Waiting on Wednesday (10)

Hey guys!  Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating! :)

Goodreads: “One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.” 

 The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself? A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

-This sounds so cute and the perfect summer read! I love the cover too! Can't wait for this.
 Release Date: June 14th 2012

Goodreads: In a city of daimons, the Carnival of Souls hosts a deadly competition. Once in a generation, every citizen can fight to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures—if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live. In our own world, Mallory knows that her father—and every other witch—fled the daimons’ city long ago. She trains to be lethal because it’s only a matter of time until the daimons catch up with them. While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans there for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence that is the Carnival of Souls.

-Just look at this cover! :O Wow. This sounds so good!
Release Date: September 4th 2012

Goodreads: Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories. Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

-This sounds so good! Can't wait for this to be released!
 Release Date: April 2013


 These are the books I'm waiting for this week, what about you?

Review: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Walker Books
Release Date: May 8th 2012
Cover Love: 10/10
Source: Bought
Add to: Goodreads

Goodreads: No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil.

The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?  For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

My Review:

I can practically sum City of Lost Souls up in one word - Wow. Seriously, it's amazing! Each book is getting better and better and City of Lost Souls was incredible. Especially if you've watched the amazing book trailer about a million times like me. 

So, if you've read the previous books you'll know the situation with Jace is not good. He's been bound to Sebastian and we discover as the book goes on just how badly it affects him. I really like Jace, I think he's a great character so it was interesting seeing what he was like under Sebastian's influence. Sebastian was described in much more detail in this book and we learn a great deal about him. Some very small part of me felt sorry for him at times, he hadn't received any love from Valentine and his mother hated him, but of course this is no reason for his actions. Clary was as ever Clary, she was strong, determined and brave and she definitely grew in City of Lost Souls. She has her own mind and I like that as a lot of girls in YA go all gooey-eyed when they fall in love etc. 
Every single character had their place in the story and it all fitted in nicely.

The plot was so good, there were twists and turns and some VERY unexpected moments - concerning all you Malec fans. The pace was so fast, considering it's a huge book, I read it fairly quickly! :) Expect the unexpected, I say! I really enjoyed all the new places they go to, as it felt very real! 

There are some very steamy moments! Especially in a certain club, with a certain Jace ;D It's all kinds of weird though, as Sebastian would know what they were doing. There are glimmers of incest, like the previous books and this was a truly weird moment for me.

The ending! Oh my word. How amazing! It leaves so much open for the next -and final one! :( I don't want them to end *sob* but I'm super excited for The Dark Artifices! :) Highly recommend! 

5 out of 5 stars.

One Year Blogoversary!!! Partay Time :D

Hello everyone! Today - 27th of May marks the day I created StephLikesBooks and I want to thank every single person who has visited my blog and all my fabulous followers. I appreciate all of you, I really do! 

StephLikesBooks was created out of bad circumstances but it's one of the best things I've ever done and I've enjoyed meeting lots and lots of other lovely bloggers and publishers! :) and hope to meet many more in the future! :)

Happy Birthday to meee! :D

Have a slice of cake ;)

Now for the bit you've probably all been waiting for... the GIVEAWAY!

Here are just some of the prizes you could win:

    

   

These are just a few, you can choose any book that you like for £10 or under as long as TBD ships free to you.

I want to make it a surprise so, leave me 3 book choices that you want and I'll pick one :)

Rules:
This giveaway will run from 27th May 2012 until 27th June 2012, so it's open for 1 month.
There will be one winner chosen at random.
You must be 13 or older to enter this giveaway.
The winner must reply within 48 hours or a new winner will be picked.
The Book Depository must ship free to you to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

     

Good luck and thanks for entering!! :D

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: May 1st 2012
Cover Love: 9/10
Source: Bought
Add to: Goodreads

Goodreads: War looms in sixteen-year-old Tris’s dark dystopian world as disputes between the factions grow. Tris must now fight against all odds to discover the truth that can save her and the people she loves. Sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge – and the choices she makes will have devastating and unexpected consequences.

My Review:
Divergent was one of the best books that I read last year and Insurgent is one of the best I read this year. Sometimes sequels are not as good as the processors and I was a bit worried, but Insurgent was amazing! More than amazing! 

Insurgent starts off right where Divergent finished -if like me and you forgot who everyone was and what happened in the last chapter, fear not! Veronica posted a recap HERE so you'll be clued in :) I thought this was a great idea, as a year is a long time! 

