New Books from Publishers...

Here’s some new books I received from publishers! So excited to read them.

The trees are laden with fruit and the water in the lagoon is as clear as crystal. Wren's world is a utopia. If only she could stop the strange visions she's started having: flashes of another world, where there are people she doesn't know, couldn't possibly know, but who somehow feel familiar. What does Blaze, the most beautiful and mysterious of creations, know about what's going on in Wren's head? When she uncovers the lies that are propping up everything she has ever believed in, Wren must choose: remain in blissful ignorance or face the ugly truth?

After dying of cancer at seventeen and being brought back to life by an evil witch who turned her into a monster, Samantha Thompson thinks she's finally gotten past all the tragedy in her life. Now she's part of a coven of good witches who are helping her and her boyfriend, Ethan Anderson, learn to use the powers they received from other witches. Aside from the fact that Sam and Ethan are still in hiding from their old lives--the ones they had before Sam was brought back to life--things couldn't be better. Sam and Ethan are inseparable. What could go wrong?

Magic.

Ethan's magic came from a witch who'd turned as evil as possible, and though his coven thought he'd be fine, the more he uses his magic, the stranger he starts acting. The magic inside him is changing who he is. One minute he's Sam's sweet, perfect Ethan and the next, he's a complete stranger. Even with all her witchy power, Sam is helpless against the magic corrupting Ethan. Can Sam find out what's wrong with him before she loses him to dark magic forever?

Lorrie Hollander used to be a rich girl, but now she's lost everything because of the secrets and lies of the people around her. It's been 12 years since Lorrie's mother skipped town and left Lorrie in the care of her unstable aunt Gigi. Together they live in a neglected, decrepit mansion called Edgewater, the eyesore in a town of extraordinary wealth and privilege.

When Charlie, the son of an esteemed senator, takes an interest in Lorrie, her shame for her family and lifestyle runs deep. But what she doesn't know is that Charlie's family is hiding something, too, and that their secrets are inextricably tied. Now Lorrie must confront the truth about her family—and everything she ever thought she knew about herself.

Have any of you heard of these books before? They all sound intriguing just don’t know which one to start after The Remedy….Any suggestions? Please?! LoL. Hope you all enjoy your day and as always thank you for stopping by.

Alive by Scott Sigler Review

Date to be Published: July 14, 2015

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Number of Pages: 368

Publisher: Del Rey

First Thoughts:

This book has changed me in so many ways, there really is no way to express how this book affected me. I can’t really tell if the way it affected me was good or bad. It definitely creeped me out from the very beginning. Freaked me out too. This book reminded me of “Lord of the Flies”, from the characters to the very situation they’re in. Overall this book was unique and interesting, not my favorite book but I’ve read far worse books.

Goodreads Summary:

From New York Times bestselling author Scott Sigler comes something utterly new: a gripping sci-fi adventure trilogy in the vein of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Maze Runner. A group of young adults awake in a mysterious enclosed space with no knowledge of who they are or how they got there…and an indomitable young woman must lead them not only to answers but to survival.

A young woman awakes trapped in an enclosed space. She has no idea who she is or how she got there. With only her instincts to guide her, she escapes her own confinement—and finds she’s not alone. She frees the others in the room and leads them into a corridor filled with the remains of a war long past. The farther these survivors travel, the worse are the horrors they confront. And as they slowly come to understand what this prison is, they realize that the worst and strangest possibilities they could have imagined don’t even come close to the truth.

Plot:

There isn’t much I can talk about when it comes to the plot because at the end of the book the author asked the reader to not reveal any of the surprises that came up throughout the book. But I can tell you one thing, it is full of ups and downs and in-betweens. When you think you know what’s going to happen the next moment the game changes.

Romance:

There really wasn’t any romance in this book, it was all about survival and trying to make sense of everything, There were hints of romance but nothing concrete or get excited about.

Characters:

Hmmm….they were definitely unique and full of life. They weren’t flat characters, you could actually connect with them. Though Em or also known as Savage was a little hard to connect with. The way she thought and acted just wasn’t how I would have liked her to act. Bishop was pretty cool I think he was my favorite character even if he so acted like a 12 year old boy, lol. As for the rest of the secondary characters they did their part and were either likeable or not likeable.

Transformation of Character:

Em changed a lot throughout this book but you would too if you went through all the horrors and events she went through. Did she become a better person? Yes and no, she became a different person but whether she became someone admirable or likeable is up for discussion.

Description:

There was a lot of deep and analyzing description in this book. I think at times the author got too detailed. It really got me to shudder in the dark. The way the author described the dark and the things that hid in the dark was almost too much. She was heavy on using action words to help better describe the situation which made it that much more creepy and horror like. The dialogue was good in the story, seemed to flow with each character. There was some inner dialogue but it helped the reader better understand Em’s thoughts.

