Review: As They Slip Away by Beth Revis

As They Slip Away by Beth Revis

Ebook, 48 pages

Published January 11th 2013

 

Synopsis:

 

Taking place on the spaceship Godspeed before Amy Martin wakes up and Elder takes leadership, this novella describes life at the Hospital during Eldest's reign. Focusing primarily on background characters, readers will see fan-favorite characters Harley, Orion, Victria, and more.

Selene is a singer on a spaceship that only values people who can provide important skills that enhance survival. As her friends--fellow "loons" in the Hospital--start to join apprenticeships to turn their skills into valuable labor, Selene is sent with a handful of other students to learn about the importance of art from the Recorder, Orion. The assignment pairs her with a young sculptor, Luthor, and their dangerous romance proves just how terrifying living trapped on a spaceship under the rule of a heartless dictator could be.

This tragic tale explores the background of a previously unknown character, linking the history of the ship and its residents to Amy and Elder, giving depth to the world of Godspeed.

 

My Thoughts/Review:

 

I am so glad that Beth Revis told this short story. It added to the Across the Universe series immensely. I enjoyed it thoroughly. This story tells the story of Selene, one of the background characters on the ship Godspeed. You really get a sense of who she is and what her story is. If you read Across the Universe and A Million Suns, you know what happens to Selene. I loved how art game alive on the ship for them and how it eventually lead to the ending. If you love the Across the Universe serie...more I am so glad that Beth Revis told this short story. It added to the Across the Universe series immensely. I enjoyed it thoroughly. This story tells the story of Selene, one of the background characters on the ship Godspeed. You can read it if you haven't read A Million Suns, there are no spoilers in it at all. You really get a sense of who Selene is and what her story is. If you read Across the Universe and A Million Suns, you know what happens to Selene, and this story connects the dots even more. I loved how Revis showed how art came alive on the ship for the characters at the hospital and how it eventually lead to the ending of Selene's story. I also really liked how you really got to know the other supporting character in the hospital and you get to understand why they are there and what there interests are. You also get to learn why Luthor is the way that he is.  If you love the Across the Universe series, you definitely need to read this story. It makes the whole series more complete. Its free so there is no excuse not to read it. So go read it. =]

 

Overall, I give this book:

 

 

Spectacular, adventurous and magical is what sums up this awesome book. I am so happy that I got the chance to read this book before it comes out in April. Hippocampus really takes you on an adventure that you don't want to leave once the book ends. As you read you learn about Trey Atlas and what happens to him thoughout his journey. You get to learn all about the lost city of Atlantis and all the wonders it has to hold. The one negative about

 

"Amazing story that delves into the background of Across the Universe" =]
5 out of 5 Stars

 

 

Link to Check it Out:

 

Download the Ebook for Free at Scribd

Recommendations:

 

 

 

Thanks for Visiting

 

and

Happy Reading. =]

 

-Michael

Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Paperback, 592 pages

Published September 14th 2010 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

 

Synopsis:

 

          Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything

 

My Thoughts/Review:

 

