Showing posts with label Vampires. Show all posts

March 18, 2014

Teaser Tuesday [#70]

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• 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! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

1. "The outpost gate creaked in the wind, swinging back on its hinges. It knocked lightly against the wall, a rhythmic tapping sound that echoed in the looming silence."

2. "A cold breeze swirled through the gap, and the scent of blood lay on the air like a heavy blanket."

1% through Galley of "The Forever Song" by Julie Kagawa

February 05, 2014

Waiting On Wednesday [#104]

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Expected Publication: April 15, 2014

VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster?

With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

MONSTER

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost—the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

I can't even begin to describe my excitement over this! I seriously cannot wait for this book! After the end of The Eternity Cure I have been absolutely dying for this book! I'm still not the biggest fan of the redesigned covers, but AHHHHHHHH. Only 2 more months!!!!! :D :D

What are you waiting on this week?

May 11, 2013

Review: The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: April 30, 2013
Pages: 446
Source: E-ARC/NetGalley

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

Review: This is an awesome sequel to The Immortal Rules!!! This book had my heart pounding so many times its not even funny! So we start out with Allie in a smallish town while trying to find out where Sarren took Kanin. I liked one of the things she deals with right off the bat while shes there. She has to feed, but we all know in the previous book she doesn't exactly like having to kill humans. She's finally getting used to having to do it now to stay alive and sane but still has an internal struggle with it. Her exact quote is "I could choose what kind of people I preyed on, but in the end, I had to prey on someone. The lesser of two evils was still evil." She tries to only feed on bad people, or people that really don't contribute a thing to society but she still doesn't like having to feed on people in general. I still cant imagine how hard it still is for her to have to do that even when she hates it. But I did really like that she tried to only prey on the useless or bad people. At least she wasn't killing people that someone would actually miss a lot.

So back on Kanin's trail... Allie is following the pull she keeps feeling (blood calls to blood) hoping it will lead her to Kanin... Until all of a sudden she suddenly starts feeling 2 different pulls which forces her to choose one way or the other. She decides to follow the pull she was following from the beginning but it leads her to her blood brother Jackal (Prince of the Raider city) instead. Now after what happened in the last book Allie wanted nothing to do with him, but when he offers up an opportunity she can't refuse (help to find Kanin (who is both of their sire's)), she decides to join forces with him. I was pretty skeptical at first. I thought he was just gonna try to kill her but I started calming down when he didn't try it after awhile. So I warmed up to Jackal A LITTLE. Not much. Just enough to believe he wasn't gonna kill her. Lol. Ok. Despite that I will never be a big fan of Jackal, I seriously could not help but laugh at his jokes all throughout the book. Some of those were seriously good and timed so well! And his sarcasm was top notch! I seriously could not get enough of the jokes and sarcasm. Lol. Despite the fact that Allie and Jackal didn't get along the best, they did work well together as a team.

Zeke. I was totally not expecting to find him where he was. I was actually shocked at where Allie finds him. I just thought that he'd left Eden and during her travels Allie would run into him again and they'd team up. So I definitely didn't see this one coming. Anyways, I'm glad Allie, Zeke and Jackal all teamed up when they were in New Covington (where Allie swore she'd never return to). I liked that group. I don't wanna go into much detail about this, but they encountered some interesting situations when they got in to try and see the Prince. First being detained, then Sarren being there and pulling some psycho vamp stuff and then kinda allying themselves with the Prince against Sarren. That was very interesting!!! But what was even more interesting, was that when they got Kanin back (from the Prince), they also found out how Red Lung was also affecting vampires now and not just the humans (which let me tell you, it was really gross what the humans did when they got Red Lung, but how the vampires just decayed and stuff... that was pretty gross too!) What made me sad though, was that the dang Prince infected Kanin with Red Lung to ensure they would work really fast to try and find Sarren and a cure. Not cool!!!!

