Note: This time of year is always very busy for me. Last year, I hadn't really started blogging yet, so I was able to keep myself above the craziness. This year, I am. My blog is slightly inactive due to the holiday craze. Hopefully will return to the regular posting after the new year. :)

-Bri

Friday, April 29, 2011

Review - Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins 

Amazon Link
Goodreads Link

Page Number: 323 pages
Overall Rating: 4.5/5



" 'Let's just say you may regret that second piece of cake.'
Oh my God. Regret cake? Whatever was about to happen must be truly evil."




    I'm going to admit one thing to you before I even start reviewing this book. I didn't want to read this book because it seemed immature. Then I saw all the wonderful reviews for it and the quotes on goodreads made me laugh(Quite loudly...) like I belonged in an asylum.
   So, I decided I would read it if I could get it. I did(THANK YOU, KARE!). I read about two chapters one night, and then was insanely busy the rest of the week. I finished the better part of the novel in two days. During the week. When I have school.

   I'm very pleased with this novel. It made me laugh out loud and scream (Mentally. And through twitter....) and I severely hate one of the characters(Or a few.) because they're just mean and....mean.
   There are, of course, characters I loved. Jenna, for example, completely rocked, even if she was a pink lover and I despise that color. She was, therefore, simply awesome.
   Archer was nearly perfect. Why he's only nearly perfect, I can't say. It's a spoiler. Just read the book.
   Humor is a huge element of this book. There are clever little jokes thrown in and tons of funny situations.
   Sophie has to be one of my favorite characters of all time. She's very well thought out and full of witty comebacks. Her mind operates almost exactly like mine. I think that's why I like her so much. Great minds think alike and all.

    There's a very serious mystery in this story, though. It's not all laughs.
    Students at Hex Hall have been being attacked by something that drain the victims' blood. The students have this pinned on Jenna, since she's a vampire and Elody hates her. Sophie seems to be the only one who knows it wasn't Jenna.
 
   For those of you who watch crime dramas and such, you're probably familiar with screaming "IT WAS HER!" or "HE DID IT!" like a banshee. And then you're presented with more information and you change your mind. You're going for your new theory through the entire show and then you get to the ending. And then it hits you. You were right. You knew it.
   And so you're left sitting on your couch screeching, "I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT WAS HER/HIM!"
   ...Or is that just me?

   There's something refreshing about this novel. As far as I can really tell, I think it's the avoidance of insta-love. There's an almost instant CRUSH (Notice how I didn't say love.)  when Sophie meets Archer, but she doesn't walk around going "I looooovvvvee him." and they definitely do not make out for three fourths of the novel.
   It's realistic.
   There's no looking at someone and then running into their arms for a long embrace. There's no first kiss on the fourth page. There's no "I love you" in the fifth chapter.
   So, for that, I applaud the author. Insta-love is hard to avoid these days and it's flipping annoying. There's very rarely a case where it works tastefully and well-written.

   Of course, there were things that I disliked, such as Sophie's sometimes inappropriate joking. I do remember a few inconsistencies in the story, as well, but they might have just been things I didn't remember reading earlier or that wasn't touched on well enough. It also ends on a HUGE cliffhanger, which kill me.
   I did, however, still enjoy the novel very much. For this reason, it's receiving 4.5 stars.








                                   




Saturday, April 23, 2011

Readathon!


Today, I plan to take a nap(because I stayed up too late...er..early.) and then read. And read A LOT! Here are some things I hope to read:




No one is allowed to yell at me for not having read these yet. I've been busy....

....and stuff.



Monday, April 18, 2011

Awesomeness...

Awesome. Yes, as most of you can tell, I like that word. If you can't, scroll back up or look at the URL. *waits*

Alrighty, you understand now? Seeing as how I am in looovvvee with that word, I'd thought I'd compile a small list of things that are awesome. :) So,without further ado, I give you:


10 THINGS OF AWESOMENESS

1. Kitties. 
Don't lie. You know you love them. 

2. Books
 Well, duh. I mean, that why this blog exists. Do we need to do the whole "scroll-up-look-at-url" thing again?

3. Twitter
I'm on there 24/7. Yo, follow me. (I have no shame.)

4. Sugar
 Why do you think I'm so hyper? Nah, I'm like this naturally.

5. Authors
 I guess this goes up there with Books, but whatever. Authors make books. That makes them awesome.

6. Ninjas.
OMG, Gee, you can't see me. I'm blending in just like a palm tree, tree. (CLICK)
 
7. Blogs
Yah, another duh item. Oh well.

8. Pretty Pictures! :) 
Hello, I'm easily fascinated. 

9. Free Stuff
I'm also broke. 

10. GIVEAWAYS!
Yah, that goes along with Free Stuff. Whatever. By the way, if you like free stuff and giveaways, you should enter my friend Lucia's Giveaway here.



iLive, iLaugh, iLove Books

She has this ninja button, therefore she is cool. Yes.