I really do not know why I waited and haven't read this book a long time ago. It was so good right from the beginning. I feel like I devoured it. I had to wait a full day after I read it just so I could digest it and take it all in. I wanted to read something magical after my last read and this book did not disappoint me at all. I loved the characters, the world building and practically everything about it. The story is told in the south and you really get a good sense of the atmosphere that the...more I really do not know why I waited and haven't read this book a long time ago. It was so good right from the beginning. I couldn't stop reading once I started. I feel like I devoured it. When I had to stop reading it I was thinking about it constantly. I had to wait a full day after I read it just so I could digest it and take it all in. I wanted to read something magical after my last read and this book did not disappoint me at all. I loved the characters, the world building and practically everything about it. The story is told in the south and you really get a good sense of the atmosphere that the authors were trying to portray. You feel like you have been transported to the deep south and that you are actually living in Gatlin. Something I really appreciated was that this book was entirely in the male perspective because you don't get that a lot in YA books these days. I really connected with Ethan Wate. I loved his secret love of reading and how he described things and didn't like the town he lived in entirely. This book has so many themes and stuff going on that I loved every flip of the page. Each chapter brought new life to the story. The relationship between Ethan and Lena was so electrifying and powerful, I loved every second of it. It is like they were meant to be together and that when they met each other it was like two puzzle pieces fitting together. I liked how there love was slow in the beginning, it wasn't insta-love like you get in some books. All the tiny details and quarks of this book are really what made me love it even more; the different types of castors and magic they could do, the stuff on Lena's necklace, the atmosphere of the town, and the adventure they both had to go on to figure out the curse on the Duchannes family were the things that drew me deeper into this story. When I wasn't reading this book I wanted to be. I am so glad I got through this book so fast, it was a very quick read for me especially for a 560 page book. The one thing I was just a tiny bit disappointed with was the ending. The ending just kept going until it met the climax but it didn't happen with a bang and as big as a surprise like I wanted it to. It still ended in a very surprising and worthwhile way but its not really what I was expecting. That is really my only small complaint but I can live with how it ended and I am sure it leads just perfectly into the next book. Overall, this book was everything I wanted it to be and needed. I can't wait to see the movie adaption of this book that is coming out February 14th. I think it will be very good. I also can't wait to dive into the next books in this series. I can't wait to see what Garcia and Stohl have in store for Lena and Ethan to challenge them and to test their love even more than it already has been. I recommend this series to absolutely everyone. Everyone needs to read it to prepare to see the movie. If you love magic, fantasy, or YA you should definitely read this book. It was an amazing book that was well worth the wait. =]   Overall, I give this book:     Spectacular, adventurous and magical is what sums up this awesome book. I am so happy that I got the chance to read this book before it comes out in April. Hippocampus really takes you on an adventure that you don't want to leave once the book ends. As you read you learn about Trey Atlas and what happens to him thoughout his journey. You get to learn all about the lost city of Atlantis and all the wonders it has to hold. The one negative abo   "Mysterious, adventure filled book that had me transported to the south and caught up in love and magic." =] 5 out of 5 Stars Links to Check it Out:   Barnes and Noble   Amazon     Thanks for Visiting   and   Happy Reading. =]   -Michael

February TBR & January Rewind

This year I have set the same Goodreads goal as last year, which is 50 books, just in case you were wondering. I plan on smashing my goal this year. So I am making a master tbr list and will change it around every month or so and keep you guys updated here to my progress.

 

So without further ado here is my TBR list and the links to the books I want to read. The numbered ones are the ones that I am hoping to read this month. My list is full with notes and the dates that some books are coming out so I can prepare to read them in the future. Some of them are interchangeable with each other and I can choose to read whichever one I want. Those that are crossed out are ones that I have read already within the month. If I don't read them all they will carry over into the next month. =]

 

January

1) Life of Pi by Yann Martel--Audiobook

2) Vortex by Julie Cross--Comes out Jan. 15th

3) Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

4) Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
5) As They Slip Away by Beth Revis

 

February
5) The Ash-Born Boy by Victoria Schwab
6) Fuse by Julianna Baggott--Comes out February 19th
6) Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel
Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel

The Archived by Victoria Schwab-Comes out Jan. 22nd

Shades of Earth by Beth Revis--Comes out January 15th

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer-Comes out February 5th

Dualed by Elsie Chapman--Comes out February 26th

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Black City by Elizabeth Richards

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas 

The Forsaken by Lisa Stasse

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Starters by Lissa Price

Falling for You by Lisa Schroeder

 

Notes:

(Falling for You by Lisa Schroeder comes out Jan. 1st, Make Plans to Buy/Read)

(Warm Bodies comes out in theaters Feb. 1st Read Before then)

(Beautiful Creatures comes out in theaters Feb. 13th Read Before then)

(Possibly reread The Host, movie comes out in theaters March 29th)

(The Mortal Instruments comes out in theaters August 23rd)

 

There is my list. I hope you guys cheer me on and keep me on track with my goal. I am really hoping to smash my goal this year. Link me up to your February TBR lists if you have posted one. I am really interested to know what others are wanting to read. I am hoping to continue to read a ton of books each month, so keep cheering me on to reach my goal. =]

 

Thanks for Visiting

 

Happy Reading. =]

 

-Michael

Waiting on Wednesday: Icons by Margaret Stohl

 

For those of you who don't know "Waiting On" Wednesday is an event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. The purpose is to let others know which book you are anticipating and can't wait till it comes out to read it.

