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:

Are there any book to movie adaptations where you think the movie is better than the book?

I can not think of any. There are adaptations that I think are brilliant though. Perks of Being A Wallflower, the entire Harry Potter movies, for example. I don't know if any surpassed the movie for me though.

Happy Weekend!

2014 Most Anticipated.... The Winner's Curse

The next book I've selected for the 2014 Most Anticipated Event is one that has been building buzz for awhile. I first heard about it at Book Expo America and knew it was going to be one I pined for. The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski.

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

In the tradition of Kristin Cashore and Cassandra Clare comes this brilliant, unputdownable, star-crossed romance about the curse of winning.

Seventeen-year-old Kestrel is an aristocratic citizen of Valoria, a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers. Here, a girl like Kestrel has two choices: join the military or get married. Despite her skills in military strategy, Kestrel’s real passion is music.Which is why she feels compelled to buy Arin, a slave with a talent for singing, at auction. It’s not long before she finds herself falling in love with Arin, and he seems to feel the same for her. But Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for Arin is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a new world, The Winner’s Curse is a story of wicked rumors, dirty secrets, and games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart

It sounds amazing, and that cover is one of the prettiest I've seen for the 2014 line up! Marie was kind enough to answer a few questions about The Winner's Curse and I think you'll want to read it as much as I do after you've checked out her answers.

1 Describe The Winner's Curse in three words

Manipulative. Brave. Vulnerable.

2 It sounds like your book's world might be a dangerous one to live in. How long do you think you would last if transported into your book's setting?

I think that answer would depend on what kind of social status I'd have in the world and at which point in time I'd be dropped into it. The Winner's Curse is a world of masters and slaves, tea parties and war, ball gowns and dueling daggers. If I were part of the ruling class (the Valorians), I'd be able to navigate the dangers within that class-- gossip, gambling, romantic liaisons, the occasional duel (so long as it's for honor's sake only, and not to the death). A lot of that part of The Winner's Curse reminds me of Jane Austen-- except with weapons-- because, I suppose, in an Austen novel someone's fate can hinge upon a few choice words, and the characters' lives revolve around dances, dinners, tea, and excursions to town for shopping or flirting with soldiers. I can do all of that very well, and I love to wear a pretty dress.

This is all assuming that I wouldn't be a soldier, since a great deal of Valorians are in the military and always at war. I wouldn't survive long on the battlefield.

The Valorians conquered the territory of Herran ten years ago and enslaved its people. If I were transported into this world as a slave (i.e., one of the Herrani), I think I would also be able to survive, if only because I can keep my head down, plot, and bide my time (necessary skills for a writer).

But-- without giving too much away-- this world is about to be thrown into chaos, and I'm not sure how long I'd last then, as either a Valorian or Herrani, since so much of survival will mean keeping your wits in very scary situations. I've never been in a life-or-death situation, so I can't say whether I'd be able to think through my fear. My guess is that I wouldn't be able to do that very well.

3 What three things do you need while revising?

Good friends willing to read the manuscript. Trustworthy babysitters (I have two small children and a job as an English professor, so finding time to write and revise is key). A room with a door that shuts (Stephen King said that this was crucial for any writer. He wrote Carrie in the laundry room of his doublewide trailer-- and he could shut himself inside. The space itself doesn't matter-- just the privacy).

4 Are you able to share a secret about one of the characters, the world, something that inspired something about the world/characters?

 The book begins when Kestrel (a Valorian) buys Arin (a Herrani). A friend of mine from a long time ago, in another country, was named Arin-- pronounced like Aaron but spelled as an anagram of the word "rain," because it was raining when he was born. I've always loved this name and also its story, and although I didn't think about it too much when I was writing the book, I now feel that the quality and nature of rain influenced how I developed Arin's character. Rain can come in such different forms-- violent and driving, warm and soft, gray or backlit with sun-- and all of them could suit Arin at different points in the novel.

