Follow Friday

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends. This weeks question is:

Q: This Sunday in the U.S. is Mother's Day, in celebration, what are some of your favorite books with strong mother/child relationships?

Whoa! I am trying to think of one. I can think of a perfect father/daughter relationship. Um, I love the relationship between Clara and her mother in Unearthly and Hallowed. Her mother is present, and actually takes the time to know what is going on with her daughter.

TGIF at GReads! is a weekly blog hop hosted by Ginger from GReads

This weeks question is

We tend to gush over those main characters the most, but what about those supporting roles? Who are some of your favorites?

I have so many. Kanin from The Immortal Rules is one for sure. Grim from The Iron Fey series. I am not sure if he counts but Magnus Bane from all of Cassandra Clare's novels would be my number one.

Happy Weekend!

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Release Date –  May 1, 2012
Publisher Website –  Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader
Pages -  544 pages
My Rating- 5/5
**purchased**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

Veronica Roth’s Divergent hooked me. Insurgent destroyed me. Veronica Roth has managed to create not only a realistic future, but realistic characters that are so well developed and flawed.

Veronica's writing keeps you on the edge of your seat, turning the pages waiting to see what will happen next. Her pacing is excellent and the book reads rather quickly considering it's 500+ page length.
Tris is different in this book. She’s shattered, changed and haunted. Taking someone’s life has deeply impacted her and we see immediately that it’s not something easily brushed off. It feels authentic to her character and provides a new side to Tris that is nice to see. She’s still strong, sacrificing and capable but so much has happened and she’s forever changed. I liked that she is changed so drastically because of what happened. It’s something that should have a huge impact on her and I am thankful Veronica didn’t sweep past it.

With alliances being formed, choices being made, and a war brewing Tris has to determine who she can trust and what that means going forward. Insurgent is filled with secrets being revealed, crosses, double crosses and intriguing faction relationships. You see how someone’s choice can define and change them forever. A faction can mean more than family, and sometimes choosing yourself can be the only choice left. Learning about the factions and how they operate was fascinating. We learned so much about Dauntless in Divergent and we learn a lot about Amity and Abnegation in this one. The inner workings and politics within each faction are fascinating. I am looking forward to learning even more about them.

The relationship between Four and Tris is so well developed and intense . Their relationship is not easy for either of them but the genuine feelings between these two jump off the page. They are both committed to making it work even in the bad times. The steamy scenes are off the charts hot and the fight scenes are laced with feeling and longing. Tris and he have a lot of issues that need to be worked though (most of them stemming from events in Divergent) but you can see how important it is to the two of them that they work on it.

The ending, quite simply, changes everything. Everything you thought you knew is seen anew thanks to a revelation. The final twist will leave you with your jaw dropped, questions spewing out of your mouth and you giddy with excitement to get your hands on the third and final book in this stunning trilogy.

Waiting on Wednesday...Ten

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 Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

And their doom comes swiftly. 

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury. 

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine. 

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off the from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

This sounds awesomely creepy. I love good mysteries and it seems like a "locked room" scenario where the killer might be some one they know. Intriguing synopsis and creepy cover don't hurt either.

Expected release date - September 18, 2012

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

Release Date –  May 8, 2012

Publisher Website –  Harper Collins

Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader

Pages -  400 pages

My Rating- 4.5/5

**obtained from the publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered. 

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf. 

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.
Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk. 

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

A town filled with people fearing werewolves, a girl fiercely determined to get to the bottom of her best friend’s murder, and new romances blossoming. Kathleen Peacock draws you in with her well plotted mystery and makes you fall for her characters in the process. 

I enjoyed Mackenzie a lot. A typical girl who has gone through a lot. She’s just trying to pick herself up after her friend’s murder. A murder that is, quite literally, haunting her. She’s much stronger than she thinks she is, and constantly shows that strength. She’s not the strongest physically, and does get into a little trouble, but she is doing it for honourable reasons.

The two boys in Mackenzie’s life are Jason and Kyle. I loved both of these boys for different reasons.

Jason is spiralling after Amy’s death. He is angry, hostile and full of regret and guilt. Kyle is hurting in his own way and is dealing with his own guilt. Each boy is hiding something, and each secret gets Mac deeper into a world that caused Amy to get killed. 

I loved the political aspects of the novel. The whole “pro” and “anti’ werewolf campaign and agendas kept the action and suspense taunt. It also made the werewolf part of the story much more realistic than it could have been. You have people who are so blinded they won’t listen to reason, and you have people who are not sure what side of the debate they fall on. The entire premise of werewolf rights is one of the most compelling parts of the novel. 

Hemlock is a city filled with secrets, lies, manipulations and political and personal agendas. The complex and intricate murder mystery is developed slowly against a backdrop of political platforms. This adds an element to the story that keeps the mystery fresh and not easy to figure out. You are constantly second guessing motives, and hidden agendas. I did not guess who the killer was until just before Mac realizes it. The question of what happened to Amy is one that provides a dark and dangerous answer.

While the closure you expect does happen before the end of the novel, and the murderer is uncovered, the novel ends with Mac’s story just beginning. She is moving forward, while all too aware that the past could come back to bite her. It’s a thrilling starting point for the next instalment in this addictive series.

Hemlock is dangerous, beautifully heartbreaking and lushly romantic. It takes the classic werewolf tale and offers up a modern take on them.  You defiantly haven’t seen werewolves like this before.

