Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard

Title: Splintered

Author: A.G. Howard

Publisher: Amulet Books

Publishing Date: January 1, 2013

Pages/Format: 371, Hardcover

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: Wonderless

Sunday Spinetry (2)

Sunday Spinetry is a weekly meme hosted by, well, me! For all the details on Sunday Spinetry, just go here!

Check It Out: Deadly to Love by Mia Hoddell

Hi, all! I've got a book for you to check out today: Deadly to Love, the first Elemental Killers book by Mia Hoddell! I've got all the info on the book and author, plus an excerpt and awesome giveaway, so be sure to check it out!

Review: How to Love by Katie Cotugno

Title: How to Love

Author: Katie Cotugno

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publishing Date: October 1, 2013

Pages/Format: 320, eARC

Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—Reena behind.

After: Almost three years have passed, and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena’s gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she’s finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn’t want anything to do with him, though she’d be lying if she said Sawyer’s being back wasn’t stirring something in her. After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?

In this breathtaking debut, Katie Cotugno weaves together the story of one couple falling in love—twice.

Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: WILD

Check It Out: Avery's Designs

People with blogs, today's post is just for you! My friend and fellow blogger Avery from Avery's Book Nook has started doing blog designs, and to celebrate she's giving away some awesome goodies! All the info is below, so be sure to check it out!

Blog Tour: No Angel by Helen Keeble

Hello, my little devils lovelies! Today I'm honored to have Helen Keeble, author of Fang Girl, on the blog as part of the blog tour for her latest book No Angel, hosted by Xpresso Book Tours! I have all the info on the book and where you can find Helen, as well as a fun interview and a giveaway! Be sure to check it out!

Check it Out: Revlenion and the Guardian Manifesto by Kalvin Klaus

Ladies and gentlemen, let me to introduce you to a book that really seems to be like no other. There's only one way I can think to explain to it: see for yourself.

Waiting on Wednesday (51)

Waiting on Wednesday

is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine
 that showcases upcoming releases 

that people are very much anticipating.

While I may not have loved (though I did like, more so than not) the first two books in this series, I still want to read the second to last book (and the last, for that matter). Why? Well, the cover is stunning. And I do like the books, and I want more from the characters. Also, I love fairy tales, and it's a retelling. Can you guess what book I'm talking about? No? Then allow me to let down my hair...

Top Ten Tuesday (51)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This Tuesday's theme is...

Top Ten Best Sequels Ever

Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Fangirl

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publishing Date: September 10, 2013

Pages/Format: 434, ARC

In Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl, Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan, but for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.
Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: asdfghjkl

Sunday Spinetry: Introduction

Debut Authors Bash: Alison Cherry

Hello, bookish fiends! Welcome to my stop on the Debut Authors Bash, hosted by YA Reads! Today, be prepared to enter the world of Scarletville as I introduce you to Alison Cherry, whose debut Red (where Redheads rules) releases next month! Not only do I have all the info on Alison and her book, but I've also got a fun, red-themed Top Ten! So be sure to check it out, and thanks for stopping by!

Waiting on Wednesday (50)

Waiting on Wednesday

is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine
 that showcases upcoming releases 

that people are very much anticipating.

You know what I like? Books that are fun and cute. And that's exactly what the following book sounds like. I've read two other books by the author, and they definitely center around cute romance, which I just adore. I should probably starting reading some maps to prepare for...

Top Ten Tuesday (50)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This Tuesday's theme is...

Top Ten Books On My 
Fall 2013 TBR List

Review: Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Title: Not a Drop to Drink

Author: Mindy McGinnis

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publishing Date: September 24, 2013

Pages/Format: 320, eARC

Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water. 

Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all.

Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.

But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….

With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own.

Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: Eh?

Check It Out: Sia by Josh Grayson

Hello, lovelies! Today I'm telling you about a book with a premise that sounds quite interesting: Sia by Josh Grayson. Not only do I have the book's information, but I also have an excerpt, where you can find Josh, and a giveaway, so be sure to check it out!