5 What 2014 release are you most looking forward to?

Very tough question! I'm not actually sure of what all is coming out in 2014...from what I do know, I'm most looking forward to Laini Taylor's Dreams of Gods and Monsters and Leigh Bardugo's Ruin and Rising.

A huge thank you to Marie for taking the time to answer these. The Winner's Curse will be in stores March 4, 2014. If you haven't read the excerpt DO IT IMMEDIATELY and you'll be pining right along with me.

If you want to learn more you can visit the author's website, or the publishers website.

You can pre-order at the following retailers

Chapters
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

You'll have a chance to win one of these titles soon, as I will be hosting a giveaway that these interviews may help you win!

Be sure to let me know what you think of The Winner Curse's cover, the synopsis, or anything else in the comments!

Once Upon A Time - Dark Hallow

Oh Storybrooke, how I missed you. When I saw in the preview that we were going to get to see Storybrooke I cheered. I've missed Belle.

Storybrooke - Present

The episode flashes back to when Rumple and Belle say goodbye and Belle tearfully tells him that she will see him again. Everyone comes running up to the dock to find Belle crying. She explains what happened (Henry - kidnapped, the Jolly Rodger gone after him). She tells them of the cloaking spell Rumple gave her. As Belle is following the instructions a red car is speeding it's way to the town limits. I find it interesting that the Blue Fairy didn't want to enact the cloaking spell. I figured she would do it. Belle does, but sadly not before the two outsiders make it across the town lines (the spell cuts the rear bumper off their car!!).

Neverland - Present

Rumple and Regina are filling Ariel on the fine details of what she is to do for them. Rumple tells her how to find Storybrooke, and that she must find a woman named Belle and give her a message from him. Rumple says Belle will know exactly what to do. Ariel is, naturally, wanting to know where Eric can be found when she gets there. Regina tells her that she'll only find that out once she's back, and that she has 24 hours as that's when her bracelet will stop working (and she won't have legs). Ariel is, rightfully, not sure she can trust Regina. Regina tells her that Ariel is just going to have to trust that she'll hold up her end of the deal. I agree with Ariel. I want payment before I help you, Regina.

Elsewhere Peter and Felix are chatting. Peter can sense when someone leaves the island and tells Felix that they need to move up their plans.

Meanwhile Neal is filling everyone in on his plan. He wants to capture Pan's shadow as that is what will help them escape. The others are not so on board with this (understandably). Emma brings up a good point that Peter won't let them near him long enough to grab the shadow. Hook reveals that Pan's shadow is hardly ever attached to him. Neal says you can catch it...if you know where to look (and he does). Emma relents and tells Neal that they are shadow duty. Hook immediately declares that he is going as well because they will need help (my shipper perspective is squealing that Emma wanted to go off alone with Neal). This isn't going to be awkward AT ALL.

Storybooke - present

The dwarfs are sitting around commenting that it's been really peaceful without Snow and Charming around. Grumpy isn't having it though. He says the cutest thing about Snow and Charming coming back and that everything will remain normal (he misses them!). Of course, Ariel pops up out of the water at this exact moment. The strangers who raced into Storybrooke are watching Ariel. They mention the home office (AKA Pan) and that they need to make sure Ariel never leaves Storybrooke.

Belle is moping in Granny's restaurant. Archie goes over to try and cheer her up. They talk about Rumple, and how Belle is scared about his well being (he was going off to his death) and badly she wants to help save Henry (and Rumple). Archie tells her that she is a hero, she kept the bad guys out. Grumpy brings Ariel to the restaurant to meet Belle. She gives Belle the sand dollar that Rumple wanted her to have. It holds a message from Rumple via hologram. He tells Belle that he needs her to find something for him, and that the strength of their love will lead her to it (sigh...romantic right?!). Belle is excited to be able to help.

Neverland - present

Snow and Emma are talking about Charming and the fact that he's a lying liar who lies. Emma thinks Snow should talk to him. Emma gets why he didn't tell Snow. She says it was because he didn't want to distract from the mission. Snow is still upset and says that Emma inherited his tunnel vision. She changes the subject and tells Emma to be careful going off with Neal and Hook. They both have feelings for her. Emma tells her that it doesn't matter, all she cares about is getting Henry back.