Amy Plum Interview - Romantic Top 5's

In honour of how romantic Vincent and Kate's relationship is, I thought I would ask Amy to tell us some of her most romantic movies, books, and couples.

1. Top 5 Couples from Literature: (besides Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy)

Beverly Penn and Peter Lake (Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin)

Lancelot and Guinevere (Arthurian legends)

Westley and Buttercup (The Princess Bride by William Goldman)

Arwen and Aragorn (The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein)

Tita and Pedro (Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel)

 2. Top 5 romantic movies

Bridget Jones's Diary (which I've watched an embarrassing number of times)

To Catch a Thief (Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, evening gowns, jewels, French Riviera...what more could you ask for?)

Romeo + Juliet (Leo + Claire *sighs*)

Love Actually (can't stop watching this one either...oh Colin Firth! *swoons*)

Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind (the quirky romance in this stole my heart)

 3. Top 5 love triangles (literature/movies/tv/other media)

Gale/Katniss/Peeta (Hunger Games)

Bill/Sookie/Eric (Sookie Stackhouse series)

Daniel Cleaver/Bridget Jones/Mark Darcy (Bridget Jones's Diary)

Luke/Leia/Han (Star Wars)

Newland Archer/May Welland/Ellen Olenska (Age of Innocence)

 4. Top 5 literary crushes (book boyfriends in other words)

Eric Northman (Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris)

Aragorn (Tolkein)

Mark Darcy (Bridget Jones's Diary)

George Emerson (A Room with a View)

Gilbert Blythe (Anne of Green Gables)

5. Top 5 romantic cities

Paris

Rome

Florence

New York

Rio de Janeiro

6. Top 5 romantic books

Rebecca (Daphne du Maurier)

Like Water For Chocolate (Laura Esquivel)

Possession (A.S. Byatt)

A Room with a View (E.M. Forster)

The Age of Innocence (Edith Wharton) 

Until I Die by Amy Plum

Until I Die by Amy Plum
Release Date –  May 8, 2012
Publisher Website –  Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader
Pages - 352 pages
My Rating- 4.5/5
**obtained from the publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love. 

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy. 

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

At the of Die For Me we left Kate and Vincent on a romantic boat head sailing into what Kate hopes will be a blissful future for them. Not in Kate's plan? Having to see Vincent die to save others. The pull in Vincent to sacrifice himself for others is strong but out of love for Kate he agrees to find a way to resist. Secrets, lies, and betrayls await them on their journey to happily ever after.

The setting of this story is perfectly written. Amy Plum’s Paris is full of romance and beauty but with the dangerous aspect underneath. Kate and Vincent’s love story seems even more compelling because of this well crafted setting.

Kate is just as likeable a character as she was in Die For Me, but I was happy to see her become stronger. She’s training, playing detective, and not sitting back while things happen. It may have got her into trouble sometimes, but it felt authentic to the character. Kate’s relationship with not only Vincent, but all of the Revenants is such a large part of the story. The interaction between all the characters, and how strong the bonds are between them are some of my favourite parts of the novel.

Vincent is just as swoon worthy as ever. He does, however, have some competition from Jules. Vincent is desperately trying to find anything that will make his relationship with Kate easier. The path he takes, and the secrets he holds prove to test, and deepen their relationship. The romance is hotter, and the quieter moments between Kate and Vincent really highlight their chemistry.

The mythology of the Revenants is even more prevalent and detailed in this instalment. As Kate and Vincent start to look for a way to make being together a delicious reality we learn more about the Revenants backstory and how it pertains to their relationship. I really enjoyed this part of the novel because it allowed us some answers to questions in the first novel. Secrets are revealed, characters are more flushed out, and the plot ties together with the first book very nicely.

The stakes in this novel are much higher than in Die For Me. We learn early on that danger is lurking and that Kate and her beloved Revenant family are in danger. Who the threat is, and what they are willing to do in order to accomplish their goals serves up twist, turns, and betrayals.

While the first novel had a satisfactory ending, and could have held that ending if Die For Me had been a stand alone novel, this novel ends on a heart-stopping cliffhanger. My initial reaction to the ending was “REALLY? IT ENDS THERE?!”. You’ll want to scream, and perhaps throw the book. However, it is a delicious torture because it just makes you that much more eager to dive back into Amy’s wonderful world.

Romance, action and a cliffhanger that will leave you aching for more, Until I Die takes everything you loved about Die For Me and amps it up. The relationship between Kate and Vincent is steamier, Paris even more magical and the stakes are higher. The third book can not come fast enough.

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.)

This week I have a book that I am sure will be in PLENTY of mailboxes this week - INSURGENT. It's fantastic and amazing, and I am still freaking out about the ending.

For Review

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead (goodreads)

Dark Companion by Martha Acosta (goodreads)

Purchased

Insurgent by Veronica Roth (goodreads)

Swapped 

Black Heart by Holly Black (goodreads)

A big thank you to Penguin Canada for The Golden Lily! I was super excited to find it waiting for me at my door. Also a huge thank you to Raincoast Books Canada for Dark Companion. It's one I have been wanting to read for awhile, so I am excited.

The Ottawa Blogger Ladies met up for Insurgent Day and also swapped books. I managed to snag a copy of Black Heart and I am hoping to read it soon. I can't wait to see how this series ends.

I hope everyone is enjoying Insurgent week and that you've loved reading it. I can't wait to share my review.

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!