So for the 30 Books in 30 Days Challenge, I am planning on reviewing...

05/31: Wildefire (Wildefire? #1) by Karsten Knight (Goodreads)
06/01: Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1) by Josephine Angelini (Goodreads)
06/02: Forgotten by Cat Patrick (Goodreads)
06/03: Queen of the Dead (The Ghost and the Goth, Book Two) by Stacey Kade (Goodreads)
06/04: Blood Magic (The Blood Journals #1) by Tessa Gratton (Goodreads)
06/05: Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey (also the choice for the next read-along!) (Goodreads)
06/06: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz (Goodreads)
06/07: Enthralled (Paranormal Diversions) edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong (Goodreads)
06/08: The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills by Joanna Pearson (Goodreads)
06/09: Stolen by Lucy Christopher (Goodreads)
06/10: Vanish (Firelight #2) by Sophie Jordan (Goodreads)
06/11: Legacy (Legacy #1) by Cara Kluver (Goodreads)
06/12: Everlasting (Immortals #6) by Allyson Noel (Goodreads)
06/13: Clarity (Clarity #1) by Kim Harrington (Goodreads)
06/14: Passion (Fallen #3) by Lauren Kate (Goodreads)
06/15: Hereafter (Hereafter #1) by Tara Hudson (Goodreads)
06/16: Demon's Covenant (Demon's Lexicon #2) by Sara Rees Brennan (Goodreads)
06/17: Rosebush by Michelle Jaffe (Goodreads)
06/18: The Water Wars by Cameron Stratcher (Goodreads)
06/19: Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach (Goodreads)
06/20: The Gathering (Darkness Rising #1) by Kelley Armstrong (Goodreads)
06/21: The Iron Thorn (The Iron Codex #1) by Caitlin Kittredge (Goodreads)
06/22: Magic Under Glass (Magic Under #1) by Jacyln Dolamore (Goodreads)
06/23: Entwined by Heather Dixon (Goodreads)
06/24: Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson (Goodreads)
06/25: Delirium (Delirium #1) by Lauren Oliver (Goodreads)
06/26: Heist Society (Heist Society #1) by Ally Carter (Goodreads)
06/27: Born at Midnight (Shadow Falls #1) by C.C. Hunter (Goodreads)
06/28: The Magicians (The Magicians #1) by Lev Grossman (Goodreads)
06/29: The Clearing by Heather Davis (Goodreads)

1. Books may end up being changed.  I usually just choose to read something when I feel like reading it so having a schedule is ... strange.  [edit - the schedule has already been rearranged because of this.]
2. I start a MCAT prep class on the 14th.... and I just realized that today... so I may not be able to finish this challenge but I'll try.
3. If I don't like a book enough to come up with more than 5 good things and / or just can't finish it, I won't be reviewing it.

Wish me luck & hopefully some of those titles are ones you're interested in reading reviews for!

Also, for those who didn't read my participation post, this challenge is hosted by Cait at The Cait Files.

Release Date: July 26, 2011
Published by: Simon & Schuster

Wildefire by Karsten Knight

Every flame begins with a spark. 

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) Protagonist: Ashline Wilde - Ash is sarcastic, powerful, and not afraid to stand up for herself.  But she is afraid of her sister.  Despite the rough exterior, you feel for her because you see that it's half-act, half-truth.  She is strong, but she's also vulnerable and easy to sympathize with... (for a reader, at least.  If someone was that sarcastic with me in real life, I'm not sure I'd know what to make of her.)
2. (+) Diversity - A Norse god, Egyptian Goddess, Zulu God, Polynesian Goddess, Shinto Goddess, and Greek Siren.  Can you get anymore diverse than that?  I liked the way Mr. Knight incorporated all of these mythologies and religion together and allowed them to define the personalities of each character.... Though I was disappointed that we didn't get to see Ash's past, but I think the explanation for that was that she blossomed into her abilities later than the rest of them.
3. (+) Idea - This goes along with the diversity part, but I liked the idea that the gods were not being reincarnated as they should be... and Ragnarok is not something I've read before.  I'm still confused as to which side to trust? or to think is the villain? but I have some sort of idea where the series is going.  And I like the idea that the gods have to know themselves before they can master their problems.  Linking self-discovery to powers is a nice touch for a YA book.
4. (+) Humor - The dialog is witty.  There's not much to say about this except that I could actually picture the characters and their back and forth.  They felt alive.  Very few YA books that I've read have had the same authenticity that the characters in this book have.
5. (+/-) The Writing - And yet even though the dialog is a plus, there were other parts to Mr. Knight's writing that I didn't enjoy.  For one, look at #9 for the reflection aspect.  And yet another negative, for me at least, was when he was explaining each gods's power.  The characters can see each other's past, but Mr. Knight chose to employ second person narrative here in what I believe was meant to be a "showing" rather than "telling" scene visa-via dialog... In my opinion, this did not work.  You don't often come upon second person narratives because they tend to isolate the audience, which is exactly how I felt.  I was a lot less attached to the characters in those pages and honestly?  I had to chug through those pages despite my curiosity.  On the whole though, the rest of the writing was fine.
6. (+) The Romance - This wasn't the typical paranormal romance.  There were no teary-eyed "I love yous," and in fact, sometimes it got brutal.  Other times, it was snappy dialog and what I'd actually expect to find in a boarding school... or even in college, to be honest.  It was realistic, and for that I give it props.
7. (--) Cliff-Hanger - WTF.  That is my reaction to the end of the book.  I also looked up the information I got at the end and am now thoroughly confused/wondering about Ash's instructions.  Not good at all.  It's not the type of ending that gets you excited for the next book... For me, the ending was more like... Couldn't you have found a way to establish this better?  So I wouldn't be more shocked at the end of 400 pages?
8. (+) The Villain - Eve vs. Ash.  A very compelling battle throughout the book.  Eve is not the storybook villain... nor are the other potential villains.  You can feel the threat of Eve throughout the book while still seeing her vulnerable side.  I really wish I got to know more about why Eve changed so radically, though.  Was that about the time she found out she was a goddess?  Or what?
9. (--) Lack of Reflection - Sometimes Mr. Knight's cliff-hangers (at the end of individual sections) left me so confused that I wanted some explanation, at least some reflection, but Ash does not seem to think extra about the events around her.  I am thinking of one part in particular when I found that perhaps their source of information was wrong / coming from the enemy?  but the next chapter featured very little on it.  Ash had maybe three sentences of commentary and that was it.  I was expected to just roll with it as a reader, and it was terribly frustrating.  Also, perhaps this is because of Ash's lack of reflection (and her tendency to not push other people unless provoked), but one of the characters surprised me with his/her personality shift.  Even though there was a scene to "set it up," it was like a 180 twist that didn't feel realistic at all.
10. (--) The Cover - Honestly?  This cover does not attract me to this book at all.  Yes, it's different than the typical YA book, but what the hell is it supposed to even be?  Volcano flames for Ash?  If that's the case, it doesn't look like them at all, and the image makes it hard to see the title.

Wildefire has compelling characters, a unique exploration of gods & goddesses, and an action packed relationship between the protagonist and the villain.  I'd recommend this book to anybody who likes their characters to have a spark in them and enjoys a paranormal book with romance that isn't plagued by the "zomoghshga!!  hawt boy alert-instant connection!!" deal.

This is my first 30 books in 30 days review.  Hope you enjoyed it :).

The thirty books in 30 days challenge is one hosted by Cait at The Cait Files.  I am planning on participating in this challenge since I still have 30+ books I haven't gotten to from the RT Convention Day 1 & Day 2.  I don't actually know if I'll be able to do this, but I'll try and would love to see you guys do it as well :)!

(PS - Another interesting thing Cait is thinking of doing is a blogger review hop as a meme with a review theme each week.  Doesn't it frustrate you that sometimes your memes get more attention than your reviews?  Well, check out her idea and help her decide on a date to host it so you can participate too!)

Release Date: 06/28/11
Published by: Simon & Schuster

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.

This isn't going to be a full-blown review simply because I don't have very many unique things to say about this novel.  Regardless, I still wanted to draw attention to it.

I saw how great the reviews were on Goodreads and it made me curious.  I have three older brothers so the idea of an incest book isn't exactly appealing.  But when everyone said that Tabitha Suzuma does the impossible--that she gets you to empathize with incestuous lovers, they were right.

The book starts out with Lochan's perspective, and man, Suzuma immediately gets you on his side.  His social phobia is so heartbreaking; I've never once met someone who's had that hard of a time talking with people.  And then, as if that's not stressful enough, he comes home and has to take care of his three younger siblings.  Maya tries to help him, but he's older than her and seems to take on more of the load.  Furthermore, he's decided to take on an extra helping at school.  I have a British friend who tried explaining the A-levels and whatnot to me, but I'm still not quite familiar with the system so suffice it to say that Lochan is supposed to be a genius child overworking himself in every manner.

Then you have Maya's perspective, and though she may not overwork herself like Lochan, she clearly wants to help him.  She is the only one who seems to care about him in that she asks him what's wrong and can tell when he's feeling particularly stressed.  Little kids don't see that, and the middle child, Kit, tries to goad Lochan because he's upset their father abandoned them, and Lochan has sort of taken his place.  So the dynamic that develops between Maya and Lochan is compelling and believable.  Also, I liked Maya less than Lochan character-wise.

And one day, when the other kids are gone and Maya is trying to cheer Lochan up, dancing salsa with him, he has an erection.  He snaps at her and takes a cold shower.

So begins their battle between what they know is wrong and what feels right.

Suzuma is a brilliant writer.  Not only does she get you to like them as characters, but the home life she creates for them is heartbreaking.  The dynamic between Maya and Lochan becomes those of parents raising children, and I actually wondered how they could be siblings because they simply don't act like it.  The make-out and sex scenes are desperate and brilliantly written.  Explosive even.  Their love is so tender that it makes me wonder if I'll be able to read another paranormal forbidden love deal without rolling my eyes and thinking about this book and how this is a situation that's truly unconquerable.

This is definitely not a book for the younger crowd that reads YA.

Sometimes, however, it felt like I was chugging through the book--that it's 400+ pages of some of the same issues over and over.  And it was slow-paced at the very beginning.  The former may be because of the anticipation, knowing that their love was doomed and I was just waiting for something bad to happen.  It also didn't really feel like a YA book in that these kids are so mature... well, because they have to be, obviously, but still, at the beginning and during other parts of the book, I felt like I was reading a novel on parenting.  Tension fills almost every page of the book, but it wasn't the kind that I could sympathize with.  I could empathize but not sympathize with their situation so I wasn't as engrossed in the novel as I would have liked to be.

Nonetheless, if you want the prime example on forbidden love, check out this well-written novel.

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme started by The Story Siren, and we bloggers share what books we have either received or purchased that week.

Bought:

Received:

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme that occurs here; we bloggers post about the books that we'd really like to read now :).

Passion (Fallen #3) by Lauren Kate
Release Date: June 14, 2011

Luce would die for Daniel.

And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . .

Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last.

Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history.

Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever.

Sweeping across centuries, PASSION is the third novel in the unforgettably epic FALLEN series.

To be honest, Luce is kind of an annoying protagonist, but I still want to read this book.  I want to know where she ends up, how The Master and Margarita comes into play [Lauren Kate said she read it to write some part of Passion], how the Fallen Angel War will go, and what the hell Luce has to do with it all besides being Daniel's long lost love.  I also want Daniel to stop being an ass so we'll know what is going on/Lauren Kate to finally reveal something.

I like the cover on the left more, but I like the dress featured in this other cover (which I hadn't seen until today) better.  Also, why is it that they keep putting Luce in these gorgeous, Gothic dresses?  She doesn't ever wear any of them... So is it really just aesthetic appeal?  I'd be a little disappointed if that's the case.

Release Date: 05/24/11
(I read it via Netgalley)
Published By: Harlequin Teen

The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles) by Kady Cross

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one…except the "thing" inside her.
 
When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch….
 
Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.
 
Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help—and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on—even if it seems no one believes her.

Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) Finley Jayne, the Girl in the Steel Corset - Strong female protagonist who nearly kills a man who tries to rape her in the first chapter.  Immediately interested?  I know I was.  And it gets better--Finley is a deeply flawed and sympathetic character--she sticks up for herself and isn't often afraid, or at least, when she is, she has the power to defend herself, something I'm sure most people would want.  At the same time, she can lose control and has a hard time trusting people.  She was by far the most compelling of all the characters.
2. (+) Other Characters - Griffin: Rich, young, eligible Duke with power to traverse the Aether who is too willing to trust other people, has a bit of a temper and quite the Honor code, and is a tad arrogant probably because of his class plus Emily: brilliant Irish woman who can speak with machines, is a doctor of sorts, and is also soft-hearted plus Sam: strongest man/mandroid who was beaten up by an automaton and had his bones realigned with machine and has quite the temper = an awesome cast of characters.  They're really compelling, and my only complaint is that Emily and Griffin are a bit too good to be true.  I was trying to think of what their flaws were and the first one I thought of was "too soft-hearted."  But that's definitely not a bad thing.  At any rate, the characters in this novel and their dialogue with one another was rather entertaining to read.
3. (+) The Writing - Multiple points of view were used and written well (see above aka love of the cast of characters).  One of the points of view showed a character doing something he/she shouldn't be (aka talking to who you knew was going to be Villain) and because of this writing technique, Ms. Cross established great suspense.
4. (+) World-building - Organites, Aether, and automatons.  The combination of a spiritual world, mining the Earth for organisms that could heal/give us super abilities, and machines made for an interesting steampunk fantasy world that Ms. Cross explores in this novel.  What truly makes her world building fantastic, however, is that there is still room for more.  There are questions raised about the effects of the Organites, etc. etc. that the characters are just beginning to ask.  Readers are brought into their world because of this.
5. (+) The Villain - Though the Machinist was twisted and his nefarious plans a bit too unrealistic, he was still a complex character in that I fully understood and could somewhat sympathize with his plight.  But of course, I wouldn't agree with the things he does to achieve his end.  Also, because of the multiple points of view, it was obvious who the villain was, which, in turn, made the book more suspenseful since we were left guessing as to what his next move would actually be.
6. (+) No Cliff-hanger - Or, at least, the cliff-hanger isn't so large that you're left wondering what the hell is going to happen in the next book.  For all intents and purposes, this cliff-hanger informs readers of the next book's setting and adventure.
7. (+) A Love Triangle That Wasn't Actually Bad - I usually hate love triangles.  But at least in this novel, her attraction to them both was semi-explained by her Jekyll-and-Hyde-like condition, and when that issue is resolved, Finley more or less chooses between the two of her romantic interests.  It's not really that much of a triangle in the end, and the love interest who wasn't chosen is an interesting character I'd like to see developed more.  Even the other love triangle was resolved.  (Unless Ms. Cross plans on mixing things up in the next novel, that is.)  In general, the romance in this novel was done well.
8. (+) Pacing - The novel was appropriately paced--the galley was 477 pages though it definitely didn't feel like.  It wasn't too slow (I didn't look ahead to see what happened) nor was it too fast (the character development and world-building were done well).  I wanted to keep reading and didn't feel the time slipping away.
9. (--) Unrealistic - Fantasy worlds are unrealistic, yes, I know, but usually the stakes only affect the fantasy world.  Steampunk isn't exactly fantasy, but when there's a threat to the Queen and the regular mortal world, it snaps me back to reality.  It makes me feel just how unrealistic the story is.  And because this story was set in the Victorian world and Queen Victoria was in danger, I thought about Shanghai Knights, and these two stories cannot / should not ever be compared to one another.
10. (+) The Cover - Has a little bit of the steampunk element with the gears, a very bright and beautiful red dress for the Victorian age, Finley looking mysterious, and the kind of curled font that I always wished I could draw.  I like it a lot.  If I saw it in a book store, I'd stop and read the summary at least.

This is a book I am now tempted to buy though I have already read the galley.  I would most certainly recommend it to all of you.  The Girl in the Steel Corset was a fun steampunk mystery filled with a fantasy/sci-fi world that I want to read more about, well-written romance, and incredible heroes.

To see what I mean about Finley Jayne being an awesome character, you can check out the prequel--The Strange Case of Finley Jayne--online for free at Harlequin Teen's website.  Though I didn't find the prequel to be as compelling as the novel, I thought it was a good teaser for what's to come.

Release Date: June 14, 2011
(I got my ARC from the RT Convention.)
Published by: EgmontUSA

Trial by Fire (Raised by Wolves #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

There can only be one alpha.

Bryn is finally settling into her position as alpha of the Cedar Ridge Pack—or at least, her own version of what it means to be alpha when you’re a human leading a band of werewolves. Then she finds a teenage boy bleeding on her front porch. Before collapsing, he tells her his name is Lucas, he’s a Were, and Bryn’s protection is his only hope.

But Lucas isn’t part of Bryn’s pack, and she has no right to claim another alpha’s Were.  With threats—old and new—looming, and danger closing in from all sides, Bryn will have to accept what her guardian Callum knew all along. To be alpha, she will have to give in to her own animal instincts and become less human. And, she’s going to have to do it alone.

Bryn faces both the costs, and the rewards, of love and loyalty, in this thrilling sequel to Raised by Wolves.

Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) Bryn, the protagonist - She's a strong, female protagonist who holds her own even in a male-dominated world.  Automatic respect from me.  Also, even though she has a bit the self-sacrificing quality that too many YA protagonists now seem to have, hers works since she's the alpha and needs that to be a good leader.  And she feels realistic--her desire to actually be a werewolf rather than the fragile human alpha is palpable.
2. (+) Not Exclusive - By this, I mean that I haven't read Raised by Wolves and I was still able to read, understand, and enjoy Trial by Fire.  Many sequels don't do this, but this one exceeded expectations, and because of the references Bryn makes to her past, I want to read Raised by Wolves.  I especially want to know more about Callum and Bryn's relationship.
3. (+) The Romance - While I was reading, I was happy because Bryn and Chase hadn't said they loved each other.  They had an intense relationship, but they didn't jump into proclaiming their love like other YA characters.  And then they did.... Despite this, the romance was still one of the compelling elements of this novel, because not only was it intense and well-suited to Bryn and Chase, it also furthered character development and wasn't overwhelming the main plot.  The only other snag was that I didn't quite believe the other side romance, which I won't name for fear of spoiling the novel.
4. (+) Compelling Relationships - As alpha, Bryn knows every member of her pack well, and this relationship lent to an exploration of their times together.  It made me more interested and vested in the characters, and I particularly loved the back and forth dialogue, the way they knew each other enough that it was hard to keep any secrets.  Also, as I said earlier, I want to read more about Callum and Bryn.  Though Callum is not in Bryn's pack, the way they interact in this novel is fraught with tension and love.  I think it's the most compelling of the relationships.
5. (+) The World Building - I'm sure Ms. Barnes did more of this in Raised by Wolves but I still enjoyed learning about Pack law, Bryn's Resilience, and the Werewolf Senate.  To be honest, of all creatures, I dislike werewolves the most, but the world Ms. Barnes created is one well worth your attention. 
6. (+) The Writing - The writing was fluid and made the novel fast-paced and fun to read.  It was easy to slip into Bryn's world.
7. (+) The Ending - Depite all the trials Bryn faces, I didn't see one of them coming despite the clus Ms. Barnes laid.  Altogether, it was a very surprising but enjoyable ending.
8. (+) The Villain - Because I haven't read Raised by Wolves, I don't know the exact details of how Bryn pissed off the (main) villain in this book... But the villain is clever and throws so many trials at Bryn that it made me want to keep reading and see the resolution, however unexpected.  Even though his appearances are limited, the threat he poses to Bryn is well-established throughout the book.  As a definitely flawed character, the villain also didn't strike me as the typical storybook villain.  I'm sure we haven't seen the end of his antics.
9. (--) Lesser Characters - The characters who weren't with Bryn daily--the peripherals, for instance--felt under-developed.  I, for one, was surprised to even find out that there were peripherals in Bryn's pack.
10. (--) The Cover - I'm not sure that cover does any good for the novel.  If I saw on the stands, it wouldn't attract my attention.  The red is good for Bryn's Resilience, but other than that, it's just another girl standing there in the typical YA pose.  She doesn't even look as strong as Bryn is.

Once I get some money in my bank account, I'm going to buy Raised by Wolves.  Trial by Fire was a well-written thriller packed with compelling characters and twisted situations that kept me hooked till the end...  A werewolf series that I'd surprisingly recommend.

(Also, I read somewhere that Jennifer Lynn Barnes writes her novels in 19 days.  And good novels at that.  I wish I had her talent.)

Release date: July 1st, 2011
(I got my ARC at the RT Convention)
Published by: The Chicken House

This book has already been published in the UK and will be making its US debut.

Pretty Bad Things by C.J. Skuse


10 Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) The Protagonists aka the Wonder Twins - Paisley is loud-mouthed and uncouth and has a hard time getting along with anybody but her brother and father though she still manages to lose her virginity in the first chapter.  Beau is a beautiful nerd who tries to teach himself French and to not disobey his grandmother and gets preyed upon by kids at his school (which is separate from Paisley's).  The twin sense thing?  Definitely going on here.  They balance each other in a nice way--Beau acting as Paisley's moral compass of sorts and Paisley encouraging Beau to live it up and act more fearlessly.  Despite their faults, they're both likeable characters.
2. (+) The Writing - This book alternates between the POV of Paisley and Beau, but what's truly brilliant about the writing is that even though you see that Paisley is a bit too disrespectful and Beau too submissive, you're still rooting for them.... despite everything--good and bad--that they do.  And that is quite a feat, given some of the things that Paisley does.  C.J. Skuse pulls you into their worlds and makes you see things from their perspective.
3. (+) Humor - Paisley's disrespectful attitude may not come off as humorous to everybody.  In fact, the publisher had a foreword talking about how the heroine and hero aren't exactly good.  Regardless, here's a sample from page 7-- "Simpson looked at me, eyes all smoky with compassion.  Luckily my bullshit shield kept out oncoming attacks of kindness.  What's that stuff they freeze Han Solo in at the end of The Empire Strikes Back?  Anyway, it was like I had that all around me.  No one could get through my shield of 'that.'"  And even when you're not in Paisley's head, the things the twins do are a bit ridiculous.
4. (+) Tragedy - Yet, even though there is humor in the story and their actions, tragedy is still there.  All the things that happened to the twins are devastating... Though Paisley won't actually admit to it, they are "lost souls" and are just kids, looking to their dad to make things better.
5. (+) Character Development - I loved how you could see a difference in how both Paisley and Beau acted when they were around each other.  I loved how they both mature towards the end and how there was a role reversal of sorts.  In short, it was nice to see how they grew after each set of trials thrown at them.
6. (--) Villain - the Skank aka the grandmother was a little too underdeveloped for me.  I would've liked to see some humanizing quality to her, but because there isn't one, I find her character to be a bit too unbelievable.  An old cougar getting constant injections of Botox who not only abuses her grandkids but also carries a gun, steals their trust fund, and has won two Emmys though no one can remember her???  Maybe I'm just a firm believer in the good of humanity because I honestly can't picture somebody like her.
7. (+) Pacing - From start to finish, this book had my attention.  Even though the twins sometimes get caught up in memories of their past, the flow of the story isn't interrupted.
8. (+/-) The Ending - I'm unsure of how I feel about the ending.  It's definitely not what I expected, but not all the issues were resolved.  And I would've enjoyed seeing the dad more in action--since the kids spent so much time looking for him, I wanted to make sure he was worth the trouble.
9. (+) The Idea - Road trip?  Twins who search for their dad after their mother's overdose but find out he's in prison?  Twins who then become a national phenomenon?  Twins who commit robbery so that their actions are televised again?  This book had a combination of things I had yet to read.  I enjoyed its refreshing originality.
10. (+) The Cover - I like that Paisley is the main feature.  Looking into her sunglasses, you can see the donut shop which started the string of robberies.  You see Beau leaning against their car by the run-down motel in Vegas where they rent a room.... In short, the cover has most of the features that make this novel unique.  The tape with title and author name was also a nice effect.

Pretty Bad Things was a fun and fast-paced read, well-worth your attention.  If you'd like to win a copy, I have an extra ARC up for grabs.  Fill out the form below.

Giveaway Rules:
-Ends a month from now, 06-19-11
-You can get extra entries for being a follower, tweeting, or posting about this giveaway, but everyone is eligible, including internationals.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme that occurs here; we bloggers post about the books that we'd really like to read now :).

Both of these will be released June 7, 2011.

Hereafter (Hereafter #1) by Tara Hudson

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Each night at precisely 4:33 am, while sixteen-year-old London Lane is asleep, her memory of that day is erased. In the morning, all she can "remember" are events from her future. London is used to relying on reminder notes and a trusted friend to get through the day, but things get complicated when a new boy at school enters the picture. Luke Henry is not someone you'd easily forget, yet try as she might, London can't find him in her memories of things to come.

When London starts experiencing disturbing flashbacks, or flash-forwards, as the case may be, she realizes it's time to learn about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

+Is anyone eerily reminded of the cover of Die For Me when looking at Hereafter?  Switch out revenants for ghosts and there ya go.... But it does still sound interesting.  Why would this other ghost want to interfere?  (I really hope the answer isn't some twisted love triangle).  And why does she have no memory of her own death?  What makes her ghostly existence nightmarish?
+Forgotten sounds like an awesome thriller.  Who's doing the erasing?  How can she see events in the future?  Why 4:33 a.m.?  [Also wasn't sure which cover to post.  Amazon featured the one I posted but I've see this flower-filled one elsewhere.]

What're you waiting on this Wednesday?

Released on: April 26, 2011
Published by: Running Press Kids

This is not a full-blown review since this an anthology.  My remarks will instead center on my favorites of the selected stories.

