Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Released: December 1st 2009
Publisher: Little Brown For Young Readers
Series: Caster Chroincles, Book One
Page Amount: 563, US Paperback Edition
Source: Own,  movie cover edition

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.
-Information from Goodreads.com

My Thoughts:
I tried reading Beautiful Creatures in 2010, and for some reason or another I just didn't connect with the book. I ended up taking it back to the library. With the hyper over the movie and hearing other book bloggers saying how much they loved it. I decided to bite the pullet and try again. I am so glad I bought this book and even more happy to have read it. Kami and Margaret knew what they were doing when they wrote this dark supernatural magical novel. You are glued to into the thoughts of Ethan Wate, the main male lead character. You learn of how bored he has become with the small town life of living in Gatlin, South Carolina. That all changes the moment Lena Duchannes moves in with her uncle Macon Ravewood or better know to the towns people as Old Man Ravewood. The moment they meet they are drawn to one another. They have been seening one another in the same dreams for months now. Coming face to face changes everything for them and the town of Gatlin.

You are thrown into quite the roller coaster in Beautiful Creatures. I'm still amazed by how the story ended. I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of the books.

If you have been having second thoughts about reading this, then you should go for it. Trust me you won't regret it!! This is one of my new favorite supernatural series!!!

5/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley

Winter White:A Belles Novel by Jen Calonita

Winter White: A Belles Novel by Jen Calonita
Released: October 9th 2012
Publisher: Poppy
Series: Belles, Book 2
Page Amount: 368, US Hardcover Edition
Source: Library

"Isabelle Scott and Mirabelle Monroe are still reeling from the revelation that they share more than just the roof over their heads. The media has pounced on their story, and while Izzie and Mira have each put on a happy public face, someone is leaking their true feelings to the press. It seems as if the world is watching their every move, but at least the girls have each other.
With cotillion season right around the corner, however, Izzie and Mira have barely had time to process their newfound sisterhood. Mira has dreamed of making her debut in a gorgeous white gown forever--now if only she had an escort... Izzie, meanwhile, is still struggling to find her place in Emerald Cove, which seems ever more impossible with EC mean girls, young and old, trying to keep her down. As cotillion preparations heat up, there are dance steps to learn, manners to perfect... and secret initiations to complete?
It's time for the gowns to go on and the gloves to come off."
-Information from Goodreads.com

My Thoughts:
This was an amazing sequel to Belles. I didn't expect all the twists and turns throughout the story. Sitting here in shock by the ending. I totally did not see it coming. Looking forward to reading The Grass Is Always Greener when it is released in April of this year.
If you haven't read this series, I recommend you do so.

5/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley

Update March 2013

Hello Everyone, I know I haven't made in posts since March 3rd, I'm having some computer issues at the moment. I had to reformatt my computer and now I can't get it to hook up to the internet connection. Hoping to get this problem solved very soon. I will try and post from my kindle, I just don't know how well that's going to go. oh yeah I got contacted by a publisher at Entwined Publishing to read and review Becoming a Butterfly and Butterfly Kisses by Mia Castle. I will be apart of a blog tour in May for the release of the third book.

Hope you all are reading amazing books, Happy Reading, Ashley

In My Mailbox (24)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. The purpose of In My Mailbox is to show what books you have received by purchasing them, borrowing them for the library or for review.

This is what is in my mailbox this week:

For Review:
The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa via NetGalley

Bought:
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Graci and  Margaret Stohl
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts

Kindle:
Utopia by Sir Saint Thomas Moore
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
The Blacker House by Nicole Mulloy
The Phantom of the Valletta by Vicki Hopkins
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
The Book Waitress by Deena Remiel
Killing With the Edge of the Moon by A. A. Attanasio
The Key of Kilenya by Andrea Pearon
Forever Fifteen by Kimberly Steele
Thirst by Claire Farrell
The Guestbook by Andrea Hurst


That's all I got this week, Happy Reading, Ashley

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
Released: December 11th 2012
Publisher: Razorbill
Series: Falling Kingdoms, Book One
Page Amount: 412, US Hardcover
Source: Library

"In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword. . . .

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?"
-Information from Goodreads.com 

My Thoughts:
I've heard this be compared to the Game of Thrones but for teens. I haven't read that book yet.

However I was enchanted from the start by Falling Kingdoms, Morgan did an amazing job describing the world. I loved the characters and love the setting of the story. I wasn't sure how it was going to end. I am looking forward to picking up the next installment in the series.
This has become a new favorite series of mine.

If you love fantasy, romance, an amazing heroine, and multiple characters this book is for you!!

Check it out, 5/5 stars, happy reading, ashley

March To Be Read Pile 2013

My To Be Read Pile for March.

1. Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
Was hoping to finish this one in February but that didn't happen. So its going on March's reading list.

2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
I have read amazing things about this. Looking forward to reading it.

3. Belles by Jen Calonita
I loved it, rereading it to read the sequel.

4. Winter White: A Belles novel by Jen Calonita
Sequel to Belles.

5. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Rereading this one as well to read the sequel.

6. The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
Got this for review from NetGalley. Looking forward to reading it. I really did enjoy book one. The first time I read it.

7. In The Hands of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce
This is book 2, in the Song of the Lioness series.

 8. The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce
Book three in the Song of the Lioness series

9. Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce
Book four in the Song of the Lioness series
















That is all I'm planning on getting through this month. I might add some more if I get through all of these. Let me know what you are reading this month. If you have read any of the books I'm planning to read. Just no spoilers please...
Happy Reading, Ashley

February Wrap Up 2013

This is the books I read in February and what I thought about them!! I have reviews posted for them all.


 

1. Deity by Jennifer L. Armentrout
This is book 3 in the Covenant series. I really loved it!! This series just gets more addicting with each installment.
 Gave this one 5/5 stars

 2. Elixir by Jennifer L. Armentrout
This book 3.5, it is told from Aiden's point of view. I really enjoyed reading from his mindset.
Gave it 5/5 stars

3. Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
I love Nicholas' writing and his stories. I had been reading to read this one since 2010. But didn't get to it until this year. I am so glad to have read it!! Its heartbreaking, breathtaking, just everything I've come to love from Nicholas.
Gave this one 5/5 stars as well!!!

4. Alanna by Tamora Pierce
This was I'm only re-read for the month. If you love fantasy and kick ass heroine's then you should check out Alanna. Its amazing!!
Gave this one 5/5 stars

5. Shades of Earth by Beth Revis
I am sad to see this series come to an end. Beth did an amazing job. I loved seeing Amy and Elder discover the new world. I have loved every minute I have spent with these characters.
Not so shocking I gave this one 5/5 stars too!!

6. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
This one took me by surprise. I have heard nothing but amazing things about Anna. That is has won even those with the hardest of hearts. It did the same to me as well. Maybe St. Clair helped alot!!!
Gave this one 5/5 stars!!













This is all the awesome books I read in February. Please feel free to let me know what you guys read this month. Or if you plan on reading of the books I talked about.
Happy Reading, Ashley