We Have a Rating System!

Hi guys!

I just wanted to let you know that every review going forward will have a rating!  I'm thinking I'll stick with the basic five star rating system.  Five meaning the book is one of those can't eat, can't sleep types that takes over your life from the first page to the last down to one star.  Since I'm a pretty laid back reader, I doubt I'll have a lot of one star books here!

The main reason I'm implementing this is because there are some books I expect so much from and really do enjoy, but am so sucked in by the characters, setting ,etc that I can get a little picky about certain elements.  (If that makes sense!)  Most recently, this happened with 'Torment' by Lauren Kate. With this star rating system in place, I'll be able to give a clearer idea of my final opinion of the book.

I'll be updating with a review of 'The Replacement' within the next few days!  Check back soon!

S.O.S Book of the Week

The S.O.S Book of the Week is where I'll let you in on what new releases I'm looking forward to! S.O.S comes from the term 'Strict on Sale'. It's bookseller speak for a title that you can't sell before a specific date-- think Harry Potter. While the books I have here may not be S.O.S titles specifically, they are all new!

The S.O.S. Book of the Week is:

James Dashner's sequel to last years hit 'The Maze Runner' hits store shelves October 12th!  'The Maze Runner' introduced us to a new world with a lot of promise and the ending, well, what ending?  It left us with a cliffhanger equal to Angel's series finale.  


Here's a blurb about 'The Scorch Trials' from Goodreads:

"The Maze was only the beginning...   Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more Variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.  

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, much of the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated--and with it, order--and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim... and meal.  

 Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them."

Usually these sort of books more rooted in action don't keep my attention, but I want to stick with this series. It has great promise and seriously, after that cliffhanger, what else am I supposed to do!!!


Anyone else looking forward to this title?

Congrats to our Contest Winners!!!

I'd like to thank everyone who entered my first book giveaway! In my book, it was quite a success!!!  I emailed the winners yesterday and have since heard back from all of them.

Of the six books, most were most interested in winning 'The Replacement' (in bookstores now, I think!).  Being the only book I've read, I can tell you that it's a good read!  Second most popular was 'Star Crossed'.  Surprisingly, there was no love for 'The Thin Executioner'!

I'd like you to join me in congratulating our six winners:

Mary Brebner of The Book Swarm, winner of The Thin Executioner

Anjohnston of Down The Rabbit Hole, winner of The Replacement

Taylor of The Library Lurker, winner of Aces Up

Christy of Dearest Dreams, winner of Clockwork Three

tabbylewis (Twitter), winner of Star Crossed

Sylvia, winner of Mostly Good Girls

Congrats, guys!  Remember, I'll send traffic your way if you post a review on your winning title and send me a direct link!

Fantasy Cast: Matched

Recently, Variety announced that Disney had bought the rights to the upcoming book 'Matched' by Ally Condie.  See my review of the book here.  I'm not surprised 'Matched' got picked up, but am surprised it happened so quickly!  The book hasn't even officially come out yet!  The sequels are years away!  The story, though I predict it won't, could fail miserably or have really bad sequels.  Fingers crossed it doesn't, but it could. I'm almost forgetting the fact that Disney could also mess this up by casting, say, Miley Cyrus as Cassia or something.  Note to Disney-  I'd prefer NOT seeing any Hannah Montana stars in 'Matched', thanks.

With 'Hunger Games' and 'Vampire Academy' already fantasy cast here on the blog, now I think it's time for 'Matched' to get the same treatment.  Here you go-- the fantasy cast of 'Matched'.

Bradley James (credits: Merlin) as Xander:

My excitement over the third season of Merlin may have prompted this casting, but the more I think about it, Bradley would be the perfect Xander. He's handsome, built, and comes off as friendly on the screen. I believe Bradley has the acting chops to really get the audience to root for him and Cassia, just like Taylor Lautner did as Twilight's Jacob. All he needs is to work on an american english accent and he'll find himself a whole new fanbase over here as Xander!

Steven Strait (credits: Sky High, The Covenant) as Ky:

Originally, I thought Steven Strait would be too old to play an older teen. However, it turns out he was born in 1986! Dressed up right with a young hair-do and look, I think he'd be really good as the mysterious Ky. He has that bad boy aire to him that totally shouts Ky. On a sidenote, I was shocked when I read that he got married in 2008! Why are all the hot ones off the market?! ;)

???? as Cassia:

?????

I just have no idea who to choose! Cassia's hard because you need a girl with a classic sort of prettiness about her, nothing too over dramatic or sexy. She also needs to believably play someone responsible, hardworking, and smart.  You don't know how hard it was thinking of young actors who have that trait.

If I had a TARDIS, I'd probably bring a young Anne Hathaway or Rachael Leigh Cook into the future for the role of Cassia, but alas...

I'm open to suggestions on this casting. Who do you believe would be an awesome Cassia?

Book Blogger Hop

The question of the week is:

In honor of Book Blogger Appreciation Week, let's take time this week to honor our favorite book bloggers and why we love them!

Another statement/question... Hmmmm.  I honestly can't just pick one or two bloggers to honor in my post.  Every blog I've visited has had some great content.  Who I really want to mention here, I guess, our the people who have taken the time to leave comments here on the blog.  It makes my day and makes me strive to take the time to really look at their and others work and leave some sort of comment back.

Most recently, Michelle stopped by my Torment (by Lauren Kate) review and we had a fun conversation about our (dis)likes about the sequel.  It wasn't just the traditional 'nice review' type of thing.  It was an actual discussion like post.  I liked it and am going to try to put that sort of feeling in my comments from now on!!

Also, I feel I should mention Danya, who tends to pop her head in here from time to time.  It's always nice getting repeat visitors.  :-)

To all visitors, I appreciate you stopping by!  I really do!

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On a side note, please make sure to enter my book giveaway!  US mailing addresses only.  I'd love more entries and as you only have until the 19th to enter, you are not NOT required to spread the word (though, I'd still love it if you did!). 

S.O.S Book of the Week

The S.O.S Book of the Week is where I'll let you in on what new releases I'm looking forward to! S.O.S comes from the term 'Strict on Sale'. It's bookseller speak for a title that you can't sell before a specific date-- think Harry Potter. While the books I have here may not be S.O.S titles specifically, they are all new!

The S.O.S. Book of the Week is:

I'm a dork when it comes to Star Wars.  I can quote all six movies, have read multiple expanded universe books, have a ball joined doll named Kyp and an Animal Crossing village called 'Falcon' (Millennium Falcon seemed too long for my town!), and attended CIV in Cali a few years back.  'The Jedi Path' is the perfect book for all us kids who grew up wanting to one day wake up with the Force.  

Authored by Daniel Wallace with a release date of September 28th, this book not only looks leather bound, but also comes with a fantastic vault to store it in!  To see the vault in action, watch the video located on Amazon.  Very neat, if you ask me!!!

Here's a quick blurb about 'The Jedi Path' via Goodreads:

"This ancient training manual, crafted by early Jedi Masters, has educated and enlightened generations of Jedi. It explains the history and hierarchy of the Jedi Order, and what Jedi must know to take their place as defenders of the peace in the galaxy—from mastery of the Force to the nuances of lightsaber combat. Passed down from Master to Padawan, the pages of this venerable text have been annotated by those who have held it, studied it, and lived its secrets. From Yoda and Luke Skywalker to Count Dooku and Darth Sidious, they have shaped the content of the book by leaving mementos tucked within the pages, tearing out pages, and adding their personal experiences as tangible reminders of the lessons they’ve learned. Through wars and rebellion, only a single copy of this manual has survived. It is now passed on to you."

While this may not be up your alley, it's totally up mine.  I hope I'll be able to whip up the cash to pick up this pricey, yet fantastic looking book!!!

Review: Reckless by Cornelia Funke

Title: Reckless
Author: Cornelia Funke
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Adventure, fairytale
Perfect for: those in the mood for a 'grimm fairytale' type read!

Taken from Goodreads:

"For years, Jacob Reckless has been secretly disappearing to another world, a world behind a mirror, a world for which his father abandoned his family. The mirror world is Jacob's escape from reality. It's a place for treasure hunts and magnificent quests. A world where witches haunt the forests and giants and dwarfs roam. A world locked in a deadly war.  Jacob's secret seems safe, until one day his younger brother Will follows him, with disastrous consequence. Faced with a curse that is quickly turning Will to stone, the Reckless brothers are thrust into a race against time to find a cure before Will is lost forever. "

Let me tell you first that 'Inkheart' is one of my favorite books.   I wanted to be as charmed with 'Reckless' as I was 'Inkheart', but was left slightly disappointed.  This is an odd review to write for me, as I'm on the fence about 'Reckless'.

Let me start with what I loved about 'Reckless'.  The charm of this novel comes firstly from the characters.  Funke has a great intuition for what makes characters likable and complete.  The title character Jacob Reckless, the troubled boy who misses his father and feels he must take care of his family in said fathers place, is likable from the get go.  That's an amazing feet because he isn't Harry Potter or Bobby Pendragon.  Jacob has flaws, flaws that could have made him unlikable, but don't due to Funke's great writing.  Brother Will is also an interesting character, even if we don't see him very often.  Finishing up the trifecta is Clara, Will's girlfriend.  I'd like to know more about Clara.  She's strong and brave, though obviously put off kilter by the mirrorworld she finds herself in and the adventure she finds herself on.  Her interactions with Jacob are great.  I'm looking forward to seeing how the relationship between Clara and Jacob turns out...

The other thing I love about this title is the setting.  The fairy tale like world that lies beyond the mirror is a place where I imagine anything could happen.  It leaves a lot of openings for different story arcs to come about.  'Reckless' is a dark tale, very Brothers Grimm.  It's a new style for most who are used to the 'Inkheart' trilogy, but, you know what?  Funke did dark well!

What I didn't like so much about the book was the story.  I know that's a weird thing to say.  I like bits of the story, but as a whole it was not my favorite thing about 'Reckless'.  There's lots of action and adventure, but it all came across a bit rushed.  A lot happens in 'Reckless'.  Have you ever seen one of those movies that starts off with some big action packed event and never lets up?  That's how 'Reckless' stuck me.  I really wanted a rest period for the trio.  I'm not a huge fan of titles that are bogged down with action, action, action, especially when they're in a place that is new and fantastical.  I like having an idea of the world I'm reading about before a troll attacks or whatever the case may be.

The biggest question I was left with after finishing this book?  Simple.  Is this the first book in a series?  Should I expect a sequel?  There are lots of unanswered questions in 'Reckless'.  I am really hoping for a sequel.  Even though the story got bogged down a bit in this novel, I want to know what happens to Jacob, Will and Clara.  Well, mostly Jacob and Clara, but it seems they come as a trio.

I recommend this title.  It's very different than what you might be used to reading from Funke, but it's definitely worth a look!

Book Shelf Updates

Things to look forward to this week? My review of Cornelia Funke's 'Reckless', my new S.O.S Book of the Week, and hopefully another fantasy cast post!

The purpose of this post, however? To catch you up on my current bookshelves!

I'm currently reading:

'Dead Beautiful' by Yvonne Woon and 'I Am Number Four' by Pittacus Lore. I usually don't like to read more than one book at a time, but 'I Am Number Four' was going a bit slow for me and I decided to put it on hold for a bit! My mom suggested 'Dead Beautiful'. So far, I'm loving it! Once I'm done with that, I'll go back to 'I Am Number Four'.

I have recently finished:

'Garfield Minus Garfield' by Jim Davis-- I actually laughed a bit at these comic strips that were literally Garfield minus, well, Garfield. Some hit a bit too close to home, but were still quite funny.

'The Replacement' by Brenna Yovanoff -- Loved the cover, liked the concept, but felt the story was rushed. Interesting read, regardless.

'Jealousy (Strange Angels #3)' by Lilith Saintcrow-- I enjoyed the third book in the Strange Angels series. Like the other two in the series, I skimmed over much of the action portions, but Dru's POV was spot on. I find it odd that Dru can never be with *both* Christophe and Graves. And with the way this one ended, I don't see that changing!!! Christophe's scenes were as charming as ever and Graves, while down played a bit in this novel, had some cute scene's, as well. Fans of both guys should be pleased (for the most part)!

So that's it for now!  Keep an eye out for my 'Reckless' Review and don't forget to sign up for my book giveaway two posts down!!!