Insurgent was as amazing, if not better than Divergent! Tris developed as a character, she had a very difficult time after both her parents died and was suffering immensely. I believed she reacted in any normal way a 16 year old would, Tris started becoming reckless. She would throw herself into dangerous situations with no thought on her own life, just because she wanted to. Obviously, her relationship with Four (Tobias - I'm still going to call him Four though :P) was under a huge amount of strain. They were together, being affectionate and then screaming at each other, then back being nice again, which was understandable as Tris didn't know what to feel. Most of the usual characters are there from last time -although not many and I enjoyed how they were all richly described and had their own pieces in the story.

The plot was forever twisting and turning and will definitely leave you gasping numerous times. It's as high paced -if not more than Divergent and it will keep you on your toes. There are some major shockers and some heartbreaking moments *sob* and the atmosphere is very scary and dark at times. The ending was brutal, why finish like that?!! I need the third one now!

Overall, if you loved Divergent, then you need to get your mitts on Insurgent pronto! It's got everything, romance, tension, action, betrayal and much much more. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Quick Update!

Hello everyone! 

This is just a quick update post to let you guys know, I'm going on holiday tomorrow for 10 days! Woohoo :D

So I'm pretty excited! My blog's not going to be completely empty, I've scheduled some posts including Insurgent and City of Lost Souls reviews etc. 

Don't forget it's my ONE YEAR BLOGOVERSARY this Sunday 27th May and it's international, so don't forget to enter! :D

Thought I'd share the books I'm taking with you all :) 

Yes, I know there's 11 books and I'm going for 10 days but some of them are so small they'll probably get read in a couple of hours :) 

I'll see you all again on the 5th June! :D 

(Blog Tour) Review: New Girl by Paige Harbison

New Girl by Paige Harbison
Publisher: MiraInk
Release Date: May 4th 2012
Cover Love: 5/10
Add to: Goodreads

Goodreads: They call me 'New Girl'... Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her. Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault. Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend…but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be. And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

My Review:I haven't read Rebecca by Daphne de Maurier - which New Girl is a retelling of, but it was very good. I really enjoyed reading it! I read it in one sitting as the pace was just so fast, I wanted to know what happened immediately. Mystery, suspense, romance and tension, this book has it all! 

Whilst I was reading New Girl, I felt like I had a forgetful day and kept forgetting her name -endlessly turning the pages back to discover what her name was again, but realising that it wasn't revealed. The whole way through the story, it's "You're the new girl, right?" You only find out her name on the second to last page. This definitely added to the mystery, as she didn't have an identity really -she was just the new girl. I feel like I did connect with her even though I didn't know her name and she was a very believable character. She had her strengths and flaws and she dealt with how people were treating her positively. 

I liked how the narrative was split between New Girl's point of view and Becca's as this gave more of an insight into how Becca felt and did and made the pace much faster. Becca was a mysterious character to read about, she was quite dark but pretended to be bubbly and carefree, and was very reckless. There is sexual content in New Girl, but I feel like it fitted in with the story, teenagers do and will have sex whether other people want to believe it or not and all of the characters were just young, free teenagers. 

Max Holloway was very cute, he had gone through hell with Becca and I just wanted to give him a big hug! I liked how his relationship with New Girl developed as it felt very natural and real. Dana was a difficult character, she was obviously grieving and didn't like New Girl, as she took Becca's space and this was understandable but I don't think she treated New Girl right at all! Johnny was also a great character, but I didn't feel like I knew him as well as I knew Max. Maybe it's because most of the scenes were of him and Becca and not with New Girl, but he was a good character and there are some major shockers to do with him!

The ending was very good and left it open for a sequel, which I hope there is as I want to know more about Callie and Max! ;) More please! :) This book has it all, mystery, romance, suspense and drama! Read this now, you won't be disappointed! 

4 out of 5 stars.

*Thanks to MiraInk for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Letterbox Love (4)

                                

Letterbox Love is intended to showcase upcoming books and build up some excitement for them as well as let you know what is available out there :) A way for us to share what comes through our letterboxes and e-boxes :)

Here's what I got this week:

For Review:

Saving June by Hannah Harrington 

(Excited for this, heard a lot of good reviews!)

Bought:

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

(I've read this ages ago from the library, but wanted my own copy. Re-read it and it's even better second time around ;D)

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

(Already read this and it's AMAZING! My review's HERE and if you follow me on Twitter, you'll know how enthusiastic I am about a certain character.. *cough* Kai *dreamy eyes*)

Swapped:

The Vampire Stalker by Allison van Diepen

(This was on my wishlist and I'm so excited to read it!)