Blogger Spotlight Tour: Harman from Little Bookworm Reviews

Hello, people of the universe! I'm very excited to have Harman from Little Bookworm Reviews on the blog today as part of the Blogger Spotlight Tour hosted by Justine from The Closet Library and Jazmen from This Girls Reads A Lot! I've got a fun interview with Harman, plus all the ways in which you can follow her. Be sure to check it out!

Waiting on Wednesday (49)

Waiting on Wednesday

is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine
 that showcases upcoming releases 

that people are very much anticipating.

There's something about islands that I find intriguing, which is what interested me in the following book in the first place. Add to that a race against the clock and what sounds like an interesting romance, and I really, really want to read this book! Hopefully, I won't be stranded on an island when I read it...

Top Ten Tuesday (49)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This Tuesday's theme is...

Top Ten Books I Would Love 
To See As A Movie/TV Show

Review: Phoenix Overture by Jodi Meadows

Title: Phoenix Overture

Author: Jodi Meadows

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publishing Date: September 3, 2013

Pages/Format: 138, eBook

This breathtaking and lyrical novella captures a thrilling and momentous decision for a young man and the people he loves. Told from the perspective of Sam, the sensitive musician from Jodi Meadows’s Incarnate series, lifetimes before he meets Ana, Phoenix Overture is a story of love and loss, strength and courage, and facing the consequences of the hardest of decisions.

Phoenix Overture offers existing fans a deeper insight into a favorite character and the intriguing history of Heart, while new readers will find a stunning introduction to this rich world and the romantic, captivating fantasy of the Incarnate series.

In the wilds around the Community where Sam and his family have taken shelter, life is dangerous. Dragons, trolls, centaurs, and other monsters fill the world. The word comes from the council that everyone must leave and journey to rescue their leader, Janan, who has been abducted by a mysterious new enemy in the north. Faced with overwhelming threats that bring death and destruction, Sam and the others reach the northern Range and, reunited with Janan, are given an unimaginable opportunity. Although it would give them the privilege to live and learn and love without fear, the choice is not without its own dire consequences. And lives—though not theirs—are sure to be lost. Just how much are they willing to give up to save themselves?

Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: Saaaaam

Blog Tour: ROGUEstravaganza - Rogue by Gina Damico

Welcome to Croak--er, I mean, my stop on the blog tour for Rogue, the third and final book in the Croak trilogy by Gina Damico! I'm very excited to be a part of this tour, where I'll have some words from Gina, an exclusive image relating to Rogue, all the info on the trilogy and its author, and a giveaway! It sounds scorchingly awesome, right? I'd highly suggest checking it out; you never know when there's a reaper hanging around...

Blog Tour: A Missing Peace by Beth Fred

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Beth Fred's A Missing Peace, hosted by Itching for Books! This book has a romance that's a little different from what's out there in YA right now, which makes it sound intriguing. I've got everything you need to know about the book and author, plus an interview and giveaway. Check it out!

Waiting on Wednesday (48)

Waiting on Wednesday

is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine
 that showcases upcoming releases 

that people are very much anticipating.

The first book was shattering, the novella destroying, and the second book was simply unraveling. So OF COURSE I am waiting on the third and final book of this fantastic trilogy, which contains a thrilling story and a writing style that is almost poetic (and two boys I'm having a hard time choosing between). If you haven't read the books yet, get on it! You may need a fire extinguisher for this last installment, for it just may ignite you.

Cover Reveal: Fallen by Stacy Claflin

In case you didn't know, I love vampires. They're one of my favorite things, and some people think I am one. (And maybe I am.) That said, I'm excited to be part of a cover reveal put together by Xpresso Book Tours for a book that features the fanged fiends. But first, let me tell you about Fallen and its author, Stacy Claflin.

Top Ten Tuesday (48)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This Tuesday's theme is...

Top Ten Books That You Wish 
Were Taught in Schools

Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Title: Scarlet

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publishing Date: February 5, 2013

Pages/Format: 452, Hardcover

The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: WOLF