Style:

This was written in first person and in one POV. I think it went good with this book because we were able to really understand what was happening in the mind of Em. This being written in only one point of view was good because we were able to focus on one thing at a time. This was a complicated and diverse world. The writing itself was easy and fun to read. The author definitely has a way with words.

Quote of the book:

“ If you run, your enemy will hunt you. Kill your enemy, and you are forever free.”

Last Thoughts:

What I really want to know is, will there be another book? It doesn’t say it was book one of a series but the ending left you hanging. There were still a lot of unanswered questions. There better be a second book, looks like I need to do some research. Anyways even though this book had a few flaws, it was a good read. Creepy and morbid yes but good in its own right. Will I reread it again probably unlikely, But would definitely read the next book just to have some of my questions answered.

My Rating:

New books I got

Here’s the two new books I got and I’m quite excited!

In a world before The Program…

Quinlan McKee is a closer. Since the age of seven, Quinn has held the responsibility of providing closure to grieving families with a special skill—she can “become” anyone.

Recommended by grief counselors, Quinn is hired by families to take on the short-term role of a deceased loved one between the ages of fifteen and twenty. She’s not an exact copy, of course, but she wears their clothes and changes her hair, studies them through pictures and videos, and soon, Quinn can act like them, smell like them, and be them for all intents and purposes. But to do her job successfully, she can’t get attached.

Now seventeen, Quinn is deft at recreating herself, sometimes confusing her own past with those of the people she’s portrayed. When she’s given her longest assignment, playing the role of Catalina Barnes, Quinn begins to bond with the deceased girl’s boyfriend. But that’s only the beginning of the complications, especially when Quinn finds out the truth about Catalina’s death. And the epidemic it could start.

What I think:

I am so excited to read this book. I loved “The Program” and “The Treatment”. Suzanne Young has beautiful writing and I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since I finished her last book.

After being on the run, Ariane Tucker finds herself back where she started—under the cruel control of Dr. Jacobs, head of the research facility that created her. Now she must participate in the upcoming trials; a deadly competition pitting her against other alien hybrids, each representing a rival corporation.

But Ariane is no one’s weapon. She is prepared to die if it means taking down those involved in Project Paper Doll. They destroyed all that she holds dear, including Zane Bradshaw, the one person she trusted and cared for the most—the person she was forced to leave behind, bleeding and alone.

As her plan takes shape Ariane will need to depend on, now more than ever, the other side of her heritage—the cold, calculated instincts born from her alien DNA. With Zane gone she has nothing left to lose.

With heart-pounding action, and plenty of surprises, the gripping conclusion to Stacey Kade's Project Paper Doll series delivers a powerful finish that will keep fans hooked to the very end.

What I think:

Looking forward to this book because I thought the first two books in the series were unique and fun to read.

So those are the two books I got. What do you guys think? Are you wanting to read them too? Have you even heard of them? Thanks for reading would love to hear from you.

-Lacey

Unchanged Review

Date Published: February 24, 2015

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Number of pages: 420

Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux Books for Young Readers

First Thoughts:

The ending to this book really pissed me off and I don’t say that lightly. This whole series was about finding yourself, accepting others as they are and finding love and in the end it destroys that. I won’t go into detail because I don’t want to ruin the series or book for you but just know the ending wasn’t what I wanted.

Goodreads Summary:

So many secrets are buried within these compound walls.

I used to be one of those secrets.

After returning to the Diotech compound and undergoing an experimental new memory alteration, Seraphina is now a loyal, obedient servant to Dr. Alixter and the powerful company that created her. Happy and in love with Kaelen, another scientifically-enhanced human designed to be her perfect match, Sera’s history with a boy named Zen is just a distant memory from a rebellious past she longs to forget.

But as Sera and Kaelen embark on a nationwide tour to promote Diotech’s new product line—a collection of controversial genetic modifications available to the public—Sera’s mind starts to rebel. She can’t stop the memories of Zen from creeping back in.

As more secrets are revealed, more enemies are uncovered, and the reality of a Diotech-controlled world grows closer every day, Sera will have to choose where her true loyalties lie, but it’s a choice that may cost her everything she’s ever loved.

Plot:

This was a story about self-discovery. Sera has to learn about who she is and make hard-core decisions on who she wants to be. There was a lot of new characters introduced that thickened the plot. New technology was introduced and soon we were right alongside Kaelen and Sera, learning what they were created for and learning exactly what they’re capable of. Overall the plot kept the story flowing pretty quickly and gave the audience a fast read.

Romance:

There were two romances that struck me out in this book. The one between Sera and Kaelen and the one between Sera and Zen. They were both interesting to read about, they each had their own flare. I’m not going to tell you which one she ends up with because frankly I’m still confused on who she chose but I do have an idea on what the author meant for the audience to see.