Die For Me by Amy Plum

(I'm probably the only person in the world who hasn't read this yet! I'm looking forward to meeting Vincent ;D)

Big huge thanks to Vickie from ComaCalm for The Vampire Stalker and Die For Me! :D

Thanks to MiraInk for Saving June too! :)

This is what I got this week, what about you?

From the Review Pile (2)

From the Review Pile is a meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page every Thursday.
The aim of this meme is to showcase books that you've received for review, but haven't yet got around to reading, in order to give the book some extra publicity.

This week I am going to showcase:



The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Some summers are just destined to be pretty.

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer -- they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along 

(I really want to read this, but I'm saving it for my holiday as I think it'll make a great summer read!)

Add to: Goodreads 

Review: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: 20th May 2012

Cover Love: 10/10
Add to: Goodreads

Goodreads: What if there were teens whose lives depended on being bad influences? This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil. Tenderhearted Southern girl, Anna Whitt, was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna. Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

My Review:

When I first heard about Sweet Evil, I knew instantly that it would definitely be interesting to read about, come on, teenagers whose lives depend on being bad influences to others around them? I finished this last night- 3AM to be exact and it did not disappoint! :) 

I'd recommend this book to older teenagers as there is drug taking and a bit of sexual content. I love how it jumps straight into the action. When I first started reading Sweet Evil, I thought Anna seemed to be almost too good. She wouldn't let loose and seemed quite reserved, but I like how she develops as she learns who she truly is and loosens up more and lets herself have fun. I liked how she speaks her mind and is just generally a good hearted person -although this does get her into serious trouble near the end of the book! Read it! ;)

Kaidan (pronounced Ky-dan rhymes with Thai) gets a whole paragraph to himself because he is HOTT! ;D He is British, a drummer in a band and is the son of the Duke of Lust. Hello!? What could be better than this? There are some very hot steamy scenes which happen with him and Anna. This book is full of sexual tension! They both want each other but I think Kaidan is scared to be with her, as she is so good and innocent and he is used to sleeping with girls and leaving them. I'm going to sound like a total groupie, but I want my own Kaidan! :D 

What I thought was interesting was the whole hierarchy and the different types of demons and angels. Each teenager in the book has a Duke for a father who represents one of the deadly sins. Anna's is the Duke of Substance Abuse, Kaidan's is the Duke of Lust and some of other characters we meet along the way are envy, wrath and adultery. I've never read something like this before, so it was great to read something new and fresh!

I really enjoyed meeting some of the other characters, particularly Kope (Kopano), Blake, Ginger, Marna, Jay and Patti they all had their own piece in the story and it was interesting to discover their back stories and have their characters revealed more. It was especially interesting how they all 'worked' and it was their job to wreck havoc. There are twists and turns that will leave you shocked and gasping! The ending is so good but I NEED the next book NOW! 

Sweet Evil is devilishly good and will capture you completely. Read this book now! 

5 out of 5 stars overall.

Waiting on Wednesday (9)

Hey guys!  Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating! :)
Having just finished City of Lost Souls, the first book I am dying for is:

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
Release Date: March 2014

Goodreads: In Book 6: City of Heavenly Fire, Jace, Clary and their friends are drawn inexorably into a war that pits Heaven against Hell, angels against demons—a war that threatens to destroy our world entirely if the Shadowhunters can't end it first.

Darkness Before Dawn by J.A.London
Release Date: May 29th 2012

Goodreads: This electrifying new trilogy blends the best of paranormal and dystopian storytelling in a world where the war is over. And the vampires won. Humans huddle in their walled cities, supplying blood in exchange for safety. But not even that is guaranteed. Dawn has lost her entire family and now reluctantly serves as the delegate to Lord Valentine, the most powerful vampire for miles. It isn’t until she meets Victor, Valentine’s son, that she realizes not all vampires are monsters....

Elixir (Covenant #3.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date: November 2012

Goodreads: Aiden's novella Aiden St. Delphi will do anything to save Alex. Even if it means doing the one thing he will never forgive himself for. Even if it means making war against the gods.

These are the books I'm waiting for this week! What about you? :) 

Letterbox Love (3)

                                

Letterbox Love is intended to showcase upcoming books and build up some excitement for them as well as let you know what is available out there :) A way for us to share what comes through our letterboxes and e-boxes :)

Here's what I got this week:

Bought:

    

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
(Squeeeel! It finally arrived! :D I didn't realise how big it was, it's so heavy!!)
and
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
(Squeeel again, too much epicness! :D)

I've started both and they're both AMAZING!

Won:

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
(Super excited about this too!)

This is what I got this week! Some pretty amazing books!
What did you get? Leave me some links :)

Reading and Reviewing Month

Bella from Cheezyfeet Books and Daphne from Loving Books  have set up an Epic Reading and Reviewing Month that will focus on lowering your TBR pile. This is seriously aimed at me, with *cough* 1,000+ *cough* books in my TBR list! :D There will be a wrap-up post on each Fiday to link to all the reviews you will have posted during the week and you can win awesome prizes. There are also 2 readathons and a reviewathon planned! :) 

You can check out Daph's post here or Bella's: here and enter by making a post and linking to it.

I've joined just in time for the readathon! :) 


                                             

From the Review Pile (1)

From the Review Pile is a meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page every Thursday.

The aim of this meme is to showcase books that you've received for review, but haven't yet got around to reading, in order to give the book some extra publicity.

This week I am going to showcase:

Fins are Forever (Fins #2) by Tera Lynn Childs


On Lily Sanderson’s eighteenth birthday she’ll become just a girl—still a mer girl, true, but signing the renunciation paperwork will ink Princess Waterlily of Thalassinia out of existence. That leaves plain old Lily living on land, dating the boy she loves, and trying to master this being human thing once and for all.

Now that Lily and Quince are together, mer-bond or not, she’s almost content to give up her place in the royal succession of Thalassinia. But just when she thinks she has everything figured out, Lily’s father sends a certain whirlpool-stirring cousin to stay with her on land. What did Doe do to get herself exiled from Thalassinia and stuck in terraped form, when everyone knows how much she hates humans? And why why why is she batting her eyelashes at Lily’s former crush, Brody?

The seafoam on the surf comes when a merboy from Lily’s past shows up. Tellin asks Lily for something that clouds her view of the horizon. There’s a future with Quince on land, her loyalty to the kingdom in the sea, and Lily tossing on the waves in the middle. Will she find a way to reconcile her love, her duty, and her dreams?

Add to: Goodreads


I really need to read it because I really enjoyed the first one!
What about you?

Waiting on Wednesday (8)

Hey guys!  Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating! :)

The Blessed by Tonya Hurley

Goodreads: Brooklyn teens Lucy, Cecelia and Agnes find themselves in the emergency room at Perpetual Help Hospital at the lowest point in their lives. Lucy, the superficial party girl; Cecelia, a drop out rock chick; and Agnes, a hopeless romantic. All rebels running from their lives and themselves, plagued by broken hearts and broken dreams. Enter Sebastian. Mysterious, compelling, seductive. He seems to bring each of them what they long for... But in the battle for his heart, will they lose their souls?

The Infects by Sean Beaudoin

Goodreads: Seventeen-year-old Nero is stuck in the wilderness with a bunch of other juvenile delinquents on an "Inward Trek." As if that weren’t bad enough, his counselors have turned into flesh-eating maniacs overnight and are now chowing down on his fellow miscreants. As in any classic monster flick worth its salted popcorn, plentiful carnage sends survivors rabbiting into the woods while the mindless horde of "infects" shambles, moans, and drools behind. Of course, these kids have seen zombie movies. They generate "Zombie Rules" almost as quickly as cheeky remarks, but attitude alone can’t keep the biters back. Serving up a cast of irreverent, slightly twisted characters, an unexpected villain, and an ending you won’t see coming, here is a savvy tale that that’s a delight to read — whether you’re a rabid zombie fan or freshly bitten — and an incisive commentary on the evil that lurks within each of us.

The Raft by S.A.Bodeen

Goodreads: Robie is an experienced traveler. She’s taken the flight from Honolulu to the Midway Atoll, a group of Pacific islands where her parents live, many times. When she has to get to Midway in a hurry after a visit with her aunt in Hawaii, she gets on the next cargo flight at the last minute. She knows the pilot, but on this flight, there’s a new co-pilot named Max. All systems are go until a storm hits during the flight. The only passenger, Robie doesn’t panic until the engine suddenly cuts out and Max shouts at her to put on a life jacket. They are over miles of Pacific Ocean. She sees Max struggle with a raft. And then . . . she’s in the water. Fighting for her life. Max pulls her onto the raft, and that’s when the real terror begins. They have no water. Their only food is a bag of Skittles. There are sharks. There is an island. But there’s no sign of help on the way.

These are what I'm waiting for this Wednesday! What about you? :)