So, do you guys remember Stick? Allie's human friend from the Fringe when she was human. He shows up in the book and I swear on my life!!!! I wanted to repeatedly punch him!!!!! He was doing every little thing he could to piss you off or annoy you to death! So after everything that happened in the previous book he ended up becoming an aide to the Prince. And he acted all entitled because of it. And then he kept saying Allie only came back because of him. Not true one bit! Sorry Stick, the world doesn't revolve around you! Stop acting like it! All he was trying to do the entire book was trying to show Allie how he was better than her, and that he was capable of doing things. I seriously wanted to repeatedly punch him because of his snobbish arrogance. But.... UGH!!!! What he did at the end of the book.... He pushed me too far with that one. Allie too actually. I would have broke his face for what he did and Allie... She had so much anger at him for what he did it wasn't even funny. He deserved the pain he was in at the end of the book for the constant BS he kept doing.

The ending.... Oh man... Zeke... So much revolving around Zeke... ARGH!!!! My heart hurt so much during the last chapter for Zeke and for Allie... And after reading the epilogue.... I saw what was revealed in the epilogue coming but I still was shocked... I don't even now what to think after reading the last sentence of the epilogue... I NEEEEEEEED the next book!!!!

5 Stars!

May 17, 2012

Review: Faery Tales & Nightmares by Melissa Marr

Faery Tales & Nightmares
Author: Melissa Marr
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: February 21, 2012
Pages: 418
Source: Hardcover/Library

Dangerous promises and beguiling threats swirl together in a dozen stories of enchantments dark and light by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr. Uncanny and unexpected creatures appear from behind bushes, rise from beneath the seas, or manifest from seasonal storms to pursue the objects of their attention—with amorous or sinister intent—relentlessly.

From the gentle tones of a storyteller’s cadences to the terror of a blood sacrifice, tales of favorite characters from Marr’s Wicked Lovely novels mix with accounts of new characters for readers to fall in love with...or to fear.

Lush, seductive, and chilling, Melissa Marr’s stories revel in the unseen magic that infuses the world as we know it.

Table of Contents:
"Where Nightmares Walk"
"Winter's Kiss" (Fairy Tales)
"Transition" (Vampires)
"Love Struck" (Selchies)
"Old Habits" (WL World)
"Stopping Time" (WL World)
"The Art of Waiting"
"Flesh for Comfort"
"The Sleeping Girl and the Summer King" (WL World-ish, the short story that started the series)
"Cotton Candy Skies" (WL World)
"Unexpected Family" (WL World)
"Merely Mortal" (WL World)

Review: I really enjoyed all the stories! Especially the ones from the Wicked Lovely world! That is one of my fave series so jumping into stories from that world was like seeing an old friend. :) I think out of all the WL stories though "Cotton Candy Skies" was my favorite. It brought us back to Faerie after the Shadow Court has settled in. The story focuses more on Rabbit and his adjusting to living in Faerie but it also gave us more of a glimpse of how things have changed with the Shadow Court being there now. I had always wondered how things would be different with the Shadow Court being there now and I finally got a glimpse! I also enjoyed "Stopping Time" because it was Leslie's side of her life after leaving the Dark Court. I always wanted to know how she was living after that, I mean we had some idea in the books but never a full story really from her point of view after Ink Exchange. I did enjoy getting to read about Seth in "Unexpected Family", Keenan & Donia in "Merely Mortal" and the Dark Court after Niall became king in "Old Habits" though even though the first two mentioned were my faves!

I also enjoyed reading "Transition" and "Love Struck." The vampire story was really interesting. I was expecting a different outcome to that story but I was pleasantly surprised with how the story actually went down. It was interesting. Lol. But I enjoyed "Love Struck" way more! I haven't really read any Selchie stories so it was a new experience for me. I loved the background behind the Selchies and how it was incorporated into the story, but I also enjoyed how it didn't go along completely with the Selchie story and took on a bit of a unique story in itself. I was very happy with the outcome of that story even though I didn't see that being the outcome at the beginning. I also liked the short story that started the Wicked Lovely series, "The Sleeping Girl and the Summer King." I could definitely see how that story really got the series going!