Corsets & Clockwork, 13 Steampunk Romances edited by Trisha Telep


Here's the list of stories featured in this collection:

1. "Rude Mechanicals" by Lesley Livingston
2. "The Cannibal Fiend of Rotherhithe" by Frewin Jones
3. "Wild Magic" by Ann Aguirre
4. "Deadwood" by Michael Scott
5. "Code of Blood" by Dru Pagliassotti
6. "The Clockwork Corset" by Adrienne Kress
7. "The Airship Gemini" by Jaclyn Dolamore
8. "Under Amber Skies" by Maria V. Snyder
9. "King of the Greenlight City" by Tessa Graton
10. "The Emperor's Man" by Tiffany Trent
11. "Chickie Hill's Badass Ride" by Dia Reeves
12. "The Vast Machinery of Dreams" by Caitlin Kittredge
13. "Tick, Tick, Boom" by Kiersten White

Of all these stories, the ones I found most compelling were "Wild Magic" by Aguirre, "The Clockwork Corset" by Kress, and "Tick, Tick, Boom" by White.

Even though "Wild Magic" features a sheltered Victorian girl born with power and to an upper-class in a society where magic is stamped out all costs and romance between the girl and a dangerous, beautiful boy with Wild fey magic, it was a compelling story.  That is to say, despite its unoriginal elements, I still liked Pearl Magnus, the protagonist, and her determination/rebellion.  Aguirre didn't add in too many details, a problem which I found in some of the other stories, and the first few conversations between Pearl and Pick, the love interest, were witty and well-written.  The idea of breaking into old archives filled with magic was also a nice twist.  However, one thing I didn't particularly like or find believable was the idea that the two characters fell in love.  Maybe it's just that I live now and not in a strict Victorian world but the characters flirt, have a very long period without such flirtation, kiss a couple of times, and then are in love and willing to make certain sacrifices... Really?  Romance is nice, but love doesn't have to be forced.  Nonetheless, if you picked up this anthology, I think this is one of the stories you should read.

The next story I'd suggest you read is "The Clockwork Corset" by Kress.  First off, love the names--Imogen and Rafe.  I loved that they had a past--that they grew up together and Imogen, chalk-full of spirit, used to jump at Rafe (that is, before her father ordered her not to do that) and make him promise not to grow up.  The story progressed and moved past their childhoods to when Rafe was an inventor and called off to war right as Imogen realized how much she would actually miss him.  That was a much more realistic type of love than many of the other stories portrayed.  I also enjoyed the twist at the end--which I won't ruin for you--and loved the focus of the story (i.e. appropriateness of the title), especially since some of these stories (including "Wild Magic") seemed to featured more fantasy elements than steampunk.

However, if you only had time to read one story, I'd suggest you read Kiersten White's "Tick, Tick, Boom."  I liked her protagonist Kitty more than I liked Evie from Paranormalcy.  Various elements from this story caught my eye--first that Kitty was the semi-proper Victorian lady in social gatherings but in secret made her own gadgets after being mentored by a man her father had imprisoned in their house because of his brilliant but threatening business-wise ideas.  Second, who doesn't love a Victorian woman breaking the standards of her time?  Kitty dresses up like a boy for her business dealings and handles herself pretty well.  Third, in those dealings, you can see just how smart Kitty is from the devices she manages to create.  Fourth, the scheming against her father is rather charming, especially since her father doesn't sound like the best of men.  And lastly... of course is the romance.  Kisses are stolen at night, appropriate for Kitty as a character since she is full of spirit and needs something full of passion.  The story was fun and fast-paced (without any additional boring details I found elsewhere) and kept my attention the whole way through unlike some of the other stories that are compiled in this anthology.

I have all three of Trisha Telep's anthologies.  I still like Kiss Me Deadly the most of all three, but I think Corsets & Clockwork now beats out The Eternal Kiss for second place.  If I were you, though, I'd rent this anthology from the library rather than buy it... but that could also be because I naturally like novels more than short stories.

If you decide to read this anthology, make sure to check out those three stories!

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme started by The Story Siren, and we bloggers share what books we have either received or purchased that week.

This week's is a combo of the past three weeks since I haven't participated in a while//was drowning in studying for finals.

Illusions by Aprilynne Pike (Lovedlovedloved it!  And Wings is now a NYT bestselling series!)
Divergent by Veronica Roth (Review here.  Divergent was #6 on the NYT bestsellers list!)
Die For Me by Amy Plum (The book chosen for the next read-along...)
Corsets and Clockwork edited by Trisha Telep (I also have her other two anthologies.  The 13 authors she has usually write really interesting stories, though short stories don't excite me the way novels do.)

And I discovered that kids in my college apparently like YA audiobooks (yay!!)!  I now have...

Burned by Ellen Hopkins
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Orson Scott Card's Ender series
Fade by Lisa McMann
Glass by Ellen Hopkins
Gone by Lisa McMann
Identical by Ellen Hopkins
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Paper Towns by John Green
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
Wake by Lisa McMann
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Have you listened to any of these audiobooks?
What's in your mailbox?
Happy Sunday!

Release Date: May 17, 2011
(I got my ARC from the RT Convention.)
Published by: William Morrow

Graveminder by Melissa Marr

The New York Times bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series delivers her first novel for adults, a story about the living, the dead, and a curse that binds them.

Rebekkah Barrow never forgot the tender attention her grandmother, Maylene, bestowed upon the dead of Claysville, the town where Bek spent her adolescence. There wasn't a funeral that Maylene didn't attend, and at each Rebekkah watched as Maylene performed the same unusual ritual: three sips from a small silver flask followed by the words "Sleep well, and stay where I put you."

Now Maylene is dead and Bek must go back to the place--and the man--she left a decade ago. But what she soon discovers is that Maylene was murdered and that there was good reason for her odd traditions. It turns out that in placid Claysville, the worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously connected. Beneath the town lies a shadowy, lawless land ruled by the enigmatic Charles, aka Mr. D--a place from which the dead will return if their graves are not properly minded. Only the Graveminder, a Barrow woman, and the current Undertaker, Byron, can set things to right once the dead begin to walk.


Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) Protagonist(s ?) - I put this as a question because sometimes it felt like Byron was also a protagonist, though the story begins once Bek's grandmother is murdered... Still, both Bek and Byron are worthy characters, chalk-full of flaws but likable nonetheless for their strength, courage, and loyalty.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme that occurs here; we bloggers post about the books that we'd really like to read now :).

I have two this week :).

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Release Date: May 24, 2011

From bestselling, Printz Award-winning author Libba Bray comes the story of a plane of beauty pageant contestants that crashes on a desert island.

Teen beauty queens. A Lost-like island. Mysteries and dangers. No access to email. And the spirit of fierce, feral competition that lives underground in girls, a savage brutality that can only be revealed by a journey into the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Oh, the horror, the horror! Only funnier. With evening gowns. And a body count.

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Release Date: May 31, 2011

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

-I discovered Libba Bray's work over Winter Break and pretty much love anything she writes.  Plus, from what I've seen, Beauty Queens has gotten great reviews all around.
-I read the first 100 pages online of Starcrossed (via HarperCollins) and want more!  [And the concept of The Illiad and Romeo and Juliet put together sounds wonderful.... as does the theme song her German publisher made.  If you haven't heard it yet, check out this post at her website!]

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Released on: May 4th, 2011
Published by: Katherine Tegen books

Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) Tris, the Protagonist - Even when Tris is doing something that's kind of vicious, I was still rooting for her.  Maybe it's because she's small and from the most hated faction, and I love cheering for the underdog.  Or maybe it's because she's tough and doesn't break despite the shit she has to endure, and I wish I had that sort of fire and courage.  Or maybe it's just everything about her--her view of the world, the way she develops and matures, etc.  Tris is a strong female protagonist that readers will love.
2. (+) The Story Idea - This sort of reminds me of Harry Potter and how people would sort themselves into different houses, but the idea of separating society based on virtues is still fascinating to me, and something to which I think everybody could relate.  And I could see how such a society could quickly lose sight of what its original goals were.  Roth did a good job developing this.
3. (+) Twists and Turns - Let's just say I was surprised by some things.  And I couldn't stop reading Divergent (which brings me to my next point...).
4. (+) The Writing/Pacing - The writing is simple and beautiful, which makes the pacing of the book appropriate.  I worried that since it's close to 500 pages, it would be a slow read but not at all!  It was an engrossing story.
5. (+) Novel Feels Complete - I hate it when novels end on cliffhangers.  Granted, this has a cliffhanger in that you don't really know what happens next, but that's to be expected with a dystopian novel (shit happens, society falls apart, etc.).  When I say Divergent feels complete, I mean that this novel could stand-alone and it would still be one of my favorite reads of 2011.
6. (+) The Romance - Sometimes I take issue with YA novels that have characters that fall in love easily... but this isn't easy.  Tris and her romantic interest face their fears together and (Tris especially) have everything they've known challenged.  It's believable and endearing.  I loved that the her romantic interests likes Tris for her--not because she's pretty but because she's fierce and independent.  I also loved that Roth didn't completely describe the romantic interest--just a few things about him.  And thank God, he's not one of those extraordinarily beautiful boys.
7. (+/-) The Villains - Some of the villains were believable and compelling, but the issue I had was that they had seemed to have the same flaw--a competitive nature that led them to be scared of losing their power.  I wish they were a tad more developed beyond that, but Roth does make the reader sympathize more with Tris because of them.
8. (+) Flawed Characters - I think that the story idea also allowed for Roth to create such flawed characters, which, in my opinion at least, makes them much more interesting, realistic, and compelling.
9. (+/-) Other Characters - At the same time, I wasn't all that attached to the other characters.  I think that this is because I was siding so strongly with Tris that when she questioned whether or not Christina or Will were her friends, I did too.  And I also nursed a grudge against them.  This also speaks of the excellent writing in this book--that the reader is so able to slip into Tris's world.  Perhaps the other characters will redeem themselves in later books.
10. (+) The Cover - For a dystopian novel, I think this cover was just the right fit.  A simple symbol of the faction that she questions and loves at the same time.  Anything more would've probably not represented Tris's character very well.

This has become one of my favorite reads of 2011.  Can't wait for the rest of the trilogy to be published!!

[It was also one of my WoWs.  Definitely well worth the purchase :).]

There's a serious lack of books that are meant for college kids.  Why is that?  I read somewhere that they believe that there isn't a market for college kids because they have to read so much for class anyways that they won't read other books.  That... is a bullshit excuse.  I read...all the time.  I have seen plenty of book bloggers also in college.  Yeah, we're not the majority, but I can tell you that if I've read a really good book, I recommend it to my friends, and my friends put aside their work to read it too.  College kids love to procrastinate.  Give them a good reason to and they will.  (Just like everybody else, right?)

I searched on amazon to see what kind of books had been published about college.  More than half were about sex--people sharing their experiences from freshman year, their first time, etc.  And a lot of the others were how-to guides.  That's not the whole college experience... But the only other non-sex or how-to oriented book I've come across about college is Lev Grossman's The Magicians; I bought it immediately.

