Farewell to 2011 and a big welcome to 2012!

This year has been a great discovery! I've had so much fun by sharing my thoughts on books and getting to know so many people on blogger! I never thought i would still be blogging right now. I thank everyone who has joined my blog! Even though i only have 6 followers.  =D 

Anyway, it's time to say good bye to 2011 and say hi to 2012!

Cover reveal: Before I Wake

Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #1)

by Rachel Vincent

Pages: 304

Publisher: Harquleen Teen

Expected publication: July 2012

There's no summary yet. I haven't read this series, everyone says it's great. I have to hurry up and read it!    

Waiting on Wednesday (10)

This week i'm waiting in . . .

Born Wicked (The Chaill Witch Chronicles #1)

by Jessica Spotswood

Pages: 326

Publisher: Putnam Juvenville

Expected publication: February 2012

Summary:

A Great and Terrible Beauty meets Cassandra Clare in this spellbinding fantasy

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word . . . especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

Review: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal devices #1) by Classandra Clare

Clockwrok angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Classandra Clare

Pages: 480

Publisher: Magaret K. McElderry

Published: August 2011

Summary:

Magic is dangerous-but love is more dangerous still

When sixteen-year-old Tess Grey arrives in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampire, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets.

Friendless and haunted, Tessa seeks refuge with the Shadowhunters, a band of warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons.

Drawn ever deeper into their wold, she finds herself fascinated by-and torn between-two best friends and quickly realizes that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Review:

Clockwork angel is like The Mortal Instruments. Forbidden love, action and (of course) Shaddowhunters.

         

The story starts with a girl called Tessa. She used to live with her aunt in America. But her aunt dies of a sickness. Now that she has arrived in London she hopes to meet her brother (Nat/Nathaniel.) But rather than meeting her brother she meets  the  Dark Sisters who are members of the Pandemonium club. They make her change. Not change as in change into clothes but change as in change into a person. That's her power. she can change into a person, but only if she has something of the person. It can be anything. Their clothes, their jewelery or even a strand of the person's hair. Even though it hurts she has to do it or her brother will be hurt.

          The she meets William or better known as Will and the group of Shadowhunters. James or better known as Jem, Carlotte, Henry, Jessamine. She meets Will when the Dark Sisters tell her that she is to be married to the Magister. When she escapes from the Dark sister's hands  there are still more problems. She has to find her brother; The Silent brothers doesn't know who she is; The Institute needs to find the Magister; They also need to know who are controlling the clock figures.

My first thought on this book was that i wouldn't want to be a huge fan of this prequel. This is, because it's the same as The Mortal Instruments. For example, Tessa and  Clarissa don't know what exactly they are and the book has the same problem with the boys. Forbidden love. *Sigh* This time its two boys, eh? This me i like Will. Jem is too...too...normal. However, i do feel sorry for him. But, secretly i can' help myself but be drawn into it. I can't believe most of the that Classandra has wrote. Church is that old! And the epilogue just doesn't make sense. How can Will go to Magnus for help!

This first book in the series was page turning and satisfying. For now. I can't wait to read the next book (Clockwork Prince)!! =D

Cover talk:

for some reason these days i have been looking at the book covers before reading the book. I guess the cover of a book can tell what it's about. I'm guessing that Will is on the front cover. I love the clokwork angel.

Clockwork Prince book trailer:

My rating:

P.S. Have a great Christmas!

Review: The Inventions Of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The inventions of Hug Cabret by Brian Selznick

Pages: 533

Publisher: Scholastic

Published: March 2011

Summary:

A cryptic drawing, a stolen key, a mechanical man . . . spell-binding mystery in the streets of Paris.

Clock keeper and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy train station. He desperately believes in a wind-up figure will make his dreams come true. But when his world collides when an eccentric girl and a bitter old man, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put into jeopardy.

