Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
Released: January 17th 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: Unearthly, Book Two
Page Amount: 403, US Hardcover Edition
Source: Library
Goodreads/Amazon

*The following blurb and review may contain spoilers. Hallowed is book two in the Unearthly series. If you haven't read Unearthly, please do not continue on.*

"For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning."

-Information Goodreads.com 

My Thoughts:

I had mixed feelings going into this because I liked Unearthly, I didn't love it. I had the same experience with Hallowed. I do love books on the angel myths. 

Anyways in Hallowed Clara is face with many life changing events. There are alot of twists and turns. You won't know what will happen next. Clara learns more about herself and who she truly is. 

I love Tucker!! I will read the next one just to have more of a Tucker fix. 

4/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley 

Waiting On Wednesday(1)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking The Spine. Its to spotlight upcoming releases you can't wait to get your hands on!!

The Immortal Rules
by Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: April 24th
From Goodreads:


"In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for."

Julie Kagawa is one of my favorite YA authors. When I read about this novel I was so excited to read it. I love vampires, and Julie's writing. Its just amazing that the two are now together!! The cover is AMAZING!! Looking forward to her POV of vampires and to read more of her writing again. If you haven't yet you should check out her The Iron Fey series its awesome!!

The Catastrophic History Of You And Me by Jess Rothenberg

The Catastrophic History Of You And Me by Jess Rothenberg
Released: February 21st 2012
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Page Amount: 400, US Hardcover Edition
Source: Library


"Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?"
-Information from  Goodreads.com

My Thoughts:
  This was a refreshing novel for me. Even though it was filled with such heartache and sadness. I couldn't put it down for a second. Brie loses her life by her heart literally breaking when her boyfriend Jacob dumps her.She is thrown into the afterlife and wanting to have her old life back. She meets Patrick, a guy who has been waiting for Brie. Although she doesn't remember him there is a clue the nightmare she has every year on the same day.

Brie goes through the stages of grieve. She tries to get back at those whom she felt did her wrong. She learns that getting even wasn't the best idea.

Will she get the chance to make things right? If you have to read to find out. The ending made me tear up.

What a heartbreaking debut for 2012!!
5/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley

Starters by Lissa Price

Starters by Lissa Price
Released: March 13th 2012 (first released February 14th 2012)
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Series: Starters, Book One
Page Amount: 368, US Hardcover Edition
Source: Library 



"HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . ."
-Information from Goodreads.com 

My Thoughts:
Starters by Lissa Price, is a 2012 debut novel. Starters is the dystopian story of where teen(Starters) are renter for their body by renters (Enders). To give them a chance to feel young again. There was a war that took everyone out from the age of 20-60. The Enders are the only ones with jobs. Leaving the teen to do the illegal renting of their bodies at Prime Destination.

Callie Woodland the main female character has no choice but to work for Prime Destination. Because she and her little brother Tyler are orphans and Tyler is very sick. She signs up hoping to secure a payment to get them home and her brother medicine to get him well.


I got halfway through the book before the story finally starting getting interesting. I'm not sure if I will continue on or not at this point. 


If you are in love with dystopains then this is a book for you. 
3/5 Happy Reading, Ashley

The Secret Sisterhood Of Heartbreakers by Lynn Weingarten

The Secret Sisterhood Of Heartbreakers by Lynn Weingarten 
Released: December 27th 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Amount: 352, US Hardcover Edition
Source: Library

"If there’s an upside to having your heart broken, it’s this: A broken heart makes you brave.

  The first day of sophomore year doesn’t go the way Lucy planned. After a summer apart from her boyfriend, she’s ready to greet him with a special surprise and instead gets a shocking one in return: He’s breaking up with her. Beyond devastated, Lucy has no idea how she’s going to make it through homeroom, let alone the rest of her life.

Enter three stunning girls with the unnatural ability to attract boys and an offer Lucy can’t refuse: They can heal her heart in an instant. And then she’ll be one of them—a member of a sisterhood that is impervious to heartbreak and has access to magic distilled from the tears of brokenhearted boys. But to gain their power, Lucy must get a guy to fall in love with her the old-fashioned way, and then break his heart in the next seven days.

While the sisterhood may need another Heartbreaker, Lucy’s only desire is to get her ex back. But how far is she willing to go, and who is she willing to cross to get what she wants?"

-Information from Goodreads.com  

My Thoughts:
This book didn't hold my attention very well. I could put it down and be fine without wanting to know more about the storyline and characters. I did find it to be similar with The Secret Circle meets the Gossip Girl. 
The girls seduce boys in order to break their hearts to get their tears to fix the girls broken hearts. 