5 Stars!

April 24, 2012

Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Pages: 504
Source: Galley from NetGalley

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

Review: OMG!! This book is seriously good!!! I stayed up til almost one in the morning reading this because I couldn't put it down! This is the best book I've read so far this year hands down! This is also hands down the best vampire book I've read (and I've read quite a few)! I loved how this took dystopian and put a whole new spin on it with the vampires! The whole idea of the vampires ruling and the humans either being forced to be blood cattle or unregistereds was really interesting and unique compared to the normal vampire stories (you know, vampires living among the humans, just killing them when they needed blood etc..)! And don't even get me started on the Rabids! The humans that failed to turn into Vampires, just being rabid, crazed animals, forever filled with the hunger, attacking anything that moves pretty much! I could seriously feel Allie & the other humans fear whenever Rabids were around! I could really feel Allie's emotions throughout the entire book, not to mention I could clearly picture everything that was happening throughout the entire book! It was written that well!

I really felt for Allie! She seriously despised vampires and then after being attacked she was forced to become one or die! I mean, I would have done the same thing in her place but I really felt for her. Becoming something you hate. Not to mention she was forced out on her own not long after becoming one! Man, she just couldn't catch a break! Now Zeke and the group... I really liked them... err... well, most of them. Lol. They took her in when she had no idea where to go and treated her like a part of their little family, until they learned what she was. It really annoyed me that everyone would flip out on her after learning what she was! I mean her actions proved that she wasn't like the vampires Jeb described (which was how some other vamps did act in the book) but they wouldn't see it! Have we ever heard the phase "Action speaks louder...?" I'm pretty sure her actions showed she wasn't like the stereotype people thought about vampires. And I'm glad that by the end of the book many of them realized that! I was really happy when Zeke decided to trust her and let her help him and everyone else when they needed it! I definitely cant wait for the next book, to see where the story goes next!

5 Stars!

April 23, 2012

Teaser Tuesday [#37]

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! just do the following:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
4. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

1. "But I suppose death by lightning is better than death by rabids."

2. "At least I won't see it coming."

52% of the way through Galley of "The Immortal Rules" by Julie Kagawa

*Quotes subject to change in finished version*

January 21, 2012

TBR Intervention Challenge [#15]

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by Dani@RefractedLight, Anayami@Whatever You Can Still Betray & April@Books4Juliet.

The goal of this challenge is to help each other (fellow readers and bloggers) manage our enormous and constantly growing TBR (To-Be-Read) List. The rules are simple and everyone is encouraged to participate. It does not force you to commit to more than what you can manage to read in a week or so, but participants are encouraged to read at least one book within a week. You are free to choose the book you want to read and commit to this challenge. You may post your entry every Saturday, at the frequency of your choice--EVERY WEEK or EVERY TWO WEEKS. However, we will sponsor this event regularly every Saturday.

Here are the rules:

1. Post the book(s) you committed to read in your last TBR Intervention post and tell us something about it. Did you finish it? Did you enjoy it or not? Post the link to your review (if you have one).

2. Post a book that you want to read and already own. Pick something that has been sitting on your shelf for too long now (6 months or longer). Commit to read the book in the next couple of days or week.

3. Grab the TBR Intervention Button and post it on your blog sidebar so you will be constantly reminded of the challenge, making it easier for you to commit. This will also encourage other readers/bloggers/visitors to join the challenge.

4. Add the link to your post in the Linky below and make sure to visit the other blogs. Comment, encourage, and spread the love to our fellow readers.

Last weeks TBR books:

Dark Flame

Author: Alyson Noel

Ok, so I'm not gonna post all three pics. Lol. So I finished both Halflings (which I enjoyed more than I thought I would), and Dark Flame. I liked Dark Flame a little more than Shadowland. It picked up just a little bit in Dark Flame. Not a lot, but enough to make me like it more than Shadowland. Lol. I'm currently reading Goddess Interrupted and right now I'm kind of enjoying it but I still feel like its in the same area I felt The Goddess Test was at. I'm hoping it gets better though since I'm not even halfway through the book yet. But you'll have to wait for my review of it until the end of February or early March.

Review: Halflings by Heather Burch

Review: Dark Flame by Alyson Noel

This week I'm committing to read:

Vampire Academy

Author: Richelle Mead

Summary from Goodreads:

Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever...

Ok, I've had this on my shelf for probably at least a year now. I know a lot of people like this series, which is why I picked it up. It's just soon after I picked it up I got bored of Vampire books. It's been a while since I really read a vampire book so I'm definitely up for reading this now! And plus I keep hear awesome things about this series so I really wanna get started on it. Lol.