 

Icons by Margaret Stohl

Hardcover, 448 pages

Expected publication: May 7th 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

 

Your heart beats only with their permission.

Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting.

Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid.

She's different. She survived. Why?

When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy.

Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths.

Bestselling author Margaret Stohl delivers the first book in a heart-pounding series set in a haunting new world where four teens must piece together the mysteries of their pasts -- in order to save the future.

 

 

Why I am Waiting:

 

I just finished Beautiful Creatures and I stumbled upon this amazing sounding book last week and I knew there was no way I could wait four whole months for it. I needed to tell everyone about it. I want it now. I can't wait to dive head first in this thrilling dystopian book. Let me know if you are pinning for this one as much as I am. Link me up in the comments section to your WoW picks and I will come visit them.

Don't forget to enter my giveaways going on this week located on the side of my blog.

Check out the most recent one here:

Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel Paperback Giveaway

 

Thanks for Visiting

 

and

 

Happy Reading. =]

 

-Michael 

Happy Book Birthday to Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel Giveaway

Happy Book Birthday to Rebecca Maizel for Stolen Nights.

 

Today, Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel, the second in the Vampire Queen Series, comes out for everyone to enjoy.

 

I haven't read it yet and I can not wait to start this series, it sounds so good.

 

Here is a bit about the series if you haven't heard of it:

 

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel (Vampire Queen #1)

Paperback, Reissue, 336 pages

Published 2012 by St. Martin's Griffin

 

 

Synopsis:

 

"Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you...no one."

Those were some of Rhode's last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.

It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.

Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.

I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn't Rhode.

But Justin was...daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.

I never expected to be sixteen again...then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...

 

 

Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel (Vampire Queen #2)

Paperback, 303 pages

Published January 29th 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin

 

Synopsis:

 

Lenah Beaudonte should be dead. But having sacrificed herself to save another, she finds herself awakening with strange powers that are neither vampire nor human—and a new enemy on her trail. In her vampire life, Lenah had thought that being human was all she ever wanted; but the human heart suffers pain, heartbreak and loss.

With her new powers growing and the dark force of the Nex after her soul, Lenah faces a choice: between the mortal love of gorgeous Justin, whose passion fed her human soul, and taking a different path to become the mistress of her own destiny, wherever that may lead...

 

Okay, now that you read about this series, lets get back to the giveaway.

 

The publisher, Macmillan, sent me an extra paperback copy of Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel.

 

So, first off, I want to thank St. Martin for allowing me to do this awesome giveaway that I can pass along to you guys.

So now go read the rules and then go enter. =] 

Giveaway Info and Rules:

 

Must be 13 years or older.

 

You don't have to be a follower to enter, but I would love it if you did, and you get extra entries if you do. =]

***This is a US Only Giveaway, Sorry international fans I don't have the funds to be able to email this to you.

This giveaway will last for two weeks.

 

Ends Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at Midnight =]

Winner has 48 hours to respond to prize notification email. If winner fails to respond, a new winner will be selected.

Winner will be selected by Rafflecopter.

I am not responsible for loss or damage of prize while in transit.