It was an alright read, I'm glad I picked it up from the library. The cover is amazing. 


3/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley

In My Mailbox (22)

 In My Mailbox (22)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. The purpose of In My Mailbox is a way to show what books you have received for review, bought, or borrowed from the library/friends.

Borrowed:
The Catastrophic History Of You And Me by Jess Rothenberg (Debut Author 2012)
Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

Didn't receive any for review. Didn't buy any books this week.

Hope you guys I had a great week in books. Please let me know in the comments!! Happy Reading, Ashley

The Horror Of The The Shade: The Trilogy of the Void Book One by Peter Meredith

The Horror Of The Shade:The Trilogy Of The Void Book One
by Peter Meredith

Released: January 19th 2011
Publisher: Self published
Series: Trilogy Of The Void Book, One
Page Amount: 434
Source: Review/ e-book

"In all the deepest pits and in all the rank, vile dungeons that make up the illusion of Hell, no fiend is more feared than the dread demon, and for good reason. These pitiless monsters feed on bile and blood, they lap up the screams of the damned, they corrupt and destroy, and they hate with an unrelenting fury.
And to release one upon the world is the ultimate in black sin.
When Commander William Jern and his wife Gayle are given an opportunity to move into one of the spacious Colonial homes on the Village Green, they jump at the chance. But the Jern's new dream home quickly becomes an icy nightmare, as death stalks them relentlessly. It comes unheralded out of the night, and like all of us, they are fearfully unprepared. Yet regardless of his state of readiness, William Jern must face terrors beyond imagination in order to save his daughter whose body had become a frozen vessel for a horror summoned out of the great Void.
With the help of his son Will, a boy struggling to find the courage to be a man, and an old woman, who has foreseen the terrifying manner in which she will die, William undergoes the ultimate test to see how far a father will go, to save his child."

-Information from Goodreads.com 

My Thoughts:

 I received this for review from the author.I'm not big into horror. Truth be told I avoid it all costs. However I took a risk reading this book. From the moment you start reading you are freaked out of your mind. You continue on hoping there will be end to the horror.Peter did an awesome job with the scare factor!!

I'm glad to have been given the chance to review this. Even though it took a while, I had to take breaks from reading. Yes I got scared!!

I do not know if this is a spoiler or not but to find out its based on a true story is just even more scarier!!

If you love scary books then you should totally check this out!!

4/5 stars, Happy Reading Ashley 

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington
Released: March 6th 2012 (first released October 1st 2010)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Series: The Violet Eden Chapters, Book One
Page Amount: 367, US Hardcover Edition
Source: Borrowed From Library

"It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before.

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…

Look for the sequels ENTICED in September 2012 and EMBLAZE in March 2013!"

-Information from Goodreads.com 




My Thoughts:
I have read a few angel stories. There is just something about this take on them. That I found myself so yearning to read more and more. Our story begins with meeting Violet Eden, who doesn't look for to her birthday. Because not only does it mark her entrance into this world. It also marks the death of her mother. Violet finds it hard to want to celebrate this day. However she isn't prepared for what will forever change her life. 


And its her choice to Embrace her fate or walk away. There is a love triangle and for once I was cheering for the bad boy Phoenix. However there is a change of events that had made me dislike his so much. I've never hated a male character this much. I do like Lincoln, but him keeping something very important from Violet. Had me not caring for him throughout the book.


If you are looking for an angel story, with a twist then Embrace by Jessica Shirvington is for you. I cannot wait to pick up Enticed. By the way I love the cover!!


5/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley

Wanderlove by Kristen Hubbard

Wanderlove by Kristen Hubbard
Released: March 13th 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Page Amount: 352, US Hardcover Edition
Source: Owned/Won

"It all begins with a stupid question:

Are you a Global Vagabond?

No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America—the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path.

Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan’s found, is to keep moving forward.

But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back.

Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry to this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story."

-Information from Goodreads.com

My Thoughts:

I will admit the cover put me off from reading this. There is just something about it I didn't think I would like. However I quickly learned from the old saying "Don't judge a book buy its cover". I got pass it quickly. From the get go you are thrown into this journey with Bria, who is suffering from a recent break-up. Bria's reasoning for the trip is to prove she could go out and explore the world. Not to just prove this to herself, but to Toby, her ex-boyfriend. I didn't care for him. Sounded like quite the jerk. Along the journey she is with Rowan. Who is trying to undone the damage from past mistakes. 

I loved being shown this different worlds. I felt I was Bria. You will be on quite the journey. I wish there was another book. Just to see where Rowan and Bria go next!!

5/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley