"Waiting On" Wednesday (14)

From Bad To Cursed by Katie Alender

Alexis is the last girl you'd expect to sell her soul for beauty and popularity. After all, she already has everything she needs--an adorable boyfriend, the perfect best friend, and a family that finally seems to be healing after her sister Kasey's unfortunate possession by an evil spirit.

But then Kasey tells Alexis about the mysterious new club she has joined, and the oath she has taken to someone named Aralt. Worried that Kasey's gotten in over her head again, Alexis and her best friend Megan decide to investigate by joining the Sunshine Club, too. At first, their connection with Aralt seems harmless. Alexis tries a new -- normal-- look, and finds herself reveling in her elegance and success.

Still, despite the Sunshine Club's outward perfection, the group is crumbling from within, and soon Alexis finds herself battling her own personal demons. She can hardly even remember why she joined in the first place. Surely it wasn't to destroy Aralt...why would she hurt someone who has given her so much, and asked for so little in return?

Release Date: June 14, 2011

When I finished the first book, Bad Girls Don't Die (which I LOVED, by the way), I had NO clue there was going to be a sequel. 

So, when I came across this book on Goodreads, I'm pretty sure I screamed. Repeatedly.

Anyways, I can't wait to continue with Alexis's story.

JUNE 14TH GET HERE FASTER, PLEASE!!!!!

XVI by Julia Karr

Pages: 325

Publisher: Speak

Age Group: Young Adult

Challenges: Debut Author Challenge

Release Date: January 7, 2011

Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. 

That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

Stars: 4/5

Cover: A

Plot: 

XVI was not what I expected, but I mean that in the best way possible. I was expecting just a dystopian novel, but Julia Karr incorporated suspense and romance into her book, too. I liked that, because she didn't focus on the dystopian aspect of it; it felt like I was reading a mystery/suspense novel set in a dystopian society (if that makes sense).

The beginning of the book started off strong, and ended strong, but I feel like the middle of the book fell a little flat. By the last 100 pages though, it really started to pick up, and I read the last part of the book in just one sitting.

Characters:

Nina was a great MC. She was reasonable, realistic, and likable. I loved how strong she was, because I don't think I could have done or gone through a lot of what she did, and still be okay afterwards.

Nina's little sister, Dee, was adorable in a naive way. Their grandparents were cute, too. They were loving, supportive, and protective. I loved the connection they all had with each other.

Ed was a fantastic villain. He was big, powerful, and super-scary. His character sent chills down my spine.

Writing:

The way Julia Karr writes is perfectly for the dystopian genre. She pays a lot of attention to detail, and puts a lot of it in the story (without it being too overwhelming) so the futuristic society she created became extremely realistic.

She's also really talented at building suspense and mystery, and weaving those themes into the book. For a lot of scenes in the book (especially towards the end) I was practically holding my breath in suspense. 

Ending:

I think the book ended in the right spot in the storyline. XVI was exciting right up until the very end, and the wrap-up in the last few pages didn't feel too rushed.

Cover:

I love the cover to XVI. It's so eye-catching, and pretty in a dramatic way.

Lovely Line:

I heard him scuffling through the pile of debris I'd thrown in front of the door. Every inch of me wanted to scream, to run, to do something . . . but I waited, clenching the pipe tighter and tighter until my hands hurt.

(Page 307)

The Final Verdict:

XVI is a wonderful dystopian/suspense novel that will keep you thoroughly entertained. Definitely read this book, and keep your eyes peeled for any other books that Karr writes!

FTC: Bought

My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent

Pages: 279

Publisher: Harlequin

Age Group: Young Adult

Challenge: N/A

Release Date: August 1, 2009

She doesn't see dead people. She senses when someone near her is about to die. 

And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally. 

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next.

Stars: 4/5

Cover: A-

Plot:

My Soul To Take had me hooked. I felt like the beginning was kind of slow, but once the book started picking up, I couldn't put it down. The book was creepy, suspenseful, and well-paced. 

I really like the story line and the originality. I mean, I've never read a story about banshees and reapers like this, so it was a really refreshing book.

Characters:

I felt like Kaylee was an awesome MC. I loved being inside her head, and she told the story seamlessly. 

I liked Kaylee and Nash together, but I felt like their relationship got really intense in just a few days --- so much so that it was unrealistic.

Writing:

Rachel Vincent really has a way with words. My Soul To Take was seamless in the way that she wove romance into suspense/paranormal.

I love the descriptions that Rachel incorporated into it, but without taking me out of the story to do so. I felt like I was experiencing everything Kaylee was, and seeing everything that she was, too.

I am disappointed that it took me so long to actually start the series!

Ending:

I realllllly didn't want this book to end, but I feel like Rachel Vincent ended it in the perfect place: right after the action, but right before something else is going to happen, so that you'll want to read more.