 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much for visiting

 

and

 

Happy Reading. =]

 

-Michael

Teaser Tuesday

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Miz B at 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 and author, too, so that other TT paricipants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers. =]

 

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Paperback, 592 pages

Published September 14th 2010 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

 

 

Here are my teasers this week:

 

“The right thing and the easy thing are never the same.”
― Kami Garcia, Beautiful Creatures

 

 

“I never loved you any more than I do, right this second. And I'll never love you any less than I do, right this second.”
― Kami Garcia, Beautiful Creatures

 

 

“Mortals. I envy you. You think you can change things. Stop the universe. Undo what was done long before you came along. You are such beautiful creatures.”
― Kami Garcia, Beautiful Creatures

 

 

Thanks for visiting my Teaser Tuesday this week.

 

 

Hope you enjoyed it. I can't wait to see the movie based on this book series. Link me up to your teasers in the comments below.

 

 

Happy Reading.

 

-Michael

Review: Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Hardcover, 403 pages

Published January 11th 2011 by Sterling

 

Synopsis:

 

Passion. Fate. Loyalty.

Would you risk it all to change your destiny?

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Tiger’s Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.

 

My Thoughts/Review:

 

I had some high expectations for this book because I know a ton of people just love this series. This book met some of my expectations perfectly but wasn't completely what I thought it would be. For some reason, I thought it would be a different kind of book then the one I got to read. It kind of disappointed me in some spots, maybe if I didn't hype it up too much in my head, I would have liked it better. 

I loved the beginning and how Kelsey's journey started and how we as the reader learn about the curse. Ever since I started this book and looked at some of the reviews for it I learned that this book starts off kind of slow. I couldn't agree more with this statement. The beginning was really good and interesting but then I thought the story kind of didn't get off the ground fast enough like I wanted it to after Kelsey learns about the curse. Overall, I loved every part of the adventure that Kelsey has to go on with Ren, even though I wish the more exciting parts happened sooner in the book. I do also get that Houck had to slowly get to the climax to build up the suspense of everything that is happening to them, but she really could have made it more action packed in the beginning.

 I loved the budding love romance that was featured in this book. I didn't like how Kelsey always thought she wasn't worthy of that love. No one should think that way about themselves like Kelsey did. This fact kept bothering me all throughout the book. I don't know why Kelsey couldn't just except the love that was being given to her, it made me hate her just a little bit. It is like the Kelsey from the first half of the book, which I loved learning about, didn't match the Kelsey at the end. I did understand and get why Kelsey was feeling that way about herself but no one wants that in a main character, at least I didn't. The protagonist is supposed to grow, not regress, toward the ending.

The world that Houck build was completely wonderful and magical. I loved learning about India, the culture and the mythology that they have their. I loved learning about Durga, Hanuman, Kishkindha and everything about the first part of the adventure that Kelsey and Ren have to go on to break the curse. I can't wait to read the next books in the series for the simple fact to learn how the will try and continue to break the curse. Also I did like the possible love triangle that could happen later in the series with the other guy character, maybe Kelsey will finally let herself be loved by someone. Mr. Kadam was another character that I really liked. I wish he had more involvement in the actual adventure parts of their journey. I really hope later in the series we get to see much more of his skills and see more of the grandfatherly role he is playing with Kelsey. I also can't wait to see what else Fanindra has in store for the series.

I recommend this book to anyone that likes YA, adventures and fantasy romance. It was a really good book with some minor flaws I didn't like personally. I can not wait to see how the adventure continues in the next book especially with the somewhat of a cliffhanger in this book. Definitely read this series if you think you would like it. =]

 

Overall, I give this book:

 

Spectacular, adventurous and magical is what sums up this awesome book. I am so happy that I got the chance to read this book before it comes out in April. Hippocampus really takes you on an adventure that you don't want to leave once the book ends. As you read you learn about Trey Atlas and what happens to him thoughout his journey. You get to learn all about the lost city of Atlantis and all the wonders it has to hold. The one negative about thi

 

"Awesome Indian filled adventure that will take you on a harrowing quest" =]
4 out of 5 Stars

 

Links to Check it Out:

 

 

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

 

Recommendations:

 

 

 

Thanks for Visiting

 

and

 

Happy Reading. =]

 

-Michael