Henry is looking sad and alone. Peter comes and tells him that he wants to take Henry somewhere and show him something. Henry gets angry. Tells Peter he knows his family is on the island. Peter shoots that down. Henry is determined and even accuses Pan of keep them away from Henry. Peter, cleverly, says that he is not holding Henry's family hostage (which he technically is not, but he isn't letting them get to Henry either). Henry storms off telling Pan that he knows Pan is hiding something and that he is going to find out what it is. Peter and Felix talk about the best way of getting Henry to come around. They discuss using the cage (or more likely the person inside it) to achieve this.

Neal is looking for the coconut star map. Emma, adorably, has hidden it, and runs off to get it. This leaves Hook and Neal alone. Hook thanks Neal for being understanding. Neal is clueless. Hook admits he is referring to the fact that he and Emma kissed (he calls it a dalliance...check out the definition...enough said). Hook thought Emma told him (which is understandable, he must have figured that was Emma's secret). Neal says she didn't, and that perhaps it slipped her mind since they are trying to get their son (basically they have bigger things to worry about right now). Emma comes back and realizes there is some tension in the room that wasn't there before. She hands Neal the coconut and he tells her it's not a star map. It's what they are going to catch Pan's shadow in. Hook scoffs prompting Neal to reply 'You came to Neverland on a pirate ship through a portal. You’re gonna draw the line at a magic coconut?'. Hook and Neal have a friendly banter going on here. I like it, and want more (less triangle please). Emma wants to know where they are going. Neal says 'Dark Hallow' and the look he shares with Hook makes it clear this place is no good. Neal says that it's the only way they will get back to Storybrooke though.

Storybrooke - Present 

Ariel is basically geeking out in Mr Gold's shop. She holds up a corkscrew (she's got 20! haha) and Belle tells her that is not what they are looking for. Ariel picks up a button and gets excited. She tells Belle that Eric, a prince (the kind with legs!) she fell in love with a long time ago, had a button just like it. Ariel is officially the cutest. Belle realizes what Rumple meant - the chipped tea cup. Belle gets mushy and it's adorable. Belle looks in the cabinet that used to hold 'Chip' and places the cup on the saucer. It enacts some magic that reveals a hidden door in the floor. Inside the door is a box. Pandora's Box to be exact. So Rumple wants to unleash evil to defeat Pan? Really? I am not sure what is really in that box, but I doubt it's the stuff of the myth. Just as Belle is saying that this is what Rumple needs to defeat Pan the two outsiders come into the shop holding guns. They tie Belle and Ariel to a chair. Ariel wants to know why they are doing what these guys ask them to. Belle tells her it's because they have guns. Ariel has no clue what a gun is. One of the guys asks Ariel what Rumple told her about the box. She replies with the BEST comeback ever.. 'I am not afraid of you, or your gun. And not just because I don't know what it is'. She is perfect and I want JoAnna Garica Swisher to stay forever. Belle tells them it is magic and that they shouldn't care because they are going to destroy magic anyways. The guys say they do not wait to destroy magic. These guys know exactly who they are working for, and that their mission is: making sure Rumple fails.

Neverland - present

Snow and Charming are arguing because Snow won't talk to him. He wants her to talk and he is trying apologize. He starts making comments about what type of home he'll have hoping to get her to say something. Finally he starts yelling at her to talk to him. She starts yelling back. I love that they are working through the issue. Snow tells him that if he was scared she wouldn't have stayed with him in Neverland that he shouldn't have been. She would always stay with him. Charming says that is the point. He didn't want to force that choice on her, and make her stay. Love is sacrifice (Swanfire feelings) and that he wanted her to live a nice life off the island. She tells him that all she wants is him, and that she would gladly stay there as long as she has him by her side. They hug and make up (sort of) and Snow tearfully tells he should have believed (I guess she means believe in their love). I hope Charming finds a way off this island.

