No IMM This Week

April 30, 2011 By 35 Comments

No IMM this week because on Wednesday our area was hit by horrible storms. We were so lucky to only have some trees down. The tornado that hit us was an F4 that was a half mile wide and was on the ground for 15 miles, but THANKFULLY by the time it reached us it had dissipated some. We still have a lot of cleaning up to do and we probably won’t have electricity for a week or more, but we were so lucky. Many people died in my county and countless others lost everything.

I just wanted you to know why I’m not around….but I did manage to get some awesome books. That made things a little brighter.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Saturday Situation -32- Link Up Your Reviews & Giveaways!!

April 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 Happy Saturday everyone! It’s time for a new Saturday Situation, hosted by Candace at Candace’s Book Blog  and myself. So, here’s the scoop: I’m going to set up two Mister Linky’s. One for Giveaways that you want to promote and one for Posts that you want to promote. The posts can be reviews, discussions, rants, events you are planning, anything that you want people to read! I know there’s so many great posts out there that often go unread. Here’s your chance to tell the world! Feel free to link up to other bloggers posts as well! Let’s spread the love!

Reviews/Posts Linky!

In this Linky please link directly to any posts you want to share with the world!  Example: Name: Fallout Review URL: http://www.pureimaginationblog.com/2010/09/review-fallout-by-ellen-hopkins.html

Please do not post giveaways in this Linky! They go in the bottom one!

Book Related Giveaways Linky!

In this Linky please link directly to any book related giveaways you have! Example: Name: Middle Grade Giveaway-It’s Raining Cupcakes and other Ends 9/30 URL:http://www.pureimaginationblog.com/2010/09/middle-grade-giveaway.html

Filed Under: Saturday Situation

Review: The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

April 29, 2011 By 9 Comments

Release Date: April 12, 2011
Age Group: Young Adult
Received From: Amazon
IBSN: 9780061797026
Blurb:
Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn’t know much about her background – the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip – but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.

Until now.

Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town – from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend’s hidden talent for “feeling” out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel . . . . different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya’s biological parents and it’s easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet.

In The Gathering, New York Times best-selling author Kelley Armstrong brings all the supernatural thrills from her wildly successful Darkest Powers series to Darkness Rising, her scorching hot new trilogy. 

I absolutely love Kelley Armstrong! Her creativeness and imagination never cease to blow me away and The Gathering was no exception. I know that we were all very sad to see the very awesome Darkest Powers trilogy end, but it looks like we have nothing to fear. This trilogy has already proved to be just as engrossing!

Maya is fantastic! I can, without a doubt, say that I loved everything about her. She is super snarky and funny. She is strong in the face of scary things and she is accepting of the weird stuff, but not too accepting. She really was a perfect balance. You couldn’t ask for a better protagonist.

There is a lot more romance in this one than I was expecting. With Darkest Powers it took, basically three books before there was a significant amount of romance. That’s not the case with The Gathering. The tension and spark between Maya and Rafe was fantastically done. It was a believable romance and I never once rolled my eyes at them. I can’t wait to see where things go with them.
The secondary characters were also very well done. I really enjoyed Maya’s friendship with Daniel and I can’t wait to see the growth of her relationships with the other characters.

The progression of the plot was a little surprising to me. The pacing is fast, there’s always something happening, but the mystery builds very slowly to a boiling point. It worked perfectly and kept me guessing the entire book. In fact I am still guessing…the ending was not what I was expecting, but it left me very anxious for more.

You really must read these books if you haven’t. In my opinion Kelley Armstrong is at the very top of the YA paranormal genre. She may be the best at this style of paranormal.

Filed Under: Darkness Rising, Kelley Armstrong, Young Adult

Review: Shine by Lauren Myracle

April 28, 2011 By 9 Comments

Release Date: May 1, 2011
Age Group: Young Adult
Received From: Publisher
IBSN: 9780810984172
Blurb:
When her best guy friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover who in her small town did it. Richly atmospheric, this daring mystery mines the secrets of a tightly knit Southern community and examines the strength of will it takes to go against everyone you know in the name of justice. Against a backdrop of poverty, clannishness, drugs, and intolerance, Myracle has crafted a harrowing coming-of-age tale couched in a deeply intelligent mystery. Smart, fearless, and compassionate, this is an unforgettable work from a beloved author.

It’s been awhile since I have read a book that I had such mixed feelings about. On one hand I love the setting and the premise, on the other hand I just couldn’t get past some of the actions–or should I say inaction– of the characters.

The plot is engrossing and it’s hard to put this book down once you get started. But I did find it a little predictable. I had things figured out before Cat did, but that didn’t make it boring. I was still interested to see how things would unfold. That’s where things started to fall apart for me. The ending, to me was inexcusable.  I don’t want to say too much and give anything away, but I was disappointed. Sure, I’ve never been in that situation, but I don’t think I could just…let it all go. Is that cryptic? You need to read the book to find out what I am talking about! I would really like to hear some other opinions on the end!

The setting is what I loved most about the book. It’s very atmospheric. It takes place in this back woods southern town. I thought I lived in a back woods southern town, but it’s nothing like the town in this novel. You can tell that Myracle has some experience with the bible belt, because she hits the nail on the head with the ‘Bless his heart, but he had it coming’ attitude. That is, unfortunately, how a lot of people are around here. It’s sad, but true and Myracle really shines light on that.