People also say that college kids can find what they want in either YA or Adult novels.  YA novels tend to focus on characters who don't really know who they are yet.  Adult novels seem to focus on the types of choices the characters have to make.  Neither exactly fits college students.

So I came up with a theory--that crossover books will become a new genre geared towards the absence of books for college students.  Why?  Here are my reasons:

By definition, crossover books are those which bridge the gap between YA and adult novels; that is to say, they are YA novels that also attract an adult audience.  And what better way to reach college students than to bridge that gap?  Technically college students are adults so they do fit within that definition.  But then that also means that college students fit more within adult-oriented things than YA, which is not necessarily true and depends on the person.

I think a great example of a crossover book is Matched by Ally Condie.  I could see the message of this dystopian society passing every age boundary, and I can especially see college students enjoying this novel.  We're free to make our choices and challenge ourselves, and this society erases that notion, makes us look back and appreciate the small things we do have.

Crossover is a combination of what a reader can get from YA and from adult novels.  As a college student, I feel like I already know who I am in that my core is still the same.  I figure out more and more exactly what I don't like and actually do like and whatnot, but I'm still the same person.  And I think that with YA, the protagonist is often discovering what his/her core actually is.  But in adult novels, the protagonist already knows that--that the novels are more focused towards sacrifice and tough decisions that make the protagonist what's most important to them.  But if you take a crossover book like Nightshade, for example, Calla knows who she is as a Guardian.  Yet, she makes the same sort of sacrifices that adult novels might require while still questioning the ideals that are prevalent in YA lit.  She is also trying to figure out her future, something most college students are as well.

Mature themes like sex are dealt with.  Some YA novels avoid dealing with sex, because publishers or editors tell the author that it's too mature of a topic.  It's taboo so only kissing scenes are featured.  Yet, I've also felt that some sex scenes in adult novels serve no purpose; they're just gratuitous.  In crossover novels like the Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr, however, sex is dealt with in a fragile but beautiful way, allowing the reader to fill in the blanks rather than writing detailed descriptions (adult novels).  Even further, the Wicked Lovely series has characters that are seriously flawed... and seriously realistic.  The book is nitty and gritty in a way that most YA novels aren't; some adult novels are that way, but the focus, again, is different.  And remember what I said about questioning the future?  Definitely happening in this book.

It even seems like more crossover books are being released.  (Unless that's just me who thinks that?).  Maybe it won't be a new "genre," but I do wonder whether or not others have noticed the current gap in publishing.  And I dislike the prejudice I've endured from people like my brother (who said, "Aren't you a little too old to be reading that?" [that meaning a YA novel]).  Yet, sometimes I agree; some YA books I can't get into because their protagonists are too immature.  I could have a few years ago but not anymore.  I had to avoid some contemporary YA because I was out of high school and didn't particularly want to revisit it.  College students can identify more so with crossover books than regular adult or YA novels.

At any rate, I really hope that publication of crossover books increases.  I'd love to see it become a new genre.  What do you guys think?

*Note: this is a giant generalization.  I know there are older people who read YA and vice versa.  With college students, I am also referencing people aged 18ish (right when you're technically an "adult") and above, especially since I know that not everybody goes to college.  I just think that crossover covers the lack of books with college-aged protagonists.

**More sad evidence of lack of books for college students: my library at school only had the Twilight series and scant adult novels for casual reading.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme that occurs here; we bloggers post about the books that we'd really like to read now :).

Both of these will be release May 24th!

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.
 
So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
 
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?


Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

This page-turning debut novel will entice fans who like their paranormal romances dark and disturbing. It's a natural next-read for fans of Stephanie Meyer, Carrie Jones, and Becca Fitzpatrick. But instead of mythical creatures, blood magic has everything to do with primal human desires like power, wealth, and immortality. Everywhere Silla Kennicott turns she sees blood. She can't stop thinking about her parents alleged murder-suicide. She is consumed by a book filled with spells that arrives mysteriously in the mail. The spells share one common ingredient: blood, and Silla is more than willing to cast a few. What's a little spilled blood if she can uncover the truth? And then there's Nick—the new guy at school who makes her pulse race. He has a few secrets of his own and is all too familiar with the lure of blood magic. Drawn together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick must find out who else in their small Missouri town knows their secret and will do anything to take the book and magic from Silla.

+Hourglass sounds fantastic--a mix of paranormal and sci-fi?  Normally I don't read sci-fi, but the last mix I read was Across the Universe and that one was terrific!  Plus, the synopsis hints at it being quite the thriller :).  Would love to know what happens!
+Blood Magic - yes!  Did I not just squeal over Becca Fitzpatrick's books in my last post?  But even so, blood magic in itself seems intriguing, something a few fantasy books mention but hardly ever focus on, you know?  Plus dark and disturbing--those are too few in this field.
+(Also LOVE the covers of both of these!!)

What are you waiting on this wednesday?

(If it happens to be Dreamland Social Club, check out this giveaway.  Or if it's one of the Caster Chronicle books, check out this giveaway.  Or :D if it happens to be The Goddess Test and you buy & read it before Saturday, join me and some other bloggers in a live chat discussion of it!)

If you didn't already see it, the cover for Becca Fitzpatrick's third book in the Hush, Hush saga, Silence, was released today.  AND MY GOD IT IS GORGEOUS.

Also, apologies but if you're looking for certain reviews from me, this week and next are super crazy due to finals so it may take a while.  I will post one or two maybe but not as frequently as I'd like.