Emma/Neal/Hook come across some greenery that requires cutting down to get past. Emma hands Neal his sword. He recognizes it and wonders if she got it in his cave. She says no, that Hook gave it to her. Neal says he didn't know Hook was sentimental (which is the same thing Emma said when Hook gave her the sword!). Hook shoots back that he figured Emma would want something to remember Neal by. Neal shows some sass and says "Oh, thanks — she’s got me now." SASS! Unexpected, but I enjoyed that line. Emma is obviously confused as to why these guys are now snipping at each other. Hook tells her that Neal knows about the kiss. She wants to know WHY Hook would tell Neal. He says it was because he hoped it meant something. Emma is quick to tell him that what meant something was that he told them Neal was alive. She mentions he could have kept it to himself because Pan may have offered some kind of deal. Hooks says it was a test, to see if he would help an old friend (FRIEND?! Bae was basically your step son) even if the friend was after the same girl. Emma says that he chose that old friend more like a question, or a note of surprise. She mentions that it's a surprise because "he is a pirate". Hook says he also believes in good form and that he wants to win Emma's heart (and he says he WILL win) because she wants him, not through trickery. Nice sentiment, but WIN rubs me the wrong way. She's not some prize to be won. Emma is not something to WIN. She even tells Hook it's not a contest and he tells her THAT IT IS. He tells her that she has to choose because neither of them is going to stop. Emma replies that the only thing she has to chose is the best way to get her son back. EXACTLY, Emma. Henry is missing. NOW IS NOT THE TIME, HOOK. Ultimatums and saying you WILL win like Emma's choice has already been made didn't sit well with me. Not when Emma's already under the stress of Henry missing. I adore Hook's character (just not with Emma) but this doesn't feel like character growth to me. I was hoping to see some change from the man who helped Milah run away from her family. Hook ends this exchange with some nice words about how she will succeed in getting Henry back because Emma is seriously self doubting right now. She's been through hell. I feel for the poor woman. 

Dark Hallow is creepy. Emma wants to know how the coconut works. Neal tells her that they have to wait until the shadow comes, light the candle, and when the shadow is sucked in by the light they trap it inside. Hook wants to know how they are going to light it as the lanterns went out. Neal takes out a lighter, welcoming Hook to the 21st Century. Hook and Neal start behaving like highschool boys fighting over who is going to light the candle, and trying to wrestle it away from each other. They end up losing the lighter just as Pan's shadow (and his friends) show up. This whole shadow thing has me curious. Does Pan's shadow go collect the boys? Or does he delegate to the others? I could see Pan's shadow having others do his 'dirty work' just like the real Pan does. Also, the fight between Hook and Neal was beyond ridiculous. REALLY, GUYS? NOW? Even Emma is exasperated. HENRY IS MISSING EVERYONE! Emma is not interested in sexy time with either of you right now. They are attacked by the shadows and Emma uses magic to light the candle to save them. The candle sucks in Pan's shadow. Neal seems amazed that Emma used magic, and a little concerned that it is Regina teaching her.

Storybrooke - present

Belle shows her cleverness by using Ariel's fin to break the bindings that are restraining them in order to chase after the outsiders who have taken Pandora's Box to destroy. Belle recalls that the pix axes the dwarfs use could destroy it and they run off to stop them. She begs them not to destroy it or people who she loves will die. They tell her that they have something in common in that case. Belle turns on the mine cart knocking them over, and grabs the box (and their gun). They finally admit they don't want to destroy magic. They don't even care about magic. Pan has their sister. They have to do what Pan wants or he'll kill their sister. These boys are obviously grown up versions of Michael and John Darling. Wendy is in the other box! It takes two second for me to be proven right. Belle offers them a way to save their sister. Let Ariel take the box, and they'll have Rumple save her. Ariel asks them what their sister's name is and they tell her Wendy. They want Ariel to tell Wendy that John and Michael are waiting for her (Awww! Darling family needs to be reunited). Belle sends Ariel off with a message for Rumple.

Neverland - present

Peter and Felix fake whisper in front of Henry with Pan telling Felix to be careful that Henry doesn't figure out what they are up to. Obviously they want Henry to follow Felix. Henry follows Felix and Peter goes to the cage and takes Wendy out. He tells her that she's not free yet, but that doesn't mean she can't come out to play. Henry sneaks up to a hut where he finds Wendy laying in bed. She hasn't aged a day since Neal met her. She's coughing, and sickly. Tells Henry that she is ill because the island is losing it's magic (she calls it power). Tells him that Peter is trying to save her, but there is only so much he can do. She brings up the fact that Henry looks like his father, and tells him that she was friends with Neal. Lays on the guilt with 'he would do anything for my family'. She tries to get him to leave so that he won't get ill, and Henry promises that he will come back for her (shades of 'I will always find you' from Snow and Charming? Should we be wanting Henry and Wendy together?). Peter comes in and congratulates Wendy on a job well done. She tells Pan that she hates lying to Henry. There is some interesting dynamics here. Does Wendy LIKE Peter? He keeps her in a cage?! Peter tells her that Henry has the heart of the truest believer, and that he needs to control that belief. Wendy wants to know what Henry has to believe in, and Peter says "ME". 

Regina and Rumple are waiting for Ariel to come back. They are talking about the odds of Belle succeeding. Rumple thinks she will, and accuses Regina of being jealous. Not of Belle, but of him having someone that he loves. She wants what Rumple has, basically. I agree with that. Ariel shows up and tells them about Wendy and Rumple eventually agrees that he will do his best to save her. Regina keeps good on her promise and gives Ariel the ability of having legs or a tale (whatever Eric is into these days). I am pleasantly surprised by Regina, and the strides she is making. Rumple wants Ariel to tell Belle that he loves her and that he will see her again (Awww). Ariel swims off for Storybrooke (and ERIC!!).

Neal apologizes about the fight with Hook. Emma reads them the riot act. Telling them both that they screwed up, and they almost lost their chance to get the shadow because they were fighting over a lighter. Hook tells her that it wasn't the lighter they were fighting over. Emma, exasperated with both of them says that if she has to chose, it's an easy choice - HENRY! She only has enough room in her life for that love right now. Go, Emma. At least Neal apologized and realized it was wrong.

Snow and Charming find Tink. Tell her that they have a way off the island by using Pan's shadow. She doesn't believe it until Neal comes rushing in showing her the coconut trap holding Pan's shadow. Tink and Neal greet each other like old friends. I have seen some people wonder if they could have had some kind of romance before. I doubt it, he was like 13 or something when he was in Neverland. I think she may have helped him get off the island the first time though and I totally think her and Hook...hooked up. Strangely Hook seems unhappy that Tink is being kind to Neal. No clue what that is about. The group goes off to plot their strategy for getting into Pan's camp, getting Henry and going home. Neal calls Emma to stay back so he can apologize again, and tell her that she was right. Henry is all that matters. Mentions that if Henry is the only thing that comes out of them being together they did alright. This gets a smile out of Emma (so rare these days) and she says "Let's go get OUR son back".

Henry confronts Peter about Wendy. Henry is upset that she is dying. Peter confirms that she is dying. Tells Henry that he is the only one that can save magic and therefore Wendy (Oh, Peter, you lying liar). Henry wants to know how he is supposed to save magic. Peter says it's not how but WHERE. He leads Henry to show him where, and it's.... SKULL ROCK (my Peter Pan fangirl freaked out! SKULL ROCK!). Peter calls it the site of their salvation, and only Henry can bring it. It'll require heroism, and sacrifice and asks if Henry is up to the task. Henry who has always wanted to be a hero (like his grandpa Charming), answers with a determined YES!

So Hook didn't do it for me this episode. This whole triangle is making me sad and I want to burn it with fire. Where is a curse when you need it? We need to curse Emma and have it be broken by true love's kiss. BOOM...triangle over. I am not sure I could take more than a season of this, especially if the guys are going to act like highschool jerks fighting over the cheerleader. 

Next week's episode looks EPIC! The promo gave me shivers, and we're ending the first 11 episode arc before they take their big hiatus.Only four episodes left! That means cliffhangers, jaw dropping reveals, and intense episodes. I can't wait.

Until next week.... Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust.

2014 Most Anticipated....Suman Says!

Today I have Suman from Harper Collins Canada offering up her suggestions on what not to miss in 2014! She's got some amazing picks lined up, and I am already dying to get my hands on so many of them. Suman is awesome (she loves Joss Whedon, and Friday Night Lights, enough said) and she runs the Harper Collins Young Adult Twitter (@HCCFrenzy) which is where you can find her to talk all things bookish. Thanks for stopping by Suman!

Next year is going to be a huge year for YA fiction. I’m getting happy just thinking about some of the books! We’ll get to read the final installments in the Shatter Me and the Selection series, plus there are tons of debuts that have the entire Frenzy team buzzing with excitement.

Kathy’s put together an amazing list of titles she’s looking forward to in 2014. Like everyone else, I’ve got a long list of books I’m excited to read next year, but here are a few of the ones I’m most excited about!

No One Else Can Have You by Kathleen Hale (January 7)

I read this one several months ago and have literally not been able to stop talking about it since. It’s been (accurately) compared to Fargo, Pretty Little Liars and Veronica Mars, plus it has one of the most unique YA covers I’ve seen. No One Else Can Have You is a murder mystery full of dark humor and a protagonist that you’ll adore. Seriously. Kippy Bushman should be in every book.

Avalon by Mindee Arnett (January 21)

Attention Joss Whedon fans (that’s all of us, right?)! Avalon is being described as Firefly for teens. Do I really even need to say anything else?

If you haven’t read much sci-fi in the past, Avalon will have you hooked on the genre.

Elusion by Claudia Gabel (March 18)

I’ve been obsessed with science fiction since I was little, so I’m incredibly excited to see that there are so many sci-fi reads to look forward to in 2014.

Inspired by Inception (!!!), Elusion has it all: fantasy, adventure, sci-fi, and romance. Set in the near-future, a new technology called Elusion is sweeping the country. With just an app, visor and wristband, you can be virtually transported to an exotic destination where adventure can be pursued without the complications—or consequences—of real life. When there are accusations that Elusion is addictive and dangerous, Regan, the daughter of the program's inventor, is determined to defend it. But as she investigates further, she discovers a disturbing web of secrets and deeply-buried truths.

The Taking by Kimberly Derting (April 29)

A flash of white…and then nothing.

When Kira wakes up behind a dumpster, she has no memory of what’s happened, but soon finds out that five years have passed—and she’s still the same sixteen-year-old she was when she vanished….

The Taking is a fast-paced read perfect for fans of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and The Fifth Wave (two of my personal faves!).

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern (June 3)

When this book was first described to us, the comparisons had us all excited: The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor & Park, with a dash of How To Love by Katie Cotugno.

To Matthew, Amy is the girl with cerebral palsy. But what he doesn’t realize is that trapped inside Amy’s uncooperative body is a kindred spirit.

To Amy, Matthew is a just another quiet boy from her school. But what Amy doesn’t know is that Matthew’s mind is consumed with repeated thoughts, obsessive rituals, and crippling fear. 

Say What You Will is an unforgettable contemporary read about what starts as a blossoming friendship and eventually grows into something unexpected. I guarantee you will not be able to put this book down.

If you get a chance to read any of these titles, I’d love to hear what you think on twitter at @HCCFrenzy!

Happy Reading!

Suman Seewat

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Release Date – November 5, 2013
Publisher Website – Disney/Hyperion
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages - 304 pages
My Rating- 3/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they've begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.

What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides— especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own.

Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.

Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.

A killer on the loose. Young teenagers with gifts that could help catch a killer. A girl who becomes a target, and taunt tension. The Naturals seemed to have everything I wanted in a novel, including a delicious premise and a fantastic start. I was engrossed immediately. Sadly, after starting strong the novels pacing ends up on a low note, and failed to deliver the strong ending I expected.