I have the second book already on order. :)

Lovely Line:

And then I saw her. Second from the left, three down from Sophie. A tall, slender girl with honey-brown hair and heavily lashed eyes.

Meredith Cole. The team captain. Shrouded in a shadow so thick I could barely make out her features. 

As soon as my eyes found her, my throat began to burn, like I'd inhaled bleach fumes. Devastation drenched me, threatening to pull me beneath the surface of despair. and that familiar dark knowledge left me shivering where I sat. Meredith Cole would die very, very soon.

(Page 71)

The Final Verdict:

I have a new favorite series, and a new favorite author. Rachel Vincent completely captured me with her words and left me wanting more.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants a book to take them out of their reality and into a suspenseful, make-believe world.

FTC: Bought.

In My Mailbox (13)

From Westside Books, I received The Princess of Las Pulgas by C. Lee McKenzie.

It sounds like a really great story, and has awesome reviews, so I can't wait to read it! :)

"Waiting On" Wednesday (13)

Want To Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman


When Abby meets Luke online, she can’t believe her luck. He’s nice. He’s funny. He listens to her and he thinks she’s pretty. He even gets jealous of other guys, which is adorable. Without Luke, Abby’s not sure how she’d make it through her first year of high school. Everyone, including her mom and her best friend, Faith, tells Abby that if she just made more of an effort, she’d be having fun instead of dreading each and every day as if it’s a prison sentence. But there’s nothing fun about being the lowest link in the social food chain. Abby knows she’s not supposed to chat with random guys online. But Luke isn’t random, and he isn’t a stranger. Best of all, he really loves her. So what if she never goes out with her friends anymore and her grades are slipping? All she needs is Luke. Luke is her secret, and she’s his — it’s perfect that way. So when Luke suggests that they meet each other in person, Abby agrees. And then she’s gone. Missing. Without a trace. And everyone is left to put together the pieces. If they don’t, they’ll never see Abby again.


Release Date: August 11, 2011


This book looks absolutely amazing. It seems dark and intriguing, and for whatever reason, reminds me of Elizabeth Scott's Living Dead Girl, which I loved. I haven't read any of Littman's other books, but I've heard really great things about them, and they have fantastic ratings. 


I'll be sure to pick up this book when it comes out, but until then, I'll occupy myself with some of Sarah Darer Littman's other books. :)

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Pages: 666

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Age Group: Young Adult (Mature Readers)

Challenges: 350 Page Challenge

Release Date: January 23, 2007

Aspen Springs Psychiatric Hospital is a place for people who have played the ultimate endgame. The suicide attempt survivors portrayed in this novel tell starkly different stories, but these three embattled teens share a desperate need for a second chance. Ellen Hopkins, the author of Glassand Crank, presents another jarring, ultimately uplifting story about young people crawling back from a precipice.

Stars: 3.5/5

Cover: B+

Plot:

I've always been a big fan of Ellen Hopkins, and loved all of her books. I'm afraid, though, that for me, Impulse wasn't on the same level as the rest of her books. That's not to say that I didn't thoroughly enjoy it, because believe me, I did, but there were just some things that prevented me from liking it to its full potential.

I felt that for the entire book, I was waiting on something big to happen, and until the last two pages, nothing really did.

I think if Ellen Hopkins had made the book a little more exiting, and added in some more plot twists, I would have liked it more.

Characters:

The characters were the saving grace for this book. They all had depth and were really likable. Not to mention, there was a great deal of character development throughout the book.

Ellen Hopkins is really good about making all of her characters different and unique from each other. I love that, because it doesn't feel like I'm reading about the same characters multiple times over.

Writing:

As per usual, Ellen Hopkins delivers a book that has an impact on her readers and really gets them thinking. She knows how to practically disturb the reader into having to put down the book, and take a break from the horrible situations her characters are in. 

I love the fact that she writes in verse (and is a master at it), because I feel like with less words on the page and to tell the story, each word has more of an impact than if her books were written in "normal" novel-form.

Ending:

The ending had my mouth open in shock, and me wanting to scream at the book, "WHAT? NO! YOU CAN'T END THERE!!!!"

'Nuff said. :)

Cover:

Even though there's just words on the cover, like the rest of Hopkins' books, I really like the simplicity and edgy-ness of it.

Lovely Line:

My turn to think, to try

and unravel my own riddle.

Every inch of me feels weighted,

like I'm treading gravel.

"My mother is the hardest 

woman ever --- cool, perfect.

She'd be a diamond, except

you'll never melt one of those.

Sometimes, rarely, influenced

by full moon or emptiness, 

she'll rain a single kiss,

monsoon on desert, melting

glass."

(Page 136)

The Final Verdict:

I recommend people read all of Ellen Hopkins' books. Even though Impulse wasn't quite as fantastic as the other books, it should still be on your TBR lists. So, go add it. Now. :)

FTC: Borrowed.

TBR: March

These are the books that I plan to read in the month of March!

What do you want to read?