Cat was a good main character. She did some things I would never do, but for the most part I liked her. My biggest problem with the book–even bigger than the ending–was what happen to Cat and how everyone just went on their merry way afterward. I guess that’s realistic, sometimes bad things happen to people and we choose to ignore it, but I’ve never been good at that. I hold grudges and I get outraged on behalf of people. I was outraged for Cat.  This whole situation, especially regarding Aunt Tilly felt a little unresolved for me at the end.

Sorry this review is full of vague thoughts. I don’t want to give away too much, but I wanted to share what I have conflicting feeling about. I still recommend the book. It’s definitely worth the read. I like when books leave me a little unsure of where I stand. If you do too, read it!

Filed Under: Lauren Myracle, Young Adult

Waiting on Wednesday!! -79-

April 27, 2011 By 18 Comments

August 9, 2011 from Candlewick

When Sunni Forrest’s stepbrother accidentally transports himself into a Renaissance painting, she and her friend Blaise set out to bring him back. They find themselves in a strange world of labyrinths, monsters and pirates.

Can they evade their greedy pursuers? And will they ever find their way home?
Add it on Goodreads! 

 

October 11, 2011 from Candlewick

Wendy Delsol’s FROST, is the sequel to her YA debut STORK.

After the drama of discovering that she’s a member of the Storks, a mystical order of women endowed with powerful abilities, Katla Leblanc is finally settling into her life in chilly Minnesota. In fact, the ex-California girl even hopes for a white Christmas. But Katla’s wintry wish unexpectedly turns into the snowstorm of the century, drawing the attention of Brigid, a gorgeous environmental researcher with an amazing array of fur coats and an unusual interest in Katla’s boyfriend, Jack.

Inspired by Norse mythology and Hans Christian Andersen’s THE SNOW QUEEN
Add it on Goodreads! 

I super excited about these two books! The Blackhope Enigma has monsters and pirates! You can’t go wrong there! Plus, the cover is awesome!! I’m pretty much in love with it.
I can’t wait for Frost! I loved Stork so I’m really anxious to dive back into Katla’s world!

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Head over there to see more WoW picks!

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday

Books That Should Be on Your Wishlist!

April 26, 2011 By 19 Comments

I’ve been looking at a lot of wish lists lately because of the very awesome R.A.K. and this is where I got the idea for this post. Theses are some books that I think should be on everyone’s wish lists if they are not already:
 
A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Witcomb
I read this book years ago. Before I was blogging or maybe just before I was serious about blogging, but either way I loved it. It was beautifully written and unique. I remember not being able to put it down. OH! and I just found out there is going to be a sequel!


Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
I know a lot of people still talk about this book, because its on most everyone’s favorites list that has read it, but I don’t think that is enough. I want EVERYONE to read it. NOW! To put it simply, it is incredible.

 
Hate List by Jennifer Brown
I really loved this book. It’s such a powerful book. It’s so realistic and horrifying. You can’t help but picture yourself in the main characters shoes. It’s easy to imagine falling into this situation, and that makes this such a gripping and emotional read.

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
YOU. MUST. READ. THIS. BOOK. Really! It’s hilariuos and addicting. You will not regret it! I guarantee it!

Go forth and add them to your wishlists!

Filed Under: Books You Can't Miss

A Discovery of Witches Book & Button Giveaway!

April 25, 2011 By 14 Comments
Haven’t you been hearing about this book everywhere?! I know I have and it’s been nothing but good things! So, I’m excited to give you all a change to win A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness and some awesome buttons to go along with it! Here’s a little more about the book:
A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES begins on a late September afternoon when Diana Bishop, a bright, young historian studying amidst the ancient stacks of Oxford’s Bodleian library, calls up a medieval manuscript of alchemical illustrations.  As soon as she picks it up Diana realizes that the book—Ashmole 782—is an enchanted object of untold power.  As it turns out, Diana is not only a first-rate scholar of seventeenth- century chemistry but also a descendant of a long and distinguished line…of witches.  She’s spent her adult life distancing herself from her supernatural destiny, and after a quick look at Ashmole 782 she sends the book back to the stacks and her magical history with it. 
However, Diana isn’t the only one who has noticed that the manuscript has resurfaced, and her discovery immediately sets the fantastical underworld stirring.  It soon becomes apparent that Ashmole 782 is a coveted treasure that’s been lost for centuries and Diana is the first and only being that has met the terms of its spell.  Soon she finds herself beset by members of all three magical species—daemons, witches, and vampires—who swarm upon Oxford, seeking the text.  She finds a crucial ally in Matthew Clairmont, a dashing geneticist and a vampire, whose preeminence in his field has been achieved after years upon years upon years of study.  The two team up despite an age-old enmity between their species, becoming closer over candlelit dinners, supernatural yoga classes, and a trip to Matthew’s ancestral home (well, castle) in southern France.
As their challenges grow, so do Diana’s powers, and together she and Matthew must battle the forces rallying against them to unlock the secrets of a manuscript whose pages promise clues to a mysterious past and uncertain future.  Equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense, A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES is a mesmerizing and addictive read. 
Giveaway details:
Open to US and Canada only.
Ends May 9th.
Must be 13 or older to enter.
Fill out the form:
Giveaway is now closed!
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Filed Under: Giveaways
« Older Posts