This is part normal procedural murder mystery, part romance, and part paranormal. The inclusion of these 'gifts' that the teenagers have added an extra element to the story. I wanted more details about them, and wanted to learn how the teenagers even came to possess them. Is it just something they were born with? Is it something they developed over time? I left wanting more answers about both the teens, and these 'gifts'.

The romance is a little infuriating. I think some will be harsher than I am on it. It's insta-love through and through. There is even a triangle thrown in for good measure. The only selling point is that I found it believable. The teens in this come across like teens in a typical teen movie. They behave like you would expect from this genre and it gave them an air of familiarity. It, sadly, also made them read like placeholder characters. Undefined and included to fit a requirement or sterotype. None of them really stood out, but I also enjoyed them while I was involved in the story.

Cassie's story is the catalyst for much of the plot. I feel her story was plotted and woven rather well (at least up until the end payoff). The tension creeps along increasingly steadily as the chapters go by. It shows that this had the potential to be a fantastic read, but the ending felt rushed, and didn't connect the way I wanted it to. The mystery is sort of resolved at end, but leaving enough open to warrant a sequel. The set up is tailor made to be a series, with different crimes being the focus with a larger storyline woven throughout. I see a lot of potential for future novels.

The inclusion of chapters titled YOU served to put the reader in the mind of a predator/killer. It was well done and one of my favourite parts of the novel. Creepy, chilling, and hit just the right balance. It's these sections that made the story stronger, and provided a perspective that was needed.

A fantastic start that unfortunately tapered off to what was, for me, a disappointing ending. The door is open for sequels to this, and the premise is so tantalizing that I hope it lives up to it's potential in any future installments.

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).

Mailbox of awesome this week! It was a packed on filled with awesome books!

First up I won an Allegiant prize pack from Chapters (a main book retailer in Canada). It included that huge Four poster you see in the photo (it's a full sized poster, and AWESOME). I couldn't fit it all in the picture. It also included a button (not pictured).

I went to the Ontario Blogger Meet Up and my goodie bag held

The Offering by Kimberly Derting (Goodreads)

The Unlikely Hero of Room 13b by Teresa Toten (Goodreads)

Hover by Melissa West (Goodreads)

Pawn by Aimee Carter (Goodreads)

The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey (Goodreads)

Waterfell by Amalie Howard (Goodreads)

The Blessings by Elise Juska (Goodreads)

Harper sent me a title that has one of the prettiest covers EVER and is part of my 2014 Most Anticipated event. If you missed the Q & A I did with Rosamund, do check it out.

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge (Goodreads) 

Lastly I may have squealed with this one showed up in my mailbox!

Brazen by Katherine Longshore (Goodreads)

She also included some bookmarks for Manor of Secrets in there! The cover of Brazen is prettier in person, and I am looking forward to starting it ASAP!

Happy Reading, and Happy Weekend!

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.

A smaller obsessions post this week! Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOK

When I Wake by Elizabeth Norris

I was sold the second I read this synopsis! Boardwalk Empire with a twist.

Winter's Bone meets Boardwalk Empire. It takes place in present day, but in a world where Prohibition was never repealed. Seventeen-year-old Maya Whitaker is forced into working as a criminal informant for the Feds in an effort to take down the current king of organized crime, despite the fact that she's falling in love with his heir apparent, nineteen-year-old Charlie Hollier.

This is not coming out until 2015 and I am already DYING to get my hands on it. The Prohibition era is fascinating and I loved the fashion. I hope that comes into play. The twist of Prohibition never being repealed sounds like a lot of fun. If you need this book (like I do), be sure to add it to your Goodreads list.

TV/MOVIE

Reign

Is it historically accurate? NO, but it sure is delicious fun. I root for Francis and Bash as brothers, and love their relationship. I want Mary and Francis to be together (so so so much). I take delight in the eye candy that the show offers (hello, Toby Regbo). I hope that this show does not go the route of the love triangle with Bash/Mary/Francis but otherwise I am loving it's fun, twisty storyline.

So what are you obsessed with this week?