Sunday, April 17, 2011

IMM (7)


 In my Mailbox is hosted by Kirsti over at The Story Siren.
This week I got:
 
Bought:

NOTHING
OMG, guys! Panic! I look like this egg right now:














Recieved:













Archvillian by Barry Lyga (Uncorrected Proof)

Thanks, Aine!

Also, look at this cute little tattoo she sent me! :)













~AND~














Signed Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready Bookmark
Signed Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready Bookmark
Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready Card
Bad to the Bone by Jeri Smith-Ready Card
Thanks, Jen

I hope your week is filled with lots of happiness and reading! :)



Saturday, April 16, 2011

Review - Wild Child by Mike Wells

Wild Child by Mike Wells

Goodreads Link
Amazon Link


Kindle Edition
Overall Rating: 4 1/2 Stars


"A stream of the phosphorescent water streaked through the air like a green meteor. She started singing again, becoming completely engrossed in her euphoria."




    This book was so utterly interesting. It didn't seem like something I'd normally read, but I've been branching out a little further recently. It's a really fascinating book. I love how the author didn't wait very long to get into the action. I think around six pages in it started building up. And then around Chapter Five, you start racing through it, eager to see how it all lays out.
   It's a very fast paced book. It speeds along pretty quickly and you have to pay attention. That's one thing that I didn't like about it. It moved very quickly and once I was finished with it, I was left still wanting more.
   The characters are pretty cool. With this being in third person, you couldn't really connect with the characters as well as I would've liked to. But I did enjoy reading their story and I was rooting for Kyle and Briana.
   The plot's exciting and fun to read. You're wondering about the governments agents and what they'll do. You're worried about Briana. Will she get to the water soon enough? I think, weirdly, I was most worried about Kyle. He was stuck in the middle of all of this and I never knew if he was going to get hurt or not.
   I loved it, actually. I'm very glad that the author found me and asked me to review it. Otherwise, I might have missed out on this awesome novel. I'm very grateful for it! :)
   The main reason this has 4 and 1/2 stars is because of the ending. I didn't like it very well. It just made me sad. I swear, I teared up. It didn't feel right to me. *sigh*Ultimately, I really enjoyed reading this novel. I swear, I don't think I found a single error or typo. That's amazing, isn't it? It's just all really cool and fresh.

   You should give it a try. It's really different and interesting.








Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Because-we-love-you Giveaway! :)

  So, my loyal minions followers, how many of you like free stuff? *Raises hand* What? I can like free stuff.

   Annnnyyyways....

   I've teamed up with my bestie to give you guys, along with her followers, something awesome. Yes, it has to be awesome. This is Awesome Bookworm, not Lame Bookworm. We love you all so much, we want to thank you.

   So these are up for grabs! :)


           In case you cannot tell what these pretty things are, here's a list:               

Swoon by Nina Malkin (Amazon - Goodreads)
Immortal by Gillian Shields (Amazon - Goodreads)
Signed Meant to Be by Tiffany King Trading Card
Signed Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout Bookmark
Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready Card
Bad to the Bone by Jeri Smith-Ready Card
(Riley and Brielle)
Just know, we both love you! Blogging is only fun because of the community we've been graciously added into! :)

Rules:
You must follow us both. This will be checked.
Do not enter twice. It will not help you, because the second entry will be deleted.


Also:
This contest will end on April 29th at midnight!
The winner will be contacted through email. If the winner does not respond with 48 hours, another winner will be drawn. Winners will be selected through Random.org. I will include a photo of the number for verification. Thank you all!

If you'd like an extra entry, grab these buttons!  

(Links to me)





(Links to Riley)










Monday, April 11, 2011

Daily Dose (7)

 

Daily Dose is hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly.






I hope your week is as bright as the stars!



Inactivity,,

Inactivity, you say? What sort of horrible thing is that(as if I don't know.)? 

(Insert explaination of inactivity here)

My expression:

 Okay, maybe I'm overreacting a little. Just a little.
Unfortunately, I may be a bit inactive for the next week or so. We'll be testing Tuesday - Friday, and since these are important tests, I might be stressed out. And that might result in my posts reading something like this...

HB;IUGDGF;HHNIJMKMJMKOIUIJKRHGN'OWRTB'RO. GGTRHBGBGBRTPIJR.
(Insert crazy laughter here.)

Therefore, I might skip a day or two. The thought of not blogging seems strange, but it might not once I've had test booklets shoved in my face and I'm trying to remember the formula for velocity.
So if I dissapear, I'm not dead. I'm probably reading or napping or trying to strangle someone. Don't worry! I'll be back soon. I promise! :)




Sunday, April 10, 2011

IMM (6)

 In my Mailbox is hosted by Kirsti over at The Story Siren.

This week I got:

Bought:













The Iron King and The Forest of Hands and Teeth are also in this picture. They are NOT in this weeks IMM. I just fail on intense levels, therefore, I forgot I bought them last week and not this one. Sorry. :|

The Secret of Laurel Oaks by Lois Ruby (Amazon - Goodreads)
Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston (Amazon - Goodreads)





Recieved:











Signed Meant to be Trading Cards

Thanks, Tiffany! :) 

Received for review:
















Wild Child by Mike Wells (Amazon - Goodreads)

Thanks, Mike! :)



I hope everyone enjoys their books this week. So tell me, what did you get in your mailbox?




Friday, April 8, 2011

2 Books...1 cover?

I've noticed that a lot of book seem to have the same image, only edited differently. There are tons of examples!




And it's not just any book, either. There are some really popular book that have "cover lovers."


And this trend doesn't just stop at books! No, it goes even further!




Could I just ask, WTF is going on with book and their covers?
I get it, people use stock images, but this was just outrageous! And you may say, "Well, there aren't that many covers that do this. You're just overreacting."


Overreacting? Try looking at this:


What's your take on this, guys?









Thursday, April 7, 2011

Review - Meant to Be by Tiffany King

Meant to Be by Tiffany King

Goodreads Link
Amazon Link

169 pages
Overall Rating: 5 Stars











  I really enjoyed this book. There's something about it that just sucked me in and made me want to curl up and read at supersonic speed. It one of those books. You know, the one where you pick it up, read the first couple of chapters and have to be dragged into bed? You know, the book you can't possibly tear yourself away from; the one where you need to go get something to eat or drink and you just keep thinking "I'll finish this page and then go do it."
  Tiffany is a total sweetheart. She emailed me a copy after I tweeted about wanting to order it soon, but my mom said I'd have to wait because I had too many on their way and that I would drive the mailman insane. Silly mother, I give the mailman a challenge. I think he enjoys those. :)
  I read most of this in a day, and I do mean most of it. I read two chapters then was told to go to be because it was getting late. The next morning I woke up, ate breakfast, and read all but 3-4 chapters and then had to leave or I would be late to a friend's party. I came home, dead tired, and my brain was divided; one half, the one I like to call "Thinky Brain" wanted me to sleep. The other half, the one I like better(hehe) and call my "Reader Lobe", kept screaming "FINISH IT! FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENSSS!"
  I listened to my Reader Lobe (and payed for it the next day. Still yawning. Well worth it, though.) and finished Meant to Be. And, omigosh, I loved it. I haven't read a book that fast since I first got into YA novels(I'm a total junkie for them, now.)
  For those of you who follow me on Twitter, you probably noticed that I was yelling at some guy named James on there. That pertains to this story. I will say nothing else. Just read it.
  And for anyone who thinks I'm being full of it; Yuh, not so much. I'm ordering a signed paperback copy of it soon.
  This book throws a lot of cool stuff into the mix; suspense, repeating dreams, teen angst, true love, and lots of other awesomesauce.
  I adore the love elements in this novel. It's all very intense and devoted. Mark's a total dreamboat up here in my Reader Lobe(Shh, don't tell Krista!) and he's such a sweet guy. That's how their entire relationship is: Sweet. It does, of course, has it's struggles.
  There were some grammatical errors, mainly just typos, but I'm quite impressed with it seeing as how it's a self published novel. It's definitely opened my eyes to the world of self-published authors. Note: I love you guys! You don't take no for an answer and you make your own dreams come true! Self-published author lovee! :)
  There's not much else I can say. I really loved it. I definitely recommend it.
  I cannot wait for the sequel!







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