My summary:

Hugo Cabret, a clock keeper and a part time thief. Hugo lives in Paris, under the roofs of a train station. Every day he checks if the clocks are working and if they are on time. However that's not all. He hides a secret. Lots of secrets. He also desperately wants to fix a wind-up figure, that his dad left.

Review:

 This book is one of a kind! I was actually surprised to see drawing in the book. I don't know what i was expecting from this book, but i do know that this is more than i expected!

The pictures, drawing and writing went all together. It was as if i was seeing magic in front of my eyes. You can never know what surprises in these books can give you. 

The pictures in this book was all eye popping. My favorite or rather favorite ones were the pictures of the movies that grandpa George made. I also loved how the book ended!

I found about this book when i saw the movie trailer of this book. Then got curious and researched about the movie and i ended up with the book.

Hugo (movie trailer):

My rating:

Waiting On Wednesday (9)

Jill @ Breaking the Spine hosts this weekly meme where we can share a book that we are so excited for and are anxiously awaiting their upcoming release!

This week i'm waiting on . . .

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Pages: 272

Publisher: Dutton Juvenville

Expected publication: January 10th 2012

Summary:

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumors in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumors tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

Why i want this book:

Ever heard of a match made at a cancer kid support group? Well, i'm sure i haven't! Why is Augustus interested in Hazel, when he hasn't met her or known her? And this book is done by a guy! I have never read a young adult by a guy.

Teaser Tuesdays (9)

Teaser Tuesday is weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should be Reading

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

• Share the title & author.

This week my teaser is . . .

Look Into My Eyes (Ruy Redfort #1) by Lauren Child

Pages: 192

Publisher: ?Harper Collins Children's books

Published: September 2011

Teaser:

' Rule 1: you can never be completely sure what might happen next. '

' Rule 2: if you want to keep something secret, don't leave it lying around.'

Review: Stealing Phoenix by Joss Stirling

Stealing Phoenix by Joss Stirling

Pages: 264

Publisher: O U P, Oxford

Published: August 2011

Summary:

Catch a thief and lose your heart.

' This is about getting you out . . . I'm stealing you '

Phoenix belongs to the community-a gang of thieves with paranormal powers.

Yves Benedict-an American student visiting London-is her mark. But Yves turns out to be more than just a target. He is her destiny. Her soulmate.The community owns phoenix's past and it was her future too.

Can Phoenix save the boy she loves . . . and herself?

My Summary:

Phoenix just needs to get the priceless gadgets in that bag. If she fails she'll get punished by The Seer. And just when its going great, it goes all wrong. when she does get the gadgets it blows up. She has to tell The Seer. It's just a mistake and it's only her first, in her whole life. Its not a problem, right? Well, there's only one way to find out . . . 

Review:

Stealing Phoenix is all about finding your soulmate. The whole series is about the Benedict boys finding their soulmates. There are seven of them. Yep, you heard me right. SEVEN boys! And they are all Beautiful, gorgeous and heavenly made! This one is particularly about Yves.

I absolutely HAD to read this book. The first time i read Joss Stirling's debut book (Finding sky) it was AWESOME!!! And this book was great! From the start i was already hooked with the book, because i knew everything.   

Except this time i didn't really like the book. I was actually disappointed. I was looking for a better story from Joss. I thought it was going to be like Finding Sky. On the other hand, i still think its because i like Finding Sky more than Stealing Phoenix.

But this book was still great. It's one of my best 2011 reads.

Cover talk:

Oh, my god! I have to talk about the cover in this review. I don't how many second, minuets or hours i just stood there and looked at the cover of the book. And i'm not even lying. I was just fascinated by the book's cover. I was like a child seeing magic right in front of my eyes. 

My rating:

Waiting on Wednesday (8)

Jill @ Breaking the Spine hosts this weekly meme where we can share a book that we are so excited for and are anxiously awaiting their upcoming release!

This week i'm waiting on . . . 

