2014 Reading Challenges

     I saw a lot of interesting challenges for the New Year, and if decided to try a couple. Let's hope I finish them all!

First of all, I signed up for the Netgalley Challenge:



Than the Mad Reviewer Reading Challenge:

Crazy Reviewer: 52 Books

The Distopia Reading Challenge 2013:

Revolutionist: 13-18 Books TBR Pile Reading Challenge: A Friendly Hug: 11-20 Books Netgalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge

Bronze: 10 Books

Happy 2014, Guys!

New Year, New Books

      I went out on a *ahem* short excursion to Barnes & Noble. There I got myself  four new books.

     I'm really excited about these books! I've heard so much about them!

      I saw Beastly by Alex Flinn sitting between two books on the far shelf in the YA section. I decided that I needed it, especially since I really want to see the movie, which I can't do if in stick to my policy of reading the book first.

     

I got An Abundance of Katherines by John Green because I really want to finish my collection of his books. The only one I ended now is Will Grayson, will grayson.

     Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead also applies

Review: Dangerous Dream by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

      Dangerous Dream by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl is a novella based a few years after the events of Beautiful Creatures. It focuses first on the graduation from high school for Lena, Ethan, Link, and the rest of their class.
      Then we are shot forward to later that day at the pool. Link makes a fatal mistake, and pays for it.
       Finally, we are shown the world from Ridley's perspective. We see what's happening to her and find out about Link.
       For this story, it seems as if the upcoming Dangerous Creatures Series will be a good one. I can't wait, can you?

Rating: 4 Stars (I couldn't figure out where the pool scene took place and I was a bit confused at the end.)
Recommended For: Anyone who has read Beautiful Creatures.

Review: Runes by Ednah Walters

     A few nights ago, I read a book named Runes by Ednah Walters.
     I am a bit sorry to say that I could not put this book down and read until 1 AM finishing the book. I then proceeded to cry and reflect over what had happened for another hour.
     This book is about Lorraine (Raine) Cooper, who's an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl on the swim team and loves hanging out with her best friend, Cora, and plans to get her longtime crush, who's also her neighbor and best friend, Eirik, to ask her out.
       All this changes when she meets her new next-door neighbor, Torin St. James. Torin is quite the looker, and Raine would have a crush if it weren't for Eirik and the fact that Torin is infuriatingly annoying and full of himself.
       Runes is an awesome easy-read, perfect if you want a book that will last only a day or two. Beware, though, the ending of this book is gut-wrenchingly sad. Like, rip-out-your-soul-and-toss-it-into-Tartarus sad. The beginning of the second book, Immortals, is sad also, but it does get better.

Rating: 5 stars (some grammatical errors that I'm willing to overlook because it was such a good book)
Recommended for: Ages 14+

Disclaimer: I received the first book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Christmas Stacking the Shelves

      Hey guys! I hope you had an amazing past few days! I sure did!
      Today I wanted to tell you about some of the books I got, sort of like a Stacking the Shelves, which is hosted over at Tynga's Reviews.

The first book I got was Don't Close Your Eyes by Lisa McMann. I saw this in a store a few weeks ago and mentioned to my mom. And for some reason, she remembered.

The next book I got was Teardrop by Lauren Kate, another book I've been meaning to read for a while now.

I also got Life's a Witch by Brittany Geragotelis, which has been recommended to me multiple times.

My aunt, who lives in England, sent me this book for Christmas. It's all about how to write fiction for children and teens. I can't wait to crack it open and begin reading.

     For my birthday last week, I received a signed copy of Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare, complete with a certificate of authenticity.

I hope everyone who celebrates had a Merry Christmas. To everyone else, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

       So I'm technically supposed to stop blogging (and reading) until Friday so that I can spend some 'quality time with my family'. But, since I know that won't happen, plan for me maybe taking tomorrow off and I will definitely be back Thursday with a review and a list of some of my Christmas goodies.
       Until then, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and have a Joyful New Year!

Review: The Phoenix Fallacy Book I: Janus by Jon Sourbeer

      This book is set in a dystopian society ruled by the different corporations, whose names are based around different mythologies. The main character of this story, Janus, has lived in the slums of the Cerberus Corporation all his life. One day, he is summoned to the too level of the corporation by his mother's employer, Overlord Middleton. She tells Janus that he is being sold and will become a Mercenary. At first, this puts Janus and his mother up in arms, but once Janus had gone, he realized that becoming a merc wasn't a bad thing.
       In the flying city of Valhalla, Janus trains hard alongside his fellow cadets, training to become a full-fledged merc, or an adept, as they call themselves.
       I really enjoyed this book, more than I though I was going to. I can't wait to get my hands on the second book in the trilogy, The Phoenix Fallacy Book II: Norm, which came out on Friday.
       Jon Sourbeer came to speak to my class about his book and what it means to self-publish on Thursday. He's a truly amazing man. My friend and I also had the chance to stay after everyone else left to speak with him one on one. We talked about our favorite times to write and some of the books we find inspirational. Find him at his website
       I think everyone should go get this book, especially since the first is only $2.99 on  Amazon right now!

This is the map of where the corporations are located.

Rating: 4.5 Stars
Recommended for: ages 12+