Characters:

I really enjoyed the characters in this book; it was one part of the book that I did enjoy. I especially enjoyed Kaelen. I know as the reader were not supposed to be rooting for him but I really enjoyed his character and how sweet he could be. Though he was almost robotic at times. Sera was okay, she was a little indecisive but a likeable character. Zen was a bit standoffish and I really couldn’t connect with him in this book like I was able to in the previous two books. Which was odd and unlike the author to make me feel that way.

Transformation of the Character:

Sera did a lot of transforming in this book, one minute she’s this obedient girt and the next thing we know she’s rebelling in small ways. As for her transforming in the right way I can’t tell you but I can tell you she transforms into this beautiful young woman by the end.

Description:

The description in this book was that of self-dialogue. There was regular dialogue too but most of the book consisted of self-dialogue where Sera reflex on her current situation. As for the description to explain the landscape there really wasn’t a lot of that in the book. There was a moment where they explained an event on the compound that had good description but I can’t remember any other scenes that was really descriptive but there could have been.

Style:

This was written in first person and in one POV. I think being written in first person was a good choice but being written in only Sera’s POV wasn’t. I would have loved to get other point of views in the story. Like Zen’s for example he was such a mystery in this book…I wish I got his side of the story then maybe I could have grasped the ending better. As for the author’s writing it was just as good as in the other two books. It was captivating and well executed.

Quote of the Book:

“His determination makes me smile. He always was the stronger one.”

Last Thoughts:

Though I may have been harsh in my review, I did enjoy reading the book up till the end. There it all went down the drain. I wasn’t happy with the way the author left the world hanging. But overall I would only recommend reading this book if you've already read the previous books. Because let’s face it you have to know how the story ends! 

My Rating:

Shadow Study Review

Date Published: February 24, 2015

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Number of Pages: 384

Publisher: Mira aka Harlequin

First Thoughts:

This is by far one of my favorite series, so when it came time to read this book, I was beyond excited. This book held so much mystery and adventure that I found myself absorbed into the world again. I thought I would have trouble reconnecting with the characters again because it’s been so long since I’ve read the previous books but I was thrown immediately back into the heads of my beloved characters. I was just as much invested in their health as the characters themselves. So yes this book was definitely one of my favorite of the year so far.

Goodreads Summary:

Once, only her own life hung in the balance…

When Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. She survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia.

Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.

Suddenly, though, dissent is rising. And Valek’s job—and his life—are in danger.

As Yelena tries to uncover her enemies, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. 

And now she must find a way to keep not only herself but all that she holds dear alive.

Plot:

This was a story about not only Yelena but her friends too, Ari and Janco. It was definitely an adventure for everyone and Yelena gets attacked in the beginning of the book and she somehow loses her magic which makes her that much more vulnerable. For the rest of the book she’s looking for the assassin and a way to unblock or bring back her magic. But on Janco’s side he’s trying to bust the people on the black market, of course, with the help of a wannabe assassin and Ari. Then there’s Valek always up to no good if you know what I mean! So overall the plot had plenty of surprises and was filled with good times.

Romance:

The obvious romance in this book is Yelena and Valek. Their romance was just as cute and amazing as it has always been. They had their separation in the book while they all did what they had to do for their careers. But even apart you could see the love between the two. As for secondary romance I might have seen a possible budding of romance but I’m not quite sure only time will tell.

Characters:

I loved all the characters in this book even the villains. Ari, Janco, Yelena, Valek, Onora and so on are some of the characters that I found amusing. My point is that the characters were easy to connect with and lovable.

Transformation of Character:

Yelena obviously did a lot of transforming in this book. She is portrayed as weak in the beginning of this book but slowly and I do mean slowly she starts to build up her other strengths and she isn’t so weak anymore.

Description:

I loved the description in this book. The description of feelings and landscape was amazing. I could actually feel the emotions going on in-between the characters. And the description of the scenery was well thought out and beautiful to see. I could picture all these different places these characters were traveling to. And most of all the description included the senses….really opened up a whole new world really.

Style:

This was written in first person and in several POV’s. The main POV’s written in was Yelena, Valek, Janco. The author’s writing style hasn’t changed since the other books which was another thing I was worried about. But I was just as emersed in this book as I was in the others. Definitely a type of writing that will have you hooked.

Quote of the book:

“He leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine. Before I could deepen the kiss he pulled back.

“No more until you’re better.”

“Meanie.””

Last Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book and loved revisiting all my old characters and the places they resided. I also enjoyed getting to learn more about Valek’s past and how he came to be who he is now and where he is now. The ending left off with a mild cliffhanger but it still had me in shock for a while. Anyways this was an awesome book and I would totally recommend this to an young adult reader or romance reader for that matter! 

My Rating: