my heart. I am going to start it tonight....wish me luck.

As you can see I also have my third Vampire Diaries EW cover. So happy I have the set, and I love the Stefan and Elena one the best!

Happy reading everyone!

Waiting On Wednesday....Fever by Lauren DeStefano

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 Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

I loved Wither and I am so excited to see what is next for Rhine. I am curious to see how the items on the cover will fit into the story.

Expected release date - February 21st 2012

Lauren DeStefano Contest...

If you've read Wither you may be interested in this contest Lauren is currently having. It ends Tuesday so enter right away.

It's for an ARC of Wither AND Fever!

Visit here for all the details on how to enter -

http://www.laurendestefano.com/blog/?p=121

Good luck everyone!

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Release Date – March 22, 2011
Publisher – Simon & Schuster
Pages - 358
My Rating- 10/10

Here is the GoodReads synopsis:

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.

I had heard a lot of advance buzz about this book. I was excited but also a little leery as I have read books with buzz that ultimately fell flat. Wither is worthy of all the buzz, and more. I was enthralled by this novel. This review is most likely going to be a whole lot of gushing (sorry!). I can not recommend this book strongly enough.

The part of this novel that haunts me the most is the age cut off - 20 for females. I am 30 (well 2 weeks away). I would have been dead 10 years ago if I lived in this society. That might be why I felt as horrified as I did; the author managed to make me feel unsettled.

There are a lot of characters in the novel that we meet. The heroine of the story is Rhine. She is strong, smart, and no damsel in distress. I loved her. Her fellow sister wives are Cecily and Jenna. I liked the relationship between the 3 of them. It was shown as having it’s ups and downs, but they were supportive and there for each other. They each have their own thoughts about being a sister wife and they each react differently to it.

The love story between Rhine and Gabriel was sweet (if a little under developed in this book). I wonder what Linden’s role will be in the next two books as there was some genuine feelings there. It might just be me, but I think Rhine had feelings for Linden too. I am interested to see if it’ll become a “love triangle”. I liked that Rhine was having moments where she wavered. It made her feel real as a character, which is amazing when an author can accomplish it.

The novel is dark. Very dark. You have a lot of death, sadness, and mature elements. One of the sister wives for example is only about 13 years old. It’s very provocative and I tend to think that adults might love it even more than young adults. The fact that the author does not shy away from the more provocative or risqué elements is one of my favourite parts of the novel. I applaud her for it.

The writing is beautiful, and flows well. The author is talented and can create moods and feelings with just a few words. I honestly felt like I was trapped along with Rhine. I also loved how she managed to make nothing black and white. Nobody was all good or evil. Nobody was perfect. This made it feel that much more real. The secondary characters are well flushed out, and complicated. Considering that there are a lot of characters we meet, it’s impressive how much we get to know about so many of them.

The novel ends on a “I want to know more” moment. It’s very open ended and I am excited to see where the author is going to take Rhine’s story next. I have questions that I hope are answered in the next two books. I also want someone to make June Beans for real. They really do sounds yummy.

Wither is officially released March 22, but you can find it in quite a few bookstores already. If you haven’t read it already, go pick it up! You won’t be sorry.

The Chemical Garden Trilogy - Wither Trailer

The trailer for Wither by Lauren Destefano was released yesterday.

It is AMAZING! It makes me even more excited to read the novel which is to be released on March 22.

Wednesday...

So, I totally meant to post a review of Stolen by Lucy Christopher before doing another one of these but I just haven't had time to sit down and write the review yet.

It's a little late, but here is another book I am waiting on...

This is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine

Today pick is Wither by Lauren DeStefano
 

What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males
only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak
landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to
keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant
Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the
limted time she has left.

It is set to be released March 22, 2011. The cover is striking and the synopsis sounds AMAZING. I am excited to finally get my hands on it!