The fine art of truth and dare by Melissa Jensen.

Pages: 380

Publisher: Speak

Expected publication: February 2012

Goodreads summary:

Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that's just fine by her. She's got her friends - the fabulous Frankie and their sweet cohort Sadie. She's got her art - and her idol, the unappreciated 19th-century painter Edward Willing. Still, it's hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school: Alex Bainbridge. Especially when he is your French tutor, and lessons have started becoming, well, certainly more interesting than French ever has been before. But can the invisible girl actually end up with a happily ever after with the golden boy, when no one even knows they're dating? And is Ella going to dare to be that girl?

Why i want this book:

I don't know how to start this, because i've got a lot of reasons for why i want this book. The first reason why i want to read this book is because of the cover. The second reason  why i want to read this book is because of the title and finally, the last reason i really want this is, because of the summary. It sounds really interesting.

What are you waiting on this wednesday?

Teaser uesdays (8)

Teaser Tuesday is weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should be Reading

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

• Share the title & author.

This week my teaser is . . . The invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.

Pages: 533

Publisher: Scholastic

Published: March 2007

Teaser:

' The complicated machinery inside my automaton can produce on hundred and fifty-eight different pictures, and it can write, letter by letter, an entire book, twenty-six thousand one hundred and fifty-nine words.

These words. '

Review: The Scorpio races by Maggie Stiefvater

The scorpio races by Maggie Stiefvater.

Pages: 482

Publisher: Scholastic

Published: October 2011

Sumary:

Every year, the Scorpio Races are run on the beaches of Skarmouth.

Every year, the sea washes blood from the sand. To race the savage water horses can mean death, but the danger is irresistible.

When Puck enters the races to save her family, she is drwan to the mysterious Sean, the only person on the island capable of taming the beasts

Even if they stay together, can they stay alive?

A breathtaking ride that will make your heart race.

My summary:

Puck:

When Puck's brother decides to leave her and her brother, to get away from Skarmouth, she has to get a way to get him to change his mind. So, she decides to join the Scorpio Races. It's a foolish idea, even Puck herself knows that. But, she has to wn, if she doesn't her family and her will have no where to stay.

Sean:

Sean just wants one thing. Corr. But, sometimes it isn't always easy to get things. He has to win this years Scorpio race. It wil be easy. He can tame the monsterous sea horses and he has already won the Scorpio Races for times in a row.

However, this time it will be difficult. When Puck and Sean meet they can't stay away from each other. Never the less, they still have a goal. Win the Scorpio race.

Will Puck get her money and get her brother back?

Will Sean get his one desire?

Who will win the Scorpio race . . .

Review:

I don't know any thing about horses, but i certinly know about water horses!

This wasn't really my kind of book but sometimes you just have to go with the unknown.

The Scorpio Races is about two people based on the scorpio Race that is always run every year. The contestances race on water horses. From the outside they are a piece of art, but when you come closer they reveal temselves. They are beasts.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, except for the first few chapters. It started out all boring but then it became more interesting. Thank god i hanged on to it!

My rating:

Cover reveal: Embrace by Jssica Shirvington

Embrace by Jessica Shirbington.

Pages: 368

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Expected publication: March 2012

Summary:

I slowly opened my eyes. The sun speared its first bright rays of golden orange into the sky and I leapt from the cliff, with the sorrowful knowledge that no matter what the outcome, at least part of me would die that day...

Violet Eden is dreading her seventeenth birthday dinner. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. The one bright spot is that Lincoln will be there. Sexy, mature and aloof, he is Violet’s idea of perfection. But why does he seem so reluctant to be anything more than a friend?

After he gives her the world’s most incredible kiss – and then abandons her on her front doorstep – Violet is determined to get some answers. But nothing couldhave prepared her for Lincoln’s explanation: he is Grigori – part angel and part human – and Violet is his eternal partner.

Without warning, Violet’s world is turned upside down. She never believed in God, let alone angels. But there’s no denying the strange changes in her body ... and her feelings for Lincoln. Suddenly, she can’t stand to be around him. Luckily, Phoenix, an exiled angel, has come into her life. He’s intense and enigmatic, but at least he never lied to her.

As Violet gets caught up in an ancient battle between dark and light, she must choose her path. The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity...

Cover reveal for Julie Kagawa's ' The Immortal Rules'

The holy awaited book of Julie Kagawa's new book The Immortal Rules, the first book in her brand new Blood Of Eden series is here! If you've been waiting for it then here it is: Feast your eyes!

The immortal rules by Julie Kagawa.

Pages: 304

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Expected publication: May 2012

You've got to wait until May 2012 to get your hand on this holy book - well, not really, 'cause its about vampires!

Summary:

You will kill. The only question is when.

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

Review: City Of Bones ( The Mortal Instrument #1 ) by Cassandra Clare.

City of bones by Cassandra Clare.

Pages: 485

Publisher: McElderry

Published: February 2008 ( first published March 2007 )

Summary:

Clary Fay is seeing things: vampires in Brooklyn and werewolves in Manhattan.

Irresistibly drawn towards a group of sexy demon hunters, Clary encounters the dark side of New York City - and the dangers of forbidden love.

My summary:

Fifteen-year-old, Clary Fay, is just having a fun night out with her best friend, Simon. When Clary sees shadows in the dark and no one else sees it, she has to find out what it is. Not normal. It turns out nothing is normal in Clary's life. Her mom is a shadow hunter, her dad is the bad guy and she can see weird images in her head sometimes.

But there's no time to be shocked or unravel her powers 'cause her mom has been kidnapped. That's right kidnapped by the bad guys!!

Review:

City Of Bones, this is what i call a twist in a story. I've been waiting for a book where the girl is actually a daughter of a bad guy! This book was easy to read. I was so swift and fast. Cassandra described the story so well and it was easy to understand.

The cover is eye catching. And i love the series title: The Mortal Instrument. When you read the series title you just want to ask question like: What kind of instruments is it? And mortals?
           If you think this not enough to get you reading this book then what about demon hunters? I mean, i would love to be part of this shadow hunter group!It would make my life more interesting, sensational and more action!

Finally the last thing i would like to ask is . . . Clary and Jace, are they really brothers and sisters? If they are the it would break my heart.

My rating:

Review: The Glass Swallow by Julia Golding

The Glass Swallow by Julia Golding.

Pages: 316.

Publisher: Oxford University Press.

Date published: June 2010

Summary:

Rain did have one secret - one that risked her whole world if it came out.

Rain

She designs exquisite stained glass for the windows for her city. But the law is clear - it is forbidden for girls to be part of the glassmakers' guild. To keep her secret hidden, she leaves home and travels to the strange new country of Magharna.

Peri

When he witnesses Rain's capture by a gang of bandits, both his his fate and heart become tied to hers. They escape the outlaws, but Peri and his family of falconers are untouchables who are scorned by all, and Rain is not allowed to be part of their lives.

Can Rain and Peri's love survive the prejudices against them? and with the country on the blink of disaster will they be able to stop their world from smashing apart?

My summary:

Rain has to leave, otherwise her family will be in danger. If she doesn't who will design the windows of the palace, in Magharna. However, when Rain arrives in the strange land of Magharna she and her companions are captured by a group of bandits. Everything has gone wrong wit a blink of an eye.

          Will someone save her from these group of bandits . . .

Review:

Well, what a good good book to read when you need a break from all the vampires and werewolves and angels and demons and etc etc. The list will go on and on and on. 

This book was enjoyable, to read. And i do have to say this book is with a lot of action and strange ideas. Particularly, Rains ideas. She wants to join forces with the bandits, when they tried to kill her! That is wrong, girl. Wrong, wrong, wrong. But, in the end, i will say that it was a good idea. I mean, i wouldn't think of it. If, i was in front of a person that tried to kill me, then i would be scared to my bones.

If i was a glass designer, like her, i would love to do it. Every time, i got to a church or see a stained glass i think it's made by the hands of angels. I know i'm crazy. But, that's how my brain works. =D

In conclusion, i would like to say if you need a break from vampires and werewolves etc, then read this book!

My rating:

Review: The mysterious benedict society ( the mysterious benedict society #1) by Trenton Lee Stewart.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart.

Pages: 480

Publisher: The Chicken House

Published: June 2009 (fist published in February 2007)

Summary:

Four children with unusual talents are recruited for a top-secret mission. There is only one rule - there are no rules.

How can they work together to save the world?

A cracking adventure begins . . .

My summary:

'Are you a gifted child?'

When this peculiar ad. appears in the news paper dozens of children enrol to take a series mysteries and mind blowing tests. However only 4 children pass this odd test. Their names are: Reynard (Reynie) Muldoon, Sticky ( George Washington), Constance Contraire and Kate Whetherhall. They all have their own secrets. Is Sticky Sticky's real name and what is his story? Why is Constance so small? Well, you can find this all out when you read the book.

These 4 children have to save the world in secret. The are agents. They are not the governments' agent, but Mr Benedict's. 

Will they save the world? Will there be enough time? But aren't they just children?

Welcome to the Mysterious Benedict Society.

Review:

An excellent book! It's packed with adventure, friendship, loyalty and . . . suspense. I want to say even though i read this in like 2 weeks it was a good read. It had great ways of showing that, children can do things what adult can do as well. This book was full of problems. The Mysterious Benedict Society solved their problems with answers that i will never think of. For example, when Sticky got the idea to read Mr Curtain's journal and when they had the tests to enrol for "the special opportunities". 

The characters in the books were also mind blowing. I loved all of the characters. Reynie is special in his own way. He acts like a adult, but looks like a child. I love Kate's bucket. You might wonder in the first place why she ever is carrying a bucket when it's not going to help you in any way. But, you're wrong (find out when you read the book!). I also love Mr Benedict's character. He is mysterious and in some way he always knows everything.

The last thing i want to say about this book is that, i love how Trenton (the author) used Mr benedict to give us a puzzle to solve. I certainly want to know Mr Benedict's first name!

My Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday (7)

Jill @ Breaking the Spine hosts this weekly meme where we can share a book that we are so excited for and are anxiously awaiting their upcoming release!

This week i am waiting on . . .

Eternal Starling by Angela Corbett.

Pages: 320

Publisher: Pendrell Publishing

Expected Publication: December16th 2011

A love so strong, even eternity can’t separate them. 

Evie Starling has lived a relatively uneventful life hanging out with friends, gossiping about boys, and driving her 1966 Mustang. All of that changes when she moves to Gunnison, Colorado, to start college and meets two mysterious men. 

For centuries, Alex Night and Emil Stone have yearned for Evie—but they each have their own reasons for wanting to be with her. When both men claim to be her soul mate and tell her about an unbelievable past, Evie learns that she’s not the person she thought she was. Soon, Evie finds herself in the middle of an age-old battle between the Amaranthine Society—the  soul protectors, and the Daevos Resistance—the soul destroyers. With a past she doesn’t understand, and a future rife with danger, Evie has to decide who she can trust. But Alex and Emil aren’t the only ones who want Evie, and her soul is about to become the rope in an eternal tug-of-war.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Teaser Tuesdays (7)

Teaser Tuesday is weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should be Reading

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

• Share the title & author.

This week my Teaser Tuesday is . . . Ultraviolet by R. J. Anderson.

' I believe you. If it had't been for the gentle weight of Faraday's hand on my shoulder, i'd have thought i was hallucinating. I'd dreamed of hearing these words for so long, it was almost too much to accept that i was really hearing them.'