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).

My mailbox this week is pretty huge (thanks to BEA) but I am not going to repeat all my BEA books here. Instead, I am going to focus on the ones that arrived while I was away.

Idols by Margaret Stohl (goodreads)
Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore (goodreads)

Huge thank you to Hachette Canada for these two reads! Looking forward to starting them soon.

If you are curious as to what I snagged while at BEA they are included in my recap posts

Pre/Post and Outside BEA Fun
Book Con/Day One of BEA
Day Two and Three

What books made their way int your mailbox this week?

Happy weekend, 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:

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?

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?

Icons by Margaret Stohl

Icons by Margaret Stohl

Release Date – May 7, 2013

Publisher Website -  Little Brown Books For Young Readers

Publisher Social Media -  Twitter

Pages -  448 pages

My Rating- 4/5

**obtained for review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Your heart beats only with their permission.

Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting.
Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid.

She's different. She survived. Why?

When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy.

Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths.

Bestselling author Margaret Stohl delivers the first book in a heart-pounding series set in a haunting new world where four teens must piece together the mysteries of their pasts -- in order to save the future.

The synopsis of Icons is a little misleading. Yes it’s about a horrific day that decimates a large part of the population. Yes, it’s about seemingly alien type beings, and the aftermath of a devastating attack. However, it’s also about family, belonging, and secrets that can cause more damage by remaining hidden.

My issue with the Beautiful Creatures series is how long they felt. I felt some tightening would have helped the plot move along more with that series. The same feeling plagued me here. The storyline is interesting, well thought out, and engaging. However, I would have preferred a little tightening, but otherwise it is solid writing you would expect from this author. 

The characters were hit and miss for me. I wasn’t as drawn to Dol as much as I wanted to be. Lucas, Tima and Ro however captivated me. Lucas most of all. A confused young man who has been taught the same thing his whole life is quickly learning that everything he thinks he knows is a lie. Conflicted, and confused his motives are fuzzy and he’s always on the cusp of betraying everything.

Tima was illusive, and hostile. She’s  rather protective of her bond with Lucas. She has walls built up that don't let people in easily. I found myself wanting to know more about her as I think she's the most unwilling to show who they really are.

Ro is an inferno of anger. It consumes him. His temper is unyielding. His bond with Dol was interesting as she is the only thing that can bring him back from the brink. Nothing else stops the waves of fury that wash over him blacking out everything else. He's self destructive, and it will be interesting to see how his moods influence the rest of the story.

The emotional connection between these four teenagers was the main focus of the book. Bonding over their shared past created intense feelings between them. This has the potential to muddle how each of the characters really feel about each other, especially where Lucas is concerned. The reader is kept on their toes because you are never quite sure how much is being influenced by their abilities.

The romance in the book is more a square than a triangle. Each girl likes both boys, and vice versa. There is potential for each coupling, and I think readers will walk away with their own preferences. I like the sparks between Dol and Lucas. Their romance was hesitant, and unsure. Not being able to fully trust Lucas kept Dol on her toes, and made letting him in an even bigger risk. I am anxious to see if the risk is worth it, and which of the feelings are genuine.

Doc, a wonderfully funny character that I enjoyed immensely. I don’t want to give too much away about him, but I adored him. His role is rather unique, and I LOVE how literal he takes everything that is said to him.

I was intrigued by the reports, autopsy, and other documents that came after each chapter. The information appears to lead in a certain direction and there is a nice payoff at the end that comes with a little bit of a twist. It’s the unanswered questions, and what is to come that excites me. I know the world, and what the stakes are, and feel like we can finally get to the real story.

A decent start a new series that while different than expected still delivered. A novel that overall felt like a set up to a larger story that really just kicked in during the later half of the novel.

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

Icons by Margaret Stohl book trailer



Intense. Also one of the more well done book trailers I've seen. I get that these are often done under a strict budget, but this one looks polished. It really tells me the tone of the book, and I am eager to pick this one up. Luckily I have a copy taunting me from my book closet. I hope to be able to pick it up soon.

Night Film by Marisha Pessl

(Copyright of Random House Canada via Instagram account)

While fangirling about Night Film by Marisha Pessl and how badly I want to read it I mentioned to Random House Canada via Twitter that I would love to see a cover. They sent me a link to their Instagram photo above. I can't wait to read it.

Cover for Fire With Fire by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

I love that they used the same models, and that the covers match. Excited to see what happens, especially with Mary.

TV

Once Upon A Time Paleyfest panel



There is so much I LOVE about this entire panel. Each actor is delightful, and so funny. I have to say that Colin O'Donoghue's accent is incredibly sexy. Oh, and the titles of the last two episodes of the season? Totally made me freak out! I adore the Peter Pan story and can not wait to see what Once Upon A Time does with Neverland.

So what are you obsessed with this week?

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).

An awesome mailbox again this week. A HUGE thank you to Hachette Canada and Raincoast Books for the incredible reads. I can not wait to start all of them.

Truth or Dare by Jacqueline Green (goodreads)
This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E Smith (goodreads)
Icons by Margaret Stohl (goodreads)

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (goodreads)
Game by Barry Lyga (goodreads)

My cat Aria kept getting in the pictures. She especially seemed to like Marissa Meyer's Scarlet (and yes, she's the cutest cat ever).

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

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.

Waiting On Wednesday...Icons

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 Icons by Margaret Stohl

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Your heart beats only with their permission. 

Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting. 

Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid. 

She's different. She survived. Why? 

When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy. 

Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths

Bestselling author Margaret Stohl delivers the first book in a heart-pounding series set in a haunting new world where four teens must piece together the mysteries of their pasts -- in order to save the future.

This sounds really interesting and like it could be awesome. I have high hopes for this series, and can't wait to read it.

Expected release date May 7, 2013

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.