"Waiting On" Wednesday (4)

Trapped by Michael Northrop

 

 

The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. That for those in its path, it would become not just a matter of keeping warm, but of staying alive.

Scotty and his friends Pete and Jason are among the last seven kids at their high school waiting to get picked up that day, and they soon realize that no one is coming for them. Still, it doesn't seem so bad to spend the night at school, especially when distractingly hot Krista and Julie are sleeping just down the hall. But then the power goes out, then the heat. The pipes freeze, and the roof shudders. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, and the empty halls grow colder and darker, the mounting pressure forces a devastating decision . . .

Does this book seem extremely interesting, or what? I love books like this (I don't know what genre it would be under). Trapped seems like it will be action packed and full of internal conflict and difficult decisions, which always makes for a great story. Plus, it's getting great reviews. You'll know where to find me on January 1st --- in the bookstore, buying this book. :)

2011 Debut Author Challenge

This challenge is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a year-long event where you read at least twelve books from authors releasing their debuts in 2011!


I'm pretty sure I'll read more than twelve, but here are just a few of the books I plan on reading for this challenge:


XVI by Julia Karr
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Vicious Little Darlings by Katherine Easer
Across The Universe by Beth Revis
Clarity by Kim Harrington
The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder
Bad Taste by Carrie Harris
Vesper by Jeff Sampson
Timeless by Alexandra Monir
Hereafter by Tara Hudson
Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes




I'd love to know what you guys are reading for the Debut Author Challenge! Feel free to link your DAC posts below.

Pretty Little Devils by Nancy Holder

Hazel Stone wants nothing more than to be a part of the hottest clique in school, the Pretty Little Devils, but she's stuck at a lunch table full of high school C-listers. Hazel has resigned herself to life as a nobody—when suddenly everything changes. The PLDs invite Hazel to one of the group's famous parties, held at the site of one of their babysitting jobs. Before Hazel knows it, she's in with the in crowd—and she couldn't be more thrilled!

But nothing turns out the way she expects. Especially when one her classmates becomes jealous of her newfound status—deadly jealous.

Stars: 3.5/5

Cover: B

Hazel Stone wants nothing but to be a Pretty Little Devil --- an exclusive group of the most popular girls at school. So when the PLD leader, Sylvia, wants her in the group, Hazel gladly accepts. But she soon finds out life as a PLD isn't what she thought it would be.

The girls start receiving mysterious texts from an unknown source. Animals are hacked up mercifully, and it's not long before high school students start being murdered, too. And the girls know the culprit is someone in their group of friends --- but who?

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard and Pretty Little Devils have a lot of similarities. (PLD came out ten months before PLL.) There is the stalker sending weird and creepy notes, there's the element of not knowing who to trust, and also, in both books, the stalker could be a variety of people. 

But putting that aside, I liked this book a lot. Most of the characters were pretty well developed. But, I didn't really feel like Megan, one of the PLDs, was given enough traits. She was just kind of there.

The plot was fast-paced, and there weren't really any dull moments in the story. I actually read this a couple of years ago, and even while re-reading it I still felt the suspense. I remember that when I first read the book, and I found out who the stalker was, I was extremely shocked. I'm pretty sure I gasped out loud. 

One thing that really bugged me was the errors in this book. I know, I know, I can't expect everything to be perfect, but for whatever reasons the misspelling of characters' names made me a little irritated.

At times, the writing was a little awkward and choppy, and at other times it flowed really smoothly. One example of something that kind of took away from the suspense-fulness of the story was when there were exclamation points where I felt there shouldn't be. For example, the last sentences of Chapter Six:

"Hazel put her hand on the knob. The door burst open --- and she screamed!" (Page 113)

 But, putting all of that aside, I enjoyed Pretty Little Devils. It was a fast, fun, and entertaining read.

I actually put Posessions, another one of Nancy Holder's books, on my Christmas list, so expect some more Nancy Holder reviews.

*Don't read the last page of Pretty Little Devils --- it will give the entire book away!

FTC: I bought this book.

I Need YOUR Help!

Okay, I have a huuuuuge TBR stack. And lately, I've been having trouble deciding which book to read next.

So, it would be AWESOME if you would check out my To-Be-Read Stack on the right sidebar of my page, and comment below telling me what you want me to read next.

Also, I'm going to Colorado for the holidays, and I don't know which books to bring with me!

Thanks for your help guys.

See you soon with a review of Pretty Little Devils. :)

Mystery & Suspense Challenge for 2011

This challenge is hosted by Book Chick City. To signup, and get the full rules, click here.

Basically, the challenge is to read (minimum) twelve mystery/suspense novels in 2011. I am excited about this challenge, because though I love reading these genres of books, I tend to not read them very often. Hopefully this challenge will inspire me to pick up more mystery and suspense novels!


To see the complete list of 2011 Challenges I'm participating in, click here.

One Month Blogoversary!

Yes, I know. One month is a miniscule amount of time to be blogging, compared to some other bloggers.
But, I figured, Why the heck not? I'm going to celebrate my one month anniversary for my blog.
:)


The past month has gone by very fast. My blog has provided me with something fun and constructive to do on my downtime, and I've found I really like blogging!


Thanks to all of my followers. I really appreciate you guys showing your interest in my blog! And I love reading your comments. :)


Anyways, I hope you guys all have a great weekend! See you soon.

"Waiting On" Wednesday (3)

Waiting On Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Spine, to bring attention to the books that we've been anticipating the release of!

Three unlikely allies team up for a night of rebellion, romance, and revenge in a high-stakes dramedy from acclaimed young author Abby McDonald.

They’ve spent years at the same high school without speaking a word to one another, but that’s all about to change. Popular Bliss was having the perfect prom until she found her BFF and boyfriend making out in the back of a limo. Bad girl Jolene wouldn’t be caught dead at the prom, yet here she is, trussed up in pink ruffles, risking her reputation for some guy - some guy who is forty minutes late. And shy, studious, über-planner Meg never counted on her date’s standing her up and leaving her idling in the parking lot outside the prom. Get ready for The Anti-Prom, Abby McDonald’s hilarious, heart-tugging tale about three girls and one unforgettable prom night.


I really, really, really can't wait for this book. This one comes out April 12th, 2011. The synopsis makes it sound like it will be a funny, lightweight, interesting read. All I can say is that